If you’re new to the luxury world or love luxury items but want to own pieces that you can get a ton of use of, this post if for you.
I love luxury bags and I have a tiny collection that suits all of my needs. I think the blogger and YouTube community which is littered with hauls and reviews make extravagant collections appear normal. However, for the everyday person who is not necessarily a collector but enjoys luxury goods there are ways to thoughtfully compile a small collection that serves your individual needs.
Everyone is different in terms of what they like/dislike and has their own preferences so take my tips and tricks with a grain of salt.
1. choose neutrals
I think going with muted or neutral colours allows you to make the most use of your bags. If you are a colourful person with your wardrobe neutral shades are best for for you. However, if you are more neutral with your wardrobe sometimes you can afford to get a more of a non-neutral colour perhaps a nice jewel-tone.
2. focus on the shape and purpose of the bag
There is a bag for every event and purpose. I also find that your style and preferences can change. There will be times when may gravitate towards a larger bag or a tote style and there are other times where you may prefer a smaller crossbody bag. This is why I think it’s important to have a bag for both of these types of situations. If you are also going for more neutral tones you will only generally need one of each type of bag (ie. one crossbody, one tote, etc.).
3. consider both colour and fabric together
This is especially the case when you have a smaller collection (so you will be using your pieces more) and are concerned about durability of your items. Most of us purchase luxury items and expect to have these items long term and expect to get tons of use of these tiems.
When I go for lighter bags (beiges and whites) I try to aim for a more durable and hard-wearing type of leather. For example, pebble leather or even a coated canvas for lighter colours. I find that black or darker coloured bags are more forgiving and I gravitate towards more delicate leathers including calf skin or lamb skin leather when it comes to darker bags. This is just something I like to consider especially because I like to ensure that my bags can withstand daily wear and tear and I plan on keeping these bags for a while.
4. style the bag with your wardrobe before buying
Do not buy a bag on a whim. Always do your research and try the bag on, watch reviews and wear and tear videos before you make the purchase. You can even style the bag with things in your closet before actually making the purchase. A great way to do this is with the Stylebook app.
Like most expensive purchases, it is so important to plan your purchases before you make them. What I like to do is keep a wish list and when a special occasion comes along that warrants a bag purchase (perhaps you get a new job or get a bonus, etc) you can make your purchase thoughtfully based on your pre-approved wish list. Don’t rush and take your time with making the decision to purchase each bag so your don’t experience buyer’s remorse.
5. don’t be afraid to sell things you don’t use
Lastly, don’t be afraid to sell items that you don’t use or no longer serve a purpose in your collection. There is really no point of hanging on to things especially a luxury item that you do not use. So don’t hesitate to sell and replace. The beauty of owning luxury items is that you can usually resell it and although sometimes you may not recover your purchase price you can certainly recover a portion of that and use it to buy something you love and will use.
Let me know in the comments what luxury items are on your wish list and how long you planned a purchased before finally making it.
