I'm pretty constrained when looking for Bal bags because I only really love the Part Time and am exclusively buying giant hardware, as RH doesn't do it for me anymore. My search for a bag is usually driven by a color + hardware combo; I have trouble separating the two because the difference between gold and silver giant hardware has such an extreme effect on the essence and vibe of the bag. Sometimes, if I really love the color and it works well with all the giant hardware options, color will ***** other considerations. If a color/hardware combo is really rare (like argent gsh, for example), I would branch out into other styles (like the midday or pom or rtt), but I only really love the Part Time and sort of love the Work, and there are certain styles I'll never buy (like the City or Brief with GH). On top of all these specifications, if the leather isn't very distressed, I know I won't really LOVE the bag, so the leather is really what seals the deal. It may not be the first thing I look for, but if the bag doesn't have the kind of leather I like, I know I'll get disinterested very quickly, no matter how gorgeous or rare the color/hardware combo is. Leather is so important that I've actually been *this close* to buying giant hardware part times in colors that don't really speak to me just because of their drool-worthy leather. And I've sold MANY unbelievable HG bags because the leather didn't have enough texture/character for me.
Regarding RH bags, I'll probably never part with my 05 wrinkly RH Black City, but the only other RH bags I'd ever consider buying are mint Works in Rouge Theatre, 05 Turquoise, 05 Magenta and maybe a perfectly perfect Black. Oddly, I don't like the Part Time with RH at all. I know, weird.
After many years of collecting, I think I've zeroed in on what I really like, so I can avoid the buying-selling game that took so much time and energy in the past. So why is it I still never feel satisfied?:shame:
