Wish List Update: The Perfect Bag
Posted on 01.07.10 to $100 and under, Opinion, Outfits by Lindsay
I know, it’s been all of five minutes since I posted about my Official Wish List (capitals necessary). Honestly, I’ve been compiling that wish list for months (literally, it’s been a major concern here at the B&B B&B) and finally got the decisive energy to buy a bag that had been on my Amazon wish list for almost a year when it went on sale. I’m so apprehensive about spending large amounts of money on things that I’ve been taught are “frivolous”, but that’s not fair! I deserve to have high-quality things, damnit!
So, if you remember (or look down), number one on my list was “A Quality, Versatile Handbag“. Did such a thing exist? Well, at the time that the list was created, no. At the time the list was posted… yes. I’m so glad I finally bit the bullet and bought something that would last. Sure, it was more than my monthly cable bill (which I paid, too, don’t worry), and it was more than three weeks of El Train fare… But it’s going to last me much, much longer.
It feels really strange to be the author of a blog called “Broke & Beautiful” and be currently penning a piece about spending more than you usually do. Trust me, the coincidence is not lost on me. I’ve always believed, though, that you can be cheap, you can be broke, or you can be financially challenged.
When you’re cheap, you spend the smallest amount of money humanly possible to acquire the item that will just complete the task you’ve set for it. It will do its job, that’s for sure, but whether or not it will do it well… Highly debateable, and for the no-money that you’re not spending as a cheap person, chances are good that no, that thing you wasted your money on was a piece of crap.
When you’re financially challenged, you’re essentially in denial. You’re constantly wishing you had more money, more space, more tiiiime! You’d rather walk through Saks and Nordstrom every weekend longing for things than actually purchasing any of it. You end up coming home with bags and bags of Forever 21 and H&M stuff that you treat like crap because you don’t really have any respect for it, you just bought it to satiate the need to have beautiful things and you happily sacrifice quality for quantity. Variety is the spice of life, right?
(Can you tell which one I used to be?)
When you’re broke, you’re not complacent, but you’re not quite satisfied, either. You’re always looking for the maximum value not just in clothes – but in life. You want to have a beautiful, rich experience – but you don’t want to sacrifice other positive aspects of life if the experience isn’t worth it. Your clothes are unique, but accessible. They’ll last you years and years, but you didn’t spend a fortune on them – you put intellect into your clothes, your style, and your outlook. You research before you buy (and it kind of gets you going…) You get defensive when people suggest that fashion is for the simple minded.
Yeah, I got a little sassy there. You saw it here first!
Anyway.
The idea of “broke“, I feel, is the best of the three, hands down. It’s got the structure for longevity, the potential for expansion and contraction… Maybe it’s just the control freak in me, but I never want to be locked into a lifestyle. I never want to be locked into a style. If I’m dropping $5 on a shirt, not only am I going to not be locked into a style, I will be physically forced out of it once the thing starts falling apart. On the contrary, if I’m dropping $750 on a cocktail dress… I’ll be physically forced out of my house and style because that is way too much dough.
Unfortunate facial placement and expression here.
The thing about a bag is this: It’s never just a bag. It’s never just a four-walled, flat-bottomed, handled mass of fabric. Your bag, at least from the perspective of a 20-something city girl, is just as much a piece of your identity as your shoes, your resume…? When you walk into an interview, a meeting as an independent business owner, a date with a new sweetie, your entire being is a representative of you. A lot of people will take this concept and mark it “superficial“, or “shallow“. It’s not – it’s a choice. You can choose embrace your life through every portal of your being… or you can choose not to have those things represent you.
However, if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably not one of those people.
The bag is the Joe’s Jeans Handbags Victoria Bowler
I was originally looking for a bag that was…
- Good for work.
- Good for not-work.
- Goes with everything, be it messy, polished, trendy, classic, blue, purple, or bright orange.
- Capable of carrying my laptop.
- Capable of carrying cookies.
- Under $120.
I’m proud to say that this bag has achieved each of these goals, most remarkably “carrying my laptop”. Comfortably, no less!
