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Considering an Investment (?) Purchase!

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Ladies,

I have recently fallen in love with a handbag I came across on a blog. I often see things that I adore online and on blogs but rarely do I fall so hard that I go searcing for them, particularly if Im pretty sure they would be stretching the budget.:)

So this is the bag! Thierry Mugler, and I believe it's a vintage piece. Not exaclty sure when it was made, the suggestion is the 1980's.... Anna any ideas??

I have found one and it would be more than I have EVER paid for a bag. Both my DH and my lovely sister have offered monetary gifts for my upcoming birthday to contribute to the purchase of the bag (talk about enablers) so I am seriously considering the expense.

The bag is described as 'space age rubber bag'. It is black moulded rubber. It is described as having some superficial wear on the service but in very good condition.

I will explain the attraction: I struggle a bit with bags at the moment. I feel I have honed my style but finding bags reflective of the style is 'challenging'. When I saw this, I was struck by the sculptural look of the bag, asymetry and the mere interest of the bag. I can see it working with everything, both casual and dressy and to me it has a timeless look about it.

I know we are all on different budgets and trust me my budget is very modest but I am willing to save (and I will have to save the balance) and spend on a quality item that I believe will have a long life span with me.

Ok... so am I mad!? And handbag officianados out there, would you consider this a good investment based on what I have shared?

Thanks so much.

xxx Deborah

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Shopping

35 replies

Latest reply was from Jeanie

Debra

Veteran

A superb bag....I know nothing about designer bags..... but this looks like it was made for you.
I say, if you love it and you can scrape those pennies together then go for it

Debra

Veteran

A superb bag....I know nothing about designer bags..... but this looks like it was made for you.
I say, if you love it and you can scrape those pennies together then go for it

Debra

Veteran

Hey I posted twice

Neel

Veteran

Deborah, have you seen this bag in person?

I love the shape and the idea of it. I also like that it would echo the artistic side of Deborah. But I wonder if it looks polished enough for your style. Rubber makes me think twice. That's my only concern.

Otherwise, I know of people who buy investment bags and use it for years to come (I am not one of them :D). If you really love it, go for it I say!

Deborah

Veteran

For double posting you get a boost and wisdom!!

Thanks for the encouragement! I am working on the assumption that a vintage designer bag would retain some resale value too, should at some point I wish to move it on?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

It looks fab & very you Deborah.

If it was me I would be:
1. Paying a purse/bag forum to authenticate the bag.
2. Finding out more about what the seller means by superficial wear - I'd want photos to judge for myself - we all have different ideas about wear & tear.

If the above is all good the only other concern I would have is how much stuff it could hold before getting out of shape - but that's me

rabbit

Veteran

It looks very interesting as a sculptural piece. What caro said, but also I would probably want to do some reading/googling about the durability of the material, how it holds up over time, and perhaps how other items by the same designer made of the same material have held up --- also how it opens and how much space is inside (wall thickness) and weight.

In the craft world there are very expensive teapots designed to be functional, and very expensive teapots that nod to functionality but are primarily designed to be decorative/expressive, so I'd try to figure out what kind of teapot this is :).

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks Caro and rabbit. Good points to consider. The seller has offered further photos of the bag and I may contact the blogger I saw with it to get her feedback on the bag?? The seller has the original dust bag and tag. I wonder if there should be a certificate of authenticity too? Of course I don't know if she bought it new of second hand. I have some follow up to do. xx

Lyn D.

Veteran

I can understand your enthusiasm Deborah- a handbag must echo our overall style or it can just look like an afterthought.
I would ask myself if is is functional too, especially if it is to be your main bag for some time to come.
$$ won't mean so much as long as it is affordable- the CPW will be low if it behaves as you expect it to.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I love how thorough you are. Please keep us posted about the whole process, the new info, how you feel about it all.

My only concern is that you can't try it, feel it yourself, before you eventually take the leap. Things can look amazing when photographed, but how they actually slot into us or in our hands is very hard to predict.

I only have this to ask - how right is this bag? Is it so right that everything else seems pale in comparison at the moment? If it's a big loud YES, but for whatever reason you decide not to pursue it, I just want to remind you that there is a right thing out there, something that may seem a small comfort for a while when we move on from very desired thing.

Deborah

Veteran

Ornella, wise words, thank you. I do tend to have strong emotional responses to things and then balance myself out over the following days:). I definitely prefer to touch and try things so the thought of buying this unseen is a bit stressful. I have found some photos that are very close up on the detail, and it am finding myself struggling with the idea is of spending so much money on rubber:). I have been wondering if I might find an artist or someone who works with rubber who could fashion me so etching similar?? My decision is far from made, and I will keep you up to date:)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It sounds as if you are thinking this through the right way, Deborah. It's just your style, but all the other factors need to be taken into account as well. Getting the information will make the decision easier. I, too, would want to try and feel it -- so much of a bag is in the feel and heft of it. And the way it holds our stuff. Horribly practical matters, but still....

jenanded

Veteran

Deborah, on principle I am enabler for what lines up between lust and practicality. But recently I have been very aware of how handbags get an old smell about them... so that would be my additional 2 cents with others' comments on research and real life touching... and sniffing... can't wait to hear we what you decide.

