My Early Love Affair with Handbags

and what's next on my wishlist.

Wearing the Celine Bucket 16. Here’s my review on it.

For as long as I could remember, I’ve always been a big, as the youngsters say, fashion “girlie.” I had my first paying job at the ripe age of 13 (selling hot dogs at a concession stand) followed by working as a supermarket cashier at around 15. While my parents, who immigrated from Russia in 1981, didn’t have the means to buy me what I wanted, I started to work so that each paycheck could be put towards something fashion related.

A few years later, I was 18 years old, a freshman in college and making $7.50 an hour working at The GAP. It wasn’t much, but somehow I managed to save $175 to buy my very first “designer” bag, a nylon Kate Spade top-zip. The purchase was made from the flagship Blooomingdale’s (59th and Lex) and it’s a proud moment that’s seared into what we call a core life memory.

The very next day, I remember so proudly carrying it around the Brooklyn College campus. While majority of the campus population carried a backpack, I was that girl carrying a Kate Spade shoulder bag as my fashion statement. My text books, that didn’t fit in said handbag, were in my arms like I was in my own episode of 90210.

I’m now old and wise enough to realize that this handbag represented one of two things: yes, my early love of fashion, but also a need prove something. While I grew up with parents who struggled to survive in a new country (at one point, I clearly remember my mom using food stamps to pay for our groceries), I couldn’t allow that feeling to define me. That handbag was my “hey! look at me! I belong!” The irony being that on my campus, it was quite the opposite. My love for fashion, but also the need to prove myself, made me stick out more than anything. I’d prance around in my 5” Steve Madden platforms and my handbag because my outfit was more important than anything else.

After The GAP, around my sophomore year in college, I started making a bit more money. I was making $15 an hour working at a bank and at that time, it was a shit load of money for a 19 year old. To add to that, I also had a bit of a side hustle on eBay where I’d locate hard-to-find items like Burberry rain boots, and sell them for double the price. It also when I started dipping my toes into buying actual designer bags (also from eBay) for a lot less than retail. My first one was a Gucci Jackie-O that I scored for around $300. Even back then, I loved a high/low moment. My clothing was usually from TJ Maxx, Contempo Casuals & Wet Seal, but I would save for a designer bag that I so proudly carried. My junior year, I saved enough to buy myself the Prada nylon backpack. Huge deal!

Chanel, Celine & Bottega mixed in with two Polène bags.

For as long as I could remember, I’ve always loved handbags and it was always something I splurged on, year after year.

All of the above to say, it’s that time of year. The time where I add a new handbag to my collection. You might be thinking: “okay, great! which one?” That’s a great question and the analytical Libra in me is still trying to figure this out. My process is typically very thought-out and one I don’t take lightly.

I do know that there are a few that I’m eyeing and it’s possible it will be one of the below:

The Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Tote: I haven’t actually seen this exact bag in person (yet), but the photos really make me drool. The shape! The rich chocolate brown! Just stunning.

My only hesitation is that I already own the small black Bottega Jodie (my purchase last fall) and while it’s one of my most worn and loved handbags from my collection, are they too similar? Do they serve the same purpose? Kind of. What do you think?

The Row NS Tote: I don’t own anything from The Row (but would love to) and a handbag seems like an excellent place to start. Over the last year, I’ve been keeping my eye on the NS Tote and the more I see it, the more I love it. Truly the epitome of IYKYK (if you know you know).

The NS Tote comes in a variety of sizes: small, medium and large and a variety of colors and textures. I do know that the small is too small for me and I’m leaning towards the medium or large, although the large feels kind of too large.

As practical as I know black will be, I’ve already ruled it out as I own my fair share of black handbags in a variety of styles. I do really love the ivory, but I’m concerned about how filthy I’d get it. I’m not super careful with my handbags nor do I really want to be. That potentially leaves me with either of these colors that would work well with my wardrobe. There are also other color options, but I’ll spare you by going over each and every one.

My one main caveat is that it’s a lot of money for a bag that is so damn simple in shape and structure. Yes, that’s party the reason why many love it, but it’s also what’s keeping me from checking out.

Image via Who What Wear UK

Another bag that I’ve admired for years, but never added to my own collection is the Loewe Puzzle bag. It’s understated enough and IMO has such a cool-girl factor to it. Obviously, it’s a lot smaller than the above two and would have a bit of a different purpose: carry-all work horse versus essentials only. The same goes for the below.

The Bottega Wallace: I’ve been admiring The Wallace since it came out and to completely contradict what I wrote above, this one I’d want in black. A bit of an update to the Mini Jodie and I love that it has an adjustable strap, making it easier to wear under the warm, unlike the Jodie.

And there you have my top four contenders. All very different, but that’s really how my brain operates. The reality is that I don’t “need” any of them, so it’s really based on three things: 1) which will I get the most wear out of? 2) which will elevate my wardrobe the most? and 3) which will excite me the most?

If you guys had to vote, which would you pick?