In today’s edition of Closet Confessionals, we’re catching up with a finance professional residing in Miami who has a diverse, stunning collection of bags from Saint Laurent, Chanel, Loewe, and Louis Vuitton, along with some timeless pieces from Hermès. Speaking of the latter, CC 205 is aiming to add a Birkin Bag in a fun color to her unique collection. And when it comes to uniqueness, CC 205’s Chanel pieces are among the most exciting. As a dedicated bag collector, she started her collection at 21 with a relatable bag for many – a Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires! Unfortunately, she no longer owns that LV, but she does have a few other limited-edition pieces that are coveted. Read the full CC below to discover more about CC 205’s stunning collection.
Basic Bio
Your Age? 34
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? Miami, FL
What is your occupation? Finance Professional
What industry do you work in? Financial Services
Your annual salary? $150,000
Total Household Income? $150,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 20
What bags are in your collection? How much is your collection worth? I prefer not to dwell on that, LOL.
What is your most expensive bag? Birkin 35
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? Yes, many! If I regret it or no longer love it, I usually sell it. I prefer to keep my collection to 20 and under due to practical and financial reasons.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 21 and it was a vintage Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette Accesseoires, which I eventually sold for $120 a few years later. I have no idea what I was thinking, LOL.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? ALWAYS! I have 3 in mind for 2024:
– Hermès Birkin 25 in a fun color
– Chanel Wenge Wood Flap
– Chanel Small Funky Town Bag in Black (It has to be black as I don’t have many black bags)
– I am also super into Chanel Minaudières and would love to acquire some soon.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Many bags, but I usually end up buying them eventually. Right now, I really want what I’ve listed above.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Most of my bags are a reward for my accomplishments and hard work, so they all have sentimental value to me.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Maybe, but I tend to live in my own bubble and hardly notice people’s reactions. I tend to receive good service everywhere I go, but I assume that’s because I’m nice to others too, hehe.
How do you take care of your bags? I don’t wear them too often due to my current lifestyle. However, I do clean them almost after each use or after I’m done using a bag I’ve carried for a few days. I’m careful, but I do use and enjoy the bags without being paranoid about potential damage.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Around 4 or 5 per year.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I love online shopping because most of my in-store purchases are usually influenced by sales associates, and I am super picky and want to take my time to research and find the best deal.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I love Fashionphile and TRR for online shopping. I also enjoy visiting Hermès and Chanel stores, as well as Holt Renfrew (a Canadian high-end department store) every so often.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? I don’t think so, but I have sold bags I no longer loved.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Yes, I find the resale industry wonderful. It’s more sustainable, and I can find bags I missed out on from previous collections. I recommend having the bags authenticated, regardless of my knowledge about it. Zeko Authentications is excellent for Chanel and Bababebi Authentication is the Hermès Queen.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Not specifically to fund new purchases, but I sell bags I no longer love.
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? Nope, LOL.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Not really, I am very particular about the bags I like and buy. For me, the decision is more about when I see an item and it makes financial sense.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes and no! They are investments in my happiness and wardrobe, but financially, it’s a hit-and-miss situation. I’ve sold many bags and most of the time broke even or made a bit of money, sometimes losing money, so I can’t decide on the “investment” statement. My personal philosophy is to buy whatever you love.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? It depends. If I love a new trending collection, then yes, but if not, I wouldn’t buy anything just because it’s currently “trending”.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Not at all, as I prefer to buy online! Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I enjoy the hunt!
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Not really! Sometimes, if a sales associate has an attitude, I tend to think they are just an a**hole to everyone and not just to me because of my appearance. I honestly just do not care what anyone thinks of me, lol.
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? After hunting for my Chanel Nylon XL for years, I finally bought the first one that popped up on the resale market, and I was really disappointed with the condition. Now, I’m super picky about condition.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? In terms of bags, many! Burberry, Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Versace… all the ones that can be found at a department store and go on sale, basically, LOL.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Only myself for right now!
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Nope!
Have you ever purchased …
Leave a Reply