Rotating bags at a new job; how soon is too soon?!

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enga4

enga4

E.N.G.A.T.5.
O.G.
Apr 25, 2009
7,337
1
#1
I just started a new job this Monday. I (like many of us here!) have a few bags... More than a few, lol, and I like to rotate them out and coordinate outfits w them, but at my last job I think it was a noted negative that I had so many bags. Not that they're all premier designer or anything (I have a few old, "beater" mj bags, mostly Hayden harnett, one mbmj hillier), but most chicks wear the same bag every day until it dies and that's it.

So far, I've played cool by taking the same messenger on the interview and the last two days. But it's wine colored and heavy, def not my first choice for an every day bag, ESP when I'll be taking public transit and needing bigger and bags to haul my stuff in.

There are only maybe 4 other ladies in the office- the boss' wife, 2 senior office ladies, and 1 gal that does data/scanning. I'm the newest admin working w two guys, and the rest of the small office is male. Conservative dress in terms of covering up, skirts and hose for ladies, elbows covered, but not full-out formal suits. The boss' wife will be out for another 2.5 weeks, so I don't really have a feel for her handbag-style. One of the senior gals has a black coach bag (large tote w flared out sides, leather, cute), but it looks like her everyday bag. I'm sure she sticks mainly to that one and doesn't switch. I haven't noticed the other 2 ladies' purses, yet, but I get the sense by the way that they dress that they're not crazyish purse ladies like me!

My question is, hopefully w enough back story to better advise me (!), what kind of schedule should I make as to slowly swapping my bags without making anyone think I'm a snot or frivolous for having bags I like to wear and rotate? I need to keep this job, and it's a place I could see myself staying in and moving up the ranks in time, but that won't be the case if I don't make it past these first few weeks/months!
 
#2
I don't think it will be a problem as long as you don't carry purses with huge logos!
When I took my Balenciaga to work...nobody knew it was a Bal...it wasn't written anywhere.... Same with one of my Chloés....or my Vanessa Bruno....
 
#3
Sorry, but this a dream job, where the biggest problem is bag :). Congrats! :)
I mean women - colleagues will be appreciated You for good taste, donť worry. If You are fine girl, You will be poluar despite what You wear.
Good luck in a new job!
 
#4
I think you should not worry much about bag rotation, though I agree about the recognizability-factor of logo bags so go logo free for the moment. If you suppress yourself too much, you might feel anxious. And like most people here, one of the biggest motivation to get up from bed is planning what to wear to work.. and that includes the bag! :flowers: Every office needs a crazy bag person, and it's about time they get theirs! :p
 
#5
enga4 said:
I just started a new job this Monday. I (like many of us here!) have a few bags... More than a few, lol, and I like to rotate them out and coordinate outfits w them, but at my last job I think it was a noted negative that I had so many bags. Not that they're all premier designer or anything (I have a few old, "beater" mj bags, mostly Hayden harnett, one mbmj hillier), but most chicks wear the same bag every day until it dies and that's it.

So far, I've played cool by taking the same messenger on the interview and the last two days. But it's wine colored and heavy, def not my first choice for an every day bag, ESP when I'll be taking public transit and needing bigger and bags to haul my stuff in........
Click to expand...

I know this can be a problem sometimes, so I would suggest starting out with one neutral bag that meets all your needs and stick to that one for at least a month or two. I think a lot of people change out bags once a month or so, I know I did that for years. Maybe later when you all get to know each other, you can relax a little on this.
 
#6
Thank you all do the responses!

Yes, maybe a month is ok. All of my bags are logo-free, but I usually carry leather ones. At the last job, the ladies mostly carried pleather or like shopping bags (?)... I think it's good that the one coworker carries a coach bag, probably means they won't mind so much and appreciate better bags!

There are like twice as many men working there; it's a small office. I think that will help, too; ladies can be brutal where guys usually don't notice or care!
 
#7
It may not even be noticed....your bag is probably in a drawer most of the day?
You may wnat to check out the boss's wife and not outshine her - at least initially
 
#8
Great question, great thread. I rotate my bags and notice negative reactions from my coworkers, but I honestly don't care, and I've been there awhile.

