2018 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[vink]

I probably should go to the MM thread, but I think it's too dangerous. Can you briefly compare Verona and Aquila matte to Merinos or Nappa?
For me port merinos works well for the Penelope Messenger, aesthetically. I just don't love that size/shape practically., and I don't like the strap. I know others love the messenger. Would that work for you? A not too expensive way to satisfy your craving for port merinos!

Oops. Sorry. Sent that one out before finish.

I don't like the look of penny messenger. I know many people swear by it, but I don't get it. I don't see it beautiful. Utility, maybe. I used to ask why people love it and someone said they love it and citing the Celine's trio aesthetic which I never get either. No offense, but that bag is just three pouches made of leather sewn together and add very slim strap which all I can by at the market for very cheap. May look cool on some people, but still I don't get it. So, I guess I'll never get penny messenger, too. So, no. I'd rather wait for a nice model to fit with port merino. Maybe one day I'll have that eureka.

 

[vink]

Ah, the one that got away! That’s a beautiful tote — I love the chevron. Keep looking — everything shows up eventually on the resale market!

Maybe. I still keep looking from time to time, although the chance to find one in good condition is very slim now since it's been longer than 5 years and that tote is made of lamb skin. [emoji28]

 

[vink]

Excellent post! Welcome to the thread.
A friend and I were discussing the shoe dilemma, she phrased it ‘people are either pretty shoe people or comfortable shoe people.’ I agree with everyone else who commented, why can’t there be more shoes that are pretty and comfortable?


Great comment that is applicable to many areas of life, I bolded these words ‘if I don’t try, I’m not going to get to learn’.

Thanks. I do that with everything in life. Sometimes it works, sometimes, it becomes such a huge disaster I'd rather laugh at myself. [emoji16]

 

[vink]

I just did something similar. Remember my probation closet in a spare bedroom? I had put al my clothes in there when I moved in September and was only bringing clothes into the master when I wore them. That way, this upcoming September I’d know what I didn’t wear and could get rid of it.

Well, I couldn’t take it anymore. LOL! In the last few weeks I’ve gotten rid of most of the remaining items and even a bunch of what I was wearing. I only kept items if I loved them, they fit perfectly (or could be immediately tailored) and were in perfect condition. And, I stopped feeling guilty about things I got on sale that I never should have bought.

So, about 60% of my wardrobe is gone. It feels great. I’m loving the space and it’s easier to get dresses without clutter of items I’m not wearing.

But funny thing - I no longer have much to just putter around in the house on days I’m not wanting to get “dressed” because that was a bunch of odds and ends that needed to go to the trash. Not even charity. LOL! I still have yoga pants and a few T-shirts but, I need to get some cute lounging / errand running outfits. I’m thinking some super comfy dresses????? This isn’t a class of clothing I’ve ever bought. I wore default items that were kinda worn out from “regular” life. Ha!
Great job rotating so you could find out what works and doesn’t work for you! Do you plan to sell the bags that aren’t your faves?
I have no idea how it’s happened. It has to be the picky factor. And, nothing has caught my eye because I’ve gotten out of the habit of looking. I guess that’s a good thing, right?
Whoo Hoo!!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL bag!!

You have two amazing black totes. Both are on my radar. I would love the Chanel you have except I really want a center divider. But my, goodness. That is such a stunning bag, I may have to give on that criterion.

Enjoy!!

Congrats on the closet purge! I plan to do it again this weekend, too! [emoji4] I feel much lighter at the moment. [emoji16]

 

[msd_bags]

Verona's bendability is in the middle between merino and Nappa. It has texture. Very prominent and strong. It's good for nonstructured bags though. I don't recommend it with structured bags. After some use, it'll slouchy nicely. More so than Nappa. Out of these 3, Nappa doesn't slouch or even if it does, doesn't show much.

Aquila matte is very much like merino in term of bendability, but it's thicker. It feels like velvet if you glide your hands on them. But while merino, Nappa, and Verona rarely or never show wear, Aquila matte will. It'll absorb oil and scratches will appear, though can be rubbed off. If you love your bags to show wear a bit or look like it's been loved. Aquila matte will be perfect. But if you want your bags to look like new or pristine always. Don't pick this leather. It's hard-wearing, but it'll show where it's been, although slightly, but it'll tell. It can't keep its mouth shut. I love it on my Selene. I don't see it on structured bags though. While I think Nappa may have a chance at making structured bags coz it can hold itself a bit, I don't see Verona and Aquila matte in structured leather at all. And so as merino.

I second that Verona is not great for structured styles. The new leather Pompei is. (And there are more colors now.) And so is natural calf.

 

[vink]

WELCOME! This is a great list of guidelines.
That is super practical. It may get me over the hump on the inner divider.

The one that got away is always tough. This is a cute bag! More totes should have zip tops.
I need both - pretty and comfortable.

I like pretty things so my shoes have to be ones I find yummy and fun. If they aren’t - I just won’t wear them.

But, there is no way I’m going to hobble along in uncomfortable shoes. I see women mincing along in shoes that obviously hurt and just get puzzled. I don’t want to ever hurt but I could deal with any part of me hurting except my head or my feet. So why choose foot pain?

I went into Christian Laboutin last week. I was very tempted to try on a pair. Totally irrational silly girl moment - I wanted some red bottom shoes. [emoji38] When I asked which ones would be the most comfortable, the salesperson said “None of them - they’re works of art.” He said this in the nicest, most congenial way. Not condescending or rude. And, I appreciated his candor. But, I quickly exited and looked at other brands.

Side note - in general I find it hard to wear the extremes - pointed toe high heels and ballet style flats. The former pinches my toes and the latter rubs my heels.

I don't know what I was thinking back then. Trying to be good, I guess. Everytime I try to be good, it's always become the one that got away. And yes. That zip top is a big factor. Plus, the incredibly light weight and super soft leather. I may ruin it though. [emoji16]

I need that kind of shoes, too. Pretty and comfortable, although I now only wear sneakers and the likes. I can have cute sneakers, right? [emoji4]

 

[msd_bags]

But, there is no way I’m going to hobble along in uncomfortable shoes. I see women mincing along in shoes that obviously hurt and just get puzzled. I don’t want to ever hurt but I could deal with any part of me hurting except my head or my feet. So why choose foot pain?

I went into Christian Laboutin last week. I was very tempted to try on a pair. Totally irrational silly girl moment - I wanted some red bottom shoes. When I asked which ones would be the most comfortable, the salesperson said “None of them - they’re works of art.” He said this in the nicest, most congenial way. Not condescending or rude. And, I appreciated his candor. But, I quickly exited and looked at other brands.

Side note - in general I find it hard to wear the extremes - pointed toe high heels and ballet style flats. The former pinches my toes and the latter rubs my heels.

I like to add to the shoe talk. All my online shoe shopping has helped me understand my feet. Well, not that I don't have questions anymore. But more like I am able to identify the issues. I had always been a perfect size 8M (though for boots I get 8.5). But starting mid 2014, I've started feeling discomfort in some of my shoes. I tried 8W but it was also not right. A bit loose and still not comfy. Since then, I get pains with 8 but 8.5 is too loose. Plus just this year, I learned about instep or vamp. I discovered my right foot has higher vamp than left and I understood why some shoes felt different between my right and left foot. And, I am now confused which of my left or right foot is longer. All the while I know left is longer, but then my right is more often the one feeling uncomfortable. So which is it really? I thought I knew my size in Tory Burch as most of its shoes fit large. But my last 2 online purchases were a bit on the tight side lengthwise. Is it the shoe or is it my foot? I've decided that henceforth, I will get 8.5 and just use insoles to tighten the fit if needed. But then there are some brands which don't carry half sizes.

I found a pair of inexpensive pointed kitten heels pump at Selfridges. Left feels right, but right gives me callus. How is that when I thought my right is my smaller foot.

 

[Kylacove]

Oops. Sorry. Sent that one out before finish.

I don't like the look of penny messenger. I know many people swear by it, but I don't get it. I don't see it beautiful. Utility, maybe. I used to ask why people love it and someone said they love it and citing the Celine's trio aesthetic which I never get either. No offense, but that bag is just three pouches made of leather sewn together and add very slim strap which all I can by at the market for very cheap. May look cool on some people, but still I don't get it. So, I guess I'll never get penny messenger, too. So, no. I'd rather wait for a nice model to fit with port merino. Maybe one day I'll have that eureka.

My first MM was a Grande Aura in port merinos. Love it. I was looking for a burgundy /oxblood color and the Grande Aura seemed a safe style as it is the size and has the features I usually like. There was a promo going on so that helped me make the leap. I also asked Marco many questions. I have learned from my mistakes after seriously collecting handbags for 10 years. I know the penny messenger will be too small and drive me crazy even though it looks so good on others.

 

[catsinthebag]

I just did something similar. Remember my probation closet in a spare bedroom? I had put al my clothes in there when I moved in September and was only bringing clothes into the master when I wore them. That way, this upcoming September I’d know what I didn’t wear and could get rid of it.

Well, I couldn’t take it anymore. LOL! In the last few weeks I’ve gotten rid of most of the remaining items and even a bunch of what I was wearing. I only kept items if I loved them, they fit perfectly (or could be immediately tailored) and were in perfect condition. And, I stopped feeling guilty about things I got on sale that I never should have bought.

So, about 60% of my wardrobe is gone. It feels great. I’m loving the space and it’s easier to get dresses without clutter of items I’m not wearing.

But funny thing - I no longer have much to just putter around in the house on days I’m not wanting to get “dressed” because that was a bunch of odds and ends that needed to go to the trash. Not even charity. LOL! I still have yoga pants and a few T-shirts but, I need to get some cute lounging / errand running outfits. I’m thinking some super comfy dresses????? This isn’t a class of clothing I’ve ever bought. I wore default items that were kinda worn out from “regular” life. Ha!
Great job rotating so you could find out what works and doesn’t work for you! Do you plan to sell the bags that aren’t your faves?
I have no idea how it’s happened. It has to be the picky factor. And, nothing has caught my eye because I’ve gotten out of the habit of looking. I guess that’s a good thing, right?
Whoo Hoo!!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL bag!!

You have two amazing black totes. Both are on my radar. I would love the Chanel you have except I really want a center divider. But my, goodness. That is such a stunning bag, I may have to give on that criterion.

Enjoy!!

I have to try the probation closet idea. Problem is, when we bought this house 11 years ago, we remodeled a very small room into a walk-in closet for me. So now that I have that closet, I don’t really have anywhere else to move my stuff into! (Talk about first world problems, right?)

In any case, I have to do some overhauling of my warddrobe, especially summer clothes. I’ve thought of the casual dress thing too. I don’t tend to wear dresses — I think the last time I wore one was to a wedding over five years ago! — but a couple of nice shift dresses or even t-shirt dresses would be great to have. I am so tired of my shorts.

Re. the tote bag, you should definitely try it out! I was actually thinking of you when I tried it on: I literally had the thought that this bag would be right up your alley except for the lack of a center divider pocket!

 

[catsinthebag]

I don't know what I was thinking back then. Trying to be good, I guess. Everytime I try to be good, it's always become the one that got away. And yes. That zip top is a big factor. Plus, the incredibly light weight and super soft leather. I may ruin it though. [emoji16]

I need that kind of shoes, too. Pretty and comfortable, although I now only wear sneakers and the likes. I can have cute sneakers, right? [emoji4]

I love cute sneakers! Right now, sneakers are just about all I will be wearing until I have knee surgery. Maybe comfy sandals too when the weather heats up.

 

[msd_bags]

I have to try the probation closet idea. Problem is, when we bought this house 11 years ago, we remodeled a very small room into a walk-in closet for me. So now that I have that closet, I don’t really have anywhere else to move my stuff into! (Talk about first world problems, right?)

In any case, I have to do some overhauling of my warddrobe, especially summer clothes. I’ve thought of the casual dress thing too. I don’t tend to wear dresses — I think the last time I wore one was to a wedding over five years ago! — but a couple of nice shift dresses or even t-shirt dresses would be great to have. I am so tired of my shorts.

Re. the tote bag, you should definitely try it out! I was actually thinking of you when I tried it on: I literally had the thought that this bag would be right up your alley except for the lack of a center divider pocket!

It's quite the fashion here to be wearing casual dresses paired with sneakers, although more so with the younger generation. How about there?

 

[vink]

I like to add to the shoe talk. All my online shoe shopping has helped me understand my feet. Well, not that I don't have questions anymore. But more like I am able to identify the issues. I had always been a perfect size 8M (though for boots I get 8.5). But starting mid 2014, I've started feeling discomfort in some of my shoes. I tried 8W but it was also not right. A bit loose and still not comfy. Since then, I get pains with 8 but 8.5 is too loose. Plus just this year, I learned about instep or vamp. I discovered my right foot has higher vamp than left and I understood why some shoes felt different between my right and left foot. And, I am now confused which of my left or right foot is longer. All the while I know left is longer, but then my right is more often the one feeling uncomfortable. So which is it really? I thought I knew my size in Tory Burch as most of its shoes fit large. But my last 2 online purchases were a bit on the tight side lengthwise. Is it the shoe or is it my foot? I've decided that henceforth, I will get 8.5 and just use insoles to tighten the fit if needed. But then there are some brands which don't carry half sizes.

I found a pair of inexpensive pointed kitten heels pump at Selfridges. Left feels right, but right gives me callus. How is that when I thought my right is my smaller foot.

I stop buying shoes online years ago. My feet is funny, too. And with the pregnancy swollen feet years ago, etc. I just have to resign. [emoji28] it’s good though that shoes aren’t really my thing. [emoji28]

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

I take it as a challenge to try to find attractive shoes without a major pitch putting too much weight in the front. I can have a 1-2" different height in Back but not more. But toes need room to splay and I am also a bit clumsy and can't wear platforms on cobblestone streets without hanging on to my husband so sometimes cute ballerina flats is the only way to go.

 

[ksuromax]

Speaking of comfy shoes that are kind of cute, I have been a bit nuts painting my comfiest sandals lately. I've gone nuts on the metallic Rose, violet, and mermaid tones on 3 out of my 5 comfiest summer sandals I own. Naot, Wolky and camper are the brands I go with for long walks in summer. I love having happy feet and can't stand an outing ruined by shoes hurting but I hate looking shleppy so I think these being sparkly might make them seem more festive and less frumpy in evening, I dunno. At least I'm happy with how they turned out:

View attachment 4083587View attachment 4083588View attachment 4083589

Brilliant!! (in every sense)

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

Brilliant!! (in every sense)

Thanks!