That’s A Lot of Baggage
I’ve always been a bag person. Some might call it an obsession. I like to think of it as an inherited love—one that started with my mother.
Growing up, I noticed a pattern: every birthday, Mother’s Day, or Christmas, she’d receive a new handbag. At first, I wondered if she truly loved bags, or if my dad just didn’t know what else to get her (let’s be honest—probably a bit of both). But over the years, I watched her go through distinct eras of her own: the Dooney & Bourke phase (IYKYK), then Coach, and eventually, the world of luxury—Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Saint Laurent. Most recently, Loewe. That one’s my fault.
Her collection grew year by year, and I admired it quietly, hoping one day mine might look the same.
I started collecting bags in high school. Each school year came with a new backpack—not just out of necessity, but as a kind of personal reset. A way to mark time and declare: this is a new version of me. When I started working in retail, the obsession shifted—from canvas totes to leather crossbodies, from fast fashion to something a little more refined.
2017
Bag: You Can Do It, Coffee by F21
2021
Bag: The Tote Bag by Marc Jacobs
2025
Bag: Pleco Vertical Pleat by KNA Plus (bought at Here.)
At one point, my collection started to outpace my closet. I had so many bags, I couldn’t even decide which one to pair with which outfit. That’s when I began editing—choosing only the pieces that felt intentional, that felt like me.
Eventually, my love for bags mellowed. For a while. But after finishing my master’s degree, I made myself a promise: I would celebrate this chapter with something meaningful. So, I bought myself my first Loewe—the Cubi crossbody. My forever everyday bag.
2024
Cubi Bag by Loewe
2024
Anagram Cutout by Loewe
2025
Pebble Bag by Loewe
That single purchase unraveled into something bigger. There were charms. Then came the Molded Sling. The Anagram Cutout. And the whimsical heel pouch from the Howl’s Moving Castle collection. I was deep in it. One Christmas, I gifted everyone in my immediate family something from Loewe—my mom, sister (like my 12-year-old sister needed a luxury bag lol), and sister-in-law each got a bag. My brother, a wallet. My dad, Cologne. I even converted Tim. He now owns a Pebble bag and a wallet. Loewe, if you’re reading this, please sponsor me (lol jk but no seriously).
But don’t get it twisted—my love for bags isn’t reserved for the luxury tier. Right now, I’m rotating between pieces from both global names and homegrown brands. I’m especially loving my Anthrim Market bag from Salvage Public, and I often “borrow” Tim’s Weekender. I’ve also got a growing collection of Uniqlo crossbodies—everyday staples that I swear by.
2025
Bag: Market Bag by Salvage Public
2025
Bag: Weekender by Salvage Public
If you ask me whether I’ll keep collecting, the answer is yes. Absolutely yes. I already have my eyes on a few more.