If you're a 1 bag person, is it worth buying designer?

[christa51]

My style is utilitarian, uniform. I wear 1 bag, all day, every day, wear it for a year or two until it wears out and then move on to a new bag. What bag I was carrying when is one of the ways I enjoy marking the periods in my life. I like good quality leather and design and can afford designer ones.

The thing that stops me though is the thought of the guilt when it's too worn to wear, too worn to sell, and just sitting there taking up space. I start hating myself for buying designer because now it's this thing I can't use or throw away. It seems like designer bag people are collectors, gently rotating out designs from their closets to make them last forever. But I don't love a lot of stuff, and a lot of stuff on the shelf just irks me.

I guess what I'm asking is... Is it worth having any designer bags if you don't (or can't) have more than 1?

 

[aerinha]

I have learned bags are never too worn to sell based in listings of “distressed” leather bags that appear to have been both shot and run over by the same tank at least 100 times. If you have really high end bags like LV or Hermes that are beat up, I would seriously list them on ebay with a lot of pictures showing major flaws, describe them well, start them at 99 cents and see what happens. You might be surprised. If you are doing department store designers like Michael Kors I wouldn’t hesitate to toss them in the good will pile if you really don’t want them and there is no resale value.

I got hooked on thrifting and rehabbing vintage Coach bags. While it isn’t an in brand right now, the old bags are very well made of great leather and last forever. If you found one at a thrift or searched ebay, you can find them for under $75 most of the time depending on condition. A lot are in good enough shape they need no work, but some just need a wash and condition and they are gorgeous for $40.

 

[ChanelCanuck]

I kind of love the idea of if you're going to have one bag, making it designer. I always fret that with the number of bags I have, I'll never achieve a good "cost per wear", but if I had one beautiful designer bag that I wore daily, I wouldn't have that worry anymore and I'd know I got my money's worth. Someone recently posted on the Chanel forum about using her CF with GHW as a "beater" bag! And it's still in beautiful condition, and the slight wear on it hasn't diminished its beauty or elegance. Maybe you could allay some of your fears if you bought preloved instead of new? Then someone else has already "broken in" your bag and you won't stress about it looking worn with use.

 

[amateurjeweler]

If there is one item you know you'll be using every day for many years, it makes sense to buy the highest quality you can afford. You should look at the materials as much as the designer. For instance, a nice saffiano, stain-resistant pebbled, or other grained leather will look newer longer than suede, haircalf, or vachetta. Also consider darker colors that will hide dirt and resist color transfer. Finally, don't look at price as much as construction, material, design, and functionality. I'm sure you can find something nice and durable regardless of whether you spend $500 or $5000. Take care, and let us know what you choose!

 

[leechiyong]

This is what Jane Birkin is known for with her eponymous bag. You don’t have to go the H route, but it’s done.

I’m curious to know what appeals to you about designer brands, given your preference for functionality. Did you find one specifically that you like?

 

[coral8789]

Great question and responses! Without knowing your circumstances (e.g. weather; workplace; budget; if you baby your bag or are more relaxed; how much you carry each day), I would suggest asking yourself the following:

- is there a designer bag that you like, but will also serve everyday needs?
- how do you feel about wear and tear of your existing bag? Do you repair the bag or carry on?
- how will coworkers etc respond if they know it’s a designer bag? Do you commute?

I am not a one bag person, but I do have a go-to everyday bag from Knomo (Grosvenor tote), because it is so practical and sturdy. I don’t “love” this bag like I do with my designer bags, but if I must have only one bag, this would be it. Hope that helps!

 

[msllbl]

What bag I was carrying when is one of the ways I enjoy marking the periods in my life. I like good quality leather and design and can afford designer ones.

The thing that stops me though is the thought of the guilt when it's too worn to wear, too worn to sell, and just sitting there taking up space. I start hating myself for buying designer because now it's this thing I can't use or throw away. I guess what I'm asking is... Is it worth having any designer bags if you don't (or can't) have more than 1?

I would second aerinha’s response on repairing the bag. Depending on the brand they may have their own aftersales repair services (like Hermes) or (although depending on where you are and what bag material you choose) even to seek for local leather repairs/repair shops. There are also YouTube videos available on repairs that show how to re-coat hardware and leather (I believe there was one done on a Chanel classic flap - search YT for “Chanel Classic Flap Bag Restoration”). If you do buy Hermes from the boutique though they advise that you do not try to repair the Hermes bag on your own and they can tell if you treated it and it will be ineligible for their in-house repairs. But like mentioned, there are also bag restoration options.

I have learned bags are never too worn to sell based in listings of “distressed” leather bags that appear to have been both shot and run over by the same tank at least 100 times. If you have really high end bags like LV or Hermes that are beat up, I would seriously list them on ebay with a lot of pictures showing major flaws, describe them well, start them at 99 cents and see what happens. You might be surprised. If you are doing department store designers like Michael Kors I wouldn’t hesitate to toss them in the good will pile if you really don’t want them and there is no resale value.

I got hooked on thrifting and rehabbing vintage Coach bags. While it isn’t an in brand right now, the old bags are very well made of great leather and last forever. If you found one at a thrift or searched ebay, you can find them for under $75 most of the time depending on condition. A lot are in good enough shape they need no work, but some just need a wash and condition and they are gorgeous for $40.

 

[Clearblueskies]

I have lots of bags but I only ever have one wallet at a time. I keep the box, tags and receipt and put it on eBay when I decide it’s too worn for me to use anymore. I’m always honest about the condition and take lots of pictures to highlight wear and tear, and I’ve never had any problems selling them. Honestly, it’s astonishing what people are prepared to pay.

