“ It is the bag that is just as relevant today as it was when it debuted fifty or so years ago. And when your grand-daughter happens upon it fifty years from now, she will try to steal it.”said Nina Garcia of investments bags in her book “ The One Hundred ”.
And she also proclaimed the investment bags as :
- The Chanel 2.55, ( introduced on Feb. 1955)
- The LV Speedy, (also known as the Doctor’s satchel)
- The Jackie O. or Bouvier Gucci (named after Jackie Bouvier/Kennedy/Onassis)
- and The Birkin- Hermes ( made for Jane Birkin)
None of these styles I own, but two of these brands, I patronize.
I absolutely believe that these are indeed, investment bags. Apart from their durability, they are functional, while enduring time and trend; they are the classic bags worth investing on.
Aside from the obvious, which is investing on quality branded bags, I also took to mean Nina Garcia’s statement, as acquiring bags, according to styles:
- A formal/evening bag like the Chanel 2.55
- A satchel, like the L.V. Speedy (doctor’s satchel)
- A hobo like the Bouvier – Gucci
- and a large hand-held bag like the Birkin – Hermes. (expensive tote)
An inference convenient and attainable for housewives like me, who just cannot, invest on branded bags, but fortunate enough, to be the recipient of generous givers, like my husband.
Bags and their brands, were never the topic in my entire extraordinary life, except for the black Ferregamo bag, which a Congressman failed to pronounce correctly, during the height of the Jose Velarde case. ( in a tongue twister like Fegamarro and Femagarro, sort of way)
It was when I joined the workforce, and worked for a telecoms company that I started fancying one; It was a grand L.V. bag, owned by my office mate Alpha. (I remembered her, telling me, that it was a gift.) Nevertheless, I dreamed of something like it.
But of course, my salary did not permit me. Instead of drooling over, on what was far from my reality, I took to heed an advice, given by another office mate. Since I was still starting, I should purchase my bags, according to financial independence, style, functionality, and personality.
Financial Independence
This advice, on buying bags (or anything for that matter) according to one’s financial capacity, is a nugget of wisdom I have applied through the years. (thank you to the wisdom of my friend, Mitch Serrano who’s now in Dubai)
It also brought to mind a scene in a Eugene Domingo starred, “Kimi Dora” .
It showed the company president, (played by Domingo), going ballistic, after seeing that her employee, had the same brand of clothes, she was wearing.
She said: “So, as management trainee, how can you afford clothes that are five times worth of your monthly salary?”…
“You are FIRED!”…
(If I remembered it right, the employee somehow managed to say meekly “ kinredit card ko po”)
An employee subjected to that kind of arrogance is pitiful.
But reality check though, employees just cannot have the same bag, as the owner of the company, they are working for, really. Oh, but unless of course the employee was “gifted” it.
( she was named beneficiary, in her rich grandmother’s will )
( or she hold a secret identity, – as heiress to a big company).
But if she is neither those, and she doesn’t look like she can afford, an expensive bag, then she should not force it on herself.
Or else, her costly bag will just be pertained to as, “her -super-dooper-knock-off-bag-that-awfully-looks-a-lot-like-the-original”.
That would be after having tortured herself for a year, from payday to payday, just to settle the bill, in the credit card.
Or perhaps, she could start a savings account, with Louis Vuitton and Gucci as co-depositors.
(her financial status will give her away, someone will snoop around and ask H.R.)
As my wise father-in-law would say, “even if you would be wearing, the most expensive piece of clothing, you still would be nothing, compared to Henry Sy -even in his plain kamisa chino.“
Or as Jinkee Pacquiao once said, “hindi naman gaanong kamahalan, ang binibili ko”
(Hmmm? That of course goes without mentioning, her nine pieces of Hermes Birkins and/or Kellys with prices ranging, from $7,000-$50,000 then.)
Of course, with that kind of financial status, prices are irrelevant.
So if you did win the lottery, two days before acquiring the expensive bag and your economic status changed drastically, then well, yeah, you deserved your bag.
In the case of someone just starting, you have to be realistic.
I remembered having read somewhere, about the brilliant advice, the late talent manager, Douglas Quijano, regularly reminded his talents, especially the new ones:
“ Buy a car only if you can already afford two”….
