The Do’s and Don’ts of Handbag Shopping: How to Make Sure Your Splurge Doesn’t Give You Buyer’s Remorse

Diamonds might be some woman’s best friend, but I prefer handbags. Of course, this really does surprise so many people since I rarely change out my handbag for anything other than date night. I’m a one bag at a time kind of woman, and I have my reasons.

1. I’m a mom. I need the biggest bag ever to store my stuff and the things that belong to all four of my kids (and my husband’s stuff, though he will deny he asks me to carry anything of his).
2. I’m a mom. I need every available second of my day for all the things that need to be done, and I don’t even have 30 seconds to change out my bag if I wanted to.
3. I’m a mom. I need something well-made and efficient.
4. I’m addicted to my Neverfull – and I don’t wanna carry anything else.
5. I’m a mom. I need room for my booze (I’m mostly kidding about that one).

I love a good handbag, and I have a lot. I still maintain the LV makes the best bags in the world. I’ve got four of my own, my oldest being almost 14-years-old and still perfection. They’re so well-made, so sturdy, and I can’t even destroy them. But I digress. I’m talking handbags today not to sell you on the fact that Louis Vuitton makes the best bags in the business, but to help you decide on which bag you’re going to splurge.

I believe in expensive handbags, because they’re the ones that last – and I wanted to share with you what to look for when you’re spending $1,000+ on a handbag so you don’t end up with serious buyer’s remorse.

Is the Cost Per Use Worthwhile?

The first question to ask before you splurge on a bag is cost-related. How much will it cost when you break it down by use? For example, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM I carry cost $1,340. I carry it every single day, and I have since Valentine’s Days 2016. 20 months. If you break the cost down by month, it’s cost me $67 per month to carry. Break it down by week for roughly 80 weeks and the cost is around $17 per week thus far. Break it down further by roughly 600 days and you’re looking at a total cost of about $2.24 per use so far. Basically – it makes the cost of this bag seem like nothing.

On the flip side, consider if you carry a bag only two or three times per month. If I bought this bag and carried it two times a month for 20 months, you’re looking at 40 uses. It’s now costing me $33.50 per use. If you’re going to use the bag long enough and often enough to make the cost-per-use reasonable, it’s a good investment.

Will it still be stylish in a decade, two decades, 50 years?

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever buy a handbag that is too trendy as an investment piece. Nothing is a bigger waste than spending $1,000+ on a bag you won’t carry more than a year or so. It must be a bag that’ll be in style the rest of your life. Think classic styles, patterns, and designs from designers such as Prada, Gucci, YSL, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc. Steer clear of trends.

Does it give you what you need?

I have four kids and a lot of stuff to carry – my Neverfull is everything I need and more. It’s a perfect diaper bag/handbag. It’s perfect for travel. It’s perfect for everyday use. It gives me what I need, and that’s what makes it a good investment. If you’re splurging on a handbag, be sure it’s one that offers all you need without question.

Do you love it?

If you don’t love it, don’t buy it. Take the time to go shopping. Try on the bag. Look at it. Compare it to other bags you also love. Pick the one you love the most. The one you can see yourself carrying the rest of your life and passing down to your daughter and granddaughter one day. If you’re only buying it because it’s the ‘It’ bag of the season, you’re going to have buyer’s remorse. Don’t pick the most popular, trendiest bag around. Pick the one that speaks to you and has your heart.

I’m a big believer in investment pieces you can carry for the rest of your life. When it comes to accessories such as handbags, spending some serious money is always a wise investment; but only if you do it right the first time.