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

[kemi]

I totally agree with you on the strap drop. 8 1/2 - 9 1/2 inches is perfect. I do not want an “armpit bag!”

I don’t need a center zip compartment, but I do need some built in pockets, especially one for my phone.

Funny thing is, I don’t need the tote to accommodate a laptop (although fitting an iPad would be nice). I just need a little more room than most of my handbags, the ability to fit a water bottle, and a nice comfortable shoulder strap and strap drop.

I’m still thinking about the BV Chain Tote because I think it ticks all the boxes. I do need to try it with my stuff in it to be sure, though.

Please let us know your thoughts on the BV chain tote when you’re able to try it out. [emoji106]

 

[More bags]

Yes I am looking for the perfect tote (as is sparkletastic and catsinthebag) Ooh I did look at this Celine online. I have not seen it in person. Looks like the leather is supple. I like the various ways it could be tied, untied etc. I’m not sure if I should go with a value priced option (like everlane or Cuyana) or go back to a canvas tote because they are so light. Would you do a modeling shot with your phantom?

Hi essiedub, I am out of town right now. Sure, I can take a pic when I get home.

 

[catsinthebag]

I was seriously interested in that tote til I saw the dimensions and found out it wouldn't fit my laptop. It's beautiful.

There is a larger version, in case you want to consider it ...

https://www.bottegaveneta.com/us/top-handle-bag_cod45266668mn.html

 

[Sparkletastic]

There is a larger version, in case you want to consider it ...

https://www.bottegaveneta.com/us/top-handle-bag_cod45266668mn.html

Nice. I think I need to try these on in store with my laptop.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Yeah I was all about the MZW and that is why I joined. But not anymore, I have five and that’s enough.....I didn’t like Massaccesi when I first joined but slowly got sucked in to the fun of custom made bags that came to my door quick with no customs hassle and the fun of participating in the TPF thread, but then they banned me from buying from them because I had a custom bag start to tear in the first 24 hours and they felt it was my fault for asking for different straps in the first place rather than their issue to correct (and maybe they are right; they could have just told me to handle it on my own with a local cobbler, that the customization made it final sale, as I never demanded they fix it, just asked what the next step should be to correct the ripping leather and even asked explicitly if I should just take it to a local cobbler and didn’t demand that they compensate that or anything but okay they decided they prefer never to hear from me again and that’s their prerogative ) . So even though I love the purses I have from MM, I think I am done with that brand except an occasional preloved that just is irresistible.

So I am kind of unmoored and have no obvious outlet for brand loyalty. Laurel Dasso is so lovely but half a world away and the shipping and wait time and customs just makes it not the right one stop shop. I hate everything in the department stores except the occasional rural or cocinelle. So yeah I need to just go to Ban Island and stay there for a long time. I have enough bags and there’s really hot an obvious brand I would shop from at this moment in my life.

I'm surprised you don't have a favorite right now. Maybe this is s good time for a ban or hard pause til you find fonethinv that is truly special.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I came to tpf to learn more about Lv since I was planning on buying one and wanted to make sure it was the correct One. lol I have since found quite a few brands I really enjoy. It is funny because yesterday I went in Lv and there was only one bag I thought was cute and would fit in my collection but when I asked the price it was over 2 thousand for a canvas bag that is smaller then most of my lv's. I just walked out as it was mobbed anyway . It was not love and there are to many things in my home that could be done with that money and my handbag stash was not going to get used for a bag that was just okay. I think for the moment at least I am happy with what I have. Also I have six bags at the consignment shop if they don't sell they will have to fit back in my closet till I can get rid of them ,so I don't want to fill the spots till they are permanently gone.

I'm so glad you are happy with your collection. You've worked hard to get the perfect bags for you.

I keep being drawn to LV's gorgeous leather bags, then I lose interest. I'm not sure what the deal is. I think I can't get over the price which is crazy because I will buy Chanel, Gucci or Dior. Or maybe it's the larger logos? I dunno.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I almost always sell later. Hard to have regrets!

The most influence of tpf on me initially was with RM. But I think I found the brand a little too late because by then the active 'Minkettes' were moving away. Some of them to Balenciaga, so I got influenced too. But as it is in a higher price range, not as much. And I also was never active in that sub forum, only a lurker usually. I never felt I belonged. Then there was also Marc Jacobs, but then he changed directions.

Years later, I'm no longer into RM. I still admire some Bals and I have my Velo, but I'm not sure I will be adding since there are still a lot more brands I want to try too. As fate would have it, unknowingly, though not exactly, I am following what I set prior to my tpf days - that I will buy one bag each from different high end brands. (I overdid it a bit with the contemporary, lol.) In fact when you ask me now which designer/brand is my favorite, I don't know the answer. Because I try to diversify. So really no brand loyalties! For contemporary, I think my default brands are Furla and Massaccesi.

Oh wow! I didn't know you were actively trying to buy a bag from different brands. That has to be fun!

I tend to find brands I like and park there til they do something I don't like. Lol! For example I was all about Prada when I joined TPF and had 6 of them. Now I'm down to 4 and waffle about selling 2 more. The brand hasn't innovated and my style has shifted.

Chanel, Gucci & Dior are still my top 3 but a lot of that is based on past seasons. Rght now I'm not in love with what any one brand is doing except, ironically, LV leather which I'm not moved to pull the trigger on. Fendi has caught my eye lately too.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I've stalked the sales because I simply want to buy something. I don't need anything. I just want a new "thing". That is so stupid.

I'm glad I recognize this for what it is. I don't need a regret bag.

