How does it make you feel when you get a new handbag or in the process of planning to buy one?
- Thread starter RitaLA
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I think we can all relate!!I personally feel, to be very honest, attracted to the thrill and how great it feels to just get a brand new bag. But after been on this forum for so many years, the appeal of certain bags don’t cut it anymore. For example, i was super excited to get a Louis Vuitton Felicie and I was so excited to do the research and read the reviews and watch any videos available blah blah blah so then I make a decision to get it. After two months I am already planning the next purchase and that’s when I realized I am addicted to handbags and I need to stop. Can anyone relate!
I remember that colourful tote bag I saw in a shopping mall.... Looked like the ones you get at the supermarket except it was leather.
When I looked at the price tag, I burst out laughing. Something around €1500
I said to the SA " oh dear, if I took it home my friends would think I had it for free."
She burst out laughing and replied " You know, it sells like hot cakes here... because of the big printed logo..."
When I looked at the price tag, I burst out laughing. Something around €1500
I said to the SA " oh dear, if I took it home my friends would think I had it for free."
She burst out laughing and replied " You know, it sells like hot cakes here... because of the big printed logo..."
I am the same way. I found myself buying bags to escape whatever stress I was dealing with at the time. I would search for hours for things I knew were discontinued just to see if I could find it. Sometimes I would build an entire cart or watch list only to delete or unwatch the items the next morning. I realized I didn't actually want the item but seeking it out filled that temporary void I was feeling. By the next day I was dealing better with whatever stress trigger was fueling the search and I moved on. Realizing this was happening helped me to identify it and stop the impulse buy, regret later decisions. Now, I never buy anything late at night. I always sleep on it. It isn't full proof but it helos.
I completely can relate to everything you have said. I think realizing what is happening is the first step in learning to control it.Totally agree. This is actually where I am now. (Well, I felt a lot better after reading all the thoughtful replies in this thread. Thank you so much ya’ll. But man, I was in bad shape earlier this week when I was literally driving myself crazy, just itching to buy a new bag.). I was like, how on earth did I get here? What the hell am I doing? Why can’t I control this? I’m not in debt either, or in danger of living on the streets from this or anything like that, but it WAS really scary to realize that I’m teetering on the brink of not being able to stop myself.
What @Mariapia and @eckw said above is absolutely the right things to focus on. Stop looking (impossible as that may seem to me right now), and also, step back and realize that most people DON’T have a bag addiction. That the bags are not really worth thousands of dollars, in terms of how much it cost to make them. Like my mon mono Neverfull. I look at it and it’s literally a simple piece of canvas with a bottom; two thin straps, and my initials painted on it. In the colors of my choice. For close to $2000. It’s hard to justify. And yet I want a speedy too! Sigh.
My plan now is to use the heck out of the 5 bags I already have. Get my moneys worth, if that’s even possible. I finally confessed to my husband I have an addiction to buying bags. I told him that every day I DON’T buy a bag is a small victory!!! I wonder how long I can keep up this bag ban. Hopefully I can make it at least a year. And then after that hopefully I’ll not want to break my streak.
And my final thought is, yes, we all have different reasons we get addicted to buying bags. Some of the ones were already mentioned above: stress, self esteem, the thrill of the boutique experience. For me, it’s boredom. I like that excitement of looking and buying online. I actually don’t like the boutique experience that much anymore. Too many two faced SA’s, but that’s a different story. It’s so easy and gratifying to just point and click. BUT I’m going to try to find other ways to spice up my life. Like maybe going on a trip in October! My first plane ride with my toddler
I am not like this with any other item. I don't collect shoes, jewelry, pottery, cats, coats, hats, etc. Nothing else. I don't know WHAT it is about bags, I just know I love them and love how I feel when I'm using a bag I'm infatuated with.
Same here, Shelby.
I think that a bag is an intimate accessory, a sort of everyday companion that we take everywhere we go and contains all our personal stuff when we leave home whether for an hour or a working day We can put it on our lap, touch it while being in a doctor's waiting room or riding the underground. A little like the piece of cloth or the little teddy bear children sleep with and don't want to get rid of.
One should be enough then.... but no...
We are always looking for the perfect one.. though we know we'll never find it....
Yes that's it! I feel naked without my bag haha, and love looking for THE ONE.Same here, Shelby.
