In today’s fresh confessional we satisfy a young collector who has a small, however mighty collection of bags. After snagging their extremely very first Hermès bag, this confessor admits to being bitten by the H-bug as well as now seems to lust after only H-bags. That being stated this Birkin enthusiast still discovers their most emotional bag to be a Goyard carry that was gifted to them during a trip overseas. though this confessor’s collection consists of only a handful of bags, it is rather an envious one, provided this collector’s young age.
Admirably, this confessor has worked to save as well as budget plan for most of their purchases, aside from two bags that were gifted. smart beyond their years, CC 119 is likewise well conscious of the privileges that include being student-debt free as well as living rent/mortgage free as well. get a candid look into the life of a young collector below. Don’t fail to remember to submit your own CC to see it right here next!
Share Your own Confessional!
The Basics
Age: 21
Location: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Analyst
Industry: investment Banking
Salary: $170,000
Household Income: $170,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? 5
What bags are in your collection?
Chanel traditional Flap, Beige, SHW
Hermès Birkin 25, Black, RGHW
Hermès Birkin 25, Gris Tourterelle, RGHW
Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier, Vert Criquet, GHW
Goyard Artois
How much is your collection worth? difficult to state – I buy Hermès BNIB from resellers, so I’d most likely have an aneurysm if I ever did the math on exactly how much my bags expense in-store vs exactly how much I paid for them
What is your most costly bag? My K25 in Vert Criquet – I believe I ended up paying around 2.5x retail price. No regrets!
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? What they state about the slippery orange slope is 100% precise (in my experience, anyways)—3 bags in as well as I’m Hermès-monogamous. That said, my favorite/most practical piece is really the Artois; it was a gift from my finest friend, as well as the only bag I brought during the very best three weeks of my life (aka our Spain 2018 trip, which was so freaking perfect I now keep in mind it as a quasi-religious experience, lol).
What age did you get your very first designer bag, as well as what was it? 17; Chanel CF. This was the bag that kicked off my lifelong addiction—I actually dreamed about getting my unworthy teen hands on a CF for months. My parents stated they’d buy me the Chanel as a grad gift if I made valedictorian…so I ended up being the only weirdo who still paid interest in class after college decisions came out.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? perhaps a BKC in Rouge Casaque/GHW? Or Craie/Trench/RGHW…But I’m quite happy with my collection as is (for the time being)—I don’t go out that often, so minimalism works for me. Also, I’m getting older as well as I requirement to be more accountable ?
Longer term, irresponsibly, irrationally…I really, truly want a matte croc Birkin. Haha, a woman can dream.
Any specific bag that holds a special emotional value? My Goyard!! For the previously mentioned reasons.
Do you feel like your bags modification people’s perceptions of you or exactly how you’re treated? Definitely. I have the deal with as well as figure of a prepubescent tween, so SAs only take me seriously when I’m bring a nice bag. I’m likewise Chinese—I sometimes believe that people in the States/Europe try to categorize us as either gawking tourists from the countryside, or huge spenders a la crazy rich Asians, as well as sartorial options play a significant function in determining which camp they designate us to. Which sucks, obviously.
More broadly—I really like purses for their own sake, as well as I’d still like them in a vacuum (I’d never spend so much money on them otherwise), however that doesn’t modification the truth that they likewise function as as well as are marketed as condition symbols. Is it gratifying when I catch somebody staring at my Kelly? Well…yeah. (Especially since I lust after other people’s bags/shoes/clothes all the time)
The Shopping
How commonly do you buy new bags? previously when per year, now better to when every two years as my desire listing narrows
Which stores do you regular the most? My Hermès reseller, haha. Love/hate relationship.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? never used—I’m freakishly OCD about keeping my bags pristine, which I recognize is totally counter to the Western, French, Jane Birkin-esque institution of cool-girl thought. Slouching or scuffed corners would bother me to death. most likely not the very best mindset, however I can’t assist it
Do you offer old bags to pay for new purchases? Nope. as well much of a hassle as well as I don’t have many bags to begin with
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? definitely not from American society at large. From my friends, yes—they’re all avid shoppers with absolutely incredible purse collections. sometimes I do feel judged on the basis of what I wear/carry, however whatever. I likewise spend a great deal of time on 小红书, which is type of like Chinese insta—very dangerous. Everyone’s so gorgeous as well as well-dressed!!
