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

[HopelessBagGirl]

Just popping in guys! November was a 0 in and 0 our for me but in the very early days of December already, I found my bag that got away!!!! As many of you know, my hg is an lv lockit which I managed to procure very early on when I started this thread series, but the one that got away, I never thought I’d find. I walked away from my approx 10 years ago and it lingered - i found it crept into my mind often, and I would google it, trying to find it so I could just look at t but it was elusive. With incredible luck, I found it in a local fb group recently for a crazy price! And amazing interior (which is super important to me on the occasion I buy preloved - a total of 3 times now, which also happen to be bags I’ve really loved and pined for), without further ado, my new to me red Miu Miu - some of you may recognize the collection since I have 2 other bags from the same line. View attachment 3898801View attachment 3898802View attachment 3898803
So that’s me being bad and clearly breaking my resolution but after 10 years and the conditions surrounding it, it was something meant to be!

Hooray!!

 

[dcooney4]

I’m thinking a lot about my bag use behavior too. I like buying premier because as I think Sparkle said, it makes me feel spoiled. And I’m OK with having a smaller collection in exchange for having those high-end bags. But some of those premiere bags don’t get used as much as I want them to be. They are either too small or have fussy clasps or don’t always fit my super-casual lifestyle. I’ll wear a Kelly with jeans, but I won’t wear it to the animal shelter, IYKWIM.

The only contemporary brand I’ve bought in years is Longchamp. Coach seems to be stepping up their game as well. I just don’t want to buy a bag and then not use it because I wish it was premier. Crazy, right? I love seeing ALL different brands on other ladies, just have a mental block with contemporary when it comes to myself. I should really try to get over this because the most important question I have when shopping is “Will I use this?”

I get that as well. Sometimes there is a premier bag that I can't get out of my head. I used to keep trying to get something similar and that rarely worked . So now when I really want one I save for it and if I really want it I get it. A few times I have changed my mind. I saved for the mini Lv backpack but when they called me for it I decided to pass.

 

[dcooney4]

Just popping in guys! November was a 0 in and 0 our for me but in the very early days of December already, I found my bag that got away!!!! As many of you know, my hg is an lv lockit which I managed to procure very early on when I started this thread series, but the one that got away, I never thought I’d find. I walked away from my approx 10 years ago and it lingered - i found it crept into my mind often, and I would google it, trying to find it so I could just look at t but it was elusive. With incredible luck, I found it in a local fb group recently for a crazy price! And amazing interior (which is super important to me on the occasion I buy preloved - a total of 3 times now, which also happen to be bags I’ve really loved and pined for), without further ado, my new to me red Miu Miu - some of you may recognize the collection since I have 2 other bags from the same line. View attachment 3898801View attachment 3898802View attachment 3898803
So that’s me being bad and clearly breaking my resolution but after 10 years and the conditions surrounding it, it was something meant to be!

Enjoy it and Congrats! You have been so good that this dream bag of yours is well deserved.

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

Exams done (well, the ones that matter, the language test on Thursday doesn't matter how I do)...!! Yay! Today's exam was super easy. I think I studied too much! Ha!

So I shopped my closet. Actually my car. Took the le pliage out of the trunk ---full of just in case cleaning supplies (just in case someone means vomiting in the car) ---and took it to the cobbler to repair a torn handle (my husband tugged too hard on it once), and add attachments for a crossbody strap.
Now I have my summer carefree mom bag covered. I was so close to getting a Barrington gifts savannah tote because they are so light and pretty and I cannot deal with only the hello kitty Kipling tote as my purse all summer in Hawaii.
So now I have something almost fashionable and definitely functional to take with me when I'm looking after the littles and carrying one on my back much of the time (so my nice backpack is out) and have sunscreen tacky hands half the time. Yay!

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

Yay for shopping the trunk of your car! For ten euros I got it fixed up and crossbodied up! Now I have the perfect nylon tote. In a color that will look lovely with my summer clothes but I actually like this purple year round

 

[Sparkletastic]

Could the bags not moving be due to people waiting on xmas sales? I’m sure if u stick with it till after the new year, they’ll sell. They’ll sell when u least expect

Unfortunately, I doubt it. I listed the one bag above market value. I won't list it for the going price because it's worth more to me in wearing possibilities than the potential proceeds. I have it for sale because, you never know, somebody may just decide to buy it. The other two bags are just not popular models so I'll just donate on12/31 if they don't sell.

