I was at a little fête the other day where girls in beautiful party dresses and fancy hats ate tea sandwiches, chugged champagne, and talked about the finer points of being une femme mystérieuse. We got into the topic of owning Chanel – ever coveted, always a budget killer.  I will admit, I own one piece: a beautiful black box-style handbag, missing it’s chain, but in the most beautiful butter leather I’ve ever felt (thank you, Rice and Beans Vintage!).  I was able to get it for a good price, and I take it out on special occasions like any Chanel-coveting girl might do.  I got it because I could, because I loved it, and because it was beautiful.

So, we were comparing bags and talking about the finer points of feeling fancy carrying them, when one girl blurted, “The salesgirl told me it would be a great investment.  I can’t just carry it everywhere if that’s the case!”  I gave her the side-eye and pointed out that a bag is not an investment — and that this lovely girl should carry around that bag with a sense of wild abandon, because she has the bag, and because she can.  She insisted that she keep it in it’s dust bag, in her closet, saved only for VERY special occasions.  And the loudmouth I am, I told her: “That is ridiculous!”

Because a designer bag is a lot like a new car; once you drive it off the lot, it loses quite a bit of its value.  In the first year, that “investment” will lose up to 20% of it’s retail price.  Ultimately we all knew that fashion isn’t a TRUE investment – so refraining from carrying that new gray Chanel bag in order to preserve it’s value is… well… silly.

A true investment will at least hold its value with time.  In fashion, an investment is a good piece that you will wear forever – but in fashion, the idea of investments depreciate.  I know Chanel is a lifetime purchase, a big deal, your pretty baby – but if you tried to resell that gem you’re not likely to get get what you paid – whether or not you actually carry it.  Some designer pieces may not lose their value as quickly – especially those that are artisan-made instead of mass produced, but a quick calculation shows that the odds are against finding that one special collector piece that may sell for more than its original retail value.  So what gives?  Why stash it away in it’s dustbag in the closet when you could be gallivanting around town with something so eye-catching?

Maybe it’s the feeling you get carrying around something that’s impeccably made, luxurious, and envy-worthy.  You’ve put down cash to feel like a champ, because you’re carrying something that does come with a history.  Maybe it’s that you know how much you spent on it, and you know how much you’ll carry it, and the cost-per-wear is definitely worth it to you.  That feeling you get when you have that object is indescribable, and that feeling is what you’ve paid for.  Satisfaction, love, luxury… that’s what you pay for.  And that’s not bad, but it’s an “investment” in your mental state, not anything that’s going to eventually put your children through college.  It won’t do you any good hiding in your closet.

With that in mind, don’t let that salesgirl tell you that the bag you’re buying is going to be anything like an investment, because that’s the oldest sales-trick in the book.  Don’t kid yourself about why you’re buying it – know exactly what it’s worth to you to own that special piece.  And life is too short for you to stash it away like some government bond you’re saving for a rainy day.  Carry it, loud and proud – even if it’s just to work to display on your desk as a reminder that you are fancy and important and you carry Chanel.

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