The Luxury Bag Question
Having a luxury bag can be something special. Sometimes it’s the one you’ve wanted forever because you had a full-on crush on it. I remember my first one…I was in love. Your first is always a moment. Yes, still talking about bags.
But like a boyfriend if we don’t want regrets, we have to choose carefully. Is it going to stand the test of time? Will it show up for me on a random Tuesday, help me carry all my things (and my burdens), and not fall apart the second I overstuff it? And most importantly: will I still be obsessed with it when the trend moves on?
Investment bags are exciting…and also oddly stressful. Here’s how I choose the right one, without getting trapped in the “it bag” spiral.
1) Quality first
Let’s not buy a bag just because of the logo, or because all the influencers are wearing the same one and you feel like you need it. Some bags aren’t even leather (canvas, coated fabric, etc.) and still have a four-digit price tag. Let’s be honest: sometimes what you’re buying is the logo and the image you want to project (which is fine, just be aware of it).
Also: you don’t always have to buy new. If you want quality for less, second-hand is a smart move or Sites like Italist, Cettire, and Baltini can be great places to find brand-new luxury pieces at a lower price. They often work with European boutiques, so pricing can sometimes be more favorable because of regional retail prices and exchange rates.
2) Practicality
If you’re buying a luxury bag, it’s not to keep it on a shelf most of the year. I want you to actually use it and not be afraid of it. Choose something practical that fits your real life and that you’ll genuinely love wearing around.
3) Wait
Make sure that in two months you still want it. We’re not in a rush. If you still want it then, get it.
4) Classic, always
If it’s an investment, I tend to stay away from ultra-trendy bags. An “it bag” is the one you see everywhere when you scroll Instagram…or, old school, when you open a fashion magazine. And if a bag has a lot of embellishments (fringe, tassels, overly statement details), it’s usually trend-driven so it dates faster.
A classic bag is one that’s been around long enough to become a fashion landmark. Think: the Chanel flap bag, the Lady Dior, the Bottega Veneta Campana, the Gucci Jackie 1961, the Hermes Birkin…and one newer bag I truly believe is on its way to classic status: the Loewe Puzzle.
At the end of the day, the right luxury bag isn’t the one everyone else is carrying. It’s the one that fits your life, your style, and your rhythm…and still feels good a year from now.
Also…I promised I would show you my it-bag from 20 years ago, and yes, it’s back. My very first luxury bag: the Chloé Paddington. I was obsessed with it. Looking back, it was definitely an it-bag, so maybe not the most rational “investment” choice…but I loved it, I wore it, and that’s what mattered. And because fashion is a full circle sport, you can see it again on the Chloé runway.
So, choose quality you can feel, practicality you’ll actually use, and a silhouette you won’t get tired of once the trend cycle moves on. And if you’re unsure? Wait. The right one will still be right in a couple of months.
Because the goal isn’t to own an “it bag.” It’s to own your bag, the one you reach for again and again, with zero regret.
Bisous!
Lili