For seasoned collectors of luxury goods, the journey is rarely linear; it is a fascinating tapestry woven from shifting aesthetics, unexpected encounters, and a deep dive into personal style evolution. As a long-time devotee of high-end handbags, particularly those from Hermès and Chanel, my collection narrates a story of changing preferences—a story culminating in a recent, utterly unanticipated acquisition that perfectly complements my burgeoning "blue jean era."
My collecting history, for those who have followed my journey for over a decade since my early days catering to the Chanel community, is quite telling. I was historically drawn to vibrant saturation. My early Chanel acquisitions were a veritable rainbow of Medium Flaps, often owning multiple shades of the same colorway, yet, somewhat ironically, I still lack the quintessential, iconic black caviar flap. This penchant for high-voltage color translated directly to my entry into the world of Hermès. My initial acquisitions were steeped in fiery hues: classic Hermès Orange, followed by vivid Anemone and audacious Vermilion. Neutrals like black or the subtle Barenia leather only infiltrated my collection much later, a clear inversion of the typical collector’s trajectory.
However, the last few years have marked a significant pivot. The collector’s eye has matured, now favoring sophisticated neutrals, exotic skins, and those exceptional leathers that arrive nestled in the coveted blue box. This shift—the "evolution of a collector"—has subtly altered my relationship with my wardrobe and, consequently, my desires in handbag form.
To illustrate this transformation, consider the color blue. If you were to audit my extensive collection of Chanel and Hermès pieces, the most glaringly absent hue would be blue. Before a recent breakthrough, I owned only a single blue piece: a vibrant Hermès Special Order in Chevre leather, shade Bleu Hydra, commissioned at the Chicago boutique. While treasured as my first SO, the color proved challenging for my everyday styling. Beyond that singular vibrant statement, my inventory contained no navy, no sapphire, not even a whisper of baby blue.
This absence was punctuated only slightly by a Kelly Danse Anate fringe in Swift leather named "Blue Jean," acquired just over a year ago in December 2024. Despite its evocative name, the Swift leather rendered the shade far too electric to truly capture that relaxed, denim-inspired feel I was seeking. Thus, for years, blue remained an unaddressed color category in my luxury holdings.
The reason for this prolonged avoidance of blue is rooted in a previous professional chapter. For a significant period before establishing PurseBop, I ran a successful denim enterprise. The intensity of that focus led me to deliberately steer my personal style in the opposite direction. For years, my closet contained zero pairs of conventional blue jeans. My uniform became an exploration of dark neutrals: tailored black slacks, structured trousers, sleek leather pants, and scuba leggings. When warmer months arrived in Chicago, I favored dresses—flowy, structured, floral, or solid—anything to distance myself from the textile that defined my working life.
This aversion began to dissolve unexpectedly in 2024, sparked by a pair of Rag & Bone Miramar wide-leg jeans. That single purchase unlocked a whole dimension of dressing I had consciously neglected. My innate preference leans toward a casual-chic, almost rock-and-roll aesthetic; the corporate power suit or overly formal ensembles have never resonated. Even when sporting a magnificent Chanel tweed jacket, I paired it with riding pants or leather to maintain an air of effortless, well-put-together ease. While there is certainly elegance in corporate polish, my entrepreneurial background allowed me the freedom to define my own sartorial rules. After all, the truly formal dressing opportunities—galas, society events, and black-tie affairs—are reserved for my private social calendar, a side of my life largely unseen by my readers, where every dazzling accessory, including bags, is welcomed.
The true catalyst for my "blue jean era," and the subsequent handbag reveal, occurred in late spring 2025 during an impromptu visit to the Hermès Madison Avenue location. I happened to be wearing cuffed blue jeans from a specialty Nashville boutique, Imogene and Willie, purchased during a work trip that April. I struck up an immediate rapport with a fellow fashion enthusiast who was commiserating over the eternal quest for the perfect-fitting denim. She spontaneously offered to take me shopping right then and there for a proper fitting, and we did just that.
At the boutique, I was sporting a surprisingly cohesive "Canadian tuxedo"—a cropped denim jacket with short puff sleeves and a zippered front, paired with my new, flattering jeans. Perhaps the combination of the head-to-toe blue denim, coupled with the conversation turning to the intricacies of exotic skins, triggered a synchronicity with my sales associate. Something clearly clicked.
She excused herself briefly, only to return with an air of intense excitement, leading me immediately into the private viewing room. As she began to unveil the contents of a box, the glimpse of color prompted her to remark, "It is gorgeous." As the unwrapping continued, she repeated, "Oh yeah, it’s a really good one. Please be open to the color…" Her vocalized awe—"Now this I have never seen"—accompanied the reveal.
I was prepared for something in lizard, but I braced myself for a color that might still challenge my current wardrobe. When the bag was fully presented from its protective felt, I was speechless. It was an exquisite lizard skin, rendered in a deep shade that bordered on indigo, yet possessed the subtlest, almost imperceptible hint of steel gray. It was breathtaking, undeniably exotic, and—critically—a blue I had never before considered for such a precious skin.
The excitement was amplified by the bag’s structure: it was the newly released Constance 1.24 size, rather than the classic C18. This slightly larger iteration naturally exudes a more relaxed, crossbody-friendly vibe, perfectly aligning with my newly embraced casual aesthetic—the ideal companion for my "blue jean era."
(Footnote: This acquisition marks my second Constance 1.24; the first being a stunning white Himalayan. It is also my second lizard Constance, the first being an ombré C18 from the Madison boutique opening.)
The specific color, revealed to be Blue de Malte (Code 7L) in polished Niloticus Lizard, was an immediate obsession. I instantly strapped it on as a high crossbody, admiring how it commanded attention while still feeling entirely effortless against my casual attire. The bag offered versatility, styled as a crossbody, or worn with the strap doubled for a shorter shoulder look, or even carried traditionally tucked in the crook of my arm.
My imagination immediately began sketching out new outfit possibilities:
- Casual Chic: Blue jeans, a crisp white T-shirt, sleek sneakers, and the Constance worn crossbody.
- Elevated Edge: Blue jeans paired with my Hermès leather trench, biker boots, and the bag hanging long over my shoulder.
- Soft Sophistication: Blue jeans with a delicate summer blouse, ballet flats, and the Constance carried doubled in the arm’s crook.
This acquisition was a profound, unexpected delight, a significant departure from my existing collection, which is heavily skewed towards gold hardware. The palladium hardware on this lizard piece provides a necessary, cool-toned counterpoint to the overwhelming warmth of my existing pieces.
This treasure had been quietly waiting in the depths of "the vault," its debut delayed until the moment felt entirely right. That moment arrived during a recent trip to Florida—a transition from Chicago snow to the sunny, albeit brisk, coasts of Naples and Miami for a reunion with friends and sisters. My travel uniform for that excursion was decidedly blue-jean focused: denim, white tees or black Skims bodysuits, an assortment of sneakers (including the new Chanel bowling ball-inspired pair), and perhaps an Hermès bomber or two. In that context, the Constance 1.24 in polished Niloticus Lizard, Blue de Malte, felt not just appropriate, but essential. It seamlessly integrated into my current relaxed, yet luxurious, daily uniform.
This piece is the embodiment of my current style chapter—a testament to the fact that even the most dedicated collectors must remain open to evolution. The journey to the perfect blue bag was long, but the destination, achieved in lizard skin and the modern 1.24 size, was worth every unexpected turn.
Love your PurseBop,
XX