 

[bolsathemosta]

My style is utilitarian, uniform. I wear 1 bag, all day, every day, wear it for a year or two until it wears out and then move on to a new bag. What bag I was carrying when is one of the ways I enjoy marking the periods in my life. I like good quality leather and design and can afford designer ones.

The thing that stops me though is the thought of the guilt when it's too worn to wear, too worn to sell, and just sitting there taking up space. I start hating myself for buying designer because now it's this thing I can't use or throw away. It seems like designer bag people are collectors, gently rotating out designs from their closets to make them last forever. But I don't love a lot of stuff, and a lot of stuff on the shelf just irks me.

I guess what I'm asking is... Is it worth having any designer bags if you don't (or can't) have more than 1?

What you do is stalk the Goodwill online auction site a few days before Christmas and set up your watch list. The day after Christmas and the next two weeks if you want to get a whole new wardrobe with it, are the best time to score amazing everything. I got a vintage lady dior cannage, a prada barrel key lock bag, a vintage Fendi convertible bowler in pristine condition, and a quilted multi-pocket Marc Jacob's bag for $340 with shipping...all of them had COA's.
It's also the week I buy a few new beautiful coats and jackets. A bit of cashmere, stock up on fuzzy blankets for the dogs, and score a pair of the best boots I can find. Last xmas I got a nice pair of Vince Camutos and a pair of woven leather boot shoes from a Brazilian designer that I love. Oh and several pairs of EUC lucky and michael kors jeans... spent about $575 total.
Lowered my carbon footprint, helped a good charity, saved money, made some money from 2 of those bags...kept the prada and MJ for myself, and wont feel guilty about any of it.
If you just hate wearing pre-owned clothes there are plenty of NWT items too, just takes a bit more work to find them.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

If it's just one bag then it needs to be solid enough to hold up for your longer-term use, but no way would I go high-tier designer or even mid-designer for a bag I intended to wear daily. While some of those designer bags might hold up to daily abuse and wear you're probably better off with something far less expensive. No bag can hold up with daily use and abuse for years on end. If you're getting 2+ years of wear from your non-designer bags with daily use you're doing amazing. Maybe treat yourself to a designer slg/wallet and continue on as you have. If the system ain't broke...

 

[Happycantwait]

I am also a one bag person. Right now I am carrying a Chanel reissue 227. I like it, but don’t love it like I did my previous bag. But designer or not get something you will love. I used my last bag 4 or 5 years until the corners got worn. It was also a little smaller than I needed. But I wish I could get the EXACT same bag just a little larger, but they just don’t have it.

 

[misspink001]

I think that the forum might be skewing your view of owning designer bags. Yes, on here, most people seem to own a lot of bags, a bunch of different colors, different hardwares, different brands, but I think in the non-Purse Forum world, people don't own as many as it appears on here, at least not as many designer brands, This is just a concentrated environment of people who love designer bags.
I think if you want a designer bag, get one. Only if you want on though. Don't get one just because you feel pressure to get one. It's all up to you and what you like. I do agree, the better the quality, the longer it will probably last. My best friend from college would buy cheap fake leather bags from Target and then complain when it would fall apart after 3 months.
Concerning what to do when you're done with them, remember what it was like before the internet and reselling. People didn't buy something based on what you'll get when you're done with it. They bought it because they liked it. When you're don't with it, who cares what you do with it. As long as you feel like you got your money's worth, that's all that matters. Donating it or selling through a low priced bidding site is as added bonus, but shouldn't be the end result.
Good Luck!!

 

[papertiger]

Depends on which bag from which designer.

 

[meechelley]

I am very much like yourself. I usually wear the same bag (to go to the store, work, shopping, etc) for a while. Mostly cause I'm too lazy to put all my things into a new bag everytime . The only times I change up the bag is if I'm traveling (I go for an oversized bag/backpack and I bring a smaller sized purse that will fit into the bigger one for everyday use once I'm there) or if I'm going to an evening event (I do a clutch or a very small bag to keep the essentials in). Other than that, same bag everyday.

With that said, I still buy designer bags. I usually buy Coach/Kate Spade/MK and such for my everyday uses. I also have sold a few of my Coach bags in the past especially if they were a limited style/color and not badly worn out to help fund my next bag that I'm eyeing. I do keep 1-2 other more expensive designers in my closet to rotate through every so often when I'm not being lazy and want to just make an outfit feel a bit more special.

 

[vodense]

I don't like to own a lot of bags either. I only tend to use 1 or 2 bags every day. I'm too lazy to rotate between bags every day, so I tend to keep my collection to a minimum. Ever since I started buying designer, I have only bought 3 non-designer bags. And those are the only bags I regret buying.
I would recommend you buying a designer bag for several reasons. They hold their value better (despite being shed to tears) and they are usually of a higher quality. I would buy the bag preloved. If you don't like the bag anymore you can sell it and buy a new one preloved. You wouldn't end up "losing" a lot of money and you would've had a beautiful bag for years.
What I experienced with my non-designer bags was that they wore faster (cheaper price tag is usually a sign of cheaper quality too) and I couldn't resell them. So I ended up either giving them away or throwing them out, which in the end is quite wasteful. And if it was your only bag you would have to buy a new one again. In the end it's you who has to wear it, so I would say buy a bag you love. But I would go with a quality bag.