This is a terrific analysis, spark. Sounds like you and DD make a great team!Update on
Project: Fall Back In Love
DD swept into town for the Xmas holiday late last night. It was sooooo good to have my baby home!! I miss her so much when she's not with me.
After all the hugging and catching up, our conversation turned, of course, to our mutual
passion - handbags. I told her about the bags I had on probation and she went to work.
First, we looked at the two red Chanels. She actually likes the caviar much better than the lamb. When I told her I was selling the caviar, she graciously offered to take it off my hands.Er...I adore DD but a $4500 gift wasn't what I was planning for Xmas. Lol! So, I told her that I'd see what I can get for it through consignment and if it isn't what I'd like, I'll hold it and give it to her for her bday in April. #spoiled
Her answer to the two Prada bags was for us to wear them today - me in red (with a red Santa hat), her in pink (with a pink Santa hat). It was fun, silly and festive. And, it made me love the bags again. It's cool and rainy here today and I didn't have to worry about either bag. And, they are so functional. So, they're staying! I'm going to relaunch my search for cute straps.
Tonight we played around with the black patent Chanel and different outfits. Halfway through she asked me some painfully obvious questions:
1) Why would I replace it with caviar when I don't really like caviar. My response
2) Do I want a much used black bag to be in delicate lamb. My response
3) Do I really not like the patent? Or am I struggling with feeling like I "should" have a more "popular" material vs. being content with what I chose. My response
(I see the college money paid off in tough questions for Mama. Lol!)
DD also selflessly offered to adopt this bag. But, after being in the hot seat and doing some styling, I realized this is the right blck flap for me. I wear a lot of black and the balck patent pops beautifully against black fabric in ways my other black bags just can't.
The last bags on my probation list were the PS Small Couriers. We did more styling and both the black & silver are a great little bags. And, DD also made a great point that they have no visible branding which is huge. I need non branded bags for a variety of situations so they'll have non cannibalizing uses.
So, here is where I ended:
Happily Keeping:
• Celine python Edge
• Chanel black patent jumbo Classic Flap
• Prada red Double Zip Tote
• Prada pink Double Zip Tote
• Proenza Schouler black Small Courier
• Proenza Schouler silver Small Courier
Happily Switched:
• Chanel red caviar Chanel flap for Chanel red lamb Chanel flap
I'm so glad I spent time truly thinking about these bags. What I learned is that I need to keep seeing my bags in a fresh light to continue the love. That's important as I go along so I don't flip my bags but can consistently and happily shop my closet.
YAY! For this thread. There is NO way I would have spent this time thinking about my bags before. I would have continued flipping and rebuying like a crazy woman.
2017 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?
- Thread starter eggtartapproved
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
- Status
Here’s a quick roundup of my 2017 goings-on, bag-wise. I began participating in March with no numerical goals but a desire to refine my bags by trading ins and outs to get a ... ok, I’ll use the word ... ‘collection’ that works in my life, not a past version of it nor an imaginary version but the one I actually live now. Mostly 2017 has been a year of analysis and understanding of what my needs are and whether my bags are working for me. .
I started out quite self-judgey about the number of bags I have ... around 50. So gradually I parsed through what those bags are to find that the number of my active, seasonal bags is reasonable ... 17 large and small, mostly dark colored bags in Fall/winter and 10 large and small lights in the hot months (whichever those are these days) so 27 total. What I learned is that the larger bags are more used in the F/W and the opposite is true in S/S. The remainder are archival bags that I can’t let go of ... and that’s ok with me ... as well as bags I use only for travel, and a few clutches. These latter bags don’t change much so I call them my “fixed assets.” It’s the active, seasonal ones that I have been working with. In 2017, I brought in 8 bags, soon to be 9. I let go of 13 bags with ease and no regrets ... and I think I may increase that number before the new year. I’m feeling ruthless about my Shopping Bag of Doom.
I came to a clearer understanding of what I require of my bags now. They are out in the city a good part of the week; they bump along subway railings and hit into cement walls; they go on the floor in restaurants with tiny tables; they meet with unexpected weather; and I have to get in and out of them fast. I need sturdy bags that I love to look at but don’t have to worry about. I want my daytime bags to be low key, under the radar types, and I like them to look and feel broken in. Once I really drilled down and realized these qualities, I made fewer mistakes with the bags I brought in. That has been an achievement this past year. Also developing the system of organizing through photo albums on my devices.
I’ve continuously considered how my bags serve my needs rather than quickly buying what appeals to my eye
so my collection feels more curated, less experimental. Basically, for my all-important day bags, my criteria are beautiful, low key, comfortable and user friendly. Now for 2018, I can move into some numerical goals.
