2020 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[whateve]

You're also a knitter, aren't you?

I have been. Knitting, crocheting, crewel, counted cross stitch, quilting, sewing....I haven't done much needlework of any kind for awhile. When I was younger, I always had several projects going on at once.

 

[keodi]

I'm glad that your Mom was finally able to get tested, @keodi . But wow… so sorry she's dealing with covid-19. I hope she's in a situation where she has help managing it, and that she can ride it out at home.
Sending positive thoughts your way.

Thank you, i'm grateful for my aunts and uncles, they have been taking turns dropping off items she needs at the door, and everyone has been checking in on her using facetime, and zoom.

 

[keodi]

Thank you! I think I washed the suede one. I can't remember if I did anything other than conditioning to the second one. The first one was given to me by another tpfer. That one is lined. I wouldn't want to take a chance doing much to it, but it is already in good condition. Most vintage Coach bags last forever as long as they aren't completely abused.

so true! I love your vintage coach bags!

 

[Vintage Leather]

Back to bags for a bit. I’ve been following a thread on Chanel which has “allowed” me to confront the fact that while I love them, my Jumbos absolutely feel like the most “dated” bags in my collection and “older” than my personal aesthetic. The discussion made me realize that’s why I struggle to wear them as much as I’d like.

Meanwhile, I have some Diors that are as old as all but 2 of my Chanels. But, they don’t feel dated. shrugs:

This all has made me be honest with myself about the future. I don’t know that I need any more Chanel Jumbos. The little bags (WOC - M/L) look adorable. And I’d still love a C tote. But, jumbos just look a little too big / rigid on my frame and la little dated for my style.

More importantly, I need to stay completely away from other bags and brands that I’ve been circling around but am not truly passionate about. (H Kelly...oh well)

This is a bit of a shift for me. I’ve been focused on having bags I love that also hold their value and style staying power. Buuuuut... I think this may keep me from buying bags that I just love. I don’t have any examples of this top of mind so I’m not sure. Food for thought going forward.

So, I’m curious. Do you own bags that aren’t exactly your aesthetic because you love them? Like me, are you adamant about wearing them so you find ways to make them work? Or do you keep them for other reasons? Why do you keep them if they aren’t the bullseye of your preferred style?

My aesthetic in bags seems to veer wildly from 40-something advertising executive in a large city, to small town kindergarten teacher. Half my bags are elegant, minimalist, and designer while the other half are wildly colorful, hard wearing, and unique. I also have a few bags from other times in my life, that I don't carry because they no longer fit with my aesthetic - but which are fashion scrapbooks of another time and place, and which I'm not yet ready to let go of.

Some days, I think that if I could actually figure out what I want to be when I grow up, I could have a much more streamlined, much less stressful bag closet.

The one bag that I do dearly dearly love but is a struggle to carry is by brown box Kelly. I love it. But I've gotten a few really uncomfortable "that's an expensive bag" comments every time I've carried the darn thing. Once, I was wearing full vintage repro, with a few true-vintage pieces (including gloves!), so it almost looked costumey - and still, the "that's an expensive bag, I recognized it." For some reason, Chanel, other H, doesn't get that sort of reaction. I don't get it. But I feel so darn self-conscious that I just can't.

 

[whateve]

Back to bags for a bit. I’ve been following a thread on Chanel which has “allowed” me to confront the fact that while I love them, my Jumbos absolutely feel like the most “dated” bags in my collection and “older” than my personal aesthetic. The discussion made me realize that’s why I struggle to wear them as much as I’d like.

Meanwhile, I have some Diors that are as old as all but 2 of my Chanels. But, they don’t feel dated. shrugs:

This all has made me be honest with myself about the future. I don’t know that I need any more Chanel Jumbos. The little bags (WOC - M/L) look adorable. And I’d still love a C tote. But, jumbos just look a little too big / rigid on my frame and la little dated for my style.

More importantly, I need to stay completely away from other bags and brands that I’ve been circling around but am not truly passionate about. (H Kelly...oh well)

This is a bit of a shift for me. I’ve been focused on having bags I love that also hold their value and style staying power. Buuuuut... I think this may keep me from buying bags that I just love. I don’t have any examples of this top of mind so I’m not sure. Food for thought going forward.

So, I’m curious. Do you own bags that aren’t exactly your aesthetic because you love them? Like me, are you adamant about wearing them so you find ways to make them work? Or do you keep them for other reasons? Why do you keep them if they aren’t the bullseye of your preferred style?

I'm not sure I know what my aesthetic is. Either I like bags or I don't. I have a few vintage that aren't my style but I keep them as collectibles. Other than that, I think I like every bag in my closet, even the weird fur trimmed one my husband hates. I have lusted over bags in the past that once I got them, I realized they weren't for me.

I almost bought a Chanel once. It wasn't a classic. It was a seasonal style that I picked because it was a little different. When I showed it to DH, he absolutely hated it. So I didn't get it. Then a few months later, I decided he was right. I don't hate classic Chanel flaps but they are so ubiquitous and recognizable that I find them personally boring. I don't feel comfortable with conspicuous consumption, which is why I prefer bags that are off the radar. It makes me wonder why I've been wanting a Gucci disco. I'm afraid that if I got it, I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying it due to the huge recognizable logo.

I don't think I try very hard to make a bag work. I usually reach for the bags I love best and those that are easy to carry. I have a few I really like but rarely carry either because the colors don't go with my wardrobe or because they are too small or they are too delicate. I have one bag I love but almost never carry. I don't know why I avoid it. Usually if this goes on too long, I end up selling the bag.

 

[papertiger]

The last one… the 1970s "sunburst" patchwork… oh my! I'd love to know the story behind it, though I have a feeling you've shared it with us in a previous year (physical distancing is melting my brain). Is this one that's been in your family? Or did you find it more recently? It is GORGEOUS.
And I love the pairing of your Bolide with the H Plumes scarf. Perfection.

Thank you Elaine,

I've had the star patchwork bag a long time but it wasn't my mother's. I can normally tell you where and when I bought everything but I'm afraid I've forgotten with this one. No designer name. Probably a lucky find at an antique fair (I used to be dragged to enough of those ha ha) or vintage market (I would have dragged my mother). I have had a few patchwork bags in the past (patchwork exotic) but sold most when we moved, but nothing as large or as striking as this. This is a really uber-luxe, funky bag, a fantastic example of its kind. People assume they were cheap because the exotics are all scrap size, and that may have been true where the labour was very cheap (quite a few were made in India) and you can see they cut corner (no pun intended and no reflection on the actual work itself but the other materials) but in the better quality examples were pretty expensive new as they were so labour intensive. I'm looking at it now, it's balanced on a 1960s Pierre Cardin vanity case, between a Bottega Veneta python tote and a Pickett, London ostrich clutch on my top shelf, pride of place.

The scarf is my very oldest Hermes scarf (although I don't have that many oldies). A friend of mine found it for me as he knew I was looking for a Plumes (he and his partner are only into early 1970s British designers). Happily, it's absolutely the right colour for me - and my darling Bolide.

 

[Katinahat]

Thank you for sharing an update! I'm really glad to hear about your siblings and I hope they both only continue to get better and are in good health soon. Being constantly tired and having chronic asthma are things that I hope fully resolve soon! But they are strong to have made it this far into their recoveries.

Your family time sounds lovely. What will going back to school look like for the kids?

I'm happy that income isn't an issue for you. Could you share particular types/brands of adult coloring that you're enjoying? You make me want to do that and also buy this board game you mentioned!! I agree and am trying to put money back into the economy (primarily locally) when I can.

Great to hear from you @Katinahat . I'm so glad that your brother and sister are both pulling out of their COVID-19 infections, though it sounds like a verrrrrrry slow process. Are they quarantined for the immediate future, or are they past that period?

Your 3 families are fortunate to have you to do their remote shopping for them. And your hobby activities sound so creative. Is the "Ticket To Ride" game about The Beatles? I may have to check it out!

Hi Rhl and Elaine,

Thanks for your best wishes. My children are a young teen and a preteen both quite studious and academic. They will be getting remote work set via a Virtual Learning Environment which lets them submit back. They will also be having some group/teacher video conferencing once it is set up securely. My work is in education management so Home Schooling doesn’t hold any concerns for me other than managing it for hundreds of others. My children will work hard so I’ll just be quashing the occasional sibling falling outs and helping when they get stuck. The new laptops will help for this term as they were sharing my ancient one which isn’t really up to it. I use a machine supplied by my employer.

Ticket to Ride is a great train game. I’ll find a picture of the board mid game to post.

The colouring books came from Amazon and I bought Large sets of good quality pens and colouring pencils to use from there too.

This is the game set out - sorry it’s sideways on.


And these are the books I ordered. The first two are a bit too similar. Too many trees and leaves - my green and brown pens will run out first!

 

[papertiger]

My aesthetic in bags seems to veer wildly from 40-something advertising executive in a large city, to small town kindergarten teacher. Half my bags are elegant, minimalist, and designer while the other half are wildly colorful, hard wearing, and unique. I also have a few bags from other times in my life, that I don't carry because they no longer fit with my aesthetic - but which are fashion scrapbooks of another time and place, and which I'm not yet ready to let go of.

Some days, I think that if I could actually figure out what I want to be when I grow up, I could have a much more streamlined, much less stressful bag closet.

The one bag that I do dearly dearly love but is a struggle to carry is by brown box Kelly. I love it. But I've gotten a few really uncomfortable "that's an expensive bag" comments every time I've carried the darn thing. Once, I was wearing full vintage repro, with a few true-vintage pieces (including gloves!), so it almost looked costumey - and still, the "that's an expensive bag, I recognized it." For some reason, Chanel, other H, doesn't get that sort of reaction. I don't get it. But I feel so darn self-conscious that I just can't.

Well, it is an expensive bag

I think it has to do with the polished leather as much as the actual bag, they do look more formal and dressed-up for best.