My only qualm is the length of the handles. With my ugly, gigantic, puffy, nylon coat – the straps won’t fit over all the volume to sit on my shoulder. Fortunately, number two on my Wish List is a remarkable winter coat, so this shouldn’t be an issue for too long.
The leather is really gorgeous – it could be the fact that this is one of the few only leather bags I’ve ever owned. In fact, that’s probably exactly what it is. Either way, it makes me happy.
Seeing the Amazon.com box sitting on my couch felt good. Walking over to open it up felt like I was siphoning my respect for the bag’s quality into myself, as someone who recognized her worth enough to treat herself well.
Shirt, Marshalls, $7
Skirt, Torrid , $12
Leggings, Torrid ,$15
Shoes, OnlineShoes.com Warehouse Sale, $30
Bag, Joe’s Jeans Handbags Victoria Bowler
Jacket, Mike & Chris Rugby Jacket (no longer available in Grey), gift!
It feels good, and I’m definitely not sure I could ever go back to being financially challenged.
Post Tags: bowler, broke, handbags, inepxensive, joe's jeans, quality versus quantity, shopping
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Comments ( 12 )
Shopping for Fashion On A Budget: How To Make The Sales Come To You | Broke & Beautiful added these pithy words on Feb 28 11 at 8:04 am :
[...] price tag, it wasn’t really an option. With a couple tools and tricks, however, I managed to obtain “the perfect bag” for just over $70. Few things feel more awesome than getting a beautiful designer bag at 60% off, without the [...]
Annie Spandex added these pithy words on
Jan 07 10 at
8:06 pm
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I love it and you look absolutely GORGEOUS!
.-= Annie Spandex´s last blog ..DIY Shredded Boots Tutorial =-.
Beth added these pithy words on
Jan 07 10 at
8:28 pm
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Lovely! I have something similar from lululemon (the elite laptop bag) in the blue floral that is both a laptop bag and a gym bag (with a shoe compartment!). Actually, it has a compartment for just about everything. I got it on ebay and dropped about $80 for it, but now I’m not sure how I ever lived with out it!
Shelley added these pithy words on
Jan 07 10 at
8:49 pm
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brilliant analysis! Loved reading this and love that you loved yourself and gave yourself a gift that makes you feel so great!
.-= Shelley´s last blog ..Staging Statistics =-.
Shelley added these pithy words on
Jan 07 10 at
8:50 pm
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And you look fabulous, by the way! Love the bag, skirt, blouse and that unique rugby jacket.
.-= Shelley´s last blog ..Staging Statistics =-.
Maggie added these pithy words on
Jan 07 10 at
10:33 pm
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I saw a $500 purse I wanted and mentioned it on Facebook–suddenly parts of my family thought I was ridiculous. For me it was just fantasy and could never dream of spending that sort of money on a purse. But some day I secretly want to buy one hugely expensive luxury fashion item. Chloe shoes probably. I will treat it like it was my child.
.-= Maggie´s last blog ..GaGa Thursday! =-.
Lindsay added these pithy words on
Jan 08 10 at
1:03 am
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Bag acquired! & a new manifesto? RT @MissElle Wish List Update: The Perfect Bag http://bit.ly/7M9XTH
Lindsay added these pithy words on
Jan 08 10 at
3:36 am
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New @ B&B… Wish List Update: The Perfect Bag http://bit.ly/6YBDHi
Sally added these pithy words on
Jan 08 10 at
8:52 am
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There’s nothing more satisfying than landing the perfect bag. I’ve had mine for about four years and even though I’ve bought other bags in the meantime, I ALWAYS go back to my fave. The Joe’s bag is absolutely amazing, Elle, and definitely fits all of your criteria!
.-= Sally´s last blog ..This Week I Love … =-.
Chelsea Rae added these pithy words on
Jan 08 10 at
2:53 pm
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The first step is always the hardest to take. The bag is awesome, and the fact that it fits your laptop makes it even more awesome. Seriously, I rarely find a good bag that can fit everything I need AND my laptop. Congrats on checking something off your list!
.-= Chelsea Rae´s last blog ..Hey, Hey, Hey Snowflake =-.
