What's the first handbag you ever had?

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#77
My first handbag was given to me by my grandmother. It was deep red leather, or "pleather"--it was the early 60's and I was only 4! It was scaled down to fit a small child but looked very grown up to me. It was a single handled pocketbook with a metal kiss closure on top, and I carried it everywhere. One day I couldn't find it and I was inconsolable. We looked for days. Finally Mother took me to a store to get a replacement, a similar style, but all they had was a navy one that featured a wide flat single "tassle" near the top closure. it was okay, and there are photos of me with it, but it never quite had my heart like the red one. Spring came, and my other grandmother found my red bag!! Her black cocker spaniel had taken it and buried it under a pile of leaves in a corner of the dog pen, where it got trashed from exposure to the elements throughout the winter. i remember feeling badly about throwing out my beloved red bag, but it was totally destroyed. Ever since then, handbags have always fascinated me. I remember loving carpet bags in the 70's, and I also had a "wet look" chocolate brown bag that was a Speedy-style, probably made from some petroleum by-product. My mother never understood the appeal of a great handbag, and used to carry Vera Bradley handbags in the summertime until they fell apart. My first real designer handbag was bought while visiting San Francisco. I turned 30 while I was out there, and treated myself to an YSL Mombasa bag in smooth black leather with a carved silver shoulder strap instead of the original antler straps. I tried to use that thing, but hobo bags are impossible for me to use, and the strap was constantly digging into my shoulders. Finally sold it, and have also sold various BV, Prada, Fendi, & Gucci acquisitions. Then I stepped it up and bought myself two Chanel bags in one outing (!!). A black patent GST with SHW and a Jumbo single-flap Classic in black caviar leather with SHW. I used the Jumbo all. the. time. Especially when traveling, since it can be slung cross body while careening through an airport dragging other luggage, and holding children's hands. Those Chanels were both under $2,000., but I thought I was being outrageously extravagant. Since then I have fallen hard for LV Damier Ebene and Empreinte handbags and am in the midst of a wild, passionate love affair with Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily handbags. There have also been a few more Chanels that have trickled into the collection, and I'm afraid to count up the bags I have, despite aggressively thinning out the herd from time to time. There's one bag I bought at Bergdorf's years ago, a delicious Carlos Falchi medium-sized tote in cognac-colored alligator and python that is lined in hot pink suede. It is to die for, and although I never, ever reach for it, I'm not inclined to sell it, either. It was a juicy price tag even 10 (15?) years ago. Maybe I should bring out the ole gal and take her out on the town, see how she does. If my husband knew the scope of this obsession! Thanks for letting me ramble on.... OH! One little postscript: About 15 years ago I was in a TJMaxx and I came across a high-end Coach handbag. It was from the "Madison" line, was a top handle single-flap bag in caviar-type leather, with a top toggle and a detachable shoulder strap that could be worn cross body. I wasn't "into" Coach ever, but I kept carrying that bag throughout the store, wondering why it had such appeal to me. Then it occurred to me: it was the grown-up version of my old beloved red purse, my very first handbag! it's the exact same color of deep red, and this time it's in real leather. I'll never part with that one, and I'll make sure no cocker spaniel has access to it!
 
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#80
I don't remember much about my very first handbag but I remember very clearly of my first designer hand bag, which is a Fendi zucca mama bag. I still have it! The quality was incredible back the days. The canvas looked new for years and when the buckle developed a fault, Fendi fixed it for free. Eventually the corner of the canvas wore out and I had to retire it.
 
#82
At about 15yrs I got an Etienne Aigner small hobo type bag. Carried that bag for years and still have it but it's just that I have a need or maybe that's a want to
carry more these days so now it's the one in my avatar.
 
#85
No it was preloved and I still have it. I am an all or nothing person- if I want something I want exactly his item and nothing else, really nothing else. So I didn't b uy any designer handbags till I had my dreambag. The first bag I ever bought was a triangle shaped bag in Berlin 26 years ago. I loved the bag to death but coudln't carry it as- nothing fitted in (triangleshape! not so smart to buy it but I coudln't resist). It costed around 50 USD.

I am happy that the questions wasn't what I bought after my first designer bag. That road went down pretty fast....

;)
 
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#88
Please help me... I would love to buy my first designer purse but I am struggling to decide which one? I have about $3000 and can't decide which one is a "good" buy.... I want a daily black luxury bag.... ideally something that I can dress up or down depending on the day. Thinking a Balenziaga "City" with GH.... or a LV Neverfull in Damier Azur MM (not black obviously).... or a Hermes Evelyne PM.... or a Goyard Tote in classic pattern. Please send me your comments and options :smile:
 
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