The Economics of Buying a Chanel 2.55

Today is a very somber day for me. For 3 months now I have been planning, plotting and saving (all attempts in vain because I always find some other stuff that I am in dire need of) for another Chanel 2.55 bag. The first one I own is a reissue and I have been feeling the lack of a classic model with the interlocking C's. So a few days ago my husband took pity on me and said he might consider chipping in (chipping in is an understatement as I have only saved about 1000 dollars). The operative word being pity. So I get all excited and tell the boy, let's go "see" the bag. You know secretly hoping that he would just whip out the credit card and say okay here goes.

Hello you gorgeous red reissue!

Sadly, no such luck today. As the lady brings out this beautiful beige bag in caviar skin with the lovely gold hardware and leather intertwined in the shoulder strap I am smiling from ear to ear, dreaming about parading around town with it that very moment.The current price of the bag was INR 330,000 which if you apply even the slightest bit of logic is steep. So the husband says to me, let's think about it and check the price in an EU country as they are usually cheaper there. He's got a point there so I very sadly leave the Chanel boutique.

Despite the fact that I know I will get that bag sooner or later because that's just the way it is for me once I lay my eyes on something, I got down to thinking about the opportunity costs of my prospective new Chanel. I crossed the Celine boutique and thought hey I can get 2 mini shoppers or 2 trapeze bags for that price. However, since I already own one of each, I let that be a fleeting thought.. for now at least. But I'm still wondering about all the other things I can purchase. Should I really go buy a new Celine, or should I add some more money and buy diamond earrings? Obviously diamonds can be a much better investment.Should I instead ditch all of that and go on a shopping spree and fill my closet with more sweatshirts (maybe the Givenchy Bambi one this time), DVF dresses, a few Manolo's, maybe another Saint Laurent Paris clutch, or even the Lanvin LOVE necklace that I've been eyeing, or how about the Valentino Rockstud shoes?

The options are plenty. But it all boils down to one thing, how badly do I think I NEED that Chanel. What will be the marginal utility of a new classic 2.55 in beige caviar skin with gold interlocking C's? Will it render a better return on investment like diamonds? After all, classic Chanels do go through a regular price hike (the economic term would be "Fashion Inflation").

After a long hard hour spent thinking, I have decided to give my vote to my beloved Chanel. Diamonds, dresses, sweatshirts all come and go. Economics, opportunity costs, marginal utility..bla bla bla..A Chanel my lovelys is forever. So are diamonds, but umm currently all logic prevails until I bring home that little black box.