What do you consider before you buy a new luxury handbag?

[Anesthestia]

For me, this is pretty much what I go through! (Unless I really really love it and fall head-over-heels and just need to buy it right that second-- but thankfully this doesn't happen too much!)

1. What do I love about the bag and what purpose will it serve?
   Sometimes I simply fall in love with how it looks, but I have to consider balancing it out with my lifestyle. How many similar bags to this do I have, and what does this particular one offer to my collection? If I add this to my collection, will I have to let another bag go?
2. Research! The size, the material / type of leather, wear-and-tear, strap length for my body frame...
   I watch a lot of youtube reviews and unboxings, they're very helpful.
3. How long will I be keeping this bag and what's the resale value? What's the cost per wear?
   I ask this to myself not because I'm terribly fussed about the resale value, but because of two things. (1) If I'm able to find this bag excellent condition or brand new on the preloved market for significantly less than retail, then why not go with the savings? Ex. I just bought an excellent condition Chanel Classic Flap for half of retail (2) If the bag doesn't work out for me, it's helpful to be aware of the resale value beforehand.
4. Compile the pros and cons. Do the cons outweigh the pros? If yes, do I still want the bag, and am I willing to compromise for all the cons?
5. Do I still want it? If I do, do I have the budget? If not... time to save!

Thanks to mostly research, I've been able to cross a lot of bags off my list. Almost all the bags that didn't work out for me that I ended up selling was due to lack of research and thinking on my part. For example, my Chloe Drew - uncomfortable chain strap that dug in, Chanel Boy - clunky chain strap, noisy and annoying, mini Diorama - too small like the WOC... these are all things I would have easily found out if I'd done my research beforehand!
I really try to think about the buying of a new bag properly / logically (honestly no handbag over $20 is logical but... can't resist, haha!), and would love to hear things you consider before going through with a new purchase! After all, money is money, and we always strive to make good purchases.

 

[papertiger]

For me, this is pretty much what I go through! (Unless I really really love it and fall head-over-heels and just need to buy it right that second-- but thankfully this doesn't happen too much!)

1. What do I love about the bag and what purpose will it serve?
   Sometimes I simply fall in love with how it looks, but I have to consider balancing it out with my lifestyle. How many similar bags to this do I have, and what does this particular one offer to my collection? If I add this to my collection, will I have to let another bag go?
2. Research! The size, the material / type of leather, wear-and-tear, strap length for my body frame...
   I watch a lot of youtube reviews and unboxings, they're very helpful.
3. How long will I be keeping this bag and what's the resale value? What's the cost per wear?
   I ask this to myself not because I'm terribly fussed about the resale value, but because of two things. (1) If I'm able to find this bag excellent condition or brand new on the preloved market for significantly less than retail, then why not go with the savings? Ex. I just bought an excellent condition Chanel Classic Flap for half of retail (2) If the bag doesn't work out for me, it's helpful to be aware of the resale value beforehand.
4. Compile the pros and cons. Do the cons outweigh the pros? If yes, do I still want the bag, and am I willing to compromise for all the cons?
5. Do I still want it? If I do, do I have the budget? If not... time to save!

Thanks to mostly research, I've been able to cross a lot of bags off my list. Almost all the bags that didn't work out for me that I ended up selling was due to lack of research and thinking on my part. For example, my Chloe Drew - uncomfortable chain strap that dug in, Chanel Boy - clunky chain strap, noisy and annoying, mini Diorama - too small like the WOC... these are all things I would have easily found out if I'd done my research beforehand!
I really try to think about the buying of a new bag properly / logically (honestly no handbag over $20 is logical but... can't resist, haha!), and would love to hear things you consider before going through with a new purchase! After all, money is money, and we always strive to make good purchases.

I think we have a few threads about this already but there's no harm in an update taking your thoughts as a blue-print.