Since you're new, I agree that waiting a month and then starting to switch sounds like a good idea. Ultimately, you have to be true to yourself and your style habits. If you're a good employee, you're a good employee, and what you wear or carry shouldn't matter.
 
#9
This is such a smart thread!! Having worked in conservative law firms, from my experience, the women didn't notice so much my bags as much as a different outfit every day. I am not one to switch my bags often as I only have 4 - 5 basic every day. My bags are unrecognizable Gucci and BV leather. The male lawyers might have detected what they were but I don't think so. In any event, you are getting great advice here!! Best of luck in your new job!
 
#10
I've seen similar threads posted before on this same topic and I've always thought it interesting that anyone would worry about what bag to bring to work. I used to work as a nurse in a pediatrician's office, so although I didn't make much money, my husband did and therefore I lived in a nicer house, drove a nicer car, and carried more expensive bags than even any of the doctors in the office. It is what it is, so why try to hide it. I worked with these people for over 10 years and eventually over time, they saw my car, they saw my house and they saw me carry in a variety of different bags, but nobody ever judged me, or held it against me. I never noticed any jealousy, in fact as people got to know me and learned of my obsession with handbags it was something they enjoyed discussing with me, always eager to hear about my most recent purchase and see what it looked like.

I try to be a friendly, caring person and be interested in people for who they are, not what they have and hope that people will treat me accordingly. Honestly, in all the time that I have been carrying expensive bags, I have never once been judged by anybody - not family, friends, or co-workers. Maybe I've just been lucky, or maybe it's all just in the attitude (not acting like having nicer things makes you better than other people), but if someone has a problem with your bags, that's their problem, not yours.
 
#11
I'd be rotaing my bags from day two, it's part of who i am and i wouldn't even consider changing for a new job, if ppl notice fine, if they don't that's fine too, i do it for me and me alone. I know i wouldn't be happy using the same bag everyday, the same one every week is just enough
 
#13
Just be careful sometimes girls especially since the bosses wife works there can get "jelous" of your nice things if they do relaize what it is.. This can also cause for her to tell her husband-your boss that you have all this money for bags....Idk how that situation could turn out....I would say just have like 2 work bags. I don't think work is the place to take and show off all your bags. I am not saying don't be stylish lol
Maybe wait it out a few months see how things are there first. Im my opinion first get to know the other ladies especially the bosses wife and see how they are first.
Hope this helps..
This is just my opinion BTW.
:)
 
#14
indiaink said:
I think the 'noticing of the bag change' is in your head, m'dear. :D

Rotate at will, IMO. Enjoy what you have.
Click to expand...

I wish, India. The chickie whose cubicle was behind mine at the old place mentioned it multiple times. Not in a bad way, but she was totally wi earshot of the supervisor w the cubicle in front of mine who had it out for me in no time... Another gal mentioned my shoes, how I always wear heels or nice shoes or whatever, and I replied, if I don't wear them now, when would I wear them? Lol. I noticed that after I started, people that never had painted their nails started doing them regularly-- even the tomboy "I NEVER wear makeup" supervisor. Most likely it just wasn't the place I was meant to be, since I was so mismatched w the other office staff there.

Thanks everyone for responding! Yes, most of the time my purse will be in a drawer, so not a big deal. The boss' wife seems very fashionable, but probably more a conservative shopper since they have TWELVE kids, lol!

I like the idea of rotating only 2 or 3 bags. Hard to do, since I spend most of my time there outside of the house! When I'm home, I have the 3 kids w me, so I can't really take my nicer/handheld only bags out as much as I'd like!
 
#15
ilovekitty said:
Just be careful sometimes girls especially since the bosses wife works there can get "jelous" of your nice things if they do relaize what it is.. This can also cause for her to tell her husband-your boss that you have all this money for bags....
Click to expand...

She *did* ask me how I could've left my former job wo something else lined up. I told her that I have a husband that works very hard and that I can be choosy w my next job move, to find something that actually fits me instead of just finding something for an immediate paycheck. So I'm glad that they know up front a little more about me, that I'm married and have a family, and still hired me in the spot, vs the alternative of hiding all of that and then either letting it out slowly, all of my personal info... :-D
 
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