“Don’t rush things. Anything worth having is worth waiting for.”
In college I loved walking the streets of Georgetown on the weekends and perusing the small cafes and shops. While my friends would go into some of the bigger name stores like Urban Outfitters, I fell in love with two little boutiques up on Wisconsin Avenue (If you’re from D.C. they were Urban Chic and Sassanova). They carried smaller brands like Rebecca Taylor and Tibi (both just starting out at the time) and other lines that would require lots of saving on my part. In between school and and an internship, I waited tables and babysat to save money for these special pieces. And so began my love of “collecting”. I still have some of them to this day!
I’ve never been an impulsive shopper especially when it comes to spending a little bit more. My love affair with the Celine Medium Classic bag or “Box bag” began over four years ago when my good friend was working for the brand. Here it is in a 2019 holiday gift guide. The bag retails for around $4,000 so I knew I was going to have to find it second-hand. Fashionphile is my go-to luxury handbag reseller and I’ve used them for years for both buying and selling. I probably checked their site once a week for the last year so when this bag popped up for under $1,500 a few weeks ago, I knew I had to act fast! The one I bought is definitely used but knowing how long I’ve waited for the ivory color I couldn’t let it go. If you’re ok with a little scratch or scuff I highly recommend going this route. You will save money that you can spend elsewhere and many times you can find a bag thats almost new!
fewer, better
I didn’t coin this phrase (I’ve seen a lot of brands use it) but I love it. Not only is it better for the environment, it’s better for you! Having a curated closet makes it easier to get dressed in the morning (and more fun!).
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Building a closet is like decorating your house - collect pieces you love and your style will always be unique and original to you.
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Invest in the classics, not in the basics - You don’t need to break the bank to look great. Spend on classic pieces like a black handbag or a beautiful cream cashmere sweater and save when it comes to tees or denim. You can find a great t-shirt for under $30 and a great pair of jeans for under $100.
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Know your worth - Some brands hold their value and continue to increase overtime. Even secondhand purchases from brands like Chanel and Hermes can be worth more 5 years later. Taking care of them can mean selling them back for what you paid or for a profit.
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Don’t be impulsive. Wait a month or two for big purchases and if you’re still loving it after more time, go for it!
making a BIG purchase
When I was 25 I bought myself the Chanel wallet on chain (WOC) in black. It was a huge purchase for me and I remember thinking about it for months before finally deciding to splurge. I was starting a new job and wanted to remember the moment and celebrate it. At the time it was $1,100. Fast forward 10 years and the exact same bag has now doubled in price and retails for $2,300. I still love wearing it, always keep it in the box when I’m not using it, and it looks as good as new. The best part? If I ever wanted or needed to sell it I would make money. A great investment! If you’re looking to purchase a “forever” bag I always recommend looking at Chanel first and strongly considering buying it second-hand.
