Inside PurseBop's Handbag Collection

Step into the world of PurseBop, where each handbag unveils a unique chapter of style and cherished memories.

Join us as we take a stroll through her world of luxury handbags. From her very first designer piece to the ones that got away, PurseBop shares the stories, and treasured moments behind the highlights in her collection.

Whether you’re a handbag aficionado or just beginning your journey, get ready for a glimpse inside PurseBop’s collection.

Let's start at the beginning – what was your first luxury bag?

My first luxury bag – if we define that as Chanel, Hermès, or one of the brands under the LVMH umbrella – was a small Louis Vuitton classic monogram backpack. I toted this around for years and still have it. Shortly after, in about 2003, Mr. PurseBop presented me with a Louis Vuitton briefcase to commemorate the launch of my first business.

Chanel bag number one came shortly thereafter: a metallic Gold Reissue 225 with a light gold chain. I purchased it at Neiman Marcus and it started a Chanel buying frenzy that lasted a decade. Unfortunately, I no longer have this treasure. It was rehomed during a massive Chanel purge about ten years ago, coinciding with when I began my trip down the orange road into Hermès.

My first Hermès bag was a Birkin 35 in Classic Orange. Many of you will remember the story and the snow clad reveal. This Birkin remains treasured in my collection, and I actually use it from time to time.

Which bag do you reach for when you're running errands?

The choice of a daily errand bag depends upon what is going on in my life at any given time. Presently, my errands and appointments revolve around a construction site, so my go-to bags need to be casual and low-stress.

I’ve been gravitating towards the Goyard mini Anjou totes (I have two), Louis Vuitton monogram heart bag, and Black Chanel 22 mini with pearls. In addition, my Barenia Birkin 30 has also made it into this construction rotation during the last 16 months – it might be the only Hermès bag I feel safe and stress-free using. I am hyper-conscious and careful with my bags, notwithstanding my best efforts to be free-using. It takes me a long time to reach the carefree stage even though I do use all my bags! Of course, some are carried more sparingly, but all have left the house at some point.

What's your ultimate travel companion bag?

As is evident from the website and the many articles on the topic, my travel bags tend to be Goyard totes. In particular, I lean toward my Artois because it has a zipper top to secure the contents. I also recently added the Goyard Saigon tote in Green (Oct 2023). It has worked well on recent trips as I find it tidy and convenient for nesting smaller bags.

I own a Dior Book Tote and a Louis Vuitton Neverfull, but I use those only for quick domestic travel. The lack of a top closure means the contents are not secure from unwanted hands and prying eyes.

Another bag that has made nearly every trip since its arrival is my Ombré Kelly Danse. This one has proven to be a workhorse while also incredibly chic. I get so many compliments, regardless of how I carry it. But specifically for travel, I have carried it cross body, where it rests high waist, nearly chest height, and contains my passport and other travel documents. I would welcome another exotic Danse to my collection. I say exotic because I love the stiffness the lizard skin provides versus the typical Swift fabrication that tends to be unstructured.

Which bag are you absolutely obsessed with right now?

That’s easy. It would be my Black Box leather Mini studded Clouté. This bag has personal significance because it was the one that I fell in love with at the very first Hermès show I attended in March 2023. I purchased the mini in January earlier this year, and it returned with me to the motherland when I carried it to the Hermès show in March 2024. It made a full journey with my heart. ❤️ It will forever stand apart from any other bag that I own for this reason.

The Hermès Mini Kelly II vs. Kelly Pochette | kelly pochette what fits | mini kelly what fits | hermes kelly pochette | hermes mini bag

Image courtesy: @pursebop

Other bags I treasure are the Birkin 25 in 5P Chèvre, Bolide with wheels, Ombré pieces, and, of course, my crown jewel and the rarest of all: the Himalayan Constance 1-24.

Image courtesy: @pursebop

Which bag from your collection would you recommend as the perfect first luxury purchase?

Hands-down, I think a Chanel Classic Flap is the ultimate for a first luxury purchase. Perhaps my opinion is skewed by what my first luxury bag was. As much as I love Hermès, and I know it’s a better investment, and we preach this all day, I still think there is nothing quite like the beauty and charm of that first classic Chanel flap in medium size, particularly in black. But that is not what I did; I bought a gold reissue and later let it go. I still don’t own a black caviar or lamb medium, and doubt I ever will now given the price tag. However, it doesn’t get more classic than a Black Classic Chanel Flap.

What's your biggest handbag regret?

The bag that got away was a Constance Cartable from the Hermès Madison Avenue boutique at the beginning of my Hermès journey. It was during a Girlfriends trip to NYC, and I let it slip between my fingers as I didn’t know enough about the brand. The Constance Cartable is the largest at 29cm with a short strap.

My second regret is turning down a Mini Kelly in Feu that I was offered in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am more accepting about this one as, since then, I have been able to add several more. But it still hurts.

Oh wait, I have one more big Hermès regret. I refused a Black Box Kelly 25 with gold hardware. Timing is everything, and it was offered just weeks after receiving my Special Order K25 in black Chèvre (with Rose Pourpre interior), and I thought it was repetitive! Ughh! I won’t make that mistake again.

Which bag are you eyeing next on your wishlist?

This is a loaded question and I will answer it in two phases. First, there are classic bags I have somehow missed collecting along the way, but are solid holes in what I need. For example, a Birkin 25 in Gold Togo. Yes, I know, I know — I have a Barenia Birkin 30 and a Butler Kelly 25, but I lack that fundamental Togo leather piece in Gold.

Also missing from my collection is its counterpart, a Black Togo Birkin with palladium hardware. More broadly, I don’t own a black bag with palladium. My black bags include gold hardware, like a Black Swift B 25 and Black Mini Kelly. I also would be grateful for a Constance 18 in black Epsom with palladium hardware. Perhaps the ultimate would be a Black Lizard Birkin or Kelly 25 with Palladium hardware. A girl can dream, right?!

Now, let me move onto the second category – the more elusive and near impossible to obtain. I would love a Hermès Picnic bag; the Mini Kelly probably would be best suited for my travel. Of course, though, I certainly wouldn’t refuse a Birkin 25.

Image courtesy: @rinyks

I also would love a Lizard Birkin, Kelly, Kelly Pochette, or Mini Kelly! Basically another lizard bag. The ultimate would be to add a Lizard Birkin 20 – I mean that is just beyond!

And lastly, another hope is to one day add another Himalaya, and I would graciously accept any size to be honest! My earliest visions of Himalaya are of Birkin 30s, so maybe that would complete the dream (or a Kelly 28). And if there is a Kelly 20 Himalayan out there —well, hello — that would be the icing on the cake.