Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Bag Royalty

Towards the end of the noughties, there was a distinct fashion trend of going back to tried-and-trusted classics. You could blame it on the financial crisis - people wanted to spend their money on items they knew were going to last. I would simply call it good taste.

It bags have their moment on stage, but how many times have we gone crazy for the lastest arm candy, only to find it completely disgusting and unacceptable to wear in public 6 months later? Maybe it's time to do away with the fickle, impulsive 'It' bag and rediscover the pieces that continue to take our breaths away decade after decade.

The classics are truly investment bags. Not only do their retail values rise by 10-20% every year, but they also retain good resale values. In some cases, like the Chanel classic flap and the Hermes Birkin, people often buy them at higher than retail value from resalers due to the rarity of some colours and styles (beware eBay scalpers!). If you can save up the money to buy one, this is one purchase you should not feel guilty about: true style and a financially sound investment.

Hermès Birkin




The UHG (ultimate holy grail) of bag collectors. Reportedly conceived after Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas had a chance encounter with Jane Birkin on a Paris-London flight, and as you do when you are seated next to the Hermès CEO, Jane Birkin described to him her ideal bag that she woefully could not find anywhere. Next thing she knew, a bag was made according to her specifications and sent to her (now that is good customer service!). The rest is history.

Chanel flap





Available in two styles: the reissue (aka 2.55) and the classic. The reissue is the original, unchanged design from way back when Coco Chanel wanted a bag that would leave women's hands free for other things. Amen to that! It has the plain, rectangular mademoiselle turnlock and metal chains. The classic is a modified, yet arguably even more popular design with the CC turnlock and interwoven leather chains.

Lady Dior




This isn't widely regarded as bag royalty, but in my opinion, it is timeless and stylish. Princess Diana was widely photographed with it. Apparently, she liked it so much she got it in every style and size. It is more youthful than the Hermès Birkin and the Chanel classic flap, so if you think you're still too young to own the previous two bags, this is the the one for you!
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