Those that know me, either in real life or through this blog, will probably be aware of my love of high-end handbags. It’s a habit, that if I could, I would definitely indulge in as often as possible. Unfortunately, I’m 34 with responsibilities and bills and shizz, which means I can’t. Damn adulting. But seeing as so many of you are probably aware of my handbag habit. I thought I’d share with you all my high-end handbag story. And how my love affair with high-end handbags started.
So let’s throw it all the way back to 2010. I graduated from Univerity the summer before and had spent the rest of 2009 interning for free. Yes, for FREE. Because that’s what you did when you graduated in the recession. Oh, the joys. But fast forward to the second half of 2010 and I’d bagged myself my first ‘proper’ PR job (well technically my second, but my first was just a six-month contract so I don’t really count that). I was working in London in a small boutique PR agency and I wanted to celebrate my milestone. So I did what any sensible person would do with their first pay cheque. I went to Mulberry and bought the first bag I fell in love with. A plum coloured Bayswater.
It was the most amount of money I’d ever spent in one go before. And it took all of about three seconds to decide that this is EXACTLY what I should be doing with that first month’s pay. And do you know what? I still love that bag just as much as I do today. Unfortunately, I can’t use it as much anymore as the goat leather really hasn’t worn well. It’s almost lost its shape completely but it holds so much sentimental value that I’m not sure I could ever bring myself to get rid of it.
But that moment definitely signaled the start of my love affair with high-end handbags. And in particular, my obsession with Mulberry. Over the year’s I’ve added quite significantly to my Mulberry collection. From keyrings, bracelets, makeup bags, passport covers, purses, and of course handbags. My collection has grown vastly over the past nine years. But I’ve also not been shy about selling bags that I no longer use. After all, if they’re not giving me any joy over the years, why not offer someone else the opportunity to fall in love and enjoy them? Especially, as the sale nearly always goes towards buying a new bag or luxury piece that I’ll love and enjoy.
So what do I have in my current collection? Well, quite a few bags. But the top three are actually all the same style of bag. Just in different shapes and colours. I have a Mink Medium Lily that used to be my everyday bag for years. It’s a great size to check everything you need for the day in. And sits very comfortably on the shoulder. And while I love that bag and got so much use out of it. I knew I wanted a slightly smaller, more every day.
Which led to me purchasing the same smaller Lily twice in two different colours, within about three days of each other. Yes, I am that nuts. The first is a very similar colour to the Mink, but it’s Taupe with silver hardware. And then I picked up the Navy, again with silver hardware. Both of which are the perfect size for wearing across the body. And both have had so much use since I picked them both up at Christmas 2018.
Some of my newer bags include this beautiful Pale Slate Darley. Again this is another across-the-body bag with silver hardware. Can you sense a theme occurring here? Although it is a lot smaller than the Lily’s it has built-in cardholders so you don’t need a purse. And the remaining space is just big enough for my phone and keys.
And the final new edition in my high-end handbag story is this limited-edition black studded small Amberley. Another small across-the-body bag. but this one is very different to the others. The studding gives it an edge. And the size is just a little bigger than the Lily’s. As well as the across-the-body strap. This bag also comes with a top handle. Which is pretty much like having two bags in one.
Do you have a high-end handbag or luxury story? Share it below.