What I need to do is stop dithering over the two bags I want in different materials and the two bags for which I think the thrill is gone. I should have listed them during holiday selling season but didn't. There was just so much going on with the move, etc. that dealing with bags that are 80% perfect didn't become a priority. But, if I make final decisions to sell or keep those items, my collection will be perfectly curated and ready for other additions down the road. I need to decide because the mental energy of dithering is tiring. I'm feeling the Marie Kondo style frustration of having stuff that's not bringing joy.

I also have 4 bags (1 contemporary and 3 sub sub contemporary) in my "odds and ends" group that need to be donated and possibly replaced. I have 7 bags in this category and only use the two evening bags. The seventh will stay just because it has sentimental value.

 

[dcooney4]

Unfortunately, I doubt it. I listed the one bag above market value. I won't list it for the going price because it's worth more to me in wearing possibilities than the potential proceeds. I have it for sale because, you never know, somebody may just decide to buy it. The other two bags are just not popular models so I'll just donate on12/31 if they don't sell.

What I need to do is stop dithering over the two bags I want in different materials and the two bags for which I think the thrill is gone. I should have listed them during holiday selling season but didn't. There was just so much going on with the move, etc. that dealing with bags that are 80% perfect didn't become a priority. But, if I make final decisions to sell or keep those items, my collection will be perfectly curated and ready for other additions down the road. I need to decide because the mental energy of dithering is tiring. I'm feeling the Marie Kondo style frustration of having stuff that's not bringing joy.

I also have 4 bags (1 contemporary and 3 sub sub contemporary) in my "odds and ends" group that need to be donated and possibly replaced. I have 7 bags in this category and only use the two evening bags. The seventh will stay just because it has sentimental value.

My suggestion is list them for what you want like that other one. If it is meant to be they will go. It is not to late for this holiday season if you do it soon. I am debating about an mbmj that I see I haven't really used. Might drive it down to the consignment shop if I have time.

 

[bakeacookie]

Just popping in guys! November was a 0 in and 0 our for me but in the very early days of December already, I found my bag that got away!!!! As many of you know, my hg is an lv lockit which I managed to procure very early on when I started this thread series, but the one that got away, I never thought I’d find. I walked away from my approx 10 years ago and it lingered - i found it crept into my mind often, and I would google it, trying to find it so I could just look at t but it was elusive. With incredible luck, I found it in a local fb group recently for a crazy price! And amazing interior (which is super important to me on the occasion I buy preloved - a total of 3 times now, which also happen to be bags I’ve really loved and pined for), without further ado, my new to me red Miu Miu - some of you may recognize the collection since I have 2 other bags from the same line. View attachment 3898801View attachment 3898802View attachment 3898803
So that’s me being bad and clearly breaking my resolution but after 10 years and the conditions surrounding it, it was something meant to be!

You make me feel like I need a red bag. This one is super cute! And totally a fabulous find since you’ve actually wanted it so long.

 

[Sparkletastic]

My suggestion is list them for what you want like that other one. If it is meant to be they will go. It is not to late for this holiday season if you do it soon. I am debating about an mbmj that I see I haven't really used. Might drive it down to the consignment shop if I have time.

Yea. That makes sense. But, in the case of the 2 Pradas in particular, I'm struggling with semi rational issues.

Because they are saffiano (durable) and double zip totes (very functional), I consider these my go to all weather / all situation bags. But, I barely wore them last year. So, obviously I'm finding other bags to wear for this usage. I just feel like I should keep them "just in case".

In my saner moments I think - sell and buy bags that will be more functional and get worn. I just don't know what those would be. Nothing is on my radar and I hesitate to sell without the better / more optimal bag(s) in place...or at least on the horizon.

I always struggle with this. I'll hold on to not perfect bags when I'm not clear what the perfect bag will be. I hate feeling a gap in my collection which makes me more likely to buy poorly.

I need to bite the bullet.

 

[ksuromax]

Just popping in guys! November was a 0 in and 0 our for me but in the very early days of December already, I found my bag that got away!!!! As many of you know, my hg is an lv lockit which I managed to procure very early on when I started this thread series, but the one that got away, I never thought I’d find. I walked away from my approx 10 years ago and it lingered - i found it crept into my mind often, and I would google it, trying to find it so I could just look at t but it was elusive. With incredible luck, I found it in a local fb group recently for a crazy price! And amazing interior (which is super important to me on the occasion I buy preloved - a total of 3 times now, which also happen to be bags I’ve really loved and pined for), without further ado, my new to me red Miu Miu - some of you may recognize the collection since I have 2 other bags from the same line. View attachment 3898801View attachment 3898802View attachment 3898803
So that’s me being bad and clearly breaking my resolution but after 10 years and the conditions surrounding it, it was something meant to be!

