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slsk · Aug 6th, 2009, 04:35 PM

I love reading this thread and am alternately inspired and terrified of it. I'm a Taurus so not only do I have a practical, hard-working streak (so I love the idea of only 5 handbags) I have a luxury-loving side (which makes it hard to deny myself the pleasure of the bag that I only wear 2 times a year if it's really really lovely and rare.)

....sigh... keep writing, though, maybe I'll find the solution for me!

TropicalGal · Aug 6th, 2009, 04:45 PM

I think winnowing down, for me, has to do with my moment in life too. I have one son in college and a daughter who is a senior in high school. I work from home. My clothes last me much longer now that I don't work in an office. I can wear things over and over again, because I don't see the same people in an office everyday. So, my high consuming and high visibility years are sort of over. I tend to wear a uniform of black, white, denim and khaki --- again a distillaiton of what looks good on me, after all the years of crazy outfits. I am finding simplicity to be very calming and luscious: just the best of everything, then use it.

msterling · Aug 6th, 2009, 05:00 PM

The five perfect bags for me are:

BE Black Crash TME Midi
BE Dark Grey Love Me Midi
BE Pewter Surprise Me
BE Tan Stroke Me Medium
RM Blue Stonewash Nikki

There is a theme here - only bags that can be worn on the shoulder. Plus, I seem to favor my neutral bags. I could cut back to just these 5 bags and be fine.

To me, work bags and clutches are a separate category. I have 2 of each and that's enough for me.

lanasyogamama · Aug 6th, 2009, 07:12 PM

kel28 - congrats on your new Miu Miu!

lanasyogamama · Aug 6th, 2009, 07:16 PM

I just got my first clutch actually - I hope I don't lose all y'all's respect, lol, but I didn't count it because it only cost $55. It's a Matt & Nat Kala Pool clutch in Pewter. It's cute!

mayajuliana · Aug 7th, 2009, 01:49 PM

^^honestly I don't think we should be counting clutches! They are small, easy to store, and just are useful for everything. I credit Ms. TG for converting me! Now I only go to quick dash lunches in a clutch haha!

TejasMama · Aug 7th, 2009, 03:03 PM

Going through this process made me realize that one bag in my top 5 (4 was just a pipedream for me) is one I don't yet own. In trying to scale down, I realize that part of my problem is that I need one thing that I have put off purchasing for a year or so....

An RM MAC.

I really enjoy my BEs so much lately that I don't want to carry anything else but I love that it holds a lot but is small and can be a clutch and crossbody.

Ugh. Leave it to me to turn a mindful exercise into a reason to buy something else! But clutches don't count, right?

lilac0485 · Aug 7th, 2009, 03:50 PM

^^RM MACs are so useful. I have two that I often reach for. It holds quite a bit too: a full size wallet, tissues, makeup, phones, maybe a slim sunglasses case. My only problem with it is when I'm shopping/walking all day after a couple hours I find the chain to be very heavy and uncomfortable. I wish it came with an all leather chain. Have you seen the Rocker, but it is a lot smaller? I'm going to get the 3-zip one.

TropicalGal · Aug 7th, 2009, 05:13 PM

Okay, ha ha ha, since I'm the opening poster, ha, ha, ha, I will formally announce that clutches do not count as one of the five perfect handbags. (That actually gives me an extra bag to add into my original list. Ha ha ha!) But really, they are small....but now let's not get carried away and own lots of clutches....but okay, they will not count in the Five Perfect Handbags List. Carry on ladies!

You ladies who haven't joined into the 5 perfect handbags club...will soon notice, that all you can really use on a consistent basis is...5 perfect handbags!

lilac0485 · Aug 7th, 2009, 05:30 PM

Well if clutches don't count, I'll be joining this club after I purge the bags I never use.
My list is
1. BE Dark Grey Stroke Me
2. BE Wine I'm Yours Tote
3. BE Purple Crash WTM Midi
4. RM Violet MAM
5. RM Belle in Capri combo (white, dark blue, light blue). It is a small shoulder bag that can also be carried as a clutch.

I also have my tan travel set, but way too many clutches to count. I tend to use clutches day to day and the larger bags for work. Yikes I just mentally went through my clutches - but I use most of them.

3 APs
3 Clutch Mes
2 RM MACs
1 Linea Pelle crossbody (it is smaller than a MAC)
1 RM Rocker on pre-order
and probably 4-5 more cheap fun ones that I am attached too

TejasMama · Aug 7th, 2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by TropicalGal

Okay, ha ha ha, since I'm the opening poster, ha, ha, ha, I will formally announce that clutches do not count as one of the five perfect handbags. (That actually gives me an extra bag to add into my original list. Ha ha ha!) But really, they are small....but now let's not get carried away and own lots of clutches....but okay, they will not count in the Five Perfect Handbags List. Carry on ladies!

You ladies who haven't joined into the 5 perfect handbags club...will soon notice, that all you can really use on a consistent basis is...5 perfect handbags!

Yippee! I get a freebie! This would actually be my first true clutch, but I love that I can wear it as a crossbody and a shoulder bag.

Lilac--I have seen the Rocker but it seems like a lot of money for such a small bag. I really like the overall look of the MAC. I like the Rocker, too, but I prefer the MAC for my particular needs.

Here are my perfect 5 handbags:

BE Dark Grey LM Midi
BE MMS Midi Choco Crash
Coach Ergo Shoulder Bag--brown
Coach Black Shoulder Bag --Leather
Undecided

This has been an interesting experiment because I realized that I have been making a couple of mistakes with bags I have. It also made me realize that there were a few I've been holding on to that I really don't need to any longer.

I still invoke my right to get a WTM midi in the future, though.

lanasyogamama · Aug 7th, 2009, 07:57 PM

OMG I just remembered another bag I have. It's a blue leather Tod's Hobo. Dammit.

mayajuliana · Aug 7th, 2009, 08:43 PM

YES! Clutches don't count! It's now less than a pipedream to get MY collection to 5...or 10...

slsk · Aug 7th, 2009, 09:03 PM

Does anyone get the feeling that Jackie (or other bag designers) read a thread like this horrified and crying, "NO! You need more than 5! Don't stop at 5!"

TropicalGal · Aug 7th, 2009, 09:19 PM

^^^ha ha ha...then she should go over to the BE Splurge thread! where all sorts of shopping madness is going on!!!!

I am a BE customer...I just say, for me: one in, one out. I want to USE my handbags. So, I will buy, use, then get rid of it and buy another -- but keep it to five in rotation.

Aug 6th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#62
TropicalGal OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,064	I think winnowing down, for me, has to do with my moment in life too. I have one son in college and a daughter who is a senior in high school. I work from home. My clothes last me much longer now that I don't work in an office. I can wear things over and over again, because I don't see the same people in an office everyday. So, my high consuming and high visibility years are sort of over. I tend to wear a uniform of black, white, denim and khaki --- again a distillaiton of what looks good on me, after all the years of crazy outfits. I am finding simplicity to be very calming and luscious: just the best of everything, then use it.
TropicalGal OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,064	__________________ *Visit me!* www.theportablemother.blogspot.com

Aug 6th, 2009, 05:00 PM	#63
msterling Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,106	The five perfect bags for me are: BE Black Crash TME Midi BE Dark Grey Love Me Midi BE Pewter Surprise Me BE Tan Stroke Me Medium RM Blue Stonewash Nikki There is a theme here - only bags that can be worn on the shoulder. Plus, I seem to favor my neutral bags. I could cut back to just these 5 bags and be fine. To me, work bags and clutches are a separate category. I have 2 of each and that's enough for me.
msterling Member Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,106

Aug 6th, 2009, 07:12 PM	#64
lanasyogamama Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,547	kel28 - congrats on your new Miu Miu!
	__________________ I bespoke(d) it!: - Belen Echandia Hold Me Max in Orange with Purple lining

Aug 6th, 2009, 07:16 PM	#65
lanasyogamama Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,547	I just got my first clutch actually - I hope I don't lose all y'all's respect, lol, but I didn't count it because it only cost $55. It's a Matt & Nat Kala Pool clutch in Pewter. It's cute!
	__________________ I bespoke(d) it!: - Belen Echandia Hold Me Max in Orange with Purple lining

Aug 7th, 2009, 03:03 PM	#67
TejasMama Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,469	Going through this process made me realize that one bag in my top 5 (4 was just a pipedream for me) is one I don't yet own. In trying to scale down, I realize that part of my problem is that I need one thing that I have put off purchasing for a year or so.... An RM MAC. I really enjoy my BEs so much lately that I don't want to carry anything else but I love that it holds a lot but is small and can be a clutch and crossbody. Ugh. Leave it to me to turn a mindful exercise into a reason to buy something else! But clutches don't count, right?
TejasMama Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 5,469	__________________ ____________________________ "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." --Albert Einstein ____________________________ Finding Mindful Habits Here: www.zenhabits.org

Aug 6th, 2009, 04:35 PM	#61
slsk pastry chef / sniper Joined: Apr 2006 Location: I'm just a girl, in the world. Posts: 802	I love reading this thread and am alternately inspired and terrified of it. I'm a Taurus so not only do I have a practical, hard-working streak (so I love the idea of only 5 handbags) I have a luxury-loving side (which makes it hard to deny myself the pleasure of the bag that I only wear 2 times a year if it's really really lovely and rare.) ....sigh... keep writing, though, maybe I'll find the solution for me!

Aug 7th, 2009, 01:49 PM	#66
mayajuliana ~Mind, Body, Soul~ Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,534	^^honestly I don't think we should be counting clutches! They are small, easy to store, and just are useful for everything. I credit Ms. TG for converting me! Now I only go to quick dash lunches in a clutch haha!

Aug 7th, 2009, 03:50 PM	#68
lilac0485 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,502	^^RM MACs are so useful. I have two that I often reach for. It holds quite a bit too: a full size wallet, tissues, makeup, phones, maybe a slim sunglasses case. My only problem with it is when I'm shopping/walking all day after a couple hours I find the chain to be very heavy and uncomfortable. I wish it came with an all leather chain. Have you seen the Rocker, but it is a lot smaller? I'm going to get the 3-zip one.
	__________________ Loving my Hermes Black Kelly Double Tour w/ GH

Aug 7th, 2009, 05:13 PM	#69
TropicalGal OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,064	Okay, ha ha ha, since I'm the opening poster, ha, ha, ha, I will formally announce that clutches do not count as one of the five perfect handbags. (That actually gives me an extra bag to add into my original list. Ha ha ha!) But really, they are small....but now let's not get carried away and own lots of clutches....but okay, they will not count in the Five Perfect Handbags List. Carry on ladies! You ladies who haven't joined into the 5 perfect handbags club...will soon notice, that all you can really use on a consistent basis is...5 perfect handbags!
TropicalGal OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,064	__________________ *Visit me!* www.theportablemother.blogspot.com

Aug 7th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#70
lilac0485 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,502	Well if clutches don't count, I'll be joining this club after I purge the bags I never use. My list is 1. BE Dark Grey Stroke Me 2. BE Wine I'm Yours Tote 3. BE Purple Crash WTM Midi 4. RM Violet MAM 5. RM Belle in Capri combo (white, dark blue, light blue). It is a small shoulder bag that can also be carried as a clutch. I also have my tan travel set, but way too many clutches to count. I tend to use clutches day to day and the larger bags for work. Yikes I just mentally went through my clutches - but I use most of them. 3 APs 3 Clutch Mes 2 RM MACs 1 Linea Pelle crossbody (it is smaller than a MAC) 1 RM Rocker on pre-order and probably 4-5 more cheap fun ones that I am attached too
	__________________ Loving my Hermes Black Kelly Double Tour w/ GH

Aug 7th, 2009, 07:57 PM	#72
lanasyogamama Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,547	OMG I just remembered another bag I have. It's a blue leather Tod's Hobo. Dammit.
	__________________ I bespoke(d) it!: - Belen Echandia Hold Me Max in Orange with Purple lining

Aug 7th, 2009, 08:43 PM	#73
mayajuliana ~Mind, Body, Soul~ Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,534	YES! Clutches don't count! It's now less than a pipedream to get MY collection to 5...or 10...

Aug 7th, 2009, 09:03 PM	#74
slsk pastry chef / sniper Joined: Apr 2006 Location: I'm just a girl, in the world. Posts: 802	Does anyone get the feeling that Jackie (or other bag designers) read a thread like this horrified and crying, "NO! You need more than 5! Don't stop at 5!"

Aug 7th, 2009, 09:19 PM	#75
TropicalGal OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,064	^^^ha ha ha...then she should go over to the BE Splurge thread! where all sorts of shopping madness is going on!!!! I am a BE customer...I just say, for me: one in, one out. I want to USE my handbags. So, I will buy, use, then get rid of it and buy another -- but keep it to five in rotation.
TropicalGal OP Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,064	__________________ *Visit me!* www.theportablemother.blogspot.com

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