Do you think about your bag purchases investments? Not monetary ones. I believe it’s dangerous to label them as such; it feels like an reason to validate over-spending. however as investments in happiness? Yes!
Who influences your buying decisions? Me, my finest good friend (who has the very best style of anyone I know), Chinese celebrities/social media/dramas. however mainly me…I think.
Are sales partner connections instrumental to your shopping? Nope. I won’t grovel for a bag, which is why I’ve never tried to cultivate a connection at Hermès. I just don’t like any type of of their ready-to-wear, jewelry, or furniture enough, as well as I decline to pretend otherwise.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just obtaining something new? I like fashion; I like putting together adorable outfits; I like curating a collection that completely aligns with my taste/aesthetic.
I’m not a shopaholic, per se; I plan my purchases extremely strategically (I have a spreadsheet!), I never impulse-buy, as well as I only go for things that truly make me happy. I assumption the believed of buying likewise powers me with work sometimes…when I’m answering emails at 1am, my buying wishlist is the only thing that keeps me from defenestrating my laptop on the spot
Have you ever felt like you got inferior service at a store or shop because of your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Yup. When I was seven, my household as well as I went to LV to browse, as well as I vividly keep in mind being followed/condescended to by overtly hostile as well as dismissive SAs. This was before all of us ended up being more image-conscious. I never want to feel that method again; maybe, subconsciously, that’s why I’m so drawn to “power bags.”
I likewise when overheard a SA at Chanel asking her co-worker “what that 13 year old was doing here,” after she believed I’d left the boutique. I was really 19 at the time…oops.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? My parents paid for the Chanel; my bff paid for the Artois. I like to believe of myself as having paid for whatever else, out of my income or other earnings streams…but let’s be real. I’m lucky to have no trainee financial obligation as well as free housing, which means a higher discretionary budget plan than I’d otherwise be able to afford.
Do you set aside a budget plan for your bag purchases? Yes—a reasonable portion of my earnings (and particularly my bonus) goes into my discretionary account.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever bought a counterfeit since you couldn’t pay for a designer item? Not since I couldn’t pay for it, but…
The summertime after high school, I truly wished to bring my CF with me to uni, however I was terrified my roommate/hallmates would take it. So, naturally, I went to China as well as bought a fake to act as a “decoy” for prospective thieves. It seems so stupid in hindsight—and I’d never support counterfeiters now, understanding what I understand about the industry.
Do you ever hide purchases from your considerable other? I’m terminally single, so no. however in situation that ever changes: on principle, I believe nobody should feel obligated to hide things from their partners. That seems toxic.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to pay for a bag? worked 100hr weeks/graduated early? Honestly, as ridiculous as it sounds, a huge part of why I select to do what I do is since I want to personally fund my like for handbags/consumption hobbies.
I likewise accidentally, briefly, had a sugar dad in uni. He wasn’t that old, though—like late twenties-ish? We broke up after one (very awkward) dinner, haha.
Do you believe your buying is ever a problem? have you ever felt like you were having a hard time with a buying addiction? Not really. I don’t do anything as well crazy (anymore), I don’t buy anything I can’t afford, as well as I like to believe I’m quite self-disciplined. however perhaps I’m just deluding myself…I did loose a great deal of sleep over that Kelly, after all…
The rest Of It
Any other costly hobbies or passions? I like jewelry, albeit not as much as bags. I’m likewise a significant foodie, as well as I enjoy traveling (although I seldom have the time for it nowadays)
Anything else you would like to include? ideally I don’t get flamed in the comments for being as well blunt or bratty; I just wished to share my honest thoughts, as flawed as they may be. I’ve lurked on TPF/TPB for the last five years, so it’s fun to lastly make a contribution!