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

[vink]

I don’t buy used shoes. Not because of the hygiene reason, but because the outer sole of the worn shoes will have patterns of the previous owner and I don’t like that. I believe it’ll alter my balance for some reason, therefore, it’s easier to buy new. At least, at the store, all shoes will still have new outer sole.

My favorite brands are hush puppies, although I’m still mad at them for discontinuing cute designs and introducing ugliness instead, easy spirit, Nike, and Sketchers.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I don’t buy used shoes. Not because of the hygiene reason, but because the outer sole of the worn shoes will have patterns of the previous owner and I don’t like that. I believe it’ll alter my balance for some reason, therefore, it’s easier to buy new. At least, at the store, all shoes will still have new outer sole.

My favorite brands are hush puppies, although I’m still mad at them for discontinuing cute designs and introducing ugliness instead, easy spirit, Nike, and Sketchers.

I never thought about that. I did a quick google and yes, a shoe that’s adjusted to someone else’s foot can be a problem for the second wearer.

Perhaps then in buying used shoes, it’s best to only buy ones that are unworn or were only worn to determine fit.

 

[eggtartapproved]

I joined this thread way back on page 9.. and ever since then I just lurked about..my resolution was to refrain from buying unnecessary bags and if I have the urge to buy , limit myself to just 2 bags. I'm happy to report that i manage to follow through on that resolution.. two bags in and sold 1 bag. Selling that 1 bag was such a surprise for me since I have never sold anything before.. I also binned 1 bag that is beyond salvaging/repairing..so all in all a good handbag year for me..

That’s awesome!!! Hope you’ll join us for another yeAr when the new thread is up

 

[ElainePG]

My (mediocre) attempt at a sparklestatic shot of my Coach Parker during our corporate Christmas party the other day.

Love the bag, and this is a GREAT photo! Cheers!

 

[ElainePG]

I am so delighted with my mulberry wallet. Usually I switch right back into my tiny Tumi wallet, but I have been using my slightly bigger bags just to be able to keep using it. It smells so good and has a place for everything with all the receipts I have been shoving in there. So far this month I have been good and not bought a bag. I counted the bags I will receive for Christmas last month. I am hoping to make this a no bag shopping month. It is not easy with the constant sales.

So glad to hear the new wallet is working for you.

 

[dcooney4]

Communication issue. LOL! When I said my closet would burst, I meant it would be so full of the shoes that it would burst. Not, that it wouldn’t want the shoes in it. I would love to find preloved new / like new premier designer shoes at that kind of discount. But, when I see preloved shoes they always look pretty banged up. I have to admit though that I don’t spend enough time looking.

@ HopelessBagGirl, I am majorly squicked out by other people’s dirt / feet / bathrooms, etc. And, I’m convinced that cooties exist and are going to take us all down in a zombie plague. (Funny thing, my sister in law is a nail tech. She made the point that feet are cleaner than hands because they typically get washed and kept in shoes all day whereas people do things with their hands all day - including use the bathroom - and may not wash them preoperly or consistently.)

But, things can be cleaned. LOL! I say this all the time about used bags and clothes. They can be cleaned, folks. It’s funny people won’t buy used bags but will buy a used house. Gunk and crud and bacteria and hair and yuck get in all kinds of places like air ducts and other cracks and crevices that just can’t be cleaned out easily if at all. Which is why most of us have working immune systems. We can handle most germs. I just don’t like to think about them. So, I really try not to.

I have bought preloved shoes perhaps 5-6 times and cleaned them all. I have a pair of Laboutin booties (preloved new) and Balenciaga booties (preloved like new) that I got preloved. I sold the preloved Prada wedges and Chanel boots that I had bought. I think I’ve gotten some other shoes preloved at some point but, can’t recall.

I’ve never needed to replace insoles or heels because all shoes I got were new or essentially new. Here are some steps for shoe cleaning that I found on google and kept in my Evernotes. They can even be applied to our own bought from the store shoes over time.

