was that the hobo bag that Sarah was carrying running around I liked it too and was wondering what brand that was
What started your bag addiction
- Thread starter crazyboutcoach
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A black Coach soho purse (which I bought with the funds I earned from my first 'serious' summer job) in 2007... which led to LV the following year...which led to a number of other brands (Celine, Balenciaga, Prada, Miu Miu etc.)...which finally led me to Chanel, which is where I've spent most of my handbag funds for the last two years.
When I graduated 10 years ago, I received as a present a Borbonese bag. Borbonese at the time was a very good quality Italian brand, which used textile as well as leather. I have been using that bags for years, and the bag still retained its quality. This made me realise that in purchasing bags I should look for quality, design and colours. And of course, this triggered my passion for bags, because I have never enough of them!
Years and years ago I already liked bags (more than clothes) but I don't think I could call that addiction. Coach, MK, Cole Haan, TB, Guess, Nine West, kenneth Cole and Lauren by RL. Until I discovered TPF and Rebecca Minkoff earlier bags!! The 2 proved to be lethal for me! All of a sudden I had a huge collection of RMs. And I was buying a lot of other bags too - both premier and contemporary. Some from brands I only knew only from tpf.
Trying so hard to reform now. 😉
Trying so hard to reform now. 😉
I always thought that a nice handbag upgrades your whole outfit. I bought my first designer handbag (Speedy 35) almost 10 years ago when I was 23. Then it really became an addiction...I can wear a 5 Euro shirt, some jeans and flip flops and I will feel like a million bucks when I add my Chanel Jumbo or another beautiful designer bag! My bags always complete my outfits and give me confidence wherever I go!
Hey kids.
I'm the new guy in town so don't rough me up too bad.
I just thought I would share my experience in this thread if anyone is interested.
I'm actually a straight guy. Purses have become a hobby of mine. It all started when a friend wanted to save some money. She asked me to shop online for gently used brand name bags. I started my research and eventually learned the brands, styles and price points. I found there were lots of opportunities to slam offers on some really nice bags that were never used. I guess this strategy performed well because I now shop for quite a few women in my circle. To say I know more about purse fashion than all combined would probably be a true statement. And I've actually started on shoes but don't know enough just yet.
Since then I have found myself looking at almost every bag I pass. Being a straight guy, maybe that's not normal, but whatever. Having purse shopped so much, I even bought a few bags for myself. My favorite is F10909 from Coach. I also have a Coach 9541. I don't get the opportunity to use them very often because society always stares no matter which bag I carry. I always take a bag when traveling though. There are usually so many distractions and possibilities in airports that few people ever notice. I had a flight attendant walk by once when I was using my 9541. She just smiled and probably assumed I was gay but hey whatever. I actually tried using my 9541 a few months ago. I went to a store around closing time with a friend of mine. There were only a few customers inside but a woman that was shopping the aisles froze when she made eye contact with me. She then started following behind us, peaking from other aisles and sticking her head around corners in disbelief. I mean it's just a bag and I really only buy black, brown or camel colors. It's not like I was sporting a bright coral colorblock. Although, I probably would if I could. I actually wouldn't mind a leatherware top handle from a few years ago in multicolor but that's an unneeded challenge. I think I can rock some bags pretty good despite my size. My build isn't exactly petite so that probably doesn't help with acceptance. Anyway, I'm mostly a hobo and soho kind of guy but like some totes and satchels. No matter which bag I choose, they probably won't be considered conforming to men for a long time. Oh well. Psychology is amazing and purses are awesome. I don't care what anyone says
I'm the new guy in town so don't rough me up too bad.
I just thought I would share my experience in this thread if anyone is interested.
I'm actually a straight guy. Purses have become a hobby of mine. It all started when a friend wanted to save some money. She asked me to shop online for gently used brand name bags. I started my research and eventually learned the brands, styles and price points. I found there were lots of opportunities to slam offers on some really nice bags that were never used. I guess this strategy performed well because I now shop for quite a few women in my circle. To say I know more about purse fashion than all combined would probably be a true statement. And I've actually started on shoes but don't know enough just yet.
Since then I have found myself looking at almost every bag I pass. Being a straight guy, maybe that's not normal, but whatever. Having purse shopped so much, I even bought a few bags for myself. My favorite is F10909 from Coach. I also have a Coach 9541. I don't get the opportunity to use them very often because society always stares no matter which bag I carry. I always take a bag when traveling though. There are usually so many distractions and possibilities in airports that few people ever notice. I had a flight attendant walk by once when I was using my 9541. She just smiled and probably assumed I was gay but hey whatever. I actually tried using my 9541 a few months ago. I went to a store around closing time with a friend of mine. There were only a few customers inside but a woman that was shopping the aisles froze when she made eye contact with me. She then started following behind us, peaking from other aisles and sticking her head around corners in disbelief. I mean it's just a bag and I really only buy black, brown or camel colors. It's not like I was sporting a bright coral colorblock. Although, I probably would if I could. I actually wouldn't mind a leatherware top handle from a few years ago in multicolor but that's an unneeded challenge. I think I can rock some bags pretty good despite my size. My build isn't exactly petite so that probably doesn't help with acceptance. Anyway, I'm mostly a hobo and soho kind of guy but like some totes and satchels. No matter which bag I choose, they probably won't be considered conforming to men for a long time. Oh well. Psychology is amazing and purses are awesome. I don't care what anyone says
2007 when I was 23... it was a Coach "scarf print" tote in blue/beige/white. Such a pretty bag but the cloth got dirty quickly so I've strayed away from those styles since. Before that I was into Kathy van Zeeland bags...lol Times sure have changed since then! 
My first handbag was a LeSportsac small shoulder bag back in high school when Juicy Couture mini bags were a hit. I've always wanted a Juicy Couture bag but I couldn't find the right yellow. Then I started branching out to other contemporary designers such as Mulberry, Stephanie Verdino, etc. The first bag that I truly fell in love was a small Chloe Paddington in red. I didn't bought it at first sight but waited for a year later until my mom bought it for me in Italy (among other bags she bought for me)! Anyways, the list just goes on and on and on and now I have a full selection of premium and contemporary designers from all these years of collection! I still have all the bags that I listed above and still love them!
Coach definitely started my obsession. The seeds were planted with vintage Coach. I was a young girl and saw a "classy" woman with her rich leather Coach bag get into her convertible Jaguar. So in my head, Coach equaled success and wealth.
Then by the time I was old enough to buy / afford them, they had wildly expanded to the Coach we know of 8-15 years ago. Everyone wanted them, there were lines were out the door at outlet malls - it was nuts and I got caught up in the madness.
From that time to now, what I like - styles and brands - has shifted, changed morphed. But, what will never change is I LOVE HANDBAGS!!!
Then by the time I was old enough to buy / afford them, they had wildly expanded to the Coach we know of 8-15 years ago. Everyone wanted them, there were lines were out the door at outlet malls - it was nuts and I got caught up in the madness.
From that time to now, what I like - styles and brands - has shifted, changed morphed. But, what will never change is I LOVE HANDBAGS!!!
the first ever designer bag i coveted was marc jacobs stam bag. the was the "it bag" at that time. then came chloé paddington. i remember seeing them for the first time in harvey nichols in my country, i was so excited. however i was in college then and there was no way my parents would buy me a designer handbag. my first designer handbag was miu miu vitello lux bow bag that i bought from the miu miu boutique in late 2011. since then i bought so many handbags from so many brands. my ultimate goal is to buy a hermes kelly bag when i'm 35 (in 4 years).
When I think back at it I think it all started when my mum gave me her 'old' shoulder bag to play with 
I found it so cool that I also wanted to have it in bed when I went to sleep 
After that shoulder bag many other bags followed 
I found it so cool that I also wanted to have it in bed when I went to sleep After that shoulder bag many other bags followed
Hey kids.
I'm the new guy in town so don't rough me up too bad.
I just thought I would share my experience in this thread if anyone is interested.
I'm actually a straight guy. Purses have become a hobby of mine. It all started when a friend wanted to save some money. She asked me to shop online for gently used brand name bags. I started my research and eventually learned the brands, styles and price points. I found there were lots of opportunities to slam offers on some really nice bags that were never used. I guess this strategy performed well because I now shop for quite a few women in my circle. To say I know more about purse fashion than all combined would probably be a true statement. And I've actually started on shoes but don't know enough just yet.
Since then I have found myself looking at almost every bag I pass. Being a straight guy, maybe that's not normal, but whatever. Having purse shopped so much, I even bought a few bags for myself. My favorite is F10909 from Coach. I also have a Coach 9541. I don't get the opportunity to use them very often because society always stares no matter which bag I carry. I always take a bag when traveling though. There are usually so many distractions and possibilities in airports that few people ever notice. I had a flight attendant walk by once when I was using my 9541. She just smiled and probably assumed I was gay but hey whatever. I actually tried using my 9541 a few months ago. I went to a store around closing time with a friend of mine. There were only a few customers inside but a woman that was shopping the aisles froze when she made eye contact with me. She then started following behind us, peaking from other aisles and sticking her head around corners in disbelief. I mean it's just a bag and I really only buy black, brown or camel colors. It's not like I was sporting a bright coral colorblock. Although, I probably would if I could. I actually wouldn't mind a leatherware top handle from a few years ago in multicolor but that's an unneeded challenge. I think I can rock some bags pretty good despite my size. My build isn't exactly petite so that probably doesn't help with acceptance. Anyway, I'm mostly a hobo and soho kind of guy but like some totes and satchels. No matter which bag I choose, they probably won't be considered conforming to men for a long time. Oh well. Psychology is amazing and purses are awesome. I don't care what anyone says
Welcome aboard! Your story made me happy for you and sad for people in general.
You love great bags. That has zero to do with gender and sexual orientation. I'm a super girly woman who loves pink and sparkles. But I also love geeky Sci Fi and can repair things in our house far better than my husband.
Just love the things you love and ignore any idiot who tells you that "thing" isn't for you. Wear your cool purses and enjoy making silly people upset.