All You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Designer Bag

Congratulations! You’re on your way to buy your first designer bag. It can be intimidating with all the questions you have in mind, but once you’re set with all the important details, you’ll have a fashion staple that you can use for years to come.
To help you navigate this milestone, we’ve listed below some things to take note of before buying your first designer bag.
Set a Price That Won’t Break the Bank
Imagine this: You go to a store and walk out spending more than you should because you fell in love with a pretty display at first sight. Blinded by the urge to take it home, you thought splurging once in a while wouldn’t hurt and you could just tighten your budget the next few weeks to make up for it. But an unexpected bill came, and you don’t have enough to pay it on time because you went over budget.
Save yourself from this scenario by setting a ceiling for the amount you can spend. This will help you say no immediately to a bag that you might like but can’t afford. If possible, decide on the type and design beforehand so you’ll have an idea of how much you need and won’t spend a longer time inside the store (although it’s a nice experience to be treated like a VIP) looking at other designs.
Choose a Brand You Won’t Regret
Balenciaga, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Kate Spade, Prada, Louis Vuitton — there’s a lot of brands to choose from.
You’re already one foot inside the world of designer bags, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if you’ll want a second, third, or even more in the future. But if budget is a concern, choose lower-priced brands such as Coach, Kate Spade, and Tory Burch for now. It’s a good start to give you a feel of what it’s like to own a designer bag. From this point, you can get ready to save up again and purchase a more popular brand like Gucci.
Want to go all out (within your means, of course)? If you’re not the sentimental type and can see yourself selling your first-ever bag in the future, go for the most trusted and well-known brand. Louis Vuitton bags, for example, have always had a high resale value. The amount you’ll get can help fund your next designer bag purchase or be a lifesaver in case you need extra funds. If you’re not up for selling your bag, Louis Vuitton is still a good choice because its Speedy, Alma, and Neverfull bags have proven themselves to be a classic choice throughout the years.
Think of Your Lifestyle
Imagine how you’ll use your designer bag. Is it for work, for casual day-outs, or for high-end parties? Think of its purpose in your current lifestyle.
If you’re going to use it for work every day, you might need a medium- to large-sized bag that will fit your essentials like notebook and pens, gadgets, and documents. The material will also be important. For leather bags, it’s better to get grained calfskin as it’s more durable and is less prone to scratching than lambskin.
For casual and high-end settings, you’ll need to consider something versatile. A good example is buying a small designer bag that you can wear as a crossbody when you’re sporting denim pants and as a clutch when you’re dressed in a fancy silk satin gown.
The color can also be a dealbreaker. If you find a seasonal design in bright colors, ask yourself first if it’s something you could use on multiple occasions. Simple patterns and basic colors such as black, white, and light beige are better choices because they can match with almost anything.
Do Your Research Thoroughly
Like with any purchase, you should do your research. The website and socials of the brands you’re considering are a good start, but don’t rely on them alone.
Read or watch the first impressions of the people who bought the bag you’re eyeing. They could give you insights on specific details like how strong and smooth the clasp is or how small the inner pockets are, which is important if you want them to fit your smartphone and other small items. Reviews from people who have used the bag for months or under certain conditions will also be useful.
If you’re buying online, you’ll have to double your research. Watch unboxing videos to see the packaging and what’s included, such as dust bags, extra accessories, and an authenticity card. Going through OOTD
hashtags on social media also helps to give you a better idea of the bag’s size. You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone since this too will let you visualize if the bag matches well with other colors (particularly your current wardrobe) and if it looks good with formal or casual outfits or both
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