• Wipe the insides down with rubbing alcohol or a weak solution of bleach and water (be careful of getting on the exterior or using bleach on non white surfaces)
• Clean outsides with warm, soapy water or a diluted mix of alcohol and water. (Obvi not suede, calf hair, etc.)
• Put baking soda inside the shoe and leave overnight to absorb any odours.
• Remove & replace insoles if needed
• Replace outsoles if needed
• To kill fungus, put the shoes in an airtight plastic bag, place in the freezer and leave overnight.
• Re-moisturize leathers

I just don’t ever see shoes I can buy. First because, as I said, I’m not looking (not sure where to reliably look) so I’m missing them. Second because shoes have to be a certain size. I’d need to try them on somewhere then hunt and save searches as you mentioned. For “regular” shoes like plain black boots it seems easier just to go to the mall. I will probably save premier designer shoe money for unique looks I can’t easily replicate with mass brands. Although, I have to admit, in an alternate universe, I’d love a closet of shoes with little red soles. But, even my happy to wear heels self doesn’t find Laboutin pumps to be comfortable. I’d probably have to stick to the boots and booties as they are 10,000 times more comfy than the heels. And, I can’t stand for my feet to hurt for a millisecond.

What I also should do is find out when the brands have half off sales and buy then. Getting brand new at 50% would be great. Especially when you can layer on store discount codes, store points, cash back on credit cards and e bates cash back.

What is everyone’s favorite shoe brand (premier, contemporary, sub contemporary)? I don’t really have one. Which now that I think of it is odd.

Cole Haan for sneakers. Frye for boots.

 

[dcooney4]

My (mediocre) attempt at a sparklestatic shot of my Coach Parker during our corporate Christmas party the other day.

Looks very festive! Love it!

 

[whateve]

Communication issue. LOL! When I said my closet would burst, I meant it would be so full of the shoes that it would burst. Not, that it wouldn’t want the shoes in it. I would love to find preloved new / like new premier designer shoes at that kind of discount. But, when I see preloved shoes they always look pretty banged up. I have to admit though that I don’t spend enough time looking.

@ HopelessBagGirl, I am majorly squicked out by other people’s dirt / feet / bathrooms, etc. And, I’m convinced that cooties exist and are going to take us all down in a zombie plague. (Funny thing, my sister in law is a nail tech. She made the point that feet are cleaner than hands because they typically get washed and kept in shoes all day whereas people do things with their hands all day - including use the bathroom - and may not wash them preoperly or consistently.)

But, things can be cleaned. LOL! I say this all the time about used bags and clothes. They can be cleaned, folks. It’s funny people won’t buy used bags but will buy a used house. Gunk and crud and bacteria and hair and yuck get in all kinds of places like air ducts and other cracks and crevices that just can’t be cleaned out easily if at all. Which is why most of us have working immune systems. We can handle most germs. I just don’t like to think about them. So, I really try not to.

I have bought preloved shoes perhaps 5-6 times and cleaned them all. I have a pair of Laboutin booties (preloved new) and Balenciaga booties (preloved like new) that I got preloved. I sold the preloved Prada wedges and Chanel boots that I had bought. I think I’ve gotten some other shoes preloved at some point but, can’t recall.

I’ve never needed to replace insoles or heels because all shoes I got were new or essentially new. Here are some steps for shoe cleaning that I found on google and kept in my Evernotes. They can even be applied to our own bought from the store shoes over time.

• Wipe the insides down with rubbing alcohol or a weak solution of bleach and water (be careful of getting on the exterior or using bleach on non white surfaces)
• Clean outsides with warm, soapy water or a diluted mix of alcohol and water. (Obvi not suede, calf hair, etc.)
• Put baking soda inside the shoe and leave overnight to absorb any odours.
• Remove & replace insoles if needed
• Replace outsoles if needed
• To kill fungus, put the shoes in an airtight plastic bag, place in the freezer and leave overnight.
• Re-moisturize leathers

I just don’t ever see shoes I can buy. First because, as I said, I’m not looking (not sure where to reliably look) so I’m missing them. Second because shoes have to be a certain size. I’d need to try them on somewhere then hunt and save searches as you mentioned. For “regular” shoes like plain black boots it seems easier just to go to the mall. I will probably save premier designer shoe money for unique looks I can’t easily replicate with mass brands. Although, I have to admit, in an alternate universe, I’d love a closet of shoes with little red soles. But, even my happy to wear heels self doesn’t find Laboutin pumps to be comfortable. I’d probably have to stick to the boots and booties as they are 10,000 times more comfy than the heels. And, I can’t stand for my feet to hurt for a millisecond.

What I also should do is find out when the brands have half off sales and buy then. Getting brand new at 50% would be great. Especially when you can layer on store discount codes, store points, cash back on credit cards and e bates cash back.

What is everyone’s favorite shoe brand (premier, contemporary, sub contemporary)? I don’t really have one. Which now that I think of it is odd.

