What's behind the reason you buy a bag?

[julietdeltalima]

This is a great question! I have two different answers. For "everyday"-ish bags, my purchases are planned, because I know I'm going to use the dickens out of them over the years and will accordingly spend as much on them as I can justify. I love seeing from others' responses that I'm not alone in the world in being a Design Geek at heart who just enjoys carrying something every day that is well-made, with pleasing proportions and thoughtful features and top-quality materials, in a color I love.

But for "incidental" bags--little clutches/formal bags, or utilitarian ones to take to the beach or to see a band--it's impulse all the way (and with a waaaay lower price limit)! My favorite formal bag, as an example, is from the old fall '06 Behnaz Sarafpour for Target capsule collection--I use it maybe once a year, but it was maybe $30 so who cares, and it goes with 90% of my cocktail/evening dresses and inevitably draws compliments.

One other thought: I admittedly have obnoxiously bad OCD and ADD, and as such I almost never wear jewelry because it distracts me and drives me BANANAS. So, for occasions that would lend themselves to buying some commemorative piece of jewelry for most women (like my 40th birthday, or when I received an unexpected inheritance from a dear late relative), I get an awesome commemorative bag instead!

 

[Samia]

I will be honest, I chose TPF, I am only tempted when I come on here

 

[courtney_alex]

I plan all my purchases. I research the prices and quality of the bags because when your spending that amount of cash you don't want to be regretting the bag! You shouldn't buy at spur of the moment otherwise that purse will be sitting in the back of your wardrobe in its box and you will be thousands of dollars out of pocket! Only make big purchases after considering.....
- do I need this bag?
- do I really want this bag?
- will I use this bag in the future?
- can I afford this bag?

 

[astromantic]

I didn't really buy bags until 2011. Growing up, I was gifted my bags. Either by aunts or my mom who loves handbags as well but she does not carry designers, she just like leather goods. I would say last year my purchases were planned and in 2011 they were slightly driven by impulse. In 2011 I decided to start transitioning to an adult wardrobe so bags, shoes, clothes were all overhauled. I had been working a few years, had some money and felt I should not look like the fresh grad out of school anymore. I also got married that year and was leaving my family home so it was a good chance to purge. 2011 was my fun year to buy bags as I upgraded my collection. Last year I bought 2 more, one was planned, a Botkier Valentina, and one was on impulse, a cherry red Fossil dowel for work. My hubby gifted me my HG bag by surprise, a Coach gathered leather Madison satchel. I have not bought a bag this year so far and quite frankly is not in my plans to get one. I would really like a Chanel jumbo but I can't justify the cost and I don't really think it goes with my style and the wardrobe I've built thus far.

 

[closedaccount.3837238]

There are some bags I bought because they had a purpose and not too much thought went into them because they were under $100 (suitcase, laptop bag, evening clutch, work tote, rainy day bag). However, with my designer bags a lot of thought went into them because I want to make sure they are bags I can happily use for years so I planned on what to buy and often stuck to classic designs an colours. When I want to add another bag to my collection I often use tpf as guidance because with some bags I had to order online and tpf provides reviews, modelling photos, how much I can put inside the bag, quality issues -- it's the best resource!

 

[babysunshine]

Bump. I plan all my bag purchases. Except for sale bags that may trigger my impulse. The timing at which I buy my bags usually coincides with some kind of milestone in my life. So most of my bags also represented some kind of memory. Much like jewelry. I do not purchase bags just because I feel like splurging money.

 

[babysunshine]

rewarding myself!

+1

 

[bakeacookie]

Planned. I stopped buying cheaper bags that I would tire of, sell/give away, then buy another cheapy bag. I got tired of the endless cycle and decided to splurge on some expensive bags that I intend to keep for the duration of its lifetime. I avoid duplicates, avoid finicky styles and delicate materials; emphasize on secure closures, fits within budget, durability, and longevity of styles. All my purchases, even spur of the moment ones, are still under scrutiny. So my spur of the moment purchases still take an hour or two to contemplate.

 

[ninjanna]

Most of the time it's planned and if a good opportunity arises, then why not?

 

[reckfly]

Planned. I stopped buying cheaper bags that I would tire of, sell/give away, then buy another cheapy bag. I got tired of the endless cycle and decided to splurge on some expensive bags that I intend to keep for the duration of its lifetime. I avoid duplicates, avoid finicky styles and delicate materials; emphasize on secure closures, fits within budget, durability, and longevity of styles. All my purchases, even spur of the moment ones, are still under scrutiny. So my spur of the moment purchases still take an hour or two to contemplate.

I would love to know what's in your collection now!

 

[ValentineNicole]

I don't plan any purchases, ever. From clothes I buy to purses and shoes to what to get at the grocery, I do everything spur of the moment. Hell, often, I don't even know I'm going to buy something that day - I just see something that I must have. LOL

 

[luxire]

I selected "spur of the moment".

But, it is not that I buy something that happens to catch the eye. More often it is the moment I realize that my bag is not as organized as I want it to be and is missing something, like the size is too big / or too small, the pockets and/or their placements should be different and this like that.

Sometimes it is also the feeling that I am bored of the bag I am currently relying on the most.

 

[remainsilly]

I planned my designer purchases & chose mulberry--because that's my dog's name.
(had the name before learning there was a brand with same)
Happy about owning items with that name--because this goofy, adopted stray means so much to me!

Also happily, the items I chose suit my life & style quite well. Feel meant to be.

I do feel a drive-to-buy, on this site & in outside advertisements. I see inner worth being linked to what can be seen/owned outside. I admit to considering more purchases--to enjoying both dreams & actual plans.
But, I know who I am, how I live, what I truly find important. I breathe & watch stars. Then, I find a clear decision about any action I'm considering.

When in doubt, I try to be kind. That makes me feel best. When designer bags crumble to dust or burn, kindness endures.

Great thread, thanks. Hope my contribution helps.

 

[Drunk Shopper]

I currently have a wish list of bags on a Pinterest board and I've been knocking them off one by one. I usually purchase to fill a hole I've found in my wardrobe - for instance, I think a grey bag would look stellar with my outfits that are black heavy, so I've been thinking the Balenciaga City might be my next purchase - but I'm also wanting the Gucci Disco for traveling.

If it's an impulse, it's because something new came out and I have FOMO. That's what happened with the metallic blue Pashli I just bought. It's often waiting for the bag that I want to be released in the color I want at the right time.