Hi all, I want to invest in a new pre-loved Bal and I could use some advice. I LOVE my F/W 06 Black City and I have an ivory twiggy that's also about that old. I'm pretty sure both are chevre. Personally, I'm a neutrals gal and I don't wear much color so my color bal purchases have been set aside for small accessories. Should I go for a tan/brown bal or something with a little red perhaps (like the black cherry or chataigne)? I have two colors and I adore them both: the 2013 iphone case in bleu mineral and I love how vivid it looks and the '09 sanguine real coin wallet (best wallet ever btw). Should I maybe go toward the blues instead? Anyone out there face the same conundrum, and if you have, do you find yourself coming back to wearing your black bbags more often than your colors or vice versa? Thanks for reading my lengthy question :worthy:
[fair warning... this is a LONG post! Sorry!!]
I can relate! I wear neutrals and earth tones almost exclusively. I'm hugely drawn to color and I LOVE the *idea* of making my outfits more exciting with a bold handbag...but my black bags are my workhorse bags and the ones I continually return to. Like maddie66 I drool over these gorgeous reveals, oh how I covet those jewel toned gems... even knowing that for me they wouldn't be the best investment.
I've kind of learned the hard way. I've bought and then resold several pre-loved Bals in beautiful bold colors, telling myself that THIS is going to be the one that changes everything... and then I feel weird out using it and I lose money reselling it! LOL.
I think it takes A LOT of discipline and knowing-thy-self to buy wisely when there are so many gorgeous options. I used to tell myself it was stupid to buy several styles in one color (black, of course), but black is my comfort zone so for me the best investment is to have several black styles i can switch around for different occasions/days/purposes (and uber neutral RH Citys in blanc, cigar fonce, and anthracite to cover the non-black days)
All of that said, I've found that I like to have a red bag for days when I want a pop of color, like if I'm wearing all black, or jeans and a white shirt with black flats. But this was another hard-learned lesson. I had a gorgeous f/w 2011 coquelicot RH City that I didn't use frequently, so after a lot of debating I sold it... and quickly regretted it.
So for me the bottom line is: just because you may not use it frequently doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't have a place in your collection. We all have our workhorses and our "occasional" bags, I think. I think first and foremost you need to feel comfortable carrying whatever the style and color. If you don't, you won't use it and it is money wasted. Secondly, you need to feel satisfied that you are getting an amount of use from the bag that is commensurate with the investment you've made... and of course that's all relative.
I'm not sure if that's helpful!!! I guess when I'm in that spot, it always helps to know that others are too!!
I wish you luck! Let us know what you decide!
check out the care & maintenance thread 
