samedi 18 décembre 2010

The block





It's been a few years now that I've been obsessing over the Balenciaga City. Dropping by the brand's corners to look, touch, try it on. Browsing online suppliers and admiring the proud owners of the bag all over the world.

Finally, the plan was settled and put in motion: save a little every month and by the end of the year, my Christmas gift would be the Balenciaga City at last.

I achieved the first part of the project.

Last week, I went to the Balenciaga corner of the Printemps department store with my mind set on the purchase. 

I asked for the bag, again trying it on but nothing happened. No spark, no excitation nor anticipation to own it. Instead, the hint of doubt rapidely spread and the psychological block settled in.

I couldn't see myself  buying it. No way to let go of that much money on a bag, be it even the one I dreamed of for months!
And in that precise moment, I realized the block had always prevented me to buy any fashion items above the 600 digits.

I almost laughed out loud when I had that revelation and all the tension broke off. 

I handed the bag back to the over-sollicited sales assistants and made my way out.  

I don't know why and how I set my mind to this 600 number. It could have been less or more, but that was my limit. The Balenciaga Day was 650 at the time I got it, the APC coat, my biggest splurge ever, around 690.

Though I was consciously or not, willing to overlook it, when the final step was upon me, my body and mind triggered all kinds of alarms to prevent to conclude the transaction.

Being so close to owning the bag I dreamed of for a long time and letting it go didn't leave me frustrated . 
I knew I had the means and could have bought it but  I decided not to.and gave up on that "dream bag" obsession.

(tfs, carolinesmode, justjared, littlestylebox)

6 commentaires:

yanqin a dit…

I had a very similar moment when I went to look at a bag I wanted very much, and I finally had set aside the money for. It was something of a relief and a revelation - like I understood I never needed it or wanted it that much after all. I think whether your spending 600 or 60, the slightest doubt is always a sign that you should put down and walk away and at least think through it a little more.

I applaud your sensible thinking! Do you think you've given up on a dream bag completely?

Vegalyn a dit…

Me too, me too, I have a rendez-vouz moment when I was reading your post. I had saved up for the Mulberry Alexa, and when I actually went to the shop to get it, reality suddenly struck: do I really need a 850 euro-bag? I left the bag in the shop, and now, 6 months later, I don't even think about it anymore. In stead, I use the bags I already own and spent that 850 euro on a citytrip to.....Paris, last month.

Aïssa a dit…

Very true Lin . When in doubt, you should always move with caution and take time before action.

I think I'll always dream about the Birkin, the PS1 or the Chanel 2.55 because they're beautiful items. But they don't fit in my life and I can't spend such an amount on fashion even reasoning with the cost per wear theory. It's too much. Now if I became suddenly very rich I'm sure that my perspective would change...:))

As someone perfectly summed it up on another blog about the SC for LV: it's hard to hold a 3000 euros bag!

Well done Vegalyn ! Same thing happened to me with the Alexa too. I actually went as far as to buy it but I just couldn't like it when I brought it home so I returned it. At the time I thought it was only because of the bag. I'd rather spend that amount on a nice trip too!

t a dit…

I just got that bag lol. But Congrats on your A. Wang bag!

Aïssa a dit…

I know t! Thanks!

koko // res pulchrae a dit…

So far I've been very lucky with bags, finding them at consignment stores for reasonable prices. I have never paid retail and can't imagine paying more than $1000 for a bag. Buuuuut I am so in love with a Margiela shopper on luisaviaroma - it is so perfect but at the same time so simple that it feels silly paying $600 for a leather bag modelled after a plastic grocery bag! Oh well, my only hope is that it will go on sale (I check the link every day!)