 

[soramillay]

Just popping in guys! November was a 0 in and 0 our for me but in the very early days of December already, I found my bag that got away!!!! As many of you know, my hg is an lv lockit which I managed to procure very early on when I started this thread series, but the one that got away, I never thought I’d find. I walked away from my approx 10 years ago and it lingered - i found it crept into my mind often, and I would google it, trying to find it so I could just look at t but it was elusive. With incredible luck, I found it in a local fb group recently for a crazy price! And amazing interior (which is super important to me on the occasion I buy preloved - a total of 3 times now, which also happen to be bags I’ve really loved and pined for), without further ado, my new to me red Miu Miu - some of you may recognize the collection since I have 2 other bags from the same line. View attachment 3898801View attachment 3898802View attachment 3898803
So that’s me being bad and clearly breaking my resolution but after 10 years and the conditions surrounding it, it was something meant to be!

Isn’t it a time honoured TPF rule that a HG bag is the exception to any ban?

Your bag reveal makes me unexpectedly sentimental. It’s a beautiful red bag that was worn with love by its previous owner, and has the wear to show for it. But it found a new life with you, and I can just feel your adoration for it. It’s like reading a story about a racehorse that is retired at the end of a racing career, who finds a new home with loving owners on a peaceful ranch.

Yea. That makes sense. But, in the case of the 2 Pradas in particular, I'm struggling with semi rational issues.

Because they are saffiano (durable) and double zip totes (very functional), I consider these my go to all weather / all situation bags. But, I barely wore them last year. So, obviously I'm finding other bags to wear for this usage. I just feel like I should keep them "just in case".

In my saner moments I think - sell and buy bags that will be more functional and get worn. I just don't know what those would be. Nothing is on my radar and I hesitate to sell without the better / more optimal bag(s) in place...or at least on the horizon.

I always struggle with this. I'll hold on to not perfect bags when I'm not clear what the perfect bag will be. I hate feeling a gap in my collection which makes me more likely to buy poorly.

I need to bite the bullet.

Didn’t your life change a lot in the last year, Sparkle? So if these were bags you used to love and wear lots, I would wait longer and see what happens. If you find that you’ve really moved on, then I think it would become easier to let go of them.

 

[catsinthebag]

Your post is really thought provoking for me.

But, first, why are you planning to go on ban? Is it something your truly want / need to do? I haven't tried to ban (before this last month) because I knew I was still refining my collection. It would have been frustrating to have a ban that got in the way of my curating goals. Now that I'm at the tail end of building and need to think about next steps a ban makes sense. I say all this because I want to encourage you to think about it and do whatever is good for you.

Now on to the second part of your post. You say you'll never have forever bags. For 90% of my collection is say YES! A thousand times YES! I like bags that are on trend. So I'm trying to buy more classics than not to avoid churn. But I know that other than possibly my Chanel and Dior flaps, nothing will be satisfying for me in 10-15 years.

How I plan to solve it is I intend to buy on a rotation. Every year I'll add a couple bags and sell / donate a couple of bags. That will keep my collection fresh.

But, I hear you in that your situation is unique. You don't have a good resale market so you can't recoup funds as easily. Perhaps the idea is simply to set a yearly handbag budget. (Like people do with any hobby like cars, playing blackjack or skiing) Then you can decide in any given year if you want to spend it all on an expensive bag or split it amongst 5 less expensive bags.

My big functionality issue is capacity. I can deal with almost anything except no room for my stuff. Drives me crazy.

I used to be in your situation. My most expensive bags weren't getting used because they were "specialty" bags. When I realized this I got really frustrated; it felt like I had money tied up in museum pieces. So, I sold the specialty bags and the less than exciting daily bags and flip flopped. When I know I need a super functional / high use bag (like the black tote), I've "forced" myself to spend well on it and get exactly what I want. And when I want something trendy or that will get less use, I strangle the budget for it (like the rose gold BV pillow I want. I won't use it much so if I buy it, I want to get it at a steal.) Over time this has meant I get lots of use from my most expensive bags and don't invest much in my specialty bags which makes me feel good about both sets of purchases.

