Deciding to purchase a designer bag for the first time is a big moment in any fashion girly’s life. Most people working in fashion remember that moment when they handed over their credit card and stepped into their new life as a designer goods owner. It’s honestly a milestone!
It’s the moment where you decide not only is your image worth investing in, but your confidence is too. There’s something indescribably magical that happens when you step out in that bag you’ve been pining after for days, months, or years.
It elevates your life, mood, and moment. And that, to us, will always be worth it. If you’re thinking about making a designer purchase, we put together this guide on the questions you should ask yourself and the places you should look for inspiration.
6 Steps For Purchasing Your First Designer Bag
There’s really no one way to purchase your first designer bag. You can go on instinct, or you can spend months researching silhouettes and styles. But if you need a little help figuring out what’s what, we created this guide for making that purchase without any regrets.
Get ready to answer a lot of questions:
Step 1: Consider Functionality
Bags are absolutely statement pieces, and looking good is a part of their job. But, we can’t forget that carrying things is also part of their jobs.
When you’re considering making that first designer handbag purchase, you should think about what you want this bag to fulfill. What role do you want it to play?
Do you want it to be your everyday bag, big enough to carry your laptop, water bottle, and book? Or do you want it to be your night-out bag that can only fit your cards, keys, and lip gloss?
Both are perfectly valid answers, but asking yourself that question will inform where and what you search for on your designer bag hunt.
It’s not just about size.
Think about pockets as well: Think about how you’d like the bag to open. Do you want something that uses zippers or magnetic snaps or clasps? Do you want something that opens at the top or one that uses a front flap closure, like our Standard Sophia Bags?
Step 2: Find Your Style Inspiration
If you don’t care about functionality at all and just want to find something extra and cute, this next step is for you.
In addition to being useful, your first designer handbag should also be an instant favorite. It should be the most special bag you own — otherwise, why shop designer in the first place?
We know that for many, a designer bag is a serious investment, so it’s a good idea to consider the bag’s silhouette and how it will hold up over time, aesthetically speaking. Do you want something over-the-top with fur embellishments, like our Mya Bag, or something sleek and classic?
The silhouette of a bag can say so much. Do you want a bag with rounded, soft edges or something boxy and with hard edges? We know that can feel like a tough question if you’re new to the bag game, so try scrolling through your Instagram Discover page and see what silhouettes, details, and brands you’re drawn to.
Maybe your dream purse has a large logo or a long strap. Maybe it has a front pocket detail or an oversized zipper. Maybe it’s hot pink or jet black. Whatever the case, we highly encourage daydreaming about it.
Step 3: Consider Materials
In addition to style, you’ll want to consider materials.
When you start shopping at the designer level, materials become so much more important. You can really feel the difference between a designer bag and one made for mass consumption. Real, genuine leather. It cannot and will not ever be beat.
A bag made with leather is great because it tends to be firm and keep its shape no matter what you throw at it, but there are plenty of other materials to choose from. How about a suede bag, pony hair bag, or denim bag?
Or maybe you want to get in on the shearling trend. If so, run, do not walk to our Kuei Bag in Pink Shearling — we can’t even.
Nylon, vegan leather, and mesh are also available to you, and more and more designers are getting creative with what they make their bags out of. Unique materials can offer some great flair, especially when you’re going for a simple silhouette.
It’s also worth considering what materials exist in your wardrobe currently. If you work back from there, you can pick something that easily fits into your style and won’t waste time on your closet shelf because you don’t have anything that goes with it.
Step 4: Set Your Price Point
Of course, one of the biggest factors to consider when you’re buying a designer bag is price point.
When it comes to luxury bags, the sky is truly the limit on price tags. Take a quick skim through some of the biggest designer names' websites, and you’ll see what we mean.
There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to something truly expensive, but we recommend looking at your savings plan and having an honest conversation with yourself about what you can afford. Treating yourself is always in fashion, but we honestly don’t think you need to break the bank to get a designer bag.
In fact, that’s kind of our whole thing. Luxurious styles and materials don’t need to cost thousands of dollars. We believe everyone should have access to this kind of luxury. Vogue said we’re making attainable it-bags. And we’re like, exactly.
Window shopping is still a vibe, but when you’re looking to make a designer purchase, having a price limit will help you understand your options and work towards something real. It will also make that moment where you finally take the plunge all that sweeter.
If you do happen to make your first designer purchase with us — great taste, by the way — just know we sell our collection of high-end purses both online as well as with partners like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales, in case you want that in-person experience. We totally get that.
Step 5: Embrace Spontaneity
Now, look. Doing the research and preparing for that first big designer purchase is all well and good. We really do recommend it! But try to keep some wiggle room for a little bit of spontaneity.
Many designer drops, especially coming from small independent brands like ours, sell out quickly. If you’ve been following a brand for a while and love what they’re making and want a piece of their collection, then you really can’t be shy on the trigger.
When you get that new collection notification, head straight to that website and join in on the fun. This is where a rainy day fund really comes in handy.
Honestly, a little impulsivity never hurt anyone, and it’s inspired some of the best pieces in our wardrobes. Risk, especially in the fashion game, can be a source of so much joy.
Step 6: Thrive
This last step is seriously so important.
A designer bag should help you live your best life. Buying your first purse should be stress-free. It should be fun, liberating, and help you feel at your most confident.
Trust us, the first time you order a designer bag and get that delivery to your door… the first time you feel that tissue paper and the smooth, expertly-made, handcrafted purse that waits for you beneath it… it will all be worth it.
Whether you save the bag for only the most special occasions or literally wear it out, you rock it so often, a designer bag should make you feel fabulous. Just promise us you remember you absolutely are worth it.
Buying a Designer Bag Is an Investment in Yourself
That’s one of the most important things to remember in this process. Investing in your wardrobe is an iconic move. We can’t explain it, but we feel so put together and proud when we’re strutting down the streets of New York in an outfit we know we put time and thought into.
That little designer bag hanging by our side when we do it? It’s usually the element that brings the whole thing together. So go forth, shop, and don’t forget to show us your final look when you decide to make your first designer bag purchase. We have a feeling it’s the start of a beautiful collection.
Sources:
15 Vogue Editors Share the Story Behind Their First-Ever Designer Bags | Vogue
4 Things You Didn’t Know About Brandon Blackwood’s Bags | Hello Beautiful
The Attainable It Bag? A New Generation of Designers Are Crafting Coveted Handbags for All | Vogue