By Maura Carlin, Editor
As Editor of PurseBop, it’s probably no surprise that I have a few nice handbags. My husband might even say more than a few. But among our team and community, it’s a modest grouping. A few bags, to be sure, but it is not a plentiful curated collection.
Readers look forward to our fearless leader’s recap of the bags she used in a given week, weekend, or trip. As do I. Along with the pictures, PurseBop gives us details about the why and where with sometimes a glimpse at the coordinating ensembles. Although she sometimes, like many of us, may get stuck in a bag rut – using the same bag on repeat – for the most part, PurseBop uses her treasures. It’s a master class in buying what you love and using what you buy.
Unlike PurseBop, however, I use very few bags and rarely rotate. Much of the time I run out with keys and a phone, using pockets more than a purse. When I go for a bag, my carry choices are surprising. Lately, an Apolis raffia canvas leather-handled north-south tote has been my go-to. Nestled on the bottom is my very-well-loved 10+-year-old Chanel fanny pack which I wear crossbody to go hands-free when pockets aren’t quite enough.
Reflecting on this choice made me wonder why. After all, I own other higher-end totes and bags, which would be appropriate and add a bit of cache to my daily workout ensembles. I could do better without aspiring to the luxe level of JLo’s gym fits with exotic Birkins. Yet, even in jeans and skirts, I rarely select the luxury bag.
In NYC (and places I travel), there’s an element of not wanting to attract attention with my bags due to safety concerns. Even those theoretically “quiet luxury” handbags are recognizable, conflicting with my goal of flying (or walking) under the radar.
Safety, however, is not the issue in my suburban life, and I rarely carry nice bags. My lifestyle is casual, full of sports and athletic endeavors rather than luncheons. Writing from home requires no bag. But I attend out-of-home meetings, and the nice bags sit in the closet while I grab a non-descript reusable tote. It’s only when getting dressed up that I pull out a high-end bag. And I don’t get dolled up that often.
If I’m being truthful, there’s a bit of embarrassment about having an expensive collection of bags. As I’ve written before, from the standpoint of functionality, luxury bags serve the same purpose as a reusable cloth tote or a paper bag. Those who don’t appreciate fashion and quality may find these purchases frivolous, pointing to many other and better uses of assets. It’s hard to argue that amounts spent on luxury goods worldwide might not be better spent feeding the hungry.
These thoughts leave me wondering where I am on my handbag journey. I look at, examine, admire, and write about handbags, occasionally experiencing temporary temptation. But rarely do I purchase. My wishlist is empty except for the Hermès Kelly Pochette (been waiting for years). One reason is the outrageous pricing (looking at you Chanel); I can’t justify spending $10,000 for a bag I purchased years ago for just over $1,000, particularly when I don’t need it. For my wardrobe, handbag “trends” seem less important than classic styles to last a lifetime, and with that approach, how many do you need?
Of course, need is not the reason one buys luxury handbags. The luxury goods industry is based on desire – for quality, prestige, service, or investment. And don’t get me started on whether these items are investments: fashion investments, yes; financial investments, rarely.
With the latest news about declining sales for LVMH’s Fashion & Leather Goods and the pessimism about the luxury industry in general, perhaps I am not alone. Are we oversaturated and satiated without room for more (except for Hermès, of course, lol)? Maybe the ever-increasing price tags for luxury handbags have become a turnoff, especially as quality issues arise.
In the meantime, I will use what I own – whether a Birkin or an Apolis tote. How about you?
Tell us about your handbag purchases. Are you buying fewer? Or less expensive? Or not at all?
Love, PurseBop
XO
Updated: November 6th, 2024
Comments
3 Responses to “No New Handbags… What’s Happened to Me and My Collection?”
I totally agree with this! I have a Chanel bag I bought in Paris last year I have only used once. Now that I don’t have young kids at home, I don’t need a Mary Poppins type bag full of things to fulfill every need. For my everyday bag I carry an LV Felicie Pochette.
I’m in the same position-lots of pretty bags, but nowhere to carry them.
Also not wanting to be a target for theft. I have basically stopped buying luxury bags-so over Chanel and their aggressive price increases!
Would love a new Kelly, but seems unlikely given the H game!
100% agree. I also find myself purchasing and lusting after less luxury bags because I don’t have much opportunity to wear them, and for safety/practical reasons. I find myself needing to baby the bags when I now value the freedom from tossing or using my cheaper bags without a worry.