What Kind of Handbag Person Are You?
Do you like to switch out your handbag to match your outfit, or are you someone who happily carries the same trusty bag all season long?
I find myself somewhere in between. Some weeks, I stick with one bag and barely think about it. Other times, I’m in the mood to match just the right bag to what I’m wearing—it feels like completing a puzzle. Over the years, I’ve curated a collection I really love. Each piece has a little story behind it.
One handbag I’ve always dreamed of owning is the classic Chanel double flap. In fact, I nearly bought one back in October 1987. I remember it so clearly: I took the train from Hyde Park into downtown Chicago, then walked up Michigan Avenue on a crisp, sunny fall day with one goal in mind—to buy that bag.
I’ll admit, I was a little intimidated walking into the Chanel boutique. Was I stylish enough? Would I be judged? It might’ve been my imagination, but I swear the sales associate gave me a once-over before disappearing into the back. She returned—not with the black classic flap I had in mind—but with a white camera bag. I politely declined. She brought out two more: a large classic (too big for my petite frame) and a red shopping tote. Finally, she showed me a red classic flap. It was beautiful—but I had my heart set on black. I left empty-handed.
Just a few days later, on October 19, the stock market crashed—Black Monday. I felt a strange sense of relief about not buying that bag. But oh, hindsight! That $1,000 Chanel bag would be worth over $10,000 today. (For perspective: $1,000 invested at a 4% annual return since 1988 would be worth about $4,108.85 now. So, the handbag would’ve been the better investment!)
But today, my thoughts have drifted to a different icon: the Birkin bag.
The Birkin’s story began in 1981 when actress and singer Jane Birkin found herself seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the CEO of Hermès, on a flight. She told him how hard it was to find a beautiful yet practical handbag. Inspired, he sketched a design for her on an airsickness bag mid-flight. That sketch became the first Birkin bag.
Interestingly, the Birkin didn’t take off immediately—but now it’s arguably the most coveted and expensive handbag in the world.
And here's the headline: the original Birkin bag—the very first one made—is going up for auction at Sotheby’s in Paris on July 10.
Now that is handbag history.
Tell me—what kind of handbag person are you?
Do you go for timeless classics, or do you love discovering hidden gems? I’d love to hear your handbag stories—drop a comment And if you enjoy style reflections like this, be sure to subscribe for weekly musings, outfit inspiration, and a peek into life after retirement—chic, creative, and always evolving.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
Thanks for being here
Louise x
I used to love beautiful tote bags, but now walk with a cane, so only use a crossbody. Willing to pay for a great bag. But it has to be functional.