The pursuit of perfection -- does it make you happy?

[Hobbsy]

+1 Well articulated. 👍 For the price I pay, I expect my bags to be on point. And I care for my things. So cleaning, conditioning, stuffing my bags is simply being responsible. I take care of my house, car, body. I take care of my bags too.

A couple of points for context about how I look at bags:
1) I love a deal. Some people like hanging out with their SA's and that's great for them. But, I love the feeling of victory when I score a new / like new bag for significantly less than retail. Part of the fun is actually finding my coveted bag - pristine and with all the "extras". So I do closely inspect the bags when I buy. BUT, a stray tiny scratch or loose thread doesn't trip my trigger. It's a bag. Not a surgical instrument. So I don't have micro tolerances. Like the OP, I SMH when people freak out over teeny issues. But hey. To each their own.

2) I'm pretty maniacal about keeping my bags like new. 80% because I like to look good so my bags need to look good 😂 and 20% because I want to flip a bag in a month or 5 years when I tire of it. That being said I USE my bags. I see no reason to have a purse museum. That's just not why I buy bags. From my Chanel's to my no name bags - I enjoy each and every one. In fact if I don't wear a bag at least 4x a year I sell it. No matter how much I "love" it.

Bottom line I'm not seeking perfection. I'm seeking high quality giddy joy sparking happy.

Good post also!!

 

[lulilu]

I think there are different reasons why someone would want their items as perfect as possible. The most common reason I read on the forum is "I paid X amount of money for it, therefore I want it to be perfect". I can understand that to a certain extent IF there is an obvious, blatant defect that might affect the longevity/use of the bag. If the problem is almost invisible i.e. a minor scratch or a small spot of irregularity that's barely perceptible, then IMO that's just being too fussy. The way I see it, the bag(s) will eventually get these little imperfections and wear and tear anyway with use.

The one that boggles me is someone buying something they're afraid to use so it sits in the closet. Why even buy it at that point? I don't know about anyone else but I buy bags to use, not to admire them from afar.

I don't mind small imperfections as long as it doesn't compromise the integrity of the bag(s). While I'm not one to baby my items, I do take care of them and not abuse them either and this goes with anything I own, no matter the cost. I buy things with no intention of selling them in the future but I know some people who sell their stuff eventually and would want to keep them in pristine condition to get a better price for it.

+1 agree! It is really the invisible-to-the-naked eye or minute "defects" I was discussing. An obvious defect is another story.

 

[babysunshine]

I have read a number of subforums and it seems as if there are always threads raising complaints and seeking advice about minute (if visible at all) imperfections in newly purchased bags. The responding posters typically support the OP, advising her to return the offending bag and get a perfect one.

There are also a number of threads about people being afraid to carry their bags, for fear that something might happen to mar their perfection.

And then there are the threads about how carefully some people care for their bags, e.g., keeping plastic protectors on hardware, wiping them down after each use, carefully stuffing them and putting them back in their original boxes to store for the next use. All in order to maintain their perfection.

My question is this. Why buy and own a collection of bags that you are afraid to use? Unless your goal is to have a bag museum, why not just use your bags for their intended purpose? Does happiness with owning a bag reside solely in knowing it's in your closet, packed away in its dust bag and box, only brought out for carefully staged photos? The expense of the bag is often offered up as the reason it must be perfect -- but if you can't afford to use the bag, knowing it will likely have signs of your use and enjoyment over time, can you really afford to own the bag?

I don't understand how this pursuit of perfection brings real happiness in every day life.

(This can just as easily be applied to other items, like jewelry -- will it get scratched if I wear it? Er, probably. But it's made to be worn.)

Ok, back to your regular scheduled programming.

I think that since I have paid this rather huge amount of bucks for a bag or shoes, I'd expect them to be near perfect from the moment they leave the store, and cherish them and preserve as much of their perfection for as long as is humanly possible even while wearing. I don't stress though if they show signs of wear. Of course I'd still wear them and not retire them just for some small signs of imperfection from wear.

 

[jellyv]

I think it has a lot to do with aspirational buying. Those who have had a lot of exposure to quality things have learned the lesson that no matter what, there will be imperfections and variation. Perfect is great--but it doesn't last, and it doesn't exist all that much to start with.

I also think that neurotic obsessing over invisible things or imagined defects is a fast road to misery.

 

[GoStanford]

This is a great thread. Many of you have articulated well the insecurities around designer purse buying.

 

[ahhgoo]

Good post and good question! If too expensive to carry, don't buy IMO. Bags are not museum pieces. They are meant to be used. I don't understand the pursuit of keeping or having perfection in bags either.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I think it has a lot to do with aspirational buying. Those who have had a lot of exposure to quality things have learned the lesson that no matter what, there will be imperfections and variation. Perfect is great--but it doesn't last, and it doesn't exist all that much to start with.

