Gen Zers Spill On Their First Designer Bags

Ah, the first luxury purchase, a major milestone for any youth, and for many, it’s all about the bag.

With Gen Z's global spending power estimated to hit US$74 trillion (S$99 trillion) by 2040 according to a recent report by Bank of America, luxury brands are vying hard for the cohort's attention. And in an era where bags must balance style, function, and self-expression, the right pick is everything.

But what makes a designer bag the one? Seven Gen Zers spill the tea on their first-ever splurge – and why it was worth it.

SOPHIE DU TOIT, FRESH GRADUATE, 22

This 22-year-old fresh graduate from the National University of Singapore is a fashion girlie with an eye for aesthetics. She might be recognisable from her Insta-viral weekly #FitChecks, or her Pinterest-worthy tablescapes as seen in the pages of FEMALE’s December 2024 Food Edition.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

"My first designer bag was the Celine Triomphe Ava shoulder bag. It meant a lot to me, as it marked my first ‘big-girl’ purchase, made with money I earned from various jobs during and after high school. Because of this, buying it felt like a true stamp of independence. I chose the Celine Triomphe Ava because I’ve always admired its simple design and curved silhouette. Previously, I’d associated designer bags with ostentation and more mature wearers, but this one struck me as both youthful and timeless."

Where did you get it?

"I opted to buy it first-hand because I felt that visiting the store would offer the most rewarding experience. I also thought it would be more meaningful to connect with the brand whose vision had inspired this bag. I remember visiting the Celine store at Orchard on a weekday afternoon in 2020. I chatted extensively with the sales associates, asking about the bags, their features, and the leatherwork. After all this, I decided to buy this bag at whatever price it was quoted because I loved it so much."

What’s your criteria for buying designer bags?

"For this bag, I prioritized versatility and wearability above all. While there were many beautiful bags I admired, I wanted my first purchase to be something I could wear regularly and style with anything—casual or otherwise. I was also drawn to the bag for its understated design; there was no obvious branding or logo. Despite the signature Celine monogram on the canvas, the pattern felt visually coherent and subtle. Ultimately, I chose this bag because I felt it would complement, rather than overpower, my style."

Currently, what’s the most you’d spend on a bag?

“I don’t think there’s a hard ceiling for me; it’ll always depend on the bag and its design to determine whether I’ll make the purchase. A Birkin, however, would be a stretch for me right now."

Favourite designer?

“It changes all the time, and there’s never just one. Recently, I’ve loved Loewe, Iris Van Herpen, and Schiaparelli – not that I’ve owned their pieces, but admiring from afar is perfectly alright with me!”

AVELLE WONG, RESEARCH ASSISTANT, 23

Twenty-three-year-old Avelle Wong is a research assistant at the N1 Institute of Digital Medicine, National University of Singapore.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

"My first designer bag was a leather tote bag from Coach that I found in a thrift store in Tokyo last year. I immediately fell in love with the cherry red leather and simple design. An item being designer doesn’t really mean much to me – quality matters more. When I saw how beautiful the red leather was, how thoughtfully the stitching was done, I was sold. It was ¥2,200 (around S$20), so it was a no-brainer. My thought process was: 'The leather feels good, I know Coach made great quality items in the past, this piece looks like it’s been cared for, and its size was perfect for everyday outings to match my outfits."

Because I bought it vintage in Japan, I trusted the store because Japan has extremely strict counterfeit laws. Plus, my bag had the large Coach leather tag stitched on the inner lining of the bag and external markings, so it had to either be genuine or a really good fake. Either way, its branding didn't really matter to me, I could tell that it was of quality based on my usual quality checks, so that was enough for me."

What's your criteria for buying designer bags?

"I’ve already mentioned quality, which is one big factor. Another is timelessness. My Coach tote has a very simple design, and I don’t think one would know it was Coach just by looking at it. I’m not a fan of heavily monogrammed products because I feel like a walking advertisement. Also, it fits my 16oz Owala water bottle. I’ve bought tiny mini purses before, and regretfully, they only sit on my shelf, begging to be taken out.

Another major consideration for me was its price. I’m happy to pay for workmanship, but not branding. Luxury goods are known to be made well, but luxury brands are well-marketed, so the price points are significantly higher. To me, shopping vintage is the solution to my desire for quality-made pieces that fit my budget. For my Coach bag, its price happened to be much more affordable than I was expecting. Of course, I get to say that it’s sustainable too, which I’m happy about – so it’s one of those nice cases where the convenient type of consumer behaviour aligns neatly with my ethics and beliefs."

