Get The Fun Color

a reflection on practicality

In an age where over consumption is rampant, I find we can condition ourselves with our good intentions to scrutinize a purchase with caveats. Can I use this daily? Is it an item I can rewear often? If I wear this X times, can I justify this purchase? Is it practical? Sounding familiar?

These questions can be helpful, but are they necessary for every piece we consider? My immediate reaction is yes, but why not leave some room to live a little more aspirationally? Let’s take luxury items and handbags as an example.

PS — purses just happen to be an item I fixate on. If that’s not your go to, switch out a purse for the item you love to buy.

fondue fromage purse | red purse | yellow purse | sphere purse (similar style) | top left image | bottom right image

All Signs Point To

While in Amsterdam a year and a half ago, I found myself with an afternoon to myself and decided to peruse down Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat — a high-end street filled with luxury retailers. It’s sometimes referred to as Amsterdam’s 5th Ave.

I walked into the Loewe store for the first time and like many others fell in love with the puzzle bag. I tried on multiple sizes and colors with a growing admiration for its unique features. Switching between a beige and olive green color while reminding myself I was just perusing. I kept gravitating toward a beautiful olive green with a lime green accent tone.

Once I was reunited with my husband, I showed him pictures of the two colors I had tried on. While I considered this as a purchase (spoiler, I didn’t purchase either), I really liked the green one but I kept going back to how the beige would be more practical. Read: more wearable due to its neutral color. Then it hit me — why do we often try to justify expensive purchases with cost per wear or daily usage?

I believe both are the mini puzzle bag. They both came with a crossbody strap.

The reality is, the more you have in a certain category (color, shape, function) the less opportunity for wear exists. If you have 2 black purses and you add another one to your collection because black is more “all purpose,” those three purses will end up getting less use overall.

PS — of course, it’s possible to have 3 black purses that all meet different purposes, but something to ponder about!

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not advocating for over consumption. I’m advocating for looking at the bigger picture of your closet and recognizing that just because a purchase isn’t the most practical option, it doesn’t mean it’s not the right one for you. It doesn’t always have to be practical, maybe it just brings you joy. An expensive purse should be used but sometimes the wearability isn’t the main driver of the purchase. Sometimes it’s shape, function, sentimental value, ability to pass down a future generation, etc.

So what am I saying!? Get the fun color. The unique shape. Get the piece because it brings you joy and makes sense to you.

A Dior Example

Also while on P.C. HooftstraatI, I walked into the Dior store to look at the Saddle bags in person. I had fallen in love with the shape months earlier. Even though, you’re limited on what you can carry, something about it drew me in. Months prior, I had come across an ice blue mini option (similar to this one) and I became wildly obsessed. Despite the color being what caught my eye, I found myself thinking a black or beige would be better if I were to purchase one — re: due to wearability.

I unfortunately didn’t take any pictures during the try on, so I’ll leave you with these images from the Dior Museum. Currently, the only Dior purse I want is this iconic beauty on the right. I can’t find any information about it. If you know what year it was released or it’s name, do tell!

Fast forward and I was trying on several sizes and colors. I noticed I wasn’t as excited while trying on the black, beige, and white options. I also found myself enthralled with the mini version which the sales associate warned could barely carry a phone due to its size. So a neutral color and the larger size would be the “more sensible” purchase. Then, walking out of the store, it occurred to me — there is nothing “practical” about an expensive purchase to begin with.

I know that if I ever owned one, I wouldn’t be able to fit much beyond my keys, wallet and phone. So opting for a non-neutral color makes the purchase even more interesting — the bag would be the focal point of any outfit I paired it with. My viewpoint was slowly starting to change on my usually stalwart mindset of purchasing with “practicality” in mind.

Present Day

Since that day, I’ve been trying to ask myself if what I’m interested in has space to be fun or if it needs to be more practical. A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about my visit to Fane last Fall. I walked in there thinking I’d be walking out with the bra bag in one of their neutral colors (because that’s what I told myself I needed!) but at the last minute, I was awestruck by the cow hair version after one of the founders walked in with it. I recall texting friends and going back and forth with my husband for months. Was I crazy for wanting this? Why was I asking everyone except myself? In case you were curious, I went with the cow hair print bra bag and I have no regrets.

this beauty on film

Also just to make this point, fun doesn’t always have to be full speed in the opposite direction of sensible. Sometimes it means inching into a navy color or considering a stripe. Take the step or leap that makes sense for you!

I hope the next time you wonder if your desire for a more unique option really isn’t practical enough to justify purchasing it, you listen to your initial instinct and choose fun instead. With a little more fun, who knows what our closets will look like in a few years!?

Some Fun Bags

I put together a compilation of purses that caught my attention as I scoured the internet for fun, colorful bags. Most come in a neutral color if that is still what your heart desires! I only showcased 10 bags on this image, but the additional 40+ options can be found grouped by color here.

red clutch | silver shell | green woven tote | pink pochette | gold mother of pearl | floral purse | orange top handle | silver purse | blue suede purse | python baguette purse | left image | right image

All featured items can be found here.

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I’m curious what you think — would you opt for a “fun” color over the tried and true favorites? There is no wrong answer here!

xx Ofelia

Disclaimer: some links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a very small percentage from a sale. As always, anything that is linked are things I either own, recommend or would purchase myself.

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