Investing in Leather Handbags

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Now that I'm morphing into this thing that people call "a grown-up", my style tastes have very much changed. I've never liked out-there colours, or too-loud prints, but I've frequented a brighter colour palette and some geo and floral prints in the past.  It's not that I am abandoning colour and print all-together, but I've found that I'm becoming more drawn to textures rather then prints - and I am very much sticking to a more neutral colour palette as of late.  For the past few months the only colour I've been wearing is the blue of blue jeans!



Gone are the days of frivolously spending on trendy-wear - I'm moving on to pieces that will last over time and season-after-season.  Don't get me wrong, I will never abandon my penchant for the likes of Forever21 and H&M; all I'm saying is, I'm focusing more on investing on pieces that I know I won't want to get rid of in the next few years to come.  I'm just like every other girl when it comes to handbags - I hoard them.  I don't even want to think about how many stupid purses are in my closet right now.  Recently, I've been awakened by what I like to call leather-snobbery - haha!

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I haven't gone rogue, and my utmost respect for vegans and vegan-friendly faux leathers remain.  It's just that the thought of spending more than $20 on a purse used to make me cringe, but now I'm open to it. I've completely expunged the novelty of a cheap faux-leather designer-inspired handbag.  I'm over it.  Buying imitation purses never used to bother me, but out of respect for hard-working designers, I refuse to do it anymore. I'm ready to graduate and move on to becoming a smarter shopper when it comes to investing in higher-end fashion pieces - BUT this certainly doesn't mean I can afford the gorgeous Chanel in the first pic of this post! I'm still a crazed bargain hunter!  Always have been, and always will be.  This past month I've invested in 2 small leather bags and I couldn't be more excited for them, or more happy about the deals I scored!

I got the Pour La Victoire Alsace crossbody in black and gold through an amazing transaction/trade through Little Black Bag, and I scored an "almost new" MICHAEL by Michael Kors Bedford Gusset crossbody in black and silver from Trend Trunk.  I have yet to receive my shipment of either orders, but I am going crazy waiting for my new babies to arrive!  If you can imagine how giddy a faux leather purse can make you feel - now times that by about a hundred (apologies if you are a vegan-friendly faux leather activist...I just can't hide the way I feel).

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If you're a handbag connoisseur, you'll know that luxury brand handbags cost a pretty penny no matter how tiny they are (uhhhh Celine Trio, I'm talkin' 'bout chu!).  I have yet, to this day, ever paid full or regular price for a luxury designer piece - I simply can't afford it on my puny salary.  So what are us little people supposed to do?  The ones that make the small bucks, but want the real thing?  You scour. I scored both the Pour La Victoire and the Michael Kors for just a fraction of their retail costs!

3 Things to Consider When Investing in Leather Luxury Goods:

1. The first thing to consider is its worth.  When it comes to investing in a leather/luxury piece you  need to really think it through - is it worth it?  Are you going to use it for years to come?  Is it going to last?  Are you getting it in a colour and style that will stand the true test of time?  If you're paying origial retail price, you really want to make sure your dollar is going as far as it can.  (Spoken like a true cheapo haha!)
2. The second thing you can look into is alternative options to avoid paying full-price.  You can try places like ebay or even your local kijiji, but always be cautious and thorough to avoid purchasing conterfeits!  Another great place to check is your local designer consignment stores.  In Toronto places like Haute Classics and Fashionably Yours are great places to check, and both stores provide online shopping (woohoo for all us Internet hobbits..what is real life?).  My most recent favourite place to scour has been Trend Trunk - this website is exclusive only to Canadians, but it is great for both buying and selling!  And lastly, it never hurts to check out your local discount stores like Winner's or Marhsall's, or websites like Little Black Bag to score a good deal on leather goods.
3. The last thing to consider before you make your purchase - can you afford it?  You've decided the object of your affection is WORTH it to you; you've found the perfect deal - now, can you really, truly, madly, deeply afford it?  This can be a little bit controversial, but I say if you won't be late on rent or skipping meals for it - you're in the clear! Haha.

Hope this was helpful to some of you!  I'm going to go clean out my closet now and put my cheaper handbags up for sale on Trend Trunk!  You can shop my closet here!

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