Currently, what's the most you'd spend on a bag?

"The highest I can think of would be $500 to $700, but the following conditions would have to be met: if bought retail, it would need to be produced ethically; if vintage, it would need to be something that I can't find a modern equivalent of in terms of quality and design. It would also need to be high quality and of a design that is extremely tailored to my personal likes and dislikes (for example, my preferences in hardware, shape, size, material, and colour). If it were for my partner, though, price wouldn’t be a consideration as long as it’s something he likes and is of good quality."

ADELINE TEO, CONTENT CREATOR, 25

Content creator and founder of the weekend-only cafe Watermill, Adeline Teo is a fashion expert who knows her way around designers, as seen on her social media. Her first designer bag? A vintage Chanel tote.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

"Mine was a Chanel canvas tote bag that was gifted to me by my parents. Though I can't remember when I got it, I do remember that my sister and I had each received one, but in different styles. Having my first designer bag be a Chanel was so exciting as it's such a classic and timeless brand to have."

What's your criteria for buying designer bags?

"I like bags that are versatile and can be styled for different occasions. I liked this bag also because it was very easy and on-the-go at that time. As for brand names, it does and doesn't matter to me: while a brand name adds long-term value to a bag, if I really love and want something, it wouldn't matter if it was branded or not."

Currently, what's the most you'd ever spend on a bag?

"A bit too much! I don’t think I’ll share the price of my dream bag until I get it or if my mum passes hers down to me."

Favourite designer?

"I love so many brands that it’s hard to pick a single favourite, so I'll share my top three. Currently, it’s The Row, Bottega Veneta and Phoebe Philo. I've always loved The Row and their take on minimalism, the quality and structure of their creations is top notch. I love Bottega Veneta for its creative yet wearable pieces and bags. It’s just so interesting under the hand of Matthieu Blazy. And lastly, my recent obsession has been Phoebe Philo; she just gets it! And the pieces are even more captivating in person, the attention to detail and the choice of fabric."

Dream designer bag?

"I’m eyeing anything in the colour Blue Jean from Hermes!"

ERIKA MEDINA, GRADUATE STUDENT, 24

Currently in a graduate programme with a mining company, 24-year-old Erika Medina is a self-proclaimed bagaholic.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

"My first designer bag was a black Saint Laurent Toy Loulou that I bought in 2022. Ever since I was a teenager, I've watched luxury YouTubers and admired their bag collections, dreaming about owning a luxury bag one day. I was still in university then, though, so a brand-new luxury bag was still far from reach for me."

Where did you get it?

"I bought this bag on Carousell for $1,000 – about half its retail price at the time. To verify its authenticity, I relied on the original box and receipt from the previous owner, which reassured me. That said, I’d probably consult a well-reviewed seller for future preloved purchases. I chose this bag because it struck the perfect balance between cute and edgy – the exact look I was going for – and could be dressed up or down, which was a huge plus. But despite loving it, I barely used it. As an anxious bag owner, I was terrified of damaging it, so it mostly sat in my closet. Eventually, I couldn’t justify keeping such an expensive item I never wore, so I decided to resell it after about a year."

What's your criteria for buying designer bags?

"I consider the gaps in my bag collection. When purchasing my Saint Laurent Toy Loulou, my collection was missing a small evening bag in black. I also consider a bag's resale value and desirability in the resale market."

Dream designer bag?

"A medium Saint Laurent Sunset bag in black with silver hardware! That will be my next luxury bag and I am planning to go the preloved route again to get it. Saint Laurent is my favourite luxury brand because the brand's aesthetic is similar to how I like to dress; classic with some edge. That said, back when I was in university, I cared a lot more about brands. Nowadays I just wear any bag that suits the occasion and look I am going for."

KIRSHANN MARCUS VENU DAS, STUDENT, 26

Currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the National Institute of Education, Marcus Venu Das looks out for quality leather when considering a designer bag.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

"My first designer bag was Coach's Gotham Portfolio in black pebbled leather, which I bought for myself for my 21st birthday. I saved up some money from my part-time job as a waiter, so it’s a symbol of financial independence for me! I got it secondhand from a seller on Carousell for about $300 and verified its authenticity with the seller's original receipt. I chose a Coach bag because I knew I'd get a well-made leather bag within my budget. I wasn't willing to spend too much, but still wanted to dip my toes into the world of luxury. I loved this model specifically because it was like a sexier version of a briefcase and in black, so it would go with everything and would get my money’s worth.

