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

[ElainePG]

I just realized that I haven't posted my red bags yet. I only have two: LV Capucines BB and MJ Mini 54. If I allowed myself to, I'd probably own a LOT more red bags, as it's the color I'm drawn to most often when I look at bags on web sites. But I try to be good about not purchasing, since these two bags really meet all my needs. Being on this thread definitely helps me control myself!

 

[Mimmy]

Pic of another red bag: my H RH Bolide. I also have a dark red vintage leather made for Harrods I must show when I can find time the to dig it out ad take pics.

Stunning Bolide, papertiger.

My reds:

2016
(Clockwise from left)
• Chanel 10c red caviar classic single flap jumbo w/shw
• Prada Fuoco Saffiano Small Double Zip Tote w/ghw
• Gucci red leather small Soho chain shoulder bag w/ghw
• Can't recall the designer faux croc clutch w/wristlet & shwView attachment 3624251

2017
Only the Chanel and Prada remain...
View attachment 3624252
This picture represents my toughest edit from last year - selling my red Gucci. I loved the bag but it didn't broaden my wear options beyond what the Chanel and Prada do.

I suspect I'll add one or two more red bags down the road. Starting with something smaller - but not mini - that I could transition from day to evening. But for now, I'm thrilled with what I have.

Great edit, Sparkletastic! Love your two reds. [emoji173]

Very small company, made in the UK by hand. Not exactly Hermes but always great for a little extra

I really enjoy learning of companies that are not as well known. [emoji106]

 

[papertiger]

I just realized that I haven't posted my red bags yet. I only have two: LV Capucines BB and MJ Mini 54. If I allowed myself to, I'd probably own a LOT more red bags, as it's the color I'm drawn to most often when I look at bags on web sites. But I try to be good about not purchasing, since these two bags really meet all my needs. Being on this thread definitely helps me control myself!

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Both fabulous shades of red!

 

[eggtartapproved]

Hi there Everyone, I haven't been on this thread since 2014 but recently I've been a serious lurker. After a dazzling few years of bags zipping in and out, I'm in a happy place with my group. Now I need to be accountable to my progress ... editing down where still possible and refining my "collection" by adding slowly or trading in-and-out with a much better understanding of what works for me

I'll start off doing one of the challenges, the one that will be hardest which is using three bags for a month. I normally switch bags just about every day and it's not unusual that I switch twice a day if the night brings a new activity. In spite of this, though, there are bags in my core rotation that I don't use much so I thought I would start with two of those and then one more that I really want carry before spring when I go into lighter bags both in weight and color. My three are: black Furla tote, Ferragamo Abby, and LV Sofia Coppola.

I'm becoming aware that the Furla tote is on the chopping block. I use it as a rain bag or when I have to carry bulky items. There's something about its and size and squareness that isn't appealing. I never reach for it and you'd think its black soft leather would just be calling out to me, but no. I need to figure out if I need a black tote at all, and if this is the one.

The Ferragamo Abby is a great little bag and I always admire her. At the same time, I always overlook her. So time to give her exposure and see what happens.

The LV Sofia Coppola is my most recent purchase, back in December (three months!). I want to get very comfortable using this bag. It was my HG for so long that I just had to break down and buy her before LV eliminated the bag or at least this color, Jasper, a true wine color.

Thanks for reading this longish post and without further ado here are my challenge bags…View attachment 3624101

PS I cannot see the image so I hope it's coming through as it should. If not, I'll compensate. Thanks.

Welcome back!!! Beautiful three choices and I love the Sophia Coppola- it's one of my fave styles and had I been faster with letting go of my bags, it's one that I would pick up. I just love the simplicity of it - I'm so happy for you that you were able to get your HG.

My Venetia must come from the collection as it's the same colour

I love your coat!!