1. What do I love about the bag and what purpose will it serve?
   I'm past that point. I'm sure I have a bag for every purpose. I'm also happy to look at lots of lovely bags on tPF and enjoy just looking at everyone else's. Honestly, any bag that I'm considering would have to be better than anything I have already and I love the bags I have.
2. Research!
   I watch YouTube for makeup reviews but not for bags. I don't think any 2 people use bags the same way. I go to the shop/store and try it out for myself.
3. How long will I be keeping this bag and what's the resale value?
   I don't resell bags so I don't care about resell, this also means I know how long I'm keeping a bag.
4. Compile the pros and cons. If there are any cons I wouldn't buy.
5. Do I still want it? If I do, do I have the budget? I don't really look at bags outside my price-range but in any given month it's always going to stretch me so try to make sure I'm not going to bankrupt myself.

 

[gettinpurseonal]

Beauty catches my eye, but function prevails. If a bag is too heavy or does not open easily or it has too many fussy details and crazy bits of hardware, I don’t buy it. Budget, what’s that??! Haha. If I truly love a bag, I usually talk myself into thinking it’s worth it. Or I’ll wait until I find it pre-loved or through Farfetch (lower price, no tax, discounted prices on some brands). The bag must be classy and not too trendy or too bulky. That being said, I have downsized my bags in recent years so I do have some rather large handbags that I would not buy today.

 

[Anesthestia]

I think we have a few threads about this already but there's no harm in an update taking your thoughts as a blue-print.

1. What do I love about the bag and what purpose will it serve?
   I'm past that point. I'm sure I have a bag for every purpose. I'm also happy to look at lots of lovely bags on tPF and enjoy just looking at everyone else's. Honestly, any bag that I'm considering would have to be better than anything I have already and I love the bags I have.
2. Research!
   I watch YouTube for makeup reviews but not for bags. I don't think any 2 people use bags the same way. I go to the shop/store and try it out for myself.
3. How long will I be keeping this bag and what's the resale value?
   I don't resell bags so I don't care about resell, this also means I know how long I'm keeping a bag.
4. Compile the pros and cons. If there are any cons I wouldn't buy.
5. Do I still want it? If I do, do I have the budget? I don't really look at bags outside my price-range but in any given month it's always going to stretch me so try to make sure I'm not going to bankrupt myself.

I could find a few old similar idea ones but not any with like this exactly, but please do link me if there's any on the same topic because I'd love to take a look! I feel you're a lot stricter with your handbag buying regime than I am! (Which is great)

Beauty catches my eye, but function prevails. If a bag is too heavy or does not open easily or it has too many fussy details and crazy bits of hardware, I don’t buy it. Budget, what’s that??! Haha. If I truly love a bag, I usually talk myself into thinking it’s worth it. Or I’ll wait until I find it pre-loved or through Farfetch (lower price, no tax, discounted prices on some brands). The bag must be classy and not too trendy or too bulky. That being said, I have downsized my bags in recent years so I do have some rather large handbags that I would not buy today.

It sounds like you're very practical and levelheaded when you pick your bags! I agree about bags that are too heavy or hard to open, I avoid that as well! "If I truly love a bag, I usually talk myself into thinking it’s worth it." is the mood Would love to see your collection if you've posted it anywhere.

 

[fabuleux]

Wear and tear potential. I use my bags quite intensely for work and travel. I need them to be hardy.

 

[ladysarah]

I think we have a few threads about this already but there's no harm in an update taking your thoughts as a blue-print.

1. What do I love about the bag and what purpose will it serve?
   I'm past that point. I'm sure I have a bag for every purpose. I'm also happy to look at lots of lovely bags on tPF and enjoy just looking at everyone else's. Honestly, any bag that I'm considering would have to be better than anything I have already and I love the bags I have.
2. Research!
   I watch YouTube for makeup reviews but not for bags. I don't think any 2 people use bags the same way. I go to the shop/store and try it out for myself.
3. How long will I be keeping this bag and what's the resale value?
   I don't resell bags so I don't care about resell, this also means I know how long I'm keeping a bag.
4. Compile the pros and cons. If there are any cons I wouldn't buy.
5. Do I still want it? If I do, do I have the budget? I don't really look at bags outside my price-range but in any given month it's always going to stretch me so try to make sure I'm not going to bankrupt myself.

