im a psychologist. and i can tell you for sure (my opinion) that everybody has a different reason to be OCD or addicted to something. it is NOT a global reason at all.
What causes an addiction to handbags?
- Thread starter violeturq
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Because it always fit! 
And it's a great accessory. Otherwise, how am I going to schlepp my stuff around?
And it's a great accessory. Otherwise, how am I going to schlepp my stuff around?
I think you look beautiful before AND after! But you're right, I am plus size as well and bags make me feel happy and more confident. If I'm carrying a bag I feel like I can conquer the world! haha.
Furthermore- I can remember carrying a bag with me all the time when I was a little girl lol.
I remember when I was 6-7 years old I asked my mom so many times to get me a Hello Kitty or Betty boop wallet she got it eventually and I remember I was so happy and use the wallet everyday I even asked her to print some of my little pictures of betty boop to use as a credit card..lol But it was a good memory and up to now my mom always tell me that from rhe start I like all the girly girl things. Growing up I'm always a bag and wallet lover, now that I'm adult I still love handbags and wallet I'm very selective and I know what style and brand that I like, I wasn't a buy and sell person either I never sold any of my bags to get another bag all my bags has a memory and story behind it I do not have the largest collection but for some people it's large collection. I think being addictive to the bag world is very easy and sometimes it's a cycle to buy constantly but for me I buy accordingly and I'm happy wirh my collection and being member of TPF is def a addict site for handbag lovers like us.
I think it's like anything else. I just started a true luxury bag collection in the past 3-4 years. The pandemic didn't help. I'm 55 and only had around 4 luxury bags that I purchased in my late 30s early 40s. Then I stopped for years and started again recently. I started watching Youtube handbag unboxings, just by accident. Then reviews. Then what fits. Then I started buying and now I have my own Youtube channel doing the same type of videos. Anything can become addicting. Stay away from luxury videos and do not spend your spare time browsing on the internet in the department stores or boutiques. That's dangerous too. Not everyone shops to fill a void. Sometimes you just enjoy really beautiful things (like most of us) but the more you see the more you'll want. You have to put tight restrictions on yourself. Only allow (for example) one new handbag every 6 months. REGARDLESS of, if it will not be available. That's why you cannot look until you are ready to buy. Or one bag per year just for your birthday. Or only purchase one bag for every 3 you sell. If that doesn't work, seek therapy
I’ve loved handbags since I was a little girl. I always wore one since elementary school. My mom wore beautiful bags when I was growing up and I would always play pretend with her designer bags (Fendi, Coach, MCM, etc.). When I got older, she gave me some of her designer bags. When I was in college I saved up and bought my first Gucci GG pochette in Milan and second Gucci in London (leather crescent hobo) during a trip to Europe with my college mates. I’ve been collecting since then. I try to limit myself to one a year or one in, one out. It’s been 20 years. I still have not bought my all my HG bags yet, only because I have not come across the right color and hardware. Bags make me happy. I work hard to get them. Bags are not binding to the body and they don’t hurt to wear them. Better than clothes and shoes that can not fit over time. I have other hobbies like bird watching, photography and traveling. But it’s too easy to look at bags on your phone anytime and anywhere.
I think anyone can get addicted to anything. I think handbag addiction is lesser of the two evils compared to drugs or alcohol. It only becomes a problem when you have given up on things you're supposed to do like paying bills, family responsibilities, self care, going to work or school. Or if you're doing things that are criminal to get handbags or luxury items. I do not think that there is anything wrong if you want to spend your hard earned money on the things that bring you joy and happiness. I enjoy being girly. Growing up my mom was a tomboy. She grew up on a farm. We all have our own personalities and I just happened to be girly. My mom tried hard to make me into a tomboy like her. She cried when my dad bought me these floral embroidered jeans in 90s. It was my dad that gave me my first purse. I am girly. I only wear dresses. I do not like pants. I will buy the things with my hard earned money that make me happy whether someone has a problem with that or not is them.
I wonder if some get addicted to the dopamine high you get, first when you buy the bag, then when they ship the bag, then the day of delivery which of course you have tracked, then finally getting the bag. That's a lot of "highs".
I don’t know exactly but I feel like I have a strong desires to buy. I don’t have much as I’m a guy but when I see someone wearing bag, I feel like I want to have that.
I’m feeling it. I just bought a bag in May and I reeeeeeallly want to buy another bag now. It’s only July. Well, basically August. Every 2-3 months I feel like I want a new bag! But I don’t even know what bag I want!
I know that bag browsing and buying is my addiction. I use it to comfort myself.
I know that bag browsing and buying is my addiction. I use it to comfort myself.
+1 with @Allthingsheart. Just because we love certain items doesn’t mean we are addicted. Probably like many here. I’ve always loved handbags and clothes since I was very young. While spending time on TPF gives me ideas, my wardrobe rate of acquisition is pretty stable. I dont need to own everything I like, but I buy things I love that I know I will use and can afford.
I remember carrying a bag from a very young age. Always being envious of glamorous women and their clutches or totes. I become obsessed with LV around the age of 16. I have a collection that I don’t use other than a few. I spend and save telling myself I need this bag I’ll use it , I’ll be happy when I get this bag and then as soon as I get it I start obsessing over the next one.
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Sometimes it’s due to uncertainty of future. A handbag is like a smallest scale of future planning; what to put inside, with what outfit, the occasions etc. If we have anxiety towards the forseeable future and fear that we have no control, we tend to gravitate towards things that we can control, in our case, it’s the handbags. —according to my therapist.
Personally, my own body weight fluctuates a lot (depending on lifestyle habits/stress/mindfulness) to where I don’t bother buying expensive clothing anymore but bags *always* fit
My dopamine rush is looking in the mirror in the mornings and thinking ‘yup, yup, girl , you get ready to rock the world’ before heading off to work commute with my bag
My dopamine rush is looking in the mirror in the mornings and thinking ‘yup, yup, girl , you get ready to rock the world’ before heading off to work commute with my bag