Oh, definitely. Most of my clothes are neutral colors (black, grey, navy), and then I'll add a scarf for a pop of interest and color. Makes it a lot easier to put together a coordinated outfit in the morning! I do have a few jackets & sweaters in contrasting colors, but I choose them to bring out the colors in my scarves. Like this lavender cashmere sweater, paired with an H scarf, which I'd wear with either dark denim jeans (if I'm dressing casually) or black pants.
View attachment 3624406

I admire how all of you use scarves. Living where I do, scarves are usually to keep warm more than anything haha; I don't typically buy scarves as an accessory for myself and don't really know how to use them to enhance my outfits, so I love seeing them on the threads.

I have one, and I love it! The hinge is easy to open/close. It's the medium width one. I like the weight of it, not light or heavy, just substantial. I haven't walked back into Hermes since I bought it for fear that I will spend money when I'm supposed to just browse. (Yeah, right.)

View attachment 3624512 View attachment 3624513

I love the color mix on this!

Cheers to cashmere from a gal who lives in a country where winter lasts about 7 months (the time I spend in the hockey rink driving my DS to practices and games), I'm living in cashmere sweaters all winter.

A bit off topic but I've been wanting to invest in some cashmere - what brands and any tips you have for buying?

Im so glad I found this group. Hi everyone, this is my first time paticipate. Here are my 2 girls this week

Vermillion Miss Dior
10c Red Jumbo

Any head up what for next week ladies? Loves,
View attachment 3624616

GORGEOUS!!

great scarves and bangles, ladies, really enjoyed reading thru keep them coming!!
here's my bag of the day with a bunch of bracelets

Love the purples on bals, they always make me think of super grape tasting candy, or frozen grape juice. Yummz

One and only H Enamel

2 CDCs same cw (I sometimes wear both over a black sweater or long sleeve evening dresses)

One and only hinge in lizard

I also have this cute enamel scarf ring (you can wear it on chain or cord too as jewellery)

and you can turn scarf rings and scarves into jewellery (the ring is a fine gold and enamel from Frey Wille, I would prob never wear it as a scarf ring but you never know)

For the money I prefer Gucci. This bracelet is solid silver, gold and enamel and I have others LOL

Absolutely gorgeous, I love them all, ESPECIALLY that ring!

Gorgeous accessories.
Finally found out after 5 weeks of interviews with 6 people that I didn't get the job. Grad school life continues!

Sorry to hear this =( Keep going! We're cheering you on!

I just realized that I haven't posted my red bags yet. I only have two: LV Capucines BB and MJ Mini 54. If I allowed myself to, I'd probably own a LOT more red bags, as it's the color I'm drawn to most often when I look at bags on web sites. But I try to be good about not purchasing, since these two bags really meet all my needs. Being on this thread definitely helps me control myself!

View attachment 3625328

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Beauties - I love that MJ

 

[Mimmy]

Im so glad I found this group. Hi everyone, this is my first time paticipate. Here are my 2 girls this week

Vermillion Miss Dior
10c Red Jumbo

Any head up what for next week ladies? Loves,
View attachment 3624616

Lovely reds, UpTime!

great scarves and bangles, ladies, really enjoyed reading thru keep them coming!!
here's my bag of the day with a bunch of bracelets

Great Bal, ksuromax, and as usual, beautiful stack!

One and only H Enamel

2 CDCs same cw (I sometimes wear both over a black sweater or long sleeve evening dresses)

One and only hinge in lizard

I also have this cute enamel scarf ring (you can wear it on chain or cord too as jewellery)

and you can turn scarf rings and scarves into jewellery (the ring is a fine gold and enamel from Frey Wille, I would prob never wear it as a scarf ring but you never know)

For the money I prefer Gucci. This bracelet is solid silver, gold and enamel and I have others LOL

Beautiful bracelets, papertiger! Thinking about putting a bracelet on my wishlist.

 

[Mimmy]

My only red. [emoji173]

 

[dcooney4]

I can't keep up today. I love every red bag this group has which kind of surprises me. The bracelets are just works of art too.

 

[tenKrat]

I don't know how others feel about which pieces of jewellery they buy and easily justify?

I recently donated the costume jewelry that I hadn't worn in years. I wear only fine jewelry now.