Don’t end up hating yourself, for buying something you really like. So where is the joy, in looking at the bag -when it is a daily reminder, of that bitter monthly deduction and starvation ahead.
As you are still starting in your company, take heed of that advice which I took from my office mate, when we were still starting.
Besides later on, your turn will come. Then, you will be, all ready, to splurge on your bag and look the part.
Style
The different styles of bag I owned, made me experiment boldly, with the overall look I tried to achieve. I remembered, in my old telecoms company, I would go bohemian with my peasant blouses and my hobo bag;
- my classic look with my crisp white shirt and my satchel;
- my country look with my long floral skirts and native bag;
- and my punk- nights out look with my mini skirt,heels and chain bag
It is easier to shift, from one look to another, if you just have the bag to go with it. The type of bags I owned, then and till now, always included a hobo, a purse, a satchel and a tote.
Functionality
Our bags should not only look good, or make us look goo, but it should most definitely, serve its purpose in our lives.
Just like most women I know, I further classify my bags, as work bag, day bag and evening bag.
I remembered that my work bag, had all the pockets one could think of.
It just had to be large, to stash my papers with -especially during company trainings.
My day bag on the other hand, was a tote.
I bring it, when I go “mall-ing” or meet up with my girls.
My evening bag was a purse chain bag. I used it not only on nights out, but also during special occasions, like weddings and company parties.
Personality
However, even with the many styles of bag I own, one style is a majority. Just like clothes, some styles would compliment and suit, ones personality; a satchel works well for me.
Satchels make my stomach look smaller, my arms look longer, my wrist slimmer. It can carry, all tons of stuff that I bring along.
I have it in black, nude, brown, beige, white, Steve Madden, Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Lacoste, Nine West and Esprit.
There are also unbranded and sturdy ones which I bought for 200-300 pesos, from Tutuban Mall in Divisoria, that I cannot part with.
I play favorites:
My Candy Bauletto Bag from Furla and Simply Vera by Vera Wang are both satchels. They go well, with almost everything I own:
As a housewife, with no steady income, I am thankful of course, for the bags that I have received, as gifts from my husband, my brother-in-law, my sister and my cousin-in-law:
Great blog” . I was practically smiling to my self ..a bit there here & there!
Hey Norah! Thanks! It’s my pleasure to have made you smile!
wow! and i was really drooling on your collection. makatuon jud ko sa imong blog regarding spending jing. thanks for the tips.
Hahaha, thanks Gib!..
Such a nice collection! I wish I had at least one designer bag to be proud of LOL
I am dreaming of a having an original LV, maybe as a prize or gift from anyone. I wonder how it feels carrying that prized bag. Yun ding pwedeng gawing legacy or ipamana sa girls ko. For now, pwede nako sa lacoste or sa other local brands (Taske, Regalong Pambahay, etc)
haha the one about Henry Sy is so funny and true! Love your bags 😉
besos,
M
http://theflowerduet.blogspot.com/
When I was still working, I love buying bags but not really branded. I don’t see myself buying branded bag, nanghihinayang ako sa price. Ok lang din kung gift. 🙂
How I wish my husband would also gift me with a nice bag like a Mulberry. 😀
I always have 1 favorite bag and even if it’s not appropriate or bagay sa outfit or occasion, I still want to use it. But I’m starting to try and look more mature and put together kaya I’m building my collection na din. It gets too expensive talaga no?
❤Paulline
http://www.milastolemyheart.blogspot.com
I love your bag collection, and I love the Kimmy Dora reference! Hee hee. Actually, I’m a bag-luster, but even though I can buy one (with me not eating for days hahaha), I choose not to buy yet because I don’t need it and because I can do something better with my money. Surely, though, I will invest in at least one in the future! 😀
I don’t own any of these designer bags, I love bags but I can’t afford to buy one. But I definitely agree that one should buy local ones instead of buying knock-offs. We have a lot of good local brands like Fino.
