Aside from my family, friends, and pets, I consider handbags to be my first love — specifically, designer bags. I love that I can immediately elevate a simple white T-shirt and jeans by pairing them with a unique bag.
Over the years, I’ve carefully curated a collection of 11 designer bags. Hopefully, that number will be 111 one day, but let’s be honest — they’re expensive. Many cost thousands of dollars.
Although I pride myself on being an informed buyer and in touch with my personal style, I’ve certainly made some mistakes while building my collection.
Here are four things to watch out for before buying a luxury bag.
Don’t give into social-media hype — or at least wait a bit before buying.
Some people’s explore pages are filled with images of cute puppy pictures or dream travel destinations, but mine consists almost entirely of bags.
I often find myself scrolling through post after post of the latest pieces designers are pushing, styled by trendy influencers, and lauded by editors as “the bag of the season.”
With all the social-media hype, it’s easy to fall for the hottest bag of the moment. However, I’ve learned that oftentimes, just because the industry is pushing something doesn’t mean it necessarily matches my style.
In fact, none of the bags I’ve purchased as a result of this social-media-marketing tactic still hold a place in my coveted collection.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying a trending bag can’t earn a forever spot in your closet. However, I do recommend waiting a few months and reevaluating the urge to buy once the initial hype surrounding the purse has cooled down.
Do your research, but don’t blindly follow advice.
Whether it’s your first bag or your 50th, buying luxury is a big deal. That’s why I always recommend doing some research before dropping major bucks.
This could mean reading reviews or watching YouTube videos on the bag you’re eyeing — whatever you need to do to feel comfortable and confident in your purchase.
However, don’t blindly follow anyone else’s advice. For instance, many people will advise building a collection of neutrals, stating that everyone needs a black, brown, or white bag. Although this advice can be helpful for some, keep in mind that what works as a neutral in their wardrobe might not work in yours.
Consider buying preowned bags.
Buying preowned can be daunting due to concerns over the authenticity and condition of the bag. Plus, some don’t want to miss out on the experience of buying luxury.
However, I always check preowned sites first since I’ll sometimes find a bag I’ve been eyeing that’s only been lightly — or sometimes never — used for a much better deal.
Additionally, sometimes, an older discontinued color, collection, or model appeals to me even more than what’s new in stores.
Still, it’s important to do your due diligence and research when buying preowned. I recommend searching for trusted sellers, purchasing additional third-party authentication, and always checking return policies.
Focus on your personal preferences, not just whether your purchase will be a good investment.
There have been a few occasions when I’ve talked myself out of buying something I truly loved for fear that it wouldn’t be a good investment.
However, unless you resell bags as a profession — or in the rare case of Hermes, where original prices can be recouped and sometimes exceeded — a bag is not typically considered an investment.
That’s why I recommend buying a bag based on your current preferences rather than considering what it might sell for in the future.
This mindset will open your eyes to more brands and styles. Although the bags I purchase may not be considered good investments or classics, they’re tailored to my personal style — which, at the end of the day, is all that really matters.
The post I own a collection of luxury handbags. Here are 4 mistakes I avoid before dropping thousands on a new purse. appeared first on Business Insider.
