“ 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 that
The Chanel 2.55, ( introduced on Feb. 1955)
(picture taken from ithandbags.com)
The LV Speedy, (also known as the Doctor’s satchel)
(picture taken from Beautyandthestreet.blogspotcom)
The Jackie O. or Bouvier Gucci (named after Jackie Bouvier/Kennedy/Onassis)
(picture taken from ideageneration.co.uk)
and The Birkin- Hermes ( Made for Jane Birkin)
(picture taken from Birkinwatcher.blogspot.com)
as the four investment bags.
Although none of these styles I own (two of these brands I patronize) , I absolutely believe that these are indeed investment bags for apart from their durability, they are functional while enduring time and trend; The classic bags worth investing on.
Apart from the obvious which is investing on quality branded bags, I also took it to mean 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)
And also when I joined the workforce in a telecoms company that I started fancying one; A grand L.V. bag owned by my officemate Alpha. ( I remembered her telling me it was a gift). Nevertheless I salivated on it.
But of course my salary did not permit me.
Instead of drooling over what was far from my reality then, I took to heed an advice given by another officemate; 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 Mitch Serrano who’s now in Dubai)
It also brought to mind a scene in a Eugene Domingo starrer, “Kimi Dora” wherein the company president after seeing that her employee had the same brand of clothes she was wearing, 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 absolutely pitiful but then again reality check though, you just cannot have the same bag as the owner of your company really.
Oh but unless of course you were “gifted” it.
(with a scenario including a mega rich grandmother or you hold that secret identity of being an heiress to another big company).
But if you are neither those and you just don’t look like you can afford it then dont force it on yourself.
Or else your costly bag will just be pertained to as “her -super-dooper-knock-off-bag-that-awfully-looks-a-lot-like-the-original”.
And that would be after having tortured yourself for a year from payday to payday just to settle the bill in your credit card.
Or perhaps you could maybe start a savings account in your name and tag Louis Vuitton and Gucci as a co-depositors.
Well anyway your financial status will give you away.( for someone will just 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.“
But if you did win the lottery two days before acquiring the expensive bag and your economic status has changed drastically then so should your bag.
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.)
But of course with that kind of financial status though, prices are irrelevant then.
Although 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 remind 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 I took from my officemate when we ourselves were starting.
Besides later on, your turn will come.
And then you will be all ready to splurge on your bag and just look the part.
Style
The different styles of bag I owned made me experiment boldly and confidently with the overall look I try 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 floralled 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.
And thus the type of bags I owned then and till now always would include a hobo, a purse, a satchel and a tote.
Functionality
Our bags should not only look good or make us look good but it should most definitely serve its purpose in our lives.
Just like most women I know, I do further classify them as work bag, day bag and evening bag.
I remembered that my work bag had all the pockets one could think of;
It had to be big and spacious so I have something to stash my papers with especially during company trainings.
My day bag on the other hand was a tote actually and I bring it when I go malling or meet up with my girls.
My evening bag was a purse chain bag I used not only on night outs 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.
It is because it seems that just like clothes some styles would seem to compliment and suit your personality best.
For some reason or another a satchel works well for me.
Satchels aesthetically makes my tummy smaller, my arms look longer , my wrist slimmer and it can carry all the tons of stuff I bring along.
I have it in black, nude, brown,beige, white,
Steve Madden, Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Lacoste, Nine West and Esprit..
And some unbranded but sturdy ones I bought for 200-300 pesos from Tutuban Mall in Divisoria which I cannot part with.
Thus it may come as no surprise that my favorite bag is A Simply Vera by Vera Wang satchel in aqua blue. It goes well with most shoe and outfit I own.
(A happy buy through Kat Sheridan of Shoppinmama.multiply.com)
http://multiply.com/m/factory/shoppinmama:photos
My Simply Vera satchel aqua blue from Vera Wang which goes well with almost everything I own:
And of course my favorite bag with some of the bags that would take me a long time to save on but I was fortunate to have received as birthday, christmas and wedding anniversary gifts:
MATTER: Anything that occupies space and has mass. 