Let's see....well my mom was always all about cheap bags. The more bag the better (but leather only).
At some point I caught on to how bag can help indicate "status" if you will and I started to look for nicer bags.
I ended up getting a brand less leather tote for work from Nordstroms one time. It was around $60 and my most expensive purse at the time. (This was post college).
Then I started hunting around TJ Maxx/Marshalls for nicer bags. Ended up with a super soft Via Spiga hobo for $100. I still have this bag. But it is so old, it is pre-cell phone pockets. I don't use it often anymore. I might have to bust it out soon on a weekend.
I think I was prompted to join this forum when I was briefly considering saving up for a used Kelly, of finding a Kelly-like bag. I have been coveting these since about age 12 or so. Then reality set in, and I found that one in a size I'd want (or really any size) was ridiculously our of budget.
Then I was ready to "go big" but still in budget. My aunt had a Coach bag. And she had it since I was a teen and it was still looking great. I wasn't sure I wanted Coach, as this was when the logo-ed bags were exploding. And well my mom pretty much banned logos and instilled this belief in me since birth so I thought the only bag choices would suit my style.
I wanted a nice classic bag. I got a Coach Hampton Carryall and it was so expensive for me. After getting gipped on the low-end bags at Ross for a while, I was ready to get a nice polished work bag. Loved that bag. Mine was black with light blue stitching and silver hardware. I even grabbed the matching slingbacks (these are some seriously comfy shoes. I still have them, around 9 years later!).
And it was very interesting how my then CFO started treating me when I was carrying that bag. (She had LV bags, and a Chanel bag) Suddenly she started talking to me about shopping at Nordstom's and Whole Foods and all kinds of other stuff. And she was way nicer to me.
As for purse collecting, I blame Coach actually. I was happy with my lovely Hampton bag, and then the strap had a problem. I took it in for repair. They couldn't fix it.
They gave me store credit instead (this was like 2 years later). So I went in the store, aiming to replace that bag. But sadly it was discontinued and there was no good structure equivalent. So I just used my credit for a fun bag. A nice orange Coach Ergo Hobo (cute bag!). And some other accessories. And then my hunt for the perfect black bag continued. For a long time. Years.
Anyway. Now my collection looks something like this:
more Coach: 3 Kristen bags: hippie, tote and satchel, 1 Poppy satchel, an MFF Satchel with a top flap (I never did really like this one, it was supposed to replace my hampton carryall but I didn't love it), Pinnacle clutch, a few wristlets
Michael Kors: Jenna, Joan and the newest: the Selma, my perfect black bag, Gunmetal clutch, and a Gunmetal Hobo, Saffiano Hamilton
Kate Spade: a quilted satchel, and a messenger like cross body
Furla: cobalt hobo
Reed Krakoff: bronze kit crossbody (just a few weeks old, and outlet score)
BCBG: black satchel (this was my work bag for a while)
Botkier: a metallic shoulder bag scored at a consignment shop
I have a mental limit of about $500. But I am coveting a Reed Krakoff bag too. We'll see if that happens. I doubt I'll ever cross $1000. Now that I got the MK Selma, it kind of negates the need for an Atlantique. And the Boxer, while lovely, is only a handheld so not too practical for my lifestyle.
But I am ready to pare down. I had a few items on my wishlist over the past year or so, and I have crossed them off. It is time for me to clean up my bag collection. Some of the MK bags will be retired! I tend to be a "collector" but it is one of my goals to pare down everything in my life to just the stuff I love. And not the could have beens.