What's your criteria for buying designer bags?

"I wanted a boxy bag, and the Coach Gotham Portfolio stood out as a sleek, modern take on a briefcase. Most importantly, I needed something practical – easy to match with my wardrobe and spacious enough for my essentials like a water bottle, umbrella, and book. When shopping for a bag, I look for one I can’t stop thinking about, ensuring it fits my style and daily needs.

I won’t pretend brand names don’t matter – luxury brands craft compelling narratives that make you want to be part of their world, and I’m a sucker for a good story. That said, with soaring prices and frequent creative director shake-ups, I find luxury houses’ aesthetics inconsistent. While I keep an eye on major brands, I’ve been gravitating toward smaller labels like Fibreno and Zornna, where prices range from $200 to $300."

Currently, what's the most you'd spend on a bag?

"$300 but I am hoping that my lifestyle can afford a bigger budget for it in the future."

Dream designer bag?

"I've got three: a medium Bottega Veneta Andiamo in mint green, a Fleuron Paris Swann crossbody in a funky colour, like electric blue or dark green, and a Louis Vuitton Papillon bag in mint green patent leather."

ALYZZA MERCADO, STUDENT, 24

A final year Philosophy student at Nanyang Technical University, Alyzza Mercado is a budding luxury afficiando whose luxury collection is slowly growing. Between juggling classes and the lull of graduation, Mercado spends her time developing her personal style, oscilating between experimental looks and sleeker styles.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

“I bought a black Valentino Garavani bag from Vestiaire Collective for around $150. I wanted a classic, timeless bag, and a black leather one seemed like a safe choice. After browsing for a bit, the Valentino Garavani bag matched my style best. I opted for second-hand because it was more affordable and I like giving items a new home.

The app has an authentication system where sellers must provide photos of the original receipt, serial number, and other documents. If the item fails authentication, it can’t be sold. For extra assurance, you can pay for further verification before delivery.”

What’s your criteria for buying designer bags?

“For me, it’s all about timelessness and versatility. While I enjoy avant-garde designs, I wanted something practical for daily use. I also considered the shape – was it versatile, and did it work for both casual and formal settings? Brand names don’t matter to me; I focus more on practicality and versatility.”

Currently, what's the most you'd spend on a bag?

"Right now, maybe $500 on resale apps or thrift stores. Maybe that cap will increase, and I'll be open to purchasing a bag firsthand once I get a full-time job."

Dream designer bag?

"The limited edition Puzzle bag from the Loewe x Howl's Moving Castle (from Studio Ghibli) collaboration, hands down. I remember thinking 'I need that bag' when the collection was first released a couple of years ago."

YU DONG EN, STUDENT, 22

A first year computer science student at Nanyang Technical University, Yu Dong En believes in the power of the subtlety when it comes to luxury purchases.

Tell us about your first designer bag.

"My first designer bag was a Louis Vuitton bag which was a gift from my aunt for my 21st birthday. My mum asked me about my favourite designer brands and then brought me through a selection of dupes and asked me what I liked about each one. I assume she then passed the information on to my aunt, but it was a complete surprise when she gave it to me as a gift."

What’s your criteria for buying designer bags?

“For this bag, the first factor was colour. I wanted something black or grey to match my wardrobe, which is mostly made up of those colours. The second was subtlety and timelessness. I didn’t want a bag with prominent logos; it would feel too gaudy and wouldn’t fit my style. Lastly, I wanted it to be a status symbol. While I prefer subtlety, I still wanted the brand logo visible in the (smaller) details. Brand names matter because they reflect the design philosophy, prestige, and reputation of both the designers and those who wear them.”

Currently, what's the most you'd spend on a bag?

"At the moment, $100."

Favourite designer?

"Previously it was Louis Vuitton, but now I don’t have a favourite brand. I’d rather pick and choose from different brands without any bias. But if I really had to choose, my current favourite would be Saint Laurent or Maison Margiela. I feel their design philosophy aligns with my style the most."