I also think that neurotic obsessing over invisible things or imagined defects is a fast road to misery.

100% agree on both points

 

[skyqueen]

Great thread, Lulilu!
Trying to "adjust" to getting older and having wrinkles was/is tough. Bag imperfections/usage isn't a big deal in comparison to me. You have to pick your fights..................

 

[immigratty]

+1 Well articulated. 👍 For the price I pay, I expect my bags to be on point. And I care for my things. So cleaning, conditioning, stuffing my bags is simply being responsible. I take care of my house, car, body. I take care of my bags too.

A couple of points for context about how I look at bags:
1) I love a deal. Some people like hanging out with their SA's and that's great for them. But, I love the feeling of victory when I score a new / like new bag for significantly less than retail. Part of the fun is actually finding my coveted bag - pristine and with all the "extras". So I do closely inspect the bags when I buy. BUT, a stray tiny scratch or loose thread doesn't trip my trigger. It's a bag. Not a surgical instrument. So I don't have micro tolerances. Like the OP, I SMH when people freak out over teeny issues. But hey. To each their own.

2) I'm pretty maniacal about keeping my bags like new. 80% because I like to look good so my bags need to look good 😂 and 20% because I want to flip a bag in a month or 5 years when I tire of it. That being said I USE my bags. I see no reason to have a purse museum. That's just not why I buy bags. From my Chanel's to my no name bags - I enjoy each and every one. In fact if I don't wear a bag at least 4x a year I sell it. No matter how much I "love" it.

Bottom line I'm not seeking perfection. I'm seeking high quality giddy joy sparking happy.

so glad you understood my gibberish. I typed that response on my fon, and I must say...it is quite awful with more mistakes than I am willing to acknowledge. lol

Good post!

see above, and thank you!!

 

[immigratty]

I think there r 2 issues here, that other posters have already touched on, but I'll take the liberty to outline them.

1. wanting a brand new bag that u just spent a small fortune on to be perfect...and it's right out of the store unworn. and
2. wanting all of ur bags to stay looking perfect even after use.


when it comes to #1 I expect after having spent thousands...or even hundreds of dollars on a bag it will be flawless...unless of course I got the bag at a deeply discounted price. I assume the discount at least in part reflects the "picked over" imperfections that come along with being on display and pawned and tried on by thousands of customers.

as for #2, like with all of my things I like to keep them as nice as possible. I understand that with use signs of wear will come, however, I think this is just peoples' way of attempting to preserve the original luster...there's nothing hawt about a Run Over bag. I don't go to the extremes of many, but I do Stuff my bags and keep them in dust bags to try to avoid unnecessary soiling and wear. I don't see this as any different than. a person waxing and detailing their cars, or covering them, placing protective items on furniture, keeping fur coats in cedar Closets, or expensive suits in garment bags, shoes in boxes...u get my point. just because an item can and will show age, doesnt mean a person shouldn't do what they can to slow down the process

I have quoted myself and "bolded" the corrections. My apologies for the gibberish, I typed that response on my fon, and it is quite awful!

 

[ladysarah]

I have read a number of subforums and it seems as if there are always threads raising complaints and seeking advice about minute (if visible at all) imperfections in newly purchased bags. The responding posters typically support the OP, advising her to return the offending bag and get a perfect one.

There are also a number of threads about people being afraid to carry their bags, for fear that something might happen to mar their perfection.

And then there are the threads about how carefully some people care for their bags, e.g., keeping plastic protectors on hardware, wiping them down after each use, carefully stuffing them and putting them back in their original boxes to store for the next use. All in order to maintain their perfection.

My question is this. Why buy and own a collection of bags that you are afraid to use? Unless your goal is to have a bag museum, why not just use your bags for their intended purpose? Does happiness with owning a bag reside solely in knowing it's in your closet, packed away in its dust bag and box, only brought out for carefully staged photos? The expense of the bag is often offered up as the reason it must be perfect -- but if you can't afford to use the bag, knowing it will likely have signs of your use and enjoyment over time, can you really afford to own the bag?

I don't understand how this pursuit of perfection brings real happiness in every day life.

(This can just as easily be applied to other items, like jewelry -- will it get scratched if I wear it? Er, probably. But it's made to be worn.)

Ok, back to your regular scheduled programming.

That's a great post/tread. I have also wondered about our obsessiveness. It seems to be a cultural thing though, most English people would have a much greater tolerance for 'imperfection' than say, most Asians. Not sure what that says, but it does seem to be true.

 

[EmNYC]

It's my inner OCD that keeps screaming perfection. And the awe that a museum offers when you see something not tattered. But you're totally logically right. It makes no sense and I am guilty as charged.