I also decided I didn't want anything but premier even for my carefree bags. But I refuse to spend 4 or even mid / high 3 figures on bag that should be able to be thrown around. My solution for that has been to hunt premier bags at crazy low prices (like my Prada jute tote which is one of my beach totes). And I've been careful to get some of these with no / almost no branding since that is a necessity when volunteering, etc. (like my black Jimmy Choo hobo) This approach has given me the best of both worlds - a premier bag that makes me giggles happy at a price point that allows me to chuck it around if need be.

And, to your last point. It absolutely isn't crazy to only want premier. LOL! You want what you want and (budget allowing) shouldn't buy anything but.

Some people only buy contemporary brands like Massaccesi and Coach. They are choosing to spend more to get those brand's bags vs. functional and cute bags available for 1/10th to 1/2 the price. Are they crazy for only / primarily buying contemporary handbags and refusing to buy $30 real leather bag with sub contemporary or no branding? Nope.

Are people crazy to only buy new and not "save money" on preloved or vice versa?

Are people crazy to eschew variety and have a capsule collection of 3-5 bags? Are others crazy to have 250 bags and not use half?

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, get the bags that make you happy. My only suggestion is to make your everyday functional bags your most expensive ones so you feel good about the spend. And, you can always have a couple of back up non branded premier, contemporary or sub contemporary bags for alternative situations.

I like this approach! Because of my very (overly) practical mother, I err on the side practicality. Which is not always a bad thing (it completely saved me from the micro-mini bag trend!) but then, when faced with the question of which bags make me happy, I am dumbfounded. I have lots of bags I love, but don’t always love using.

Like you before you reorganized your priorities, I have bags that are specialty bags, as you put it, and bags that are everyday bags. The worst ones are the bags that I told myself would be everyday bags but haven’t worked out that way (I’m looking at you, dark blue Chanel Reissue!). And I haven’t bought any less expensive “fun” bags because I still feel like I have to save my bucks for the functional, everyday premier bag.

I think a lot of people start out that way, btw — you get your first Chanel flap, for example, and realize that you just spent a ton of money on a bag that is NOT an everyday bag. Then you have your throw around tote, like a Longchamp le Pliage, and it’s so functional but doesn’t give you the same feeling as the Chanel. Thus begins the cycle of trying to figure out the balance of an everyday “throw around” bag vs. wanting a really nice bag!

 

[catsinthebag]

Definitely that’s the most important question. And sometimes it’s really hard to know ahead of time.
I got rid of a bag in November. My MIL got my RL double zip satchel. I think I already mentioned that but I still am glad about it. She lives quite rural on a farm and never splurges on anything, despite her husband, the farmer, being the richest person in the county they live in(on paper, it’s all land wealth). She actually doesn’t share finances with him, he doesn’t give her any spending access, because he’s worried that her 4 children from a previous marriage might somehow benefit from HIS money. So she takes a part time job driving chicken eggs to stores from a chicken farm, to get some pocket money. It’s ridiculous. I don’t know why a man would marry a woman with 4 kids if he’s really going to be so wrapped up about his inherited wealth somehow getting diluted by her children, in the next and following generation. Surely there are prenups for that purpose and then you can let it go and share your life together without being stingy?
Anyway, seomtimes she likes to dress a little nicer and go to the nearby city and meet a girlfriend, so a nicer purse is not totally useless for her in her farm life. And I’ve never seen her have anything but 20 dollar or less bags, and not any cute ones at that. This one I gave her is selling at the local department store for over three hundred so at least a bit more glam than a canvas sack.

That is very nice of you to give that bag to your mom! Your mom’s husband reminds me of my grandfather, who remarried late in life (I was already in my 20s, so his “kids” were long grown and financially independent). The way he did it, his wife was allowed to life in “his” house until she died, and then ownership of the house went to my father and uncle. Of course, by the time that happened, his wife and her kids had sold most of the contents of the house and the house itself had fallen into disrepair. Not my grandfather’s intention, I’m sure — you can’t contol everything, but yes, you certainly can put things in a prenup or a will so your spouse’s children don’t get “your” stuff.

 

[catsinthebag]

View attachment 3898893View attachment 3898896View attachment 3898897
Yay for shopping the trunk of your car! For ten euros I got it fixed up and crossbodied up! Now I have the perfect nylon tote. In a color that will look lovely with my summer clothes but I actually like this purple year round

I love the color of this le Pliage! Great save!

 

[tenKrat]

The outfit looks terrific! And the scarf is tied beautifully.

Thank you, Scarf Queen!