I started out quite self-judgey about the number of bags I have ... around 50. So gradually I parsed through what those bags are to find that the number of my active, seasonal bags is reasonable ... 17 large and small, mostly dark colored bags in Fall/winter and 10 large and small lights in the hot months (whichever those are these days) so 27 total. What I learned is that the larger bags are more used in the F/W and the opposite is true in S/S. The remainder are archival bags that I can’t let go of ... and that’s ok with me ... as well as bags I use only for travel, and a few clutches. These latter bags don’t change much so I call them my “fixed assets.” It’s the active, seasonal ones that I have been working with. In 2017, I brought in 8 bags, soon to be 9. I let go of 13 bags with ease and no regrets ... and I think I may increase that number before the new year. I’m feeling ruthless about my Shopping Bag of Doom.
I came to a clearer understanding of what I require of my bags now. They are out in the city a good part of the week; they bump along subway railings and hit into cement walls; they go on the floor in restaurants with tiny tables; they meet with unexpected weather; and I have to get in and out of them fast. I need sturdy bags that I love to look at but don’t have to worry about. I want my daytime bags to be low key, under the radar types, and I like them to look and feel broken in. Once I really drilled down and realized these qualities, I made fewer mistakes with the bags I brought in. That has been an achievement this past year. Also developing the system of organizing through photo albums on my devices.
I’ve continuously considered how my bags serve my needs rather than quickly buying what appeals to my eye
so my collection feels more curated, less experimental. Basically, for my all-important day bags, my criteria are beautiful, low key, comfortable and user friendly. Now for 2018, I can move into some numerical goals.
Thanks! She is such a good partner in crime.
Its easy to fall into self judgment for having a large-ish collection. Non bag people don't get it. And even on TPF there is a strong contingent for whom downsizing and "capsule collections" are the best option. But, I'm glad you moved out of that space. We all have different needs so we should allow ourselves to be happy with whatever number truly works for us.
And, wow on your analysis. Your bags definitely need to be sturdy. I'm glad you found the ones that work for you!!
Round up for 2017:
I joined this thread late in the year and i’m so glad i did. Being able to get advice and support from such a fab group of ladies is just [emoji173]️.
Joining has made me have a better appreciation of what works for me bag wise and make sound judgements in my buying and styling process.
I am still evolving but i can proudly say i definitely know what i want and what works for me now. My acquisitions this year have been well thought out and I haven’t been afraid to let go of items that weren’t working in my collection.
Looking forward to 2018 and the fab things the year will bring to us all[emoji8][emoji8][emoji8]
I joined this thread late in the year and i’m so glad i did. Being able to get advice and support from such a fab group of ladies is just [emoji173]️.
Joining has made me have a better appreciation of what works for me bag wise and make sound judgements in my buying and styling process.
I am still evolving but i can proudly say i definitely know what i want and what works for me now. My acquisitions this year have been well thought out and I haven’t been afraid to let go of items that weren’t working in my collection.
Looking forward to 2018 and the fab things the year will bring to us all[emoji8][emoji8][emoji8]
Merry Christmas to you all! [emoji319] I am spending a week at my parents‘ and decided to take two bags with me: Mulberry Bayswater in mole grey and Fendi Peekaboo in caramel. Moving a bit out of my comfort zone in taking two premium bags, here. But I decided they want to be worn and for „emergency“ cases, there always is a Longchamp. Now, although I thought my Bays was underloved, I registered traces of wear at the corners, yesterday. And a bit of what seems to be denim colour transfer. How do you tackle that? Any recommendations? A common eraser did not do the job.
I used a ‘magic eraser’ that gets crayon off the wall when my girls get rascaly.
It worked pretty well.
2 year old is fever free today and in good spirits. I got my period and a couple zits for Christmas. But at least my baby feels better.
It worked pretty well.
2 year old is fever free today and in good spirits. I got my period and a couple zits for Christmas. But at least my baby feels better.
@Sparkletastic I enjoyed reading through your careful analysis of your bag decisions. Sounds like your DD is becoming a very skilled handbag aficionado too!
I especially enjoyed that she was so willing to selflessly offer to adopt your red, caviar and black patent Chanel’s!
@westvillage I found your analysis of how you are determining the right style of bags for you and the life that you live very helpful. This is something that I have gotten much better with, but still struggle with.
I am often drawn to bags that are beautiful and that I really like, but in reality just wouldn’t work in my day to day life. With the help of this thread and some self realization, I will continue to work on this!
I especially enjoyed that she was so willing to selflessly offer to adopt your red, caviar and black patent Chanel’s!
@westvillage I found your analysis of how you are determining the right style of bags for you and the life that you live very helpful. This is something that I have gotten much better with, but still struggle with.
I am often drawn to bags that are beautiful and that I really like, but in reality just wouldn’t work in my day to day life. With the help of this thread and some self realization, I will continue to work on this!
Just droppin' by to greet everyone a very merry Christmas! [emoji294]️[emoji319][emoji173]️[emoji4] I may not be as active in this thread as before, but you my pocket friends always have a special place in my heart. Have a blessed celebration! [emoji1317]
Merry Christmas to everyone!
