My clothing and accessory acquisitions in Paris were few, but they were significant. I mentioned buying a few pieces of clothing and toys for Baby Boy and my sweater purchases at Monoprix and Cos. There were two other important items that I brought home with me.

The first is my purchase, a new black leather tote bag. I’ve been on a quest for a black leather tote bag since early spring. I’ve looked high (priced) and low (priced) to find that perfect item. Do you ever find yourself searching for that perfect item? I must also have a doctoral degree in that subject.

My big-ticket purchases are typically driven by utility. I’m willing to fork over more cash when purchasing something that will be worn frequently. I don’t understand an unwillingness to spend 5 times more on a handbag than a reasonably priced coat. A coat is seasonal and probably not even worn every day during its season, whereas a handbag, if properly purchased, can be worn year-round, every day. Yes, I’m referencing cost per wear, that phrase that was so en vogue a couple of years ago but which we’re probably all a bit tired of now. The concept is still just as relevant today. But I digress.

I saved money for shopping in Paris, and then off I went, with the dictate implanted in my brain that I must remember to set aside enough money to buy a black leather tote bag; after all, that’s what I really needed. The lovely Gucci tote bag that I bought as a gift for myself after being admitted to the bar was getting beyond the well-worn stage and my mother had told me more than once that I needed a new bag. In a future post, I’ll share the black tote bags I considered and other great black leather tote bags.

Anyway, I thought I would keep my eye out for a black leather tote in Paris, but I didn’t expect to find one there, and certainly not one that would be any cheaper than the bag I already had on the brain. I was partially correct. I found a tote bag. It wasn’t cheaper than the one I had on the brain, but— it was cheaper than it would have been in the U.S.

Not even 10 minutes after beginning to browse Galeries Lafayette after that lovely brunch at Angelina that I mentioned here, my hawk eyes focused on a chocolate brown leather Givenchy Antigona tote bag. For months I had held the black version of this tote bag in highest esteem as the type of bag to which I would aspire when searching for my black leather tote bag. I certainly had no intention of paying the steep price. But once again I was drawn to the bag, and upon seeing it for the first time in person, I was compelled to try it on. The chocolate brown was absolutely gorgeous, but as I told the salesperson, “I’m really looking for a black leather tote.” She replied that she had the tote in black and disappeared and reappeared in an instant with the lovely black leather goodness. I slipped it on my arm. It looked just right. At that moment, my mother appeared out of nowhere and said, “Oooooh!” My mother is a woman of discriminating taste, so any item that gets this sort of reception from her is certainly special. I asked the saleswoman the price and I was surprised to learn that it sounded rather reasonable.

Back at the apartment that night, I calculated the conversion rate. I was a bit baffled. I then visited Barneys website to check the price of the item. Although European items are typically a little cheaper when purchased in Europe, I was astounded to learn that the same bag was about $600 more at Barneys. I told myself that this might be the bag to buy, but that I would have to wait and see what else I found in Paris before I decided to buy it.

Dear readers, you know what happened next, I held out for the bag. Because I would rather have something beautiful and functional that I wear every day than several items that are nice but not as well-loved and frequently worn. That and I find it difficult to pass up a a savings of approximately $700 (after tax refund) on a beautiful designer handbag.

I must confess that while waiting for the salesperson to wrap up my tote bag, I was tempted to pick up a pair of the Givenchy shark tooth ballet flats, which were also cheaper in Paris than in the U.S. They were très chic. But I resisted the impulse.

The salesperson packaged my tote bag up in a gigantic Givenchy bag tied with black ribbon. I don’t remember the last time I toted a shopping bag so large, and it was kind of fun to walk the streets of Paris with an obnoxiously large yet chic shopping bag. It felt like a little public celebration of my purchase. As I sat in the window of Café de la Paix with my best friend later that morning and afternoon, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the bag was catching the attention of passersby. Before opening my purchase, I posed for photos with it in the apartment we rented, the French flag flying in the background of a nearby building.

I can report that I’ve been quite happy with my purchase. I wear it daily and it works just as well as a travel bag and baby bag as it does as a work bag. One of my favorite aspects of the bag is the wonderfully aromatic scent of the leather. That scent is one of my favorites.

Do you tend to search for the “perfect item?”

What are your thoughts on the “cost per wear” concept?