When I look online, I see so many people with luxury designer bags and I admit I have serious handbag envy.
Photo Location: Exploratorium
Sure, I could save up and buy one for myself, but I can’t bear to part with so much money at one time. The thirst for designer goods wasn’t part of my upbringing and even now, my family and I aren’t brandmongers (except maybe my younger sister).
Burberry Check Tote
To date, my mom owns two luxury designer handbags, one from 1988 and one from 2010. I own one Burberry tote from my mom to mark a milestone, three years ago. And recently, my sister got her first job promotion so my mom offered a handbag of her choice to celebrate. My sister selected the Chanel Classic Flap Bag (Medium) in Caviar leather with silver hardware. When I was my sister’s age, I didn’t want my mom to spend so much on me, but I guess my sis has more expensive taste.
Louis Vuitton Crossbody Bag
Anyways, my mom was feeling nostalgic and pulled out her Louis Vuitton cross-body bag from 1988 that I’ve never seen. It was in perfect condition and she even kept the receipt from Neiman Marcus which showed that the bag cost $375 back in the day. Since cross-body bags are back in style, she offered the LV bag for our collective use as long as we take care of it.
Funny how accessories eventually cycle back into current trends. Now, I can cross off an item from my diminishing wishlist. So long Madewell cross-body bag (1 and 2)…you are pretty and reasonably affordable, but I can’t argue with free.
Tips for choosing a designer handbag:
- Dark colors are better than lighter ones to avoid color transfer
- Avoid super trendy styles since classics continue to stay relevant
- Go for leather over cloth or vinyl, they’ll last longer and keep better over time
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
that’s awesome that you got that purse…my mom has some vintage designer purses, unfortunately she is far away and i can ‘t bug her for it
i only managed to get her Longchamp bag (which really isn’t that vintage, lol), but she said she got it way before everybody bought it, so i begged, hehe.
Yay on getting to use such a beautiful vintage bag! It’s in beautiful condition and cross-body bags are very “now”. I can’t believe how high the prices have climbed since then!
*drooling*….Lucky girl!!!!!
I want to see you wear it with an outfit post please!
I can really identify with you on the bag envy!!….so many beautiful Balenciaga’s out there, but I will not be buying the real thing anytime soon
Your picture from the exploratorium is really cute btw!
I take a close look at my bank account and immediately the thoughts of a designer handbag vanishes. I do admit that my heart skipped a beat seeing that Burberry, I LOVE their classic print. You are not alone in your bag envy.
I have bag envy too – always want a Chanel flap…but its such a big purchase so I can only look at the ones other petites own. You’re lucky you get to use the LV….I love crossboddy handbags – very convenient.
The first picture made me smile, Jess
I grew up with the same mentality as you, except my mom wasn’t interested in designer anything at all. Can I just say how lucky you are that you have a mom and sister who shares your love of bags (designer or not)? Thank you for sharing pics of your Burberry and vintage LV. They have held up so well over time and are gorgeous!
Do you think there’s a chance your sister will let you borrow her Chanel? It doesn’t hurt to ask, right?
@Gizell: Longchamp bags are really useful too. I have one that I use as a weekender and it works great! =)
@SewPetiteGal: I agree, it’s not just inflation that has increased the value of a lot of those designer handbags. As I get older, I really appreciate a well-made handbag that goes with everything.
@Really Petite: LOL. I’m definitely taking it for a test spin this week!
@Callandra: I don’t think I’ll be buying any new handbags for a while, but I love looking at them and visiting the boutiques. It’s likes test driving a car, but with handbags. =P
@Banhannas: Thanks Hanna! I love the over-sized check print which is why I selected in the first place. In the future, I may pick up another designer handbag, but for now, there are other things more pressing than a new bag.
@Jarucha: I’m admiring my sis’ flap bag for sure…it’s so pretty! As for crossbody bags, I used to avoid them because I thought they made me look like a tourist, but it really depends on the style.
@Cee: The first photo was part of a visual illusion installation and it’s kind of cool to feel so “tall.” My family loves designer things, but we rarely attempt to attain them. I think it makes me appreciate what I own that much more because we have so few designer items. I’ve asked about the Chanel, but my sis is very protective about it. I don’t even know if she’ll wear it out yet! =P
I feel the same way about designer labels – too much money to part with at once, and I hate the idea of having to commit to an investment piece — what if I don’t like it anymore in a year or two?
Plus, whenever I see a girl with a bag covered in LVs, I automatically assume it’s a fake. Especially if she is wearing a pair of uggs.
Style speaks more than labels. If you want to look like a million dollars, then dress like a million dollars – don’t carry a bag that cost it.
Trust me, you’re better off not having a thirst for designer bags!! Once I started buying I couldn’t go back. I used to eat sandwiches for each meal for a month before and a month after Nordstrom’s half-yearly sales because I would splurge on designer shoes and handbags. Now these bags just sit in my closet in the dust bags…
I can’t believe your mom has been hiding her vintage LV bag for years!! Can’t wait to see you wear it in an outfit post!!
ha, your pic is so cute! That’s definitely a first for you I’m sure – I’m picturing how my 6’5″ tall husband would make it in there
I have handbag envy too especially with all the Chanel talk on twitter lately! I just have too much guilt. A couple years ago i dipped my toes into luxury hand bag mode when I discovered TPF. I started slow though with Coach – l do love their leather goods. I kind of went crazy and now actually have a collection
But I think I’m over it now and sadly my shoulders are over it too (leather is heavy!).
@Lyddiegal: I completely agree with you that one cannot buy style, but it can only be imitated by buying the necessary items that is deemed fashionable. However, if someone wants to be decked out in designer, I won’t complain, they have every right to wear what they want.
@Lor – PITC: LOL. It definitely saves me money by not purchasing designer duds, but it doesn’t hurt to dream. =P
@Curls and Pearls: I never really looked into Coach, but I heard they’re way more affordable than other designers. For now, I’m pretty satisfied with my small bag collection. I don’t really have a need for anything too fancy anyways.
I am totally on the same boat as ya when it comes to bag envy – I only have one LV which took me months to save for and I can’t just go out and buy designer goods on whim. With that said, I think you rock fashion expertly in your own style without having to buy brand name goods!!
Good grief – I could never ask anything that expensive from my mom like a Chanel bag!! Younger siblings *rolls eyes*… I do love the crossbody LV that she saved. $375 is a steal for LV, but still pricey nowadays!! I can’t imagine how much that was back in 1988…
how super sweet of your mom to let you use this bag. i love the cross-body bag style right now and you can’t go wrong with the classic LV print. can’t wait to see this bag in your outfits!
The LV Crossbody looks like a versatile piece! I don’t own any LV, but I love how the leather on those bags ages over time. I agree that if you decide to splurge, go for leather. It will last longer with everyday wear and tear, although there are beautiful fabric handbags out there (ex. Orla Kiely)!
I LOVE that LV cross body bag! I’m like you, I can never bring myself to spend tons on a bag, even though my sister’s always trying to get me to.
I’ve never really been a bag girl, but have been having some serious Chanel envy as of late! I blame it on all the stylish bloggers I keep seeing toting them
LOVE that first picture!
i wish my mom had a designer bag stashed away somewhere too but i highly doubt that =P