Chanel

 

 

 

 
So I decided to take the plunge… I bought my first Chanel bag! Admittedly, I’m already a “treat-yo-self” kind of girl, but this was a big purchase even for me. I had been eyeing a Chanel boy bag for quite some time. I mean, they’re beautiful! The perfect combination of classic femininity you’d expect from Chanel, combined with a modern and edgy touch from the hardware details. In a moment of pure fantasy I had tried on a couple of different sizes and hardware tones at Bergdorf Goodman. I decided that the medium-sized, brushed gold was the perfect option for me, before I was sharply brought back to reality by the price tag. I left the store with a “one day” mentality, assuring myself that the bag would soon be mine with some smart saving tactics.
 
Fast forward to our trip to Ireland and a routine visit to my favorite department store, Brown Thomas. Since my brother is one of my favorite fashion advisors, I thought that I would show him the bag that was at the top of my lust list. After drooling over it once more, I noticed that the price tag was quite a bit cheaper – even after the currency exchange. Imagine my surprise! And then there’s the cherry on top… Ireland actually has a high tax refund rate if you are an Non-EU resident. With the financial incentives, I decided it was actually smart for me to purchase my bag while traveling abroad. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger! If you are traveling abroad to Europe and eyeing a luxury item, it might be beneficial for you to consider purchasing there. My advice is to look into tax return rates and the actual cost of the item in the countries you are visiting. You just might come home with a brand new beauty for your wardrobe!
 
I can honestly say that I’m so thrilled with my purchase. I ended up going with the gold hardware, because I felt like the brushed silver (ruthenium) was a little too edgy for my personal tastes. Additionally, the medium is a great size which can be transitioned from day to evening. I felt like I couldn’t see myself wearing the larger bag in the evening. While I’m still treating my bag with kid gloves, I hope to wear it more and more as the season progresses. Stay tuned!
 
What about y’all? Do you have any love at first sight stories or tips for shopping while abroad?