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

[Cookiefiend]

Beautiful! I love the color of the just Campagne .

Thank you!

Some of my brown bags:
B35 in vache
Dalvy in brique chevre
K32 in chamonix
aligator
Trim in toile and barenia
Massaccesi Midi Selene biscotti tuscania with fuchsia lining
View attachment 4709301

Mmmmarvelous! i love the Dalvy! For some reason I did not know you had a B - do you like it? I've thought about finding one, probably a 30, but hesitate because it's arm carry only.
(though so is my Just Campagne and I love it!)

 

[Sparkletastic]

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.

I don’t get how or why people feel they can/ should comment on anything unless it’s an unequivocal compliment. If I were you, I wouldn’t let any comments about price keep me from wearing my bags in my private / social life.

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.

Nailing down my aesthetic was a hard fought battle. I went through stages of dressing as my mom taught me, dressing for my career, wearing sparkly / girly things because they fit an aspect of my personality, trying to look older than my age to get credibility, wearing worn out mom things because I was exhausted from working and having little ones while in grad school, mirroring friends, coworkers or even people in the media ... It’s been a carnival of crazy.

I’ve had to get quiet and figure out what makes me feel the best and what looks best on me. For example, one day I realized I didn’t have to wear shorts - which are uncomfortable and don’t look good on me - just because others do.

I like very feminine (soft but def not little girly and never prim) clean lines, architectural interest, a little bit of edge & the classy side of sex appeal, and just a bit of sparkle for going out. I don’t have one word for it but, I know it when I see it.

My biggest issue now is finding clothes that truly work for me that also don’t break the bank. I value spending premier money on a good bag. I don’t value spending premier money on the majority of my clothes. As spice for my wardrobe - sure. But not for the vaaaaaast majority of what I wear. So, I’m struggling a bit. But, I’m making progress.

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.
View attachment 4709096

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! View attachment 4709097 View attachment 4709098 View attachment 4709099

I just started coloring. What pens and pencils do you recommend?

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.

Love your browns. And, I’m especially drawn to that cute straw bag.

Oh dear, I don't know the feeling of missing a bag. That would be awful. What do you miss about that Prada? At least the Bolide can take a strap, which adds to its usefulness.

I just loved the look of the bag. When I wore it, I felt very strong, powerful, like it’d arrived. I don’t have any “power” bags now. I wonder what one could even be? Hmmm...I may ponder on this as I’d like to have a power bag or two in my closet.

Some of my brown bags:
B35 in vache
Dalvy in brique chevre
K32 in chamonix
aligator
Trim in toile and barenia
Massaccesi Midi Selene biscotti tuscania with fuchsia lining
View attachment 4709301

Beautiful.

 

[dcooney4]

Some of my brown bags:
B35 in vache
Dalvy in brique chevre
K32 in chamonix
aligator
Trim in toile and barenia
Massaccesi Midi Selene biscotti tuscania with fuchsia lining
View attachment 4709301

Very very Pretty!

 

[ElainePG]

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.

Me, too! My most recent passion (and it lasted a very long time was knitting, but I haven't picked up a project in about a year. It might be good to start something easy, like a scarf, but we have sooooooo many scarves!

 

[keodi]

It may just be that my Bolide is too big for my life. If I were carrying around more documents and stuff it would be perfect. There's a smaller size, which might be better, and maybe in a softer leather.

Makes sense! thank you for the feedback!

Cream and white bags (I include the Vespa here because it’s a light bag) - no changes from 2019.
Le Tanneur (with the fab yellow sides❤️)and H Vespa
View attachment 4709221
Coach Saddle Bag
View attachment 4709220
And my Brown bags - I sold the LV Musette Tango, but other than that these are the same.
LV Pallas and Just Campagne Confort 1.
View attachment 4709219

Beautiful brown and tan bags!

Some of my brown bags:
B35 in vache
Dalvy in brique chevre
K32 in chamonix
aligator
Trim in toile and barenia
Massaccesi Midi Selene biscotti tuscania with fuchsia lining
View attachment 4709301

Beautiful collection! I love the leathers on your kelly and Birkin!

I don’t get how or why people feel they can/ should comment on anything unless it’s an unequivocal compliment. If I were you, I wouldn’t let any comments about price keep me from wearing my bags in my private / social life.
Nailing down my aesthetic was a hard fought battle. I went through stages of dressing as my mom taught me, dressing for my career, wearing sparkly / girly things because they fit an aspect of my personality, trying to look older than my age to get credibility, wearing worn out mom things because I was exhausted from working and having little ones while in grad school, mirroring friends, coworkers or even people in the media ... It’s been a carnival of crazy.

I’ve had to get quiet and figure out what makes me feel the best and what looks best on me. For example, one day I realized I didn’t have to wear shorts - which are uncomfortable and don’t look good on me - just because others do.

I like very feminine (soft but def not little girly and never prim) clean lines, architectural interest, a little bit of edge & the classy side of sex appeal, and just a bit of sparkle for going out. I don’t have one word for it but, I know it when I see it.

My biggest issue now is finding clothes that truly work for me that also don’t break the bank. I value spending premier money on a good bag. I don’t value spending premier money on the majority of my clothes. As spice for my wardrobe - sure. But not for the vaaaaaast majority of what I wear. So, I’m struggling a bit. But, I’m making progress.
I just started coloring. What pens and pencils do you recommend?
Love your browns. And, I’m especially drawn to that cute straw bag.I just loved the look of the bag. When I wore it, I felt very strong, powerful, like it’d arrived. I don’t have any “power” bags now. I wonder what one could even be? Hmmm...I may ponder on this as I’d like to have a power bag or two in my closet.
Beautiful.

I agree! I also agree with your philosophy on waring what makes you great in, and what looks nice. I'm not a fan of sorts either..

 

[Sparkletastic]

Speaking of aesthetic. I am so not in mine during quarantine. I’m in a