 

[catsinthebag]

Question for everyone: do you still love the same brands that you did when you first joined TPF or has that changed?

I just realized that I'm not interested in buying any of my previous favorite brands. Some of the reasons are my standards for quality has increased, my taste has changed, head designers have changed and I've been exposed to brands / styles I prefer.

The only brand I could see going back to is Prada. But, they need some innovation.

Anyone else find that they've switched brand loyalties? If so, why?

I don’t feel much loyalty to any brand right now, TBH. I’ve definitely gone through phases over the years, but either the brand has changed its aesthetic or my style has changed, and I’ve moved on. Also, some brands I love but I only love one or two styles, like the LV Speedy and Chanel Reissue (actually I do like a lot of Chanel styles, but not enough to invest the $$$ in them!). I was loyal to Hermes for years, but not all their bags work for me (and even the ones that do aren’t perfect). I do love the history, quality and craftsmanship of the brand, but I recently had a bad experience with my SA that has really soured me for the moment.

As I look back to the time before I joined tPF, and the bag journey I’ve been on since, I only see two items that I’ve consistently loved all that time: Hermes scarves and Chanel flaps. But those are things that don’t always fit my everyday life, so I am trying to be picky and find quality things that do fit my everyday life. It’s a process!

 

[catsinthebag]

Yeah I was all about the MZW and that is why I joined. But not anymore, I have five and that’s enough.....I didn’t like Massaccesi when I first joined but slowly got sucked in to the fun of custom made bags that came to my door quick with no customs hassle and the fun of participating in the TPF thread, but then they banned me from buying from them because I had a custom bag start to tear in the first 24 hours and they felt it was my fault for asking for different straps in the first place rather than their issue to correct (and maybe they are right; they could have just told me to handle it on my own with a local cobbler, that the customization made it final sale, as I never demanded they fix it, just asked what the next step should be to correct the ripping leather and even asked explicitly if I should just take it to a local cobbler and didn’t demand that they compensate that or anything but okay they decided they prefer never to hear from me again and that’s their prerogative ) . So even though I love the purses I have from MM, I think I am done with that brand except an occasional preloved that just is irresistible.

So I am kind of unmoored and have no obvious outlet for brand loyalty. Laurel Dasso is so lovely but half a world away and the shipping and wait time and customs just makes it not the right one stop shop. I hate everything in the department stores except the occasional rural or cocinelle. So yeah I need to just go to Ban Island and stay there for a long time. I have enough bags and there’s really hot an obvious brand I would shop from at this moment in my life.

That’s quite a story and I can understand why you are done with MM. If I had an experience like that, I’d drop them like a hot rock!

 

[catsinthebag]

Please let us know your thoughts on the BV chain tote when you’re able to try it out. [emoji106]

Will do! Not sure what my schedule this week is going to be like, but I’m hoping to get back to the BV store sometime this week.

This holiday weekend was both busier and more stressful than I anticipated, so I’m looking forward to a little retail therapy (even if it’s in the form of looking, not buying)!

 

[catsinthebag]

Oh wow! I didn't know you were actively trying to buy a bag from different brands. That has to be fun!

I tend to find brands I like and park there til they do something I don't like. Lol! For example I was all about Prada when I joined TPF and had 6 of them. Now I'm down to 4 and waffle about selling 2 more. The brand hasn't innovated and my style has shifted.

Chanel, Gucci & Dior are still my top 3 but a lot of that is based on past seasons. Rght now I'm not in love with what any one brand is doing except, ironically, LV leather which I'm not moved to pull the trigger on. Fendi has caught my eye lately too.

It’s a tough balance, isn’t it? If a brand doesn’t innovate you get bored, but if it does, it’s a 50/50 chance they’ll go in a direction you like ...

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

I don’t know why I said the occasional ‘rural’ and cocinelle. I meant FURLA and Cocinnelle. I think it was autocorrect.

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

That’s quite a story and I can understand why you are done with MM. If I had an experience like that, I’d drop them like a hot rock!

I know, everyone says they would be done with the brand after being banned, and of course I was for 6 months but then I just got over it and realized that I didn’t blame the purses for less than gracious behavior from the team that runs the company that sells the purses. I can’t, I like them. I am definitely done ever having any interaction with any humans on the team, but the webshop is just ordering with an online store, so.... that has been fine. But I know if I had any principles I would protest anything to do with Massaccesi. At least new bags. But I dropped the grudge after 6 months and ordered from them. But as part of Ban motivation I should revive that grudge in my mind to keep me honest and committed!~. Yes, on principle, never MM again!!!! If they don’t want me, I don’t want them!! Hey, is that convincing??

 

[catsinthebag]

I know, everyone says they would be done with the brand after being banned, and of course I was for 6 months but then I just got over it and realized that I didn’t blame the purses for less than gracious behavior from the team that runs the company that sells the purses. I can’t, I like them. I am definitely done ever having any interaction with any humans on the team, but the webshop is just ordering with an online store, so.... that has been fine. But I know if I had any principles I would protest anything to do with Massaccesi. At least new bags. But I dropped the grudge after 6 months and ordered from them. But as part of Ban motivation I should revive that grudge in my mind to keep me honest and committed!~. Yes, on principle, never MM again!!!! If they don’t want me, I don’t want them!! Hey, is that convincing??

LOL, yes, very convining! Seriously, though, I would never judge anyone on their principles on a forum for bag lovers!
The way I see it, it’s your money and you get to decide how to spend it. And honestly, being able to let go of a grudge is a very healthy way to live (this from a notorious grudge-holder!).