Buying my first Chanel bag in 2009 seemed like a great achievement. It was the classic flap bag in black leather with silver hardware and a chain strap. It cost me £1,500, an eye-watering sum for me in my twenties, but I spent years saving up to buy it and, slinging it over my shoulder, I felt ridiculously proud of myself.
Fifteen years later, I’m glad I still have it, but it’s neatly stored in its box. And all the money I earn I spend in very different ways: vacations, home improvements or savings. Because? Because I no longer carry luxury status symbols with me, and if I can’t wear them, why buy them?
I have lived and worked in London for most of my adult life and, like most people who live in the capital, I make it a point to be incredibly aware of my surroundings, whatever the time of day. But robberies are now at an all-time high. Incidents of personal theft have tripled in the West End in the last two years, with the latest figures showing that more than 6,000 luxury watches were stolen in London in 2022.
Our anonymous writer got into the habit of turning her engagement ring to hide the stone from view.
When English cricketer Kevin Pietersen posted a photo on social media last week saying that he had taken off his wedding ring and expensive watch before traveling to London, I understood it immediately because I do the same, as does my partner. It’s just not worth the risk. At best, you could be mugged; In the worst cases, they were injured fighting the attackers.
I’m always running around London to attend meetings as part of my job as a financial journalist. I primarily use the subway, always preferable to sitting in traffic or, whenever possible, walking between appointments.
Years ago, I used to turn my diamond engagement ring around so the stone would be hidden. Now I’m too scared to use it. Before, I might have covered my old 1982 Rolex watch with my sleeve.
Today it remains locked up. Despite owning several beautiful and expensive pieces of jewelry, when I am in London I no longer dare to wear anything of financial value.
I’m not a fragile-looking woman (I’m tall, 5ft 11in and strong), so I’m not an obvious victim, but I try to anticipate problems before they happen and I’ve certainly made significant changes to minimize any risk.
Not only do I no longer wear any status symbols, but I also don’t keep them in my own home. Everything of value is kept in a safe deposit box because it would break my heart to lose it if we were all robbed.
In London, I avoid wearing anything that is recognizable as fine jewelry with obvious resale value. I don’t wear my Cartier gold love bracelet and I don’t wear the diamond ring I inherited from my grandmother.
It’s very sad not to use it more often, but nowadays it only comes out for very special occasions, like a wedding. There’s no point in flaunting it.
Chanel bags cost more than £1,500, so why take the risk of displaying them in public and getting mugged, our writer asks.
I have many friends who have risked wearing expensive jewelry for a night out on the town, only to have it stolen by a thief shortly after. This is because thieves will be looking for them in certain restaurants and then follow the customer home to find out where they live. It’s very scary to have that happen to you.
I have not replaced my jewelry or my bags with fakes. Instead, I make a concerted effort to buy more affordable jewelry from brands like Daisy, Missoma, and Heavenly London. They are items that look like high street jewellery, cost around £150 and are therefore not such an attractive prospect for muggers.
I am constantly alert, but even more so when it gets dark. I never want to draw unnecessary attention to myself.
If I’m dressed up for dinner, perhaps in a Vampire’s Wife dress and Manolo Blahnik shoes, then I’ll take a taxi from door to door, even if it’s only a short distance.
Otherwise, my goal is to look completely boring; to blend in. I don’t want to draw anyone’s attention, encourage them to take a closer look at me and what I’m wearing.
I spend a lot of time in Mayfair where there are lots of cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining. If I’m at one, I make it a point to sit at a table facing the street so I can better see anyone approaching. My purse will be on my lap during the meal and my phone will be hidden, never on the table so someone can walk by and grab it.
More than 6,000 luxury watches were stolen in London in 2022, with the main targets being rare Rolexes like this diamond-encrusted example.
Many luxury stores now offer unbranded bags, and when I go shopping, that’s always the option I choose.
The pleasure of owning something of design has been tarnished. There was a time when owning those things made me very happy. I never dreamed that, in the future, I would have to invent a safety routine to get them out of the house.
Sometimes, if I’m attending an important meeting or social event, I feel out of place if I’m not dressed and accessorized smartly enough. On these occasions I will hide an expensive designer bag inside an unbranded canvas bag until I reach my destination.
I wear flat shoes or sneakers so I can move quickly, with the goal of spending as little time as possible on the street. Last year I sold all my expensive Louboutin, YSL and Prada heels because I didn’t see the point in keeping them.
Sometimes I keep a second duffel bag inside the unbranded one. This one is knotted and contains all my loose items: wallet, sunglasses and makeup, never cash. I’ll put this on the bottom so it’s a little harder for a thief to access.
I’ve also learned the hard way not to walk down the street with my iPhone in my hand.
In Notting Hill recently, two men on a moped passed me and one of them grabbed the phone I was holding. Luckily, they were not successful because he had a very good hold on him. Now, my phone stays in my coat pocket and always with my hand on it so no one can reach in and grab it. The scary thing about that day was that I didn’t even hear the scooter approaching.
Another time, while walking down a busy street in Soho, I noticed someone standing too close behind me. Then I felt them take my bag. I pulled him towards me, turned to them and looked them straight in the eyes, making them realize that I knew exactly what was going on. They just pretended nothing was happening and moved on.
I grew up in Germany and when I return to Düsseldorf I feel completely different. I don’t know anyone there who has been mugged, but I know plenty of people in London who have.
I have no idea what the solution to this problem is, but I hope for the day when I can once again enjoy the beautiful designer bags, jewelry, and clothing I have worked so hard for.