I hate to feel made conscious of my bags too but mostly people just want to say something nice and it comes out all wrong. I don't carry my BBK too much either, I think it's OK to have one or two bags that we do just take out occasionally.

 

[papertiger]

Same!


Thank you!

interesting take on the bolide, I don't blame you on not listing it .sales are dismal at the moment..I'm curious in your experience what made the bolide impractical to use?


Congratulations on the bag sale!!! I think your current listings will sell soon!




Beautiful bags! my favourites are the croc bags


lovely bags!
Happy Easter to all those who celebrate! last week, I did a virtual colour analysis, to find out what's my season, and I got my results today. I'm not surprised, as naturally I was drawn to those colours when I added pieces to my wardrobe anyway. Turns out i'm a true winter.

I think this happens quite a bit naturally. I make my own rules-up regarding colours but I know not to go near icy pastels

 

[papertiger]

Ooooo - glad you’re doing this in 2 parts... I might faint otherwise!
So many beautiful bags - the Bolide and that patchwork bag - love!

Thank you so much

Most leather and exotics look so effortless in brown.

 

[papertiger]

I have more brown bags than I thought. Brown isn't one of my favorite colors, although there are few shades I really like. The vintage bags I have in brown because that is the color I found them in and I like it better than black.
I'll try to do this in age order.
1. Coach Bonnie Cashin Carry arm tote. This is a very rare bag from the 1960s.
2. Coach Bonnie Cashin pocket shoulder bag, also extremely rare from the 1960s, although probably not as old as the first one.
3. Coach suede watermelon tote, made in the early 1970s. The style is not rare but it is extremely rare in suede.
4. Coach ranch bag from the early 1990s.
5. Dooney & Bourke AWL satchel, probably from the 1990s.
6. Coach Bleecker large flap, 2007
7. Coach Bleecker woven pocket hobo, 2008
8. Coach Legacy duffle, 2012

Your brown bags are amazing, you are real Coach connoisseur. The first 4 vintage bags are making me jealous

 

[dcooney4]

Tan and Brown bags...

let´s start in the 40ies:

There´s no makers badge in this brittle beauty.

View attachment 4708930 View attachment 4708931

another very old croc bag

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Welcome to the 50ies!
this one is a German GABOR bag- new old stock and sooo cute! The shoes are Zara, but they do the trick.

View attachment 4708926
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The next one is from the 60ies. It´s a German MÄDLER (the company that did the fine luggage, too) bag. The shoes are contemporary, again (when worn they match the bag very nicely!)

View attachment 4708927



That´s luxury! I have no idea who gave me this beautiful croc bag. It´s of highest quality inside out!

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Still from the 60ies, but moc croc. This bag came to me in the saddest state and instantly came back to life after I literally bathed it in Ballistol oil. It might not look very exciting, but is so nice to use- roomy and absolutely hard-wearing!

View attachment 4708936



Staying in the 60ies here´s my every day JAGUAR handbag

View attachment 4708928

Moving on to the 70ies: German Goldpfeil suede bag that looks much nicer in the wild than in this photo.

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Wow , what an cool collection.

 

[dcooney4]

I'm doing brown bags in 2 parts as you may be able to tell I love brown bags:

H Bolide 35 in Peau Porc - one of my most used Hs - I waited a lifetime for this bag, I was lucky to be able to find one (actually I think it found me).
Vintage exotics - I sold the 1940s Florida alligator (wish I hadn't) and the 1970s croc at the back but still have 1960s croc and 1970s Mappin and Webb lizard convertible clutch/shoulder bag
Gucci web-stripe travel half-moon (this was the original 1969 size although this was a later reissue) and Bamboo-ring, Web-stripe, Half-moon.
I960s buckle bag
1920s Art Deco croc clutch with fold-down handle
1970s exotic skin patchwork

Gorgeous bags! love that Bolide!

 

[dcooney4]

I have more brown bags than I thought. Brown isn't one of my favorite colors, although there are few shades I really like. The vintage bags I have in brown because that is the color I found them in and I like it better than black.
I'll try to do this in age order.
1. Coach Bonnie Cashin Carry arm tote. This is a very rare bag from the 1960s.
2. Coach Bonnie Cashin pocket shoulder bag, also extremely rare from the 1960s, although probably not as old as the first one.
3. Coach suede watermelon tote, made in the early 1970s. The style is not rare but it is extremely rare in suede.
4. Coach ranch bag from the early 1990s.
5. Dooney & Bourke AWL satchel, probably from the 1990s.
6. Coach Bleecker large flap, 2007
7. Coach Bleecker woven pocket hobo, 2008
8. Coach Legacy duffle, 2012

The leather on these are just yummy. You want to reach in and pet them. Beautiful bags!

 

[dcooney4]

Gucci crystal gg Tote
LV Toilette 26
LV Petit bucket
Lv Papillon 30
Miu Miu
Fount bucket bag
Basket with gingham lining
Carlo Cecchini
Coach Dreamer
LV speedy 30
I was unable to pull up my oldest bag list. These are I still have.