I’m a bag fanatic too but most of it are gifts from friends…. Nice article
Great post and i love your bags 🙂
http://deniesetorres.blogspot.com
Ang ganda ng mga bag mo!! Ikaw na talaga!! Hehehe. I am not a great fan of bags pero a woman can never say no kung may pang bili naman ng mga ganyan diba?! Anyway, it completes the look din =)
I’m not really a bag person but my friends are so bothered by my lack of taste in the bags I carry around so they keep giving me. If it were just me, you’d see me lugging around with my black monkey printed bag that my friends cringed upon seeing. As a result, I have a couple of branded bags that are a bit too pricey for me. They’re awfully nice, really, but not something I would buy.
I’m also lucky I have a friend who now designs and distributes bags…she’s also the most frustrated with my bag choices, haha.
I cannot imagine myself splurging on LV or other branded bags..maybe if I’m a millionaire na…hahaha…
Lucky you! I hope I could own one too in the future. Hahaha! Our budget are still focused on our daily living allowance and our children’s needs. 🙂
I’m not really a bag person but I really am grateful that my mom “throws” some of her designer bags my way! 🙂
wow hindi ako maka-relate haha! I usually have just one or two bags that I usually use – isang kasya ang laptop at isang maliit pag walang dalang laptop. and they’re invariably brown, gray, or black so it can go with anything. but yeah next bag ko gusto ko naman medyo investment type para hindi sira agad. although tama ka nga, kailangan umasal nang ayon sa kita, he he
Hmm but I want the Columbia or Deuter or TNF bags – still pricey all the same.
I love bags! I only have one designer bag (Coach) and lots of locally-made ones. I like ones that are spacious. Not dreaming yet of an LV because it’s too expensive. But if given as a gift, why not? 🙂
You just made me realize that my ever reliable shoulder bag from Sagada has been with me for a decade! Grabe, dapat na siyang mag-retire at i-frame! Mas nakarelate ako sa functionality criteria mo, Mommy Anj! Laging malaki ang bag ko dapat kasi lagi akong madaming dala!
I agree with you Nanaystrip, those Sagada weaving(if that’s what you have) are very durable. As a mom yung malalaking bags ang gusto ko. Para pwede mo ipasok lahat. Nakakadrool lang yung mga designer bags pag nakakita ako haha.
I would love to collect designer bags too but I’m too kuripot to buy them on my own. hahaha. waiting for gifts na lang 😀
I like your collections. 🙂
haha, i love this post. I’ve been meaning to post about the bag I bought in a bazaar that everyone thought is from CLN. I am a practical buyer but I wont say no to those LVs too 🙂
I love bags too! My husband’s first gift to me when we were still dating is a Damier Louis Vuitton Speedy. When my sis-in-law found out that I love bags, she showered me with different brands. The most recent is a vintage Prada. I feel so loved. 😀 I can’t wait to have a baby girl so I have someone to pass on my precious bags.
Furla please! I love doctor’s bags too! But with my toddlers I don’t think I can walk and swag those doctors bags with class if I will be running around all the time! And yes, I have to agree with the investing in quality branded bags. You can pass it on to your kids as well as grandchildren! 🙂
NIce, I love bags too Pier! But, I always use my go-to bag- Baby Phat! Most of my branded purses were just given to me as a gift..:) Thanks to my generous mum-in-law and loving husband!
I’m not really a bag person and to be honest I don’t buy branded bags. I’ll usually go with something I fancy despite the price or brand. I do have a sister-in-law though who’s very generous and gifts me with branded bags. What I like abut branded bags are that they are durable and really look like quality bags.
I too am a bag fanatic, and use to buy a lot of bags especially from ukay ukay. I think my prized ukay find was the Jimmy Choo I found! That’s because I can’t afford the new ones hehe. Love your collection and Tutuban for 300!? You have to share where you found those!
I’m not that bag fanatic but more of clothes 😉 I usually buy bags that can be paired with any of my clothes unless they’re gifts or pasalubong.
I’m also not much of a bag person. If someone gives then I use. Otherwise, it’s just the same ol’ bag that’s functional and big enough to put even some of the kids’ stuffs inside.
Almost all my bags I get from my mother who swiftly changes them more than I deem practical so I rarely buy and when I do I try to find quality and functional bags. I tend to carry everything except the kitchen sink when I go out.
I learned a lot from your post, from buying bags to buying car 🙂
I also love to collect bags but I only buy bags that I can pay in cash