Quietgirl

Veteran

Rubber sounds heavy to me. Do you mind carrying a heavy bag?

Anonymous

I am leery of rubber as it breaks down. Even with stabilizers, this isn't a piece that will be useable for a long time.

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, it's a great bag, and would indeed complement your style so well! I can't wait to see how it goes on with your deal!

Joy

Veteran

I can see why you love this bag. It's shape is that rare combination of structure and the appearance of drape. What would bother me and does with hobo bags is that it may collapse when you set it down. I also wonder about the rubber breaking down. Even rubber flip flops that I bought to wear in strange showers and only wore once have disintegrated in storage. They are probably inferior rubber in the first place though.

crutcher

Veteran

Hey, I am an emotional shopper...I fall in and out of love quickly...At first read, I was all ready to say, "This is so you...go for it..." Not so much now...After reading the wiser and more careful Fabbers, I am, also, questioning the rubber...I guess what I loved was the shape and if you could duplicate that shape in leather...that would be perfect...

gryffin

Veteran

Deborah - that is a totally unique bag and I see what draws you to it. I think everyone has made excellent points and only you can know how much it calls to you. The only thing I noticed is that the strap is very short which means if you have any king of bulky layers going on it might not fit well on your shoulder. Do you see this as a negative? Do you usually carrry bags on your arm? Just another thing to consider but I share your dissatisfaction with bags. I just bought a clutch on sale for a big event, I could not find anything I liked and ordered the McQ Demanta clutch because of it's unique shape and to counterpoint the black. Thought it might make you feel better that someone else jumped off the deep end!! Has not arrived yet but I am hoping it works out, it would have to be the mother of all clutches, otherwise it goes back!!

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Deborah

Veteran

Gryffin, that is beautiful! Please post a pic when it arrives. Would love to see it as part of your outfit;)

I generally don't wear bags on my shoulder. All but my cross body bags are short straps and I carry them on my arm;).

Thank you for your collective wisdom here ladies. I am going to do more research and perhaps I can find something similar.

When I told DH it is rubber...he offered to make me one!! Funny man;)

Kimberley

Veteran

Hi Deborah - I can totally see you with this bag and can completely understand why you are drawn to it. If it were me, I would need to see it IRL to decide for sure...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Deborah I cannot possibly be objective. If you saw that bag where I think you did, I will tell you I had the same response and would love the vicarious joy of seeing you with it. On the other hand, everyone has made very wise and reasonable points, which are pulling me back from the edge where I am so tempted to push you over. Hmm, that sounds awful. You know what I mean I hope!

Deborah

Veteran

Shevia, I blame you for me seeing this bag in the first place ! ;). Yes I did see the bag where you think I did lol. I am trying very hard to be a grown up as I consider this and keep a very balanced perspective

ironkurtin

Veteran

First, I would not think of the resale value. This is not a house or a car, and is probably unlikely to appreciate in value unless it is either extremely rare and/or in mint condition. Buy it because you love it.

Also, buy it if you will use it. And unless it's returnable, make sure you will! Someone pointed out that rubber is heavy; I also find it doesn't breathe. If it's hot and you wear it, will it make you sweat? How do you care for rubber? (I've heard armorall, like for tires - maybe not something you want near your clothes.). How likely is it to degrade in sun or in cold; does it crack? Is it lined on the inside, or with internal pockets? (If that matters to you; I find it crucial in bags.). Are you a shoulder-carrier, and if so, will this sling over your shoulder or will it bite your armpit? Will it have a rubbery smell and if it does will that bother you?

All of this matters less if it's a special occasion bag, of course. But I also believe some designers are making sculptural bags in leather and it might be worth also checking those out.

NDMom

Everyone has made great points. I just wanted to say that it totally looks like your style and if you do buy it after much consideration, I think it (or something like it) would be so utterly amazing for your whole sartorial aspirations!

JAileen

Veteran

It's very cool looking. It reminds me of the vintage Coach Ergo Hobo handbag. I'm not sure what you mean by expensive because that means different things to different people. I bought a rubber vase at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and it did degrade. It got a pasty layer on the outside, and I eventually had to donate it to the thrift store.

Thistle

Veteran

You already have a ton of great thoughts and ponderings here.

My biggest concern is that it is rubber. And rubber has unique issues. Now that you know how much you love the style, have you considered someplace like etsy where you might find an artist able to do something similar in a leather fabrication?

danskogirl

Is it returnable, just in case you don't like it for any reason?

Echo

Veteran

If the bag is returnable, I'd give it a whirl. It is very difficult to consider all the opinions when one has not held the bag in person. Additionally, if the bag is vintage to start with and still looks almost pristine, I wouldn't worry as much about the material holding up. But a person's opinion can change on a dime when they see and hold something in person versus in photos.

The very nature of leather is that it would have to be seamed, and that would lose the look of the original instantly. Part of the sculptural appeal is that it is moulded and not sewn.

I can very much see you wearing this bag, Deborah. It would certainly go well with your wardrobe and sense of style.

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