The valuable reason to be proud of your worn bags

In a way, the distressed bags are part of a power movement, similar to the growing popularity of Apple's $20 wired headphones versus the $159 AirPods. Even those who have the means to buy AirPods, like celebrities Bella Hadid and Lily-Rose Depp, continue to opt for the traditional headphones. As I noted in a December 2019 article, the lo-fi option has become something of a status symbol. 'Whatever the reason, Hadid's choice to flaunt those classic wires feels strangely luxurious. The choice connotes that she can't be bothered to keep up with the latest technology and prefers the simpler things in life, which is, oddly enough, the true measure of success.

Of course, there are times when a sloppy bag doesn't connote a disregard for glamour. If you're going to a job interview, you probably don't want to carry a bag that looks like it's been bitten by a dog. You also don't want your bag to reach the point of non-repair. Of course, taking care of the bags is important, but if your pochettes or totes get scratched in the process, don't worry: it's not the end of the world.

Dragging a designer bag to your death gives off a devilish attitude. Who can be bothered to be so careful? I carry it like a flimsy tote not because I don't care about my clothes, but because I have a life to live and honestly, places to be! True luxury is wearing something expensive over and over again. Also, the goal of clothing is to tell stories. Every single piece of a bag has a story, whether it's a rowdy party or a boring commute to work. And all that wear and tear has been earned and means that the bag—and its wearer—has lived a life. That is priceless.

This article was originally published in Vogue Magazine. vogue.com