I have mostly bracelets, my favorite type of jewelry. Necklaces are next, and then a few rings. My H hinge bracelet was my most recent purchase. I'm content with the jewelry I have. Don't plan to buy anymore for a long time.

 

[tenKrat]

I just realized that I haven't posted my red bags yet. I only have two: LV Capucines BB and MJ Mini 54. If I allowed myself to, I'd probably own a LOT more red bags, as it's the color I'm drawn to most often when I look at bags on web sites. But I try to be good about not purchasing, since these two bags really meet all my needs. Being on this thread definitely helps me control myself!

View attachment 3625328

View attachment 3625330

Lovely red bags!

 

[tenKrat]

Gorgeous accessories.
Finally found out after 5 weeks of interviews with 6 people that I didn't get the job. Grad school life continues!

Bummer. Upsides---you got some good job interviewing experience for your next opportunity, and you won't lose dedicated time for graduate studies.

 

[vink]

Gorgeous accessories.
Finally found out after 5 weeks of interviews with 6 people that I didn't get the job. Grad school life continues!

Oh... I'm sorry. But maybe they'll keep your contact for later? Networking always mean something, right?

 

[ElainePG]

Both fabulous shades of red!

Thank you, papertiger! The color of LV is Rubis. The MJ bag has been discontinued; the color is called Flame Red. @msd_bags has this same bag in a slightly larger size, in (I believe) the same color.

 

[ElainePG]

View attachment 3625333
My only red. [emoji173]

Love the color!

 

[ElainePG]

Lovely red bags!

Thank you, tenKrat!

 

[Annabel Lee]

You make the perfect point that has been brewing in my head but I hadn't fully formulated. My jewelry and bags are expensive. And they make (classic) statements. My clothes are tending to be more architectural and neutral to act as a showcasing foundation. So they don't need to stand out as much. It's becoming more about the cut, structure and fabrics than color or doo dads. It's a balance.

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the photos.

I'm so with you on picking a few things that matter and making smart compromises on the rest. My two things are fine jewelry and bags.

I'm beginning to buy more designer clothing but I'll always have a hi / low mix. Clothes wear out and styles change too quickly. And, unlike with handbags, I don't see enough of a quality or design difference between designer ready to wear clothing and the next level (or three) down to justify most spends.

I do see some difference in shoes but I'm just grumpy on that. I don't know why spending $3k on a bag is reasonable to me whereas $800 on shoes makes me insane. Maybe it's because I think that $800 color of be put towards saving for jewelry. But it is what it is. LOL! So I'm slooooooooowly tip toeing - pun intended - into more expensive shoes that are classics and worthy of having soles and other elements replaced and refurbished. But, fundamentally the shoe has to be comfortable. I don't care what label is on it or what style it is. If a $100 pair of stilettos is comfy but the $1000 pair of flats isn't, I'm buying the cheap(er) stilettos.

At the end of the day it boils down to this. I am not independently nor generationally wealthy. And I'm not trying to pretend I am through my wardrobe. I'm a saver with a great income so I'm very comfy. But I can't and won't spend in every category. Compromises have to be made. Well...at least until a random billionaire bequeaths his or her holdings to me.

Life brings us opportunities and sometimes we want / need to snatch them up. It seems like the items you bought are true adds to your wardrobe. So congrats!! Now you can enjoy those items while you refocus and wait until your shopping trip to round things out.

I'm finding my ban to be very difficult. I've avoided the little things on an hourly basis (who knew I spent on so much little stuff randomly?) But I fell today as I found a pair of gold earrings that match a gold necklace I bought years ago. I despaired of ever making the necklace into a "set" unless I were to have a jeweler make the earrings.

Lo and behold, I run across earrings that look like they came with my necklace and were on sale. So I bought them. I don't feel bad about this as they weren't that expensive (they're non branded 18k with no stones) and they make a "set" I've wanted to finish for over 10 years.

I'm continuing my ban effort. It's certainly slowed my spending and made me think. But I'm happy making a left turn when it makes sense.

Congrats on completing your set! I know how frustrating that can be, so it's exciting you found them!

I am hard on my shoes, but I also want them to look nice and be comfortable. For me, that means either spending more on them so they hold up longer or having lots and lots of pairs I cycle through. I've chosen the latter.

Be picky! Only get bags you can love and happily use. [emoji4] be goldilocks, minus the breaking and entering!

Wonderful advice all the way around!

I have one, and I love it! The hinge is easy to open/close. It's the medium width one. I like the weight of it, not light or heavy, just substantial. I haven't walked back into Hermes since I bought it for fear that I will spend money when I'm supposed to just browse. (Yeah, right.)

View attachment 3624512 View attachment 3624513

That's really lovely.

Okay, I went on a quick trip to the post office just now to claim my scarves bought via ebay, bought preloved from Japan. Unfortunately, there were a lot of people there and I could not stay long. I have a meeting in 2 hours. I need to get lunch and the traffic going to the meeting venue is usually terrible. In short, I need to go back for them! I hope the post office will still be open after the meeting later. It is just around the block from my office but I will be coming from the traffic place.

How annoying! I hope you got them!

Im so glad I found this group. Hi everyone, this is my first time paticipate. Here are my 2 girls this week

Vermillion Miss Dior
10c Red Jumbo

Any head up what for next week ladies? Loves,
View attachment 3624616

These are both really beautiful. I can see what you mean about the different shades having different functions.

Gorgeous accessories.
Finally found out after 5 weeks of interviews with 6 people that I didn't get the job. Grad school life continues!

Bummer, I'm sorry. I hope that's just paving the way for an even better opportunity to come along.

I wish I could apply the same to bags and scarves too, with those it's more 'one at a time'. Sometimes I'm not even capable of even that LOL. At least I can justify (almost) since I wear those daily.

I don't know how others feel about which pieces of jewellery they buy and easily justify? Rings are the best value for me because I also wear daily and they don't get in the way, whereas bracelets, bangles and necklaces not so much. Though there is an H horn pendant calling my name and some amazing wooden Summer bangles - so we shall see this year.

I have my wedding set plus two family rings that I wear often, so I'm done buying rings even thoughthey're my favorite pieces of jewelry. I have some costume rings I still try to rotate in on occasion, but I have way more than I can use.

I can't wear bangles without hinges at all. I have big hands and narrow wrists, and they just never seem to sit well on my arm. Plus, I work on a computer all day, so they always get in the way. I have a couple of bracelets I love for weekends/special occasions, but a new bracelet would have to be pretty special for me to justify getting it. I have one H Kelly watch I love, but it's really my only watch, and I don't find myself hankering for another.

That brings me to necklaces and earrings. I feel these two pieces of jewelry have the most impact on the vibe of an outfit overall, and changing them out is the quickest way to change the feel of an outfit. I love necklaces, but I have a pretty good collection of costume jewelry, and that's fine by me for now. But earrings are my love. I have to be careful on not overspending on earrings.

. A few people mentioned they are doing their own challenges. For those who are doing their own challenges: what are you doing and how is it going?

Right now, I'm trying to get a better feel for my baseline. I'm swapping out as I feel the need to, with an eye toward wearing bags I've only worn once or twice this year. At the end of the month, I'll have a better idea of what my natural wear inclinations are.

I just realized that I haven't posted my red bags yet. I only have two: LV Capucines BB and MJ Mini 54. If I allowed myself to, I'd probably own a LOT more red bags, as it's the color I'm drawn to most often when I look at bags on web sites. But I try to be good about not purchasing, since these two bags really meet all my needs. Being on this thread definitely helps me control myself!

View attachment 3625328

View attachment 3625330

These are both just stunning. Great choices.

I admire how all of you use scarves. Living where I do, scarves are usually to keep warm more than anything haha; I don't typically buy scarves as an accessory for myself and don't really know how to use them to enhance my outfits, so I love seeing them on the threads.

Same.

A bit off topic but I've been wanting to invest in some cashmere - what brands and any tips you have for buying?

+1 ... I'm interested, too!