CC 141: The nyc Collector Who’s Refining Her view on Bags

In today’s installment of closet Confessionals, we meet an nyc native in her late twenties, who began collecting bags at age 13, when a pal gifted her a Prada Nylon skulderveske. Of course, that bag is now back in style, proving that sometimes collecting really does come full circle. Over the years, this collector has refined her views on fashion and collecting, choosing to keep a tight, curated collection of bags that she truly loves.

The pandemic has only intensified her vision, as now she is inclined to pass over certain things in order to purchase higher-quality items that will stand the test of time. CC 141 believes strongly in shopping for deals, and as such, is a big fan of purchasing secondhand bags. Additionally, she’s a big proponent of selling her bags as well. though this confessor admits to shopping as retail therapy at times, with age, CC 141 has learned what’s on the inside is first and foremost most important. read the full CC below and don’t forget to submit your own.

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Det grunnleggende

Age: 27
Gender Identity: Female
Location: NYC
Occupation: strategic Director
Industry: Media Tech
Salary: $150,000
Household Income: $150,000

The Bags

Are you a PurseForum member?Yes

How many bags do you own? 6

What bags are in your collection?

Saint Laurent East-West Tote

The Row party Bag in Python

Cartier vintage Backpack

Fendi vintage denim Baguette

Chanel Gabrielle Small

Chanel Metiers d’Art boy Bag medium (Paris-Salzburg)

How much is your collection worth? Resale value is probably around $10K.

What is your most expensive bag? Chanel Metiers d’Art boy Bag

What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? I try to maintain a small wardrobe so I only keep what’s important to me but if I had to say probably the Chanel Metiers d’Art and Fendi Baguette.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? Technically 13—my pal (well her mom) generously gifted me a Prada Nylon shoulder bag for my birthday. I knew nothing at that age and didn’t care for it and gave it to my mom. My mom kept it all these years and now it’s back in style and worth way more and she’s really happy about it.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I only buy a bag if it really speaks to me. There’s nothing I’m seriously longing for at the moment but I am looking for a cute bag I can fit a book into so I can read on the subway on my commute to dinner for example.

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? The Chanel Metiers d’Art boy Bag. I saw it in the runway photos and fell in love but figured I’d never be able to afford it. happened to come across it on eBay in 2015 at a fair price and I had just gotten my first ever reward at work so decided to splurge on it. To this day it’s the most expensive thing in my closet!

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? definitely when shopping. I get approached by salespeople faster in stores. I do feel self-conscious about carrying fancy bags. I feel like people take me less seriously or judge me for being materialistic maybe. I use the Saint Laurent for work minus the logo keychain so it just looks like a plain black tote) and I travel with the Cartier backpack that has no logos at all. If I’m going on a date or out with pals I usually carry The Row bag which also is unbranded on the outside.

Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? I’m definitely dressing up less and using canvas totes more.

Shoppingen

How typically do you buy new bags? once or twice a year. I don’t enforce a limit, it just depends on if and when I find something I really want.

Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? I’ve realized I need fewer things. I’ve been buying less and saving for higher-quality items.

Which stores do you frequent the most? I mostly online shop and usually only during sales. SSENSE, Bergdorfs, Net-a-Porter and Saks are my go-tos.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? all of my bags are secondhand! To be honest I think all bags are overpriced. I’m a total bargain shopper so I always want to find a deal. All my bags are from eBay, Vestiaire, or The RealReal. The Fendi is handed down from my mom. I rigorously authenticate all my bags though and pay for authentication services and utilize the PurseForum.

Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Hele tiden. I’ve sold a Balenciaga City, a Stella McCartney Falabella, a Chloé Faye, a Boyy bag, and a bunch of my mom’s vintage LV and Fendi bags. If something doesn’t speak to me anymore, I’m pretty ruthless about getting rid of it. I sell on eBay, Vestiaire, Poshmark, and The RealReal.

Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Ikke nå lenger. I definitely did growing up in nyc especially during the Tory Burch tote phase. All the amazing kidsPå skolen hadde en og foreldrene mine (med rette) syntes det var for dyrt for en tenårings bokpose. Jeg dro til slutt mamma til et prøvesalg og fikk en til salgs.

Vurderer du poseinnkjøpsinvesteringer? Ja! Jeg har ganske mye erfaring med videresalgsmarkedet, og jeg vil bare kjøpe poser nå med god videresalgsverdi, så de er investeringer i den forstand.

Hvem påvirker kjøpsbeslutningene dine? For det første estetikk og om jeg liker designet. For det andre, videresalgsverdi, som jeg antar er drevet av påvirkere, merkevare osv.

Er salgsforbindelsesforhold instrumental for shopping? Ikke for vesker fordi jeg kjøper brukt. Definitivt for smykker. De gir meg beskjed når nye samlinger blir tilgjengelige og bare er en tekst unna.

Hvorfor liker du å handle, utover bare å skaffe deg noe nytt? I den dypeste forstand er shopping som å investere i mitt fremtidige jeg. Det er et bilde av meg selv jeg vil oppnå, og en del av det utvikler et visst utseende. Men ja, jeg praktiserer definitivt detaljhandelsterapi.

Har du noen gang følt at du har mottatt underordnet tjeneste i en butikk eller butikk på grunn av utseendet, etnisitet eller kjønn? Jeg tror kinesere er de største brukerne av etnisitet akkurat nå. Nesten hver luksusbutikk har en kinesisktalende selger. Så jeg føler at jeg har fått overlegen service noen ganger fordi jeg er kinesisk. Men også jeg har sett selgere behandle meg og andre asiater som underordnede på grunn av rasisme eller opplevde stereotyper om vår oppførsel eller smak.

Pengene

Hvem betaler for posene dine? Meg. Og jeg prøver bare å bruke skjønnsmessige midler som en arbeidsbelønning eller penger som er tjent ved å selge andre varer.

Setter du av et budsjett for posekjøpene dine? Nei. Jeg satte en grense for hvor mye jeg er villig til å bruke på en bestemt pose, men siden jeg kjøper brukt.

Tabuemnene

Har du noen gang kjøpt en forfalskning fordi du ikke hadde råd til en designerartikkel? Jeg kjøpte falske Chanel Espadrilles i Shanghai for noen år tilbake. Jeg prøver å ikke nå på grunn av respekt for intellektuelt hjem og design. Pluss at du nesten alltid kan finne det du vil ha på et brukt nettsted for mindre enn detaljhandel uansett.

Skjul du noen gang kjøp fra din betydningsfulle annen? Nei, men jeg snakker ikke åpent om det eller forteller dem hver gang jeg kjøper noe siden jeg bruker mine egne penger.

Hva er det sprøeste du har gjort for å ha råd til en pose? I think it was crazy to use my work reward to buy a Chanel bag as a first-year analyst. It cost like 5% of my annual salary at the time.

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I used to do a lot more retail therapy in my late teens and early 20s. With age and experience, I’ve learned that how I look isn’t as important as how I feel and one doesn’t always compensate for the other.

The rest Of It

Any other expensive hobbies or passions? jewelry lately. It’s a much better investment than bags. and restaurants- I spend the most money every month eating out, there’s so much good food in NYC