I definitely have a weakness for designer bags; they are definitely my big splurges. I rarely buy high end designer clothes as I get bored with clothes very easily and need to change it up all the time. Meanwhile a bag I have for years and years.
Unless you have a ton of money to burn, it takes time to amass a good collection. However, if you shop smart you can have a collection to fit your lifestyle and budget.
My all time favourite brands are Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel. I love their designs and styles and can always find something I like. I also have Prada, Dior and Cartier bags but those were pieces I fell in love. However, I don’t always find what I like in those stores.
So you worked hard, saved up and ready to buy your first designer bag. Below is the checklist to determine the best bag for you and your lifestyle.
#1 Figure out what type of material you need. The most common ones are calf skin, canvas, saffiano leather, cloth and suede. Personally, I am not the most delicate or careful person so calf skin leather is out of the question for me (I have one bag and it has more than a few scratches which bother me a lot). If you are like me, I would stay away from this type of bag.
Canvas bags from LV are my absolute favourite. They make the best everyday bags, as they can take a beating and don’t show any scratches.
Saffiano leather is also great. It’s not as durable as the canvas (nothing is) but has a rough texture so much harder to scratch and if you do, it’s not noticeable.
Cloth bags are pretty durable but personally not my favourite. They will go out of style a lot faster and get dirty easily.
Last but not least suede bags. Suede is pretty good (especially if it’s leather/suede combo) however if you do go for suede get a darker colour so the dirt doesn’t show up so easily.
#2 Choose a colour. For your first bag, I would definitely stick to black. It goes with absolutely everything and never goes out of style. You will have that bag for years and years to come. Second best option is the classic Louis Vuitton’s monogram bags. They are very durable and also will match pretty much any outfit.
#3 Check your budget. With Gucci and Prada you will get the best value for a leather bag. If you are good with a canvas bag, then Louis Vuitton is also amazing. Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Celine, etc are on the higher price range for a leather bag.
#4 Choose the size. As much as I love small bags, I can’t get away with them for everyday use. I shove everything but the kitchen sink in my bags so they have to be a decent size. All my small bags don’t get that much use. So if you are looking for an everyday bag, choose a size that will fit your life. And don’t kid yourself that you can downsize your purse…you will never actually do it (speaking form experience here).
So these are my tips for starting off your designer handbag collection. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for the Part II on how to add to your designer bag collection.
Feel free to leave in the comments any questions you may have.
Stay fabulous babes!
Maria, xoxo
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