A woman set off a wave of conversation online after admitting she felt a pang of regret right after buying her dream Chanel handbag. The bag cost $5,400, and she brought her doubts to Reddit to see if anyone else has felt the same after a major luxury purchase. What troubled her was not just the price tag, but the thought that the same money could have paid for a meaningful trip. At the same time, she feared that rising prices might make the bag even harder to buy later.
In her post, she explained that this was her first Chanel purchase and wondered if choosing lambskin was a mistake. The photo she shared showed a classic mini flap style with quilted leather, a chain strap, and the signature double C hardware. In the comments, she added that this particular model currently only comes in lambskin. She also noted that a similar smaller style made in caviar leather can sell for close to $10,000, which only deepened her sense of pressure around the decision.
The purchase was tied to a milestone, which made her emotions even more complicated. She said she bought the bag with money her husband gave her for her 40th birthday, and she pointed out they do not carry credit card debt. Still, spending that much on an accessory felt heavy because she grew up with very little. Even when the numbers add up, the mindset you bring from earlier years can make a luxury treat feel like something you have to justify.
The lambskin versus caviar debate is a familiar one for anyone who has spent time in handbag forums. Lambskin is prized for its soft feel and smooth, polished look, but it is also more delicate and easier to scratch. Caviar leather, which is typically a grained calfskin, is known for being tougher and more forgiving for everyday wear. Some people love its practicality, while others feel it lacks the ultra-luxe finish that lambskin delivers.
Buyers regret
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Consumer behavior research strategist Shampaigne Graves, speaking to Newsweek, offered a helpful way to frame what was happening. She said regret can begin even before someone buys anything, a pattern she calls pre-purchase panic. Graves also explained that big spending on something that is clearly a want can bring guilt, especially for first-time buyers who feel they need a perfect reason to make it make sense. When prices are steep and the product carries a sense of exclusivity, the pressure can intensify for shoppers who have saved for a long time and are unsure how to judge long-term value.
Graves drew a line between true buyer’s remorse and post-purchase anxiety. Real regret often comes from a functional issue with the product, while anxiety shows up as second-guessing, worrying you will not use it enough, or imagining other ways the money could have been spent. On Reddit, replies ranged from warm reassurance to practical advice, with some urging her to enjoy it, others admitting they always feel regret after expensive buys, and a few suggesting she return it and choose the trip instead.
Would you keep the dream bag or swap it for an experience, and what helps you feel at peace with a splurge? Share your thoughts in the comments.
