12/06/2026
Why I DIDN’T buy the “perfect” bag...
I found this incredible bag while shopping in America and I was VERY tempted.
• Chrome
• Statement design
• Slightly quirky
• Very aligned with my clothing personality
Then came the dangerous part…
It was heavily reduced and it was the LAST one in the shop.
Every part of my shiny object syndrome was trying to convince me it was “meant to be.”
Years ago, pre-colour & style training I probably would have bought it immediately because I loved it emotionally and hey it was on sale!
But this time, I stopped and asked myself:
“Does this actually fit the life I want to use it for?”
I’m no longer someone who carries large handbags every day, unless I need my laptop for something, so if I was to buy one now, it would need to work for all of the below:
• Professional presentations
• Networking events
• Coworking days
• Looking polished in business settings
While this bag matched my personality perfectly, it didn’t match the purpose.
For my quirky Gamine personality, it was fun, but for the situations I actually needed it for, it felt too novelty-based and disconnected from my professional image.
Let’s face it…if it had truly been the perfect bag, I wouldn’t have been standing there debating it in the first place. It already would have been already bought and paid for.
That moment of hesitation should tell us everything, if you are trying to convince yourself into it, it's probably wrong.
This is the difference between impulse buying and intentional purchasing.
Style confidence is not just:
• “Do I like it?”
• “Is it in my colours?”
It is also:
• Does this support my lifestyle?
• Will I actually use it? Or is it a shiny wardrobe ornament?
• Does it align with how I want to be perceived?
• Is this emotional… or strategic?
Once you understand this, shopping becomes so much calmer.
You stop buying “almost right.”
You start building a wardrobe that genuinely supports your real life.
So despite my bowerbird love of sparkle, I left the bag behind for someone who will truly use and love her instead.
Clarity changes everything.
What’s something you nearly bought because you loved it emotionally… but knew it wasn’t quite
