This week's Carnivale of Couture is hosted by Styletribe. The topic of the week is to share the most significant fashion purchase, not the most expensive or exciting, but the one that was somehow pivotal or meaningful to us personally.
For the Bag Snob, every fashion purchase is pivotal and meaningful. Whether it be an impulse buy or a carefully thought out purchase, each one has defined us at that moment. Our most recent fabulous purchase is a vintage Hermes white ostrich kelly from the late 60's found in an exclusive vintage store in Miami three weeks ago. Hermes has temporarily suspended the production of white bags so it is nearly impossible to get one right now, let alone a white ostrich, which is actually impossible to get without waiting 3-4 years. Needless to say, this is quite a find, even for the Bag Snob.
All of my other Hermes bags have been purchased new at the Hermes boutique so finding a vintage one is quite special for me. The bag is exquisite and in impeccable condition down to each stitch, even the original straps and accessories are intact as are the stamps and markings. After 30+ years the 24k gold plate hardware is like new, the only thing that shows age is the lock! Finding this perfectly aged bag has now convinced me that Hermes bags are worth every single expensive penny. They are also excellent investments as they keep their value better than a Mercedes.
I keep thinking about the original owner and imagine her as Catherine Deneuve looked in "Belle de Jour", not the housewife turned prostitute part, but the chic Parisian part in perfect fitting clothes and kelly bags with matching shoes. Perhaps she owned hundreds of bags like us and only pulled this one out on special occasions, or maybe she used it often with care. Whoever she was, I am certain she was a Bag Snob of her day.
Back when I first started working, my mom told me that you should blow your entire first paycheck on something just for you. What she didn't exactly have in mind was that I only got paid once a month. So the first check was rather large - and I spent it on a Calvin Klein shearling (that still looks brand new 15 years later - both condition and style). It cost more than all of the furniture I owned combined. It is absolutely my favorite thing.
When I wear it, people want to touch it and I always say the same thing - "Get your hand oil off of my shearling." With a laugh that is sweet but serious.
And I forgot to mention:
One day I was shopping in NYC while wearing the coat. I stopped in the Calvin Klein boutique and Calvin Klein himself was there. That was a secret thrill for me. :)
Thank you for sharing, we love hearing your personal fashion thrills!
Love, The Bag Snob