So when I was reading Spark's story of her daughter being very into purses I realized I'm already there! My 4 year old has gotten a new backpack for her birthday but she still admires her tiny toddler size backpack that was for awhile bequeathed to her little sister but her sis got an upgrade so now it's in general use for the girls to share if we are in a situation. And we have another backpack outgrown hanging around. So 4 backpacks for 2 girls but only one that my 4 year old really uses anymore. We were at a store and she saw the exact backpack her friend has with a butterfly on it and she just could not get over it for the day, she wanted it too. She insisted that even though she had a backpack she needed that one too. I asked her does she really need 2 backpacks and she carefully said, 'mom I need.....4... Backpacks' I could hear the wheels turning in that pause to think about the number 2 and then decide to double it to give her some room for adding even another backpack or two after the butterfly one.
How do I argue with that? Clearly it's a love of bags and wanting to have an assortment of them that I can totally relate to. She's a very young fashionista.
So when I was reading Spark's story of her daughter being very into purses I realized I'm already there! My 4 year old has gotten a new backpack for her birthday but she still admires her tiny toddler size backpack that was for awhile bequeathed to her little sister but her sis got an upgrade so now it's in general use for the girls to share if we are in a situation. And we have another backpack outgrown hanging around. So 4 backpacks for 2 girls but only one that my 4 year old really uses anymore. We were at a store and she saw the exact backpack her friend has with a butterfly on it and she just could not get over it for the day, she wanted it too. She insisted that even though she had a backpack she needed that one too. I asked her does she really need 2 backpacks and she carefully said, 'mom I need.....4... Backpacks' I could hear the wheels turning in that pause to think about the number 2 and then decide to double it to give her some room for adding even another backpack or two after the butterfly one.
How do I argue with that? Clearly it's a love of bags and wanting to have an assortment of them that I can totally relate to. She's a very young fashionista.
This is me too. Give me a bag that is too small, has delicate leather and a fussy clasp, and chances are I will be head over heels in love!
Update on
Project: Fall Back In Love
DD swept into town for the Xmas holiday late last night. It was sooooo good to have my baby home!! I miss her so much when she's not with me.
After all the hugging and catching up, our conversation turned, of course, to our mutual
passion - handbags. I told her about the bags I had on probation and she went to work.
First, we looked at the two red Chanels. She actually likes the caviar much better than the lamb. When I told her I was selling the caviar, she graciously offered to take it off my hands.
Her answer to the two Prada bags was for us to wear them today - me in red (with a red Santa hat), her in pink (with a pink Santa hat). It was fun, silly and festive. And, it made me love the bags again. It's cool and rainy here today and I didn't have to worry about either bag. And, they are so functional. So, they're staying! I'm going to relaunch my search for cute straps.
Tonight we played around with the black patent Chanel and different outfits. Halfway through she asked me some painfully obvious questions:
1) Why would I replace it with caviar when I don't really like caviar. My response
2) Do I want a much used black bag to be in delicate lamb. My response
3) Do I really not like the patent? Or am I struggling with feeling like I "should" have a more "popular" material vs. being content with what I chose. My response
(I see the college money paid off in tough questions for Mama. Lol!)
DD also selflessly offered to adopt this bag. But, after being in the hot seat and doing some styling, I realized this is the right blck flap for me. I wear a lot of black and the balck patent pops beautifully against black fabric in ways my other black bags just can't.
The last bags on my probation list were the PS Small Couriers. We did more styling and both the black & silver are a great little bags. And, DD also made a great point that they have no visible branding which is huge. I need non branded bags for a variety of situations so they'll have non cannibalizing uses.
So, here is where I ended:
Happily Keeping:
• Celine python Edge
• Chanel black patent jumbo Classic Flap
• Prada red Double Zip Tote
• Prada pink Double Zip Tote
• Proenza Schouler black Small Courier
• Proenza Schouler silver Small Courier
Happily Switched:
• Chanel red caviar Chanel flap for Chanel red lamb Chanel flap
I'm so glad I spent time truly thinking about these bags. What I learned is that I need to keep seeing my bags in a fresh light to continue the love. That's important as I go along so I don't flip my bags but can consistently and happily shop my closet.
YAY! For this thread. There is NO way I would have spent this time thinking about my bags before. I would have continued flipping and rebuying like a crazy woman.
Sparkle, it sounds like you had a fabulous time with your daughter! This thread is great, but how wonderful for you to also have someone in your real life who knows you well and can help give you a fresh take on these bags. Before reading this, I would have thought for sure that you would sell your black patent Chanel. Now, having read your daughter’s questions and your thoughts coming out of them, it makes perfect sense for you to keep it.
I can just see you both in the red and pink Prada’s, with the matching red and pink Santa hats. So fun!
- Status