I think that a bag is an intimate accessory, a sort of everyday companion that we take everywhere we go and contains all our personal stuff when we leave home whether for an hour or a working day We can put it on our lap, touch it while being in a doctor's waiting room or riding the underground. A little like the piece of cloth or the little teddy bear children sleep with and don't want to get rid of.
One should be enough then.... but no...
We are always looking for the perfect one.. though we know we'll never find it....
Can’t figure that one out either. I ask myself “why bags?” I don’t have a freaking answer. It’s not even logical
My hubby swears I’m addicted to bags hahaha. I’m always looking at different designers/styles etc... Looking on tpf!!! 
But what he doesn’t realize is that I use these places as resources to ensure that the bags that I are on my wish list are truly what I want.
Ultimately, my goal is to buy bags with specific needs in mind. For example, an every day bag for spring/summer and one for fall/winter. A nice evening bag for the same seasons. A great travel tote... You get the idea. I saw this idea somewhere on tpf (and I wish I could give the member credit but I don’t remember who stated it). This allows me to search for bags that fulfill a purpose without going overboard and still get the thrill of getting a new bag (or new to me bag). And once a need has been filled, it’s a strict rule of 1 in; 1 out. Which makes me really examine this “new” bag and is it better than my existing bag and is it worth the time/trouble to sell it, etc...
And, I dont really splurge on other things. No designer jewelry, belts, shoes... My only real vice are handbags.
I hope this makes sense. For me, it allows me to keep doing what I enjoy; learning about designer brands, learing what I like/want in a bag and what my $ thresholds are. (Sorry Hermes, I’m looking at you here
).
And then I’ll be damned if hubby doesn’t say
“You need the matching wallet to go with that bag.”
But what he doesn’t realize is that I use these places as resources to ensure that the bags that I are on my wish list are truly what I want. Ultimately, my goal is to buy bags with specific needs in mind. For example, an every day bag for spring/summer and one for fall/winter. A nice evening bag for the same seasons. A great travel tote... You get the idea. I saw this idea somewhere on tpf (and I wish I could give the member credit but I don’t remember who stated it). This allows me to search for bags that fulfill a purpose without going overboard and still get the thrill of getting a new bag (or new to me bag). And once a need has been filled, it’s a strict rule of 1 in; 1 out. Which makes me really examine this “new” bag and is it better than my existing bag and is it worth the time/trouble to sell it, etc...
And, I dont really splurge on other things. No designer jewelry, belts, shoes... My only real vice are handbags.
I hope this makes sense. For me, it allows me to keep doing what I enjoy; learning about designer brands, learing what I like/want in a bag and what my $ thresholds are. (Sorry Hermes, I’m looking at you here
). And then I’ll be damned if hubby doesn’t say
“You need the matching wallet to go with that bag.”
There’s this deliberation process- where I keep googling , and then check out the bags on celebrities. Ultimately, if. I keep thinking about it.. I’ll get it!
Same here, Shelby.
I think that a bag is an intimate accessory, a sort of everyday companion that we take everywhere we go and contains all our personal stuff when we leave home whether for an hour or a working day We can put it on our lap, touch it while being in a doctor's waiting room or riding the underground. A little like the piece of cloth or the little teddy bear children sleep with and don't want to get rid of.
One should be enough then.... but no...
We are always looking for the perfect one.. though we know we'll never find it....
And oh how we always get a thrill when a family member is experiencing a moment of need and crisis and the solution can be found handily in our purse. "Honey, do you have any extra dog scooper bags?" "Why of course! I have six! Here!...Here!...and HERE! Which brand do you prefer?"
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This is a great thread! Looking for a new handbag is a process for me. It has to fit my lifestyle. I pick practical bags which can easily transition from work to weekend but there’s a side of me that wants to buy the fun prints and styles. I did try that before and ended up selling the fun bags because I don’t really use them a lot. I am recently forced to do cold turkey on handbag buying because I recently bought a new car so my monthly budget has switched. But right before the car purchase I made sure that I am somewhat satisfied with my handbag collection. It could be slightly improved but I’m somewhat happy not buying a bag for 5 yrs til my car is paid off.
Wow ... i am truly impressed!!! I am determined to go one year possibly two and re-shape the buying process there after. But I don’t know if I could go 0 for five years. Kuddos to you!!!