Confessions of a Bag Addict

I believe moderation in life is the key to happiness. I think having just enough is a better goal than always wanting more and filling my life with meaningless stuff.

Yes, I know, it’s a very Nordic idea. And yes, I know that ‘lagom‘ (= Swedish for ‘just the right amount‘) is yet another one of those smug Nordic ideas taking the world by a storm. Well, taking the non-Nordic part of the world by a storm, I should say. Given that we Nordics have been living with these ideas since the beginning of time, it’s hardly a new concept…

But this post is not about lagom. Although it really makes sense, and we should all take note.

No, I have to make a confession. As much as I try to avoid all sort of excess, there are two things I can’t resist: chocolate and bags. There is no lagom when it comes to either one. Or, rather, I will always find an excuse to have one more…

Come on, everyone knows chocolate starts going bad the second you pay for it. Of course you have to eat it as soon as possible, otherwise you’d be wasting your money…

OK, let’s talk about bags…

How many bags is ‘just enough’? Well, I suppose I could manage with 3 or 4, in different sizes. Or one for work and another one for when I’m not working… But I don’t want to. I like nice handbags way too much.

And when I say ‘nice handbags’, that’s exactly what I mean. I don’t do ‘cheap and cheerful‘. Ever. Buying anything made on the cheap is both unethical and a waste of money.

Yes, I like my bags in excellent quality, and preferably (though not necessarily) designer. Sure, they cost more, but I also plan to keep using them for a long time, and with everything.

Of course, buying ridiculously priced status symbol bags is a waste of money, too. For starters, I can think of a few better things to spend that much money on… That being said, I really, really love my Chanel bag (which was a birthday gift from my darling hubby when I turned 50). My point is: yes, a luxury bag can be wonderful. But you don’t need more than one. After all, it’s only special because it is the only one, right? 

So, I usually go for mid-range designer bags: worth a few hundred euros and working hard to earn their keep in my wardrobe.

And versatility is a must. Even though I like handbags, and like to have a few to choose from, I find that having a different bag for each outfit is just ridiculous. Who has the space to store that many bags?!? I’m talking about people who live in the real world, people like you and me, not some celebrities with half a dozen mansions to store their collections of Chanels and Birkins in every colour of the rainbow…

As you can see, this lagom stuff comes naturally to us Nordics. Even those of us who might have a small handbag addiction…

Anyway…

The star of todays’ post is my new baby, this minimalist white tote I bought in the sales (after stalking it for months). That’s exactly how I want my bags: clean lines, no bells or whistles, hard-working and fit for purpose. 

And the purpose? This is my off-duty bag. I need a much bigger tote for work, and I have plenty of those (well, maybe half a dozen to choose from…). But my off-duty handbag collection needed a little upgrade. I’d been wanting to get a neutral bag for a long time. Sure, I have a beige bag, but beige is so boring… White, on the other hand, is so much more versatile. And elegant. And… I did say I’m very good at justifying my addictions, didn’t I?

Anyway, you’ll be seeing a lot more of this pretty baby in the future, for sure. After all, it has to earn its keep in my small but well-curated wardrobe…

Outfit details:
cardigan: Esprit / trousers: Noom (old) / t-shirt: Garcia Jeans (old) /
shoes: Marimekko (old) / bag: Marc Jacobs / sunglasses: Nina Ricci

Tiina

How many handbags do you have? Enough? Or too many?

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, Style Elixir, A Labour of Life, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge, A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, The Fashionista Momma, Tina’s Pink Friday, Away from the Blue, Mummabstylish , Mutton Years Style and I