I have also reached the stage where I find it quite difficult to justify another bag, because I LOVE the ones i have and seen to have all needs covered. I d consider buying duplicates in a different colour (kelly mania?) but then I would not carry the ones I have enough. Even shoes (which wear out much faster) don’t need any more

 

[papertiger]

I have also reached the stage where I find it quite difficult to justify another bag, because I LOVE the ones i have and seen to have all needs covered. I d consider buying duplicates in a different colour (kelly mania?) but then I would not carry the ones I have enough. Even shoes (which wear out much faster) don’t need any more

In some ways it's a great place to be

 

[bellebellebelle19]

One of the things I do is that using my phone, I hold up a picture of the bag in question to my closet and see how many outfits I can match to it in my head. If it feels like a lot to me, I feel good about my purchase!

 

[Antigone]

To be honest, if I like something, either I obsess over it so much until I can't take it and just buy the bag. Or, the fascination fades and I move on.

So yes, most of my luxury purchases haven't been well thought out.

And also yes --- I should change this, uhm, "process".

When I buy a functional handbag though (like if I need a bag for work/school/etc), I take so much time deciding what details, function, etc I need. Then paying is kinda painful, even if it's a fraction of the price of luxury bags.

 

[ilovemydog]

I watch reviews on YouTube, read as many threads on purseforum as possible, watch wear and tear videos and I’ll glance through FASHIONPHILE/AnnsFabulousFinds/Yoogis to see how well the bags age. If almost every preloved bag looks beat up, then that’s probably how the bag she’s and it may not be for me.

I like to use and enjoy my bags. I don’t abuse them or overwork them, but if I paid thousands of dollars then I’m going to get my use out of them when appropriate. So I want to know that the bag can withstand the test of time and won’t start falling apart on its third use.

I can be quite impulsive so research is my friend since it also keeps me from making spur of the moment purchases.

 

[whateve]

1. What do I love about the bag and what purpose will it serve?
   I rarely consider what purpose it will serve. If I love it, that is usually enough. I do try to talk myself out of bags that are too small to hold all my stuff. I have enough small bags and I don't carry them much. Color is also a consideration. I can justify more than one red bag because red goes with a lot. I can only justify one yellow bag. I should only be able to justify one orange bag but I have three.
   
2. Research! I don't have the patience to watch youtube videos. I'll look for reveals on the forum and pictures on Google.
   
3. How long will I be keeping this bag and what's the resale value? I always consider resale value because if it doesn't work out, I feel more comfortable if I can recoup most of the cost when I resell. I have some bags that have horrible resale value. That is the only reason they remain in my collection. If I carry them a few times a year, it is better than selling them for peanuts.
   
4. Compile the pros and cons. I don't make a list of pros and cons but I'll consider if there are any cons stopping me from getting it.
   
5. Do I still want it? If I do, do I have the budget? I've never saved up for a bag. If I want it, I'll get it. However, I'm a cheapskate and I can't justify to myself a huge outlay. I'd feel too guilty. Then I would feel like I had to carry the bag all the time to get the cost per wear down. I'm happier buying bags on the second hand market, where the price has already dropped to close to what I could resell it for.

 

[Stephg1027]

I am very prone to impulse buying and when I see something I love, I need to have it then. I am working on this!! Some things I consider to help balance my instant “this bag is perfect” reaction are:

1. Does this bag suit my actual lifestyle and not my fantasy lifestyle? I would describe my style as classic but casual for the most part and try to steer away from bags that are too formal

2. Does this bag work with my body type? I am very petite and it is important to me that a bag looks good proportionately to my body.

3. What am I using this bag for? Day to day? Evening? Shopping days? Special occasions? I then tie this back into lifestyle and point #1

4. Cost per wear?

5. Research! TPF, YouTube, all the reviews I can get!!