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I am constantly updating my wish lists of all the spendy things on my radar from my favourite online boutiques, such as Net-A-Porter and 24S and my favourite designer labels, like Celine, Gucci and Loewe. While it’s well documented on my blog that my spending habits weren’t the healthiest early in my career, I can confidently say that’s no longer the case. The weight of responsibility and dependents in the mix will do that to you!
That said, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the finer things in life, it just means you have to be smarter about it. Keeping a running list of designer handbags I’d love to one day buy is something I have always done. It’s overegging it to call it a “strategy” per se, as it’s such a simple concept, but it really has worked that way for me. My list acts as my one-stop shop of all the handbags I’ve properly considered and tried on multiple times at the boutique (ie. stalked), where I’m essentially waiting for conditions to be perfect to hit purchase. If one of these bags happens to go on sale for example, and I’ve got the budget to pounce, I’m safe in the knowledge that I’ve carefully thought about each of the bags on my list because they align with my personal style. It’s how I managed to move quickly on my Loewe Flamenco Bag at the start of the Net-A-Porter sale. I knew we were fated to be together… it was just a matter of time 😉
In this post, I’m going to talk you through the designer bags currently on my wish list. It’s been a while since I’ve shared this – there are some new additions, and some styles that have been carried over through the years. While my wish list had been living on my Notes app on my phone for as long as I can remember, it’s been given a glow up thanks to Carted, a shopping app for those who take a considered approach to purchasing. You can save any product, from any store on the Carted app and create and sort your lists however you like (by category, season, people). But it’s not just for lists – there are a ton of features embedded within Carted designed to level up your shopping. One of the best features are the alerts you receive when items on your list go on sale – a true shopping hack requiring zero effort. But I also love how it organises all of the things I’ve got my eye on, and eliminates the millions of tabs that I previously had open. I love being able to compare similar items, particularly when I’m filling a gap in my wardrobe (most recently it was a pair of relaxed jeans and a knit midi dress), and I also love tracking the same item from different retailers (a really valuable tool particularly for luxury items where a percentage off saving can amount to hundreds of dollars).
A glimpse of my Carted lists
Look! Sales notifications!
It always takes me a while before I pull the trigger with handbags but Carted takes a lot of the stalking labour away from me! A major perk of using the free app is that if any of the bags I’m tracking are discounted from the retailers of which I’ve saved product links, it’ll send me a sales notification alert! Huzzah! I’ve been using Carted for the past few weeks and I’ve already managed to add a few wardrobe items thanks to its nifty features.
You can also share your lists with friends and family if they’re asking for hints of what to buy you! All of the handbags that are on my wish list can be accessed here.
Now let’s talk about the bags…
Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza Raffia Bag
I’ve toyed with the idea of buying myself one of the iconic Loewe Raffia basket bags but I just can’t justify the price! That said, the raffia bags that form part of the Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza collaboration are a step-up in quality. The reviews that I’ve read comparing the Loewe raffia tote and the Paula’s Ibiza version suggest this too. This particular slit bag style appeals because you can wear it as both a top handle but it also comes with a thick strap that can be adjusted to be worn crossbody. On its own, the cross body strap is rather pricey (roughly $900) and the frugal in me feels like this is good value for money.
Loewe Puzzle Fold Medium Tote
One of my colleagues who sits next to me when I’m in the office has this bag and I’m constantly admiring it. The khaki tone is just gorgeous – a bit of grey, a bit of green. This particular size can fit a laptop and I love how unfussy the design is while still being one of those “if you know you know” bags because of the iconic fold detail unique to Loewe. I don’t have any khaki bags in my collection which further builds a case for me to buy this one!
Gucci Jackie 1961 bag
The Gucci Jackie 1961 bag is one that I have loved for years. When I bought the 1955 Horsebit bag last year, the other bag in contention was the Jackie 1961, so it’s no surprise that it still occupies a special place in my heart. I’ve got two of them on my radar, both designed to shake up my collection somewhat given the disproportionate number of black bags in my collection. Having tried on all the sizes in the boutique, the small size is ideal for me. I also dig how the strap can be extended to be worn as a crossbody. More bang for buck in my opinion.
Celine Romy Bag
I fell in love with this bag on one of my (dangerous) lunch time frolics a couple of years ago. While the bag is an Hedi Slimane design from late-2021, the minimal design appeals to my Old Celine heart. It carries a hefty price tag, but boy is it luxurious to carry. The shoulder bag is made of a supple calfskin that’s design to slouch when worn. Despite it being a shoulder bag, it’s comfortable to wear. It comes in a few neutral tones, but the tan has a special place in my heart.
Celine Teen Triomphe Bag
Here’s another Hedi Slimane design that has made it to my wish list. I’ve loved the Celine Classic Bag in Box Leather released while Phoebe Philo was at the helm. While that bag has since been discontinued, I think the updated version, with the addition of the Triomphe logo, is stunning. The bag design is understated and simple, with a practical configuration of the internal compartments to store your essentials. I’ve tried the bag in store several sizes and I think the teen size is the ultimate Goldilocks size for me. Not too big, not too small.
Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 mini bag
The Le 5 à 7 strikes the perfect balance between the timeless YSL aesthetic and practical design. The bag is made from naturally grained leather which is soft and supple and while the shoulder bag has a 90s aesthetic, the strap can be adjusted and isn’t too thin, making for a comfortable wear. I particularly love how the YSL hardware doubles as a fastening – the L slots into the leather loop – pretty nifty, right?!
Toteme suede tote
Minimal, refined and textured – there’s a lot to love about this suede tote bag from Toteme. While it’s large enough to fit a laptop, it retains its slouchy shape. The bag design is simple, with the three internal slip pockets in addition to the main compartment. It also has a clasp fastening at the opening to ensure your gear doesn’t spill out of your bag if you’ve packed it full. This bag featured in my recent capsule wardrobe for Winter and I’m holding out hope that there will be some miraculous sale in the future!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
P.S. You can download the Carted app here (available from both the App Store and Google Play) and you can access my bag wish list here.