Based on how many I own, Ugg is my favorite shoe brand. I have tons of Ugg boots, most not the traditional look but with something different, and a couple pairs of sneakers.

I don’t buy used shoes. Not because of the hygiene reason, but because the outer sole of the worn shoes will have patterns of the previous owner and I don’t like that. I believe it’ll alter my balance for some reason, therefore, it’s easier to buy new. At least, at the store, all shoes will still have new outer sole.

My favorite brands are hush puppies, although I’m still mad at them for discontinuing cute designs and introducing ugliness instead, easy spirit, Nike, and Sketchers.

My mom was adamant about not getting used shoes. When she grew up in the Depression, she had to wear her sister's castoffs. She blamed that for the bunion she had for years.

 

[whateve]

Back to bags ...

Remember I was getting the bag buying fever again? Well, I just posted in the “how many bags do you have” thread. That threw cold water on my mania.

I remembered that I’ve taken time and effort to get to a set of bags I love and that work for me. I also saw that even though I haven’t bought as many bags recently, I’ve still had too much movement from selling past mistakes.

I do think I want to add another 5 or so bags over time. But, it will be over time. I’m looking forward to years and years where I buy one bag (or not) and sell nothing because I’m just content. So, I’m going back on hard pause and will try not to buy anything for which I don’t have a defined need.

Plus if I just buy one bag a year or so. I won’t feel as guilty if I spend a little more to get exactly what I want.

I got the bag I just ordered and it is a win! (I think, just waiting for authentication.) So that makes me want to buy more. The next bag I want is something in fuchsia. I'm not in a hurry to find it though. Other than that, I think I'm bag content.

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

I like Camper, Frye, and Old Gringo in that order. I also have fab Tod's boots and I two pairs of amazing Jimmy Choo knee high shearling boots. And great UGG winter boots(Adirondack ii)

 

[Sparkletastic]

I got the bag I just ordered and it is a win! (I think, just waiting for authentication.) So that makes me want to buy more. The next bag I want is something in fuchsia. I'm not in a hurry to find it though. Other than that, I think I'm bag content.

Can’t wait to see pics!!!

 

[Sparkletastic]

I like Camper, Frye, and Old Gringo in that order. I also have fab Tod's boots and I two pairs of amazing Jimmy Choo knee high shearling boots. And great UGG winter boots(Adirondack ii)

You live in a cold weather country, right? So I’d guess most of your shoes are boots?

I realized I need closed in cool / cold weather shoes (not boots, not booties) High heeled and flat. Cute and warm but not serviceable / weather protective / wintry (we don’t really get snow here) And, I realized I have no idea what such a thing is. What have I been wearing??? Suggestions anyone?

 

[Sparkletastic]

And I just said not serviceable / wintry but then I googled and saw these. Don’t they just make you want to snuggle your feet into them?

 

[whateve]

And I just said not serviceable / wintry but then I googled and saw these. Don’t they just make you want to snuggle your feet into them? View attachment 4283870

That's the kind of thing I'm drawn to. My favorite shoes are my slippers.

 

[Annabel Lee]

What is everyone’s favorite shoe brand (premier, contemporary, sub contemporary)? I don’t really have one. Which now that I think of it is odd.

Premier, I think it has to be Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik. Like you, I LOVE the look of Louboutins, but I just find them unbearably uncomfortable. And their lower heels are just not flattering on me for whatever reason. So it's not a brand for me.

Manolo and Jimmy Choo though? They're gorgeous and comfortable and I have a range of styles from both. I have this one pair of Jimmy Choo heels that's just like walking on clouds, and I wish my whole shoe collection fit like that.

I'm not sure I have much in the contemporary section, but for sub-contemporary, I still like Nine West. I think their latest designs borrow from bigger designers more than I care to support, and the quality on a couple recent purchases hasn't been great, but I have a lot of older shoes from them that have held up well and feel great to wear. I'm actually wearing a pair now. It's kind of a fun take on leopard:

I realized I need closed in cool / cold weather shoes (not boots, not booties) High heeled and flat. Cute and warm but not serviceable / weather protective / wintry (we don’t really get snow here) And, I realized I have no idea what such a thing is. What have I been wearing??? Suggestions anyone?

I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but I wear more shoes in heavier, more wintry materials (suede, tweed, felt) and with chunkier heels--I think tall, thin heels can look too spindly paired with a drapey sweater or blazer. I also wear a lot of closed-toe kitten heels. Here are a few I have: