2017 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[essiedub]

Here is one of my favorite bags, the Dior Panarea. The size and shape are perfect for my needs. It is light, it is quietly chic. BUT the handles are the WORST! They really should have made it a rolled handle. Mine are cracking and it drives me nuts because I really love this bag. While Dior could replace the handles, they will not do it for me because I was not the original purchaser. Why that should matter is beyond me. It’s not as if I wouldn’t pay for the repair. Grr. So I am trying it with my Hermes Twilly..Not certain whether it’s better to blend into color or go for contrast. This photo shows “contrast.” I’m going to try the reverse for “blend.” I will say that a silk wrap feels really good on the hand..so luxe ...try it! I’d considered getting the Dior Mitzah letter twilliy but am annoyed at them at the moment.

 

[catsinthebag]

Also point should be made that Massaccesi didn’t exactly appear in TPF out of nowhere. He made bags for Belen Echandia, which was one of those brands that died. The ladies from that subforum were the ones who basically championed Marco because they already knew and trusted his craftsmanship. I think tenKrat was from that era. I was exclusively in the L.A.M.B sub forum in those days, haha! I actually like this historical stuff I wish the OGs would tell stories about the beginnings of this forum and what things were like back then.

I didn’t know that about Massaccesi and Belen Echandia! I remember that brand. So sad brands in that price range are either gone or the quality has gone downhill.

I used to have a few RMs that I now wish I had kept. And an old Botkier Trigger bag. That one I sent to my sister. The quality is just so much better than Botkier is now. I hadn’t used the bag in years, so I sent it to her. I was sentimental about it and just didn’t want to sell it for pennies. I hope she’s enjoying it!

 

[bakeacookie]

Ladies, if any of you see the Coach market tote in Oxblood go on sale, please let me know! Thanks! I'm debating if I should go for the ones where I will have to pay duties. I will still save a little from the boutique price here but still higher than US SRP.

At today's forex conversion, anything less than US$195 will be exempt from duties.

It’s 30% off right now code “Thanks17” until the 26th.

 

[bakeacookie]

Yes, both GPs are all leather. They actually don’t feel heavy empty, and according to the ladies on the H forum, the all-leather GPs are way lighter than a Birkin. My problem with the bag is that I use it when I have a lot to carry — if I have less to carry, I pick a different bag! — and also, the handle drop is a little too short. So a Longchamp long-handle tote, even crammed full, is a lot more comfortable to carry than the GP.

Re. pockets vs. pouch, I definitely need the pockets. I at least want a pocket for my phone that is stationary in the bag so I can grab it in an instant. I hate fumbling around looking for something in my bag, especially a ringing phone!

The handle options for LC have always made it the top choice for me when carrying a lot.

Though it’s a bummer the all leather ones can be heavy when full, they’re really pretty and I was thinking of one after the ban.

A single pocket for at least a phone would be a great feature in every bag, especially in bags that are cavernous!

 

[soramillay]

I’m pruning my collection again. Today I realized that I have bought too many brown Massaccesi bags in the last two years when I finally took a group pic of all of them. Yikes. So, I’m going to sell several of them. I managed to list two bags today and already sold one.

You are so fast, tenKrat! I was also surprised you had so many brown bags because I remember you having lots of color. I guess it’s true about neutrals having the best staying power at the end of the day. Did you sell the crystal pink Daphne? I thought that one was lovely on you.

 

[bakeacookie]

View attachment 3884977 View attachment 3884978 Here is one of my favorite bags, the Dior Panarea. The size and shape are perfect for my needs. It is light, it is quietly chic. BUT the handles are the WORST! They really should have made it a rolled handle. Mine are cracking and it drives me nuts because I really love this bag. While Dior could replace the handles, they will not do it for me because I was not the original purchaser. Why that should matter is beyond me. It’s not as if I wouldn’t pay for the repair. Grr. So I am trying it with my Hermes Twilly..Not certain whether it’s better to blend into color or go for contrast. This photo shows “contrast.” I’m going to try the reverse for “blend.” I will say that a silk wrap feels really good on the hand..so luxe ...try it! I’d considered getting the Dior Mitzah letter twilliy but am annoyed at them at the moment.

Omg. You and @msd_bags have this issue with Dior handles and the lack of Dior assistance. It shouldn’t matter who originally purchased the bag, especially if you are paying to repair the handles!

Definitely not going to consider this style ever!

Dior, fortunately, has always given me mediocre service so I kind of avoid them too. Lol.

Less for me to be tempted by!

Have you considered looking for a cobbler for repairing the handles?

There was a seller on etsy who made Velcro based handle wraps, I think she made some to match bag colors too. :/ not the best fix but maybe it could help?

 

[msd_bags]

It’s 30% off right now code “Thanks17” until the 26th.

Thanks! Will check it out though I know from before that Coach online does not accept international credit card. If I ask my sister to buy for me then I'll still get it iin January.

 

[msd_bags]

View attachment 3884977 View attachment 3884978 Here is one of my favorite bags, the Dior Panarea. The size and shape are perfect for my needs. It is light, it is quietly chic. BUT the handles are the WORST! They really should have made it a rolled handle. Mine are cracking and it drives me nuts because I really love this bag. While Dior could replace the handles, they will not do it for me because I was not the original purchaser. Why that should matter is beyond me. It’s not as if I wouldn’t pay for the repair. Grr. So I am trying it with my Hermes Twilly..Not certain whether it’s better to blend into color or go for contrast. This photo shows “contrast.” I’m going to try the reverse for “blend.” I will say that a silk wrap feels really good on the hand..so luxe ...try it! I’d considered getting the Dior Mitzah letter twilliy but am annoyed at them at the moment.

I also love love this style and material but the handles just ruin it for me.

 

[catsinthebag]

View attachment 3884977 View attachment 3884978 Here is one of my favorite bags, the Dior Panarea. The size and shape are perfect for my needs. It is light, it is quietly chic. BUT the handles are the WORST! They really should have made it a rolled handle. Mine are cracking and it drives me nuts because I really love this bag. While Dior could replace the handles, they will not do it for me because I was not the original purchaser. Why that should matter is beyond me. It’s not as if I wouldn’t pay for the repair. Grr. So I am trying it with my Hermes Twilly..Not certain whether it’s better to blend into color or go for contrast. This photo shows “contrast.” I’m going to try the reverse for “blend.” I will say that a silk wrap feels really good on the hand..so luxe ...try it! I’d considered getting the Dior Mitzah letter twilliy but am annoyed at them at the moment.

That is such a beautiful bag, and I don’t blame you at all for being annoyed that Dior won’t replace the handles. Hermes is far from perfect, but one thing I will say is they will repair a bag for the life of the bag, regardless of whether you or the first owner or the 20th. For the Dior, is the strap drop long enough to go over your shoulder? I actually find rolled handles can be uncomfortable over the shoulder (although they sure are better in the hand than flat handles).

 

[Sparkletastic]

I'll keep you posted. Of course with Yoogi's, I have to keep in mind that it's consignment, so they keep a percentage, and also who knows how long it will take to sell. BBS and FP are immediate sales. So it will take a bit of figuring.

And math has never been my strong suit. But "handbag math" I can manage... just about!

What is BBS?

 

[paculina]

What is BBS?

Bag, Borrow or Steal

 

[Sparkletastic]

OMG! I can never keep up! [emoji13][emoji13][emoji13] you girls move this thread so fast and I only have so little time these days. I saw MSD post about the top 5 bags and I’m curious about the criteria you all set, but I couldn’t find where it is. Then, here come another 10 or so pages to go though. You all are so active these days. [emoji38][emoji38][emoji38]

I finally done with my obsessive packing. It seems like the shorter the trip, the more nervous I am about packing and getting ready.
Anyway, there’ll be a couple days filled with meetings before the flight takes off.

I wonder what my top 5 bags are. It changes over time. I use to be a crossbody girl, but since my shoulders hurt badly, I’m now a tote girl. Even my trustee companion bags for traveling has changed. I now love my Travel More backpack that I backed on Kickstarter a year ago. Light weight, waterproof, and lockable. Couple with WOC, I feel worry free and not overwhelm and too heavy on my shoulders. (I really want to love and prefer my thief-prof Arden B, but the chain is just too substantial = so heavy)

For day-to-day, I now like my monogram tote, MM’s Selene, Selene Midi, and Angelica. Maybe one day, if I’m not too chicken out, I’ll try that full-size Thia. The fact that my shoulders aren’t good as it used to prevent me from going back and enjoying crossbody bags as much as I used to.

Funny that this year, I don’t really have eyes for high end designer bags at all. The Dionysus caught my eyes. Some LV caught y eyes. I love LC Mademoiselle and Coach rogue, but at the end, MM and some other Indy brands rule. [emoji4]

Top 5 bags - I'm continuing to evaluate my collection and in so doing I decided to list my favorite 5 bags. Then I asked everyone what their favorite 5 bags are. That simple!

There is a real dearth of quality leather bags at the below $500 price point these days. There used to be a whole bunch of them but I think the recession and rising costs took most of them out. The department stores are a wasteland of poorly made bags. Coach still has nice bags of course, but the current designs don’t appeal to me so much.

Completely agree. It's very frustrating. That's why I hunt deals on premier bags for my carefree bags. (Like with my new Jimmy Choo.) That way I don't pay a lot but I get a great bag.

And, I also agree on Coach. I love what hey are doing with their leather and construction. But the Americana styling isn't a match for me.

Dooney has some nice styles but I don't like the duck. And their Alto line with is gorgeous scratches too easily.

There are other brands that have nice leather but again, the styles don't work for me. So, it's frustrating.

 

[essiedub]

I am still thinking of possibly trying a ban after the holidays are over and after any exchanges are made, if any. I might have a small bag out today if my friend decides she wants it. I need to get a firm list of my slgs. My best friend needs a new wallet and I have so many I would love to just let her pick from the ones I don't use. My dilemma is there is one a close relative gave me years ago but never used. I think it would fit her style perfectly but it is like a $400.00 dollar wallet. He has since bought me a different one . Would it be bad to just give it to her? It was a wallet that he could not easily afford at the time but still surprised me with, though it is not my style. I guess guilt has made me keep it but It won't be worn . What would you do?

Let it go. Does anyone ever ask you about the gifts they’ve given? I’ve never been asked. If your friend will choose it, that’s where it should go.

These are just things at the end of the day. You’ll always remember the effort and the thoughtfulness behind a gift, but you don’t need the gift on hand to remember all that.

And I totally encourage a ban for you after the holidays, even for a short time, to enjoy your recently acquired goodies!

ETA: Ban island would also give you time to re-evaluate what you currently have vs what you need or need to let go of.

Agree

 

[essiedub]

Omg. You and @msd_bags have this issue with Dior handles and the lack of Dior assistance. It shouldn’t matter who originally purchased the bag, especially if you are paying to repair the handles!

Have you considered looking for a cobbler for repairing the handles?

There was a seller on etsy who made Velcro based handle wraps, I think she made some to match bag colors too. :/ not the best fix but maybe it could help?

I’ve asked several Cobblers. None will touch it because of color..too hard to match. I need better artisans. I wonder who Dior uses? Leather surgeons as does Chanel?

Interesting idea..Velcro..I’ll look it up. Thanks bakeacookie!

I also love love this style and material but the handles just ruin it for me.

Seriously, such a shame. I am really annoyed at Dior.

That is such a beautiful bag, and I don’t blame you at all for being annoyed that Dior won’t replace the handles. Hermes is far from perfect, but one thing I will say is they will repair a bag for the life of the bag, regardless of whether you or the first owner or the 20th. For the Dior, is the strap drop long enough to go over your shoulder? I actually find rolled handles can be uncomfortable over the shoulder (although they sure are better in the hand than flat handles).

Yes strap is long enough to go over the shoulder but the outer strap doesn’t stay on very well.

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

What did you sell while I was sleeping, tenkrat?!