One of the things I worried about when I started to like expensive bags was whether or not I'd continue to like the bag I purchased days, weeks, and months into the future. After all, I was dropping a chunk of my hard-earned cheddar and wanted to make sure that I was buying something I'd love for life! Fortunately, I came up with a few strategies to help ensure that my bag and I were MFEO. Follow this three step process and you'll get it right every time.
1. Is it love at first sight?
I'm the kind of person who can tell right away if I love a bag. I can easily glance through pages and pages of bags online and quickly determine which ones are my favorites. Therefore, i don't allow myself to purchase a bag unless it's love at first sight. If I don't love the bag initially, I probably won't ever truly love it. You can't have deep, insightful conversations with the bag to figure out if you are right for each other, so this is a purely superficial exercise.
2. Is it the only thing on your mind?
I never buy a bag right away. I'm not much of an impulse buyer, especially when it comes to things that can cost upwards of 500 smackers. So when I see a bag that I like, I leave the store and go on with my daily life. If I'm still thinking about the bag a week later, I know it's a keeper.
3. Is it functional enough that you'll actually use it?
If you've answered "yes" to questions 1 and 2 and have a bag that's similar in style / shape / color, go ahead: you've found your next purchase! But if the bag you're considering is a new style for you, I would recommend against making the purchase right away, even if YOU are in love. Here's why: you may absolutely love the look of a bag, but if it isn't at least somewhat functional, you'll never use it. And while some might be content with merely having the bag in their closet, I for one only want to buy bags that I know I'll use.
So if the object of your affection is new to you in some way, be it style, shape, or color, do a trial run. Places like T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, Target, H&M, Old Navy and Zara are full of bags that look similar to higher-end alternatives. I once bought a hobo bag (an unfamiliar shape to me at the time) at Marshall's for $12 that looked similar to a Coach bag I had my eye on. When I took the Marshall's hobo for a spin, it just felt right, and I made my Coach purchase without hesitation.
Another option is to rent the bag you have your eye on from sits such as Bag Borrow or Steal or From Bags to Riches (reviews on these services to come later).
If after a few weeks your trial bag seems like the right fit, then it is time to make your purchase. If something doesn't seem quite right, however, don't force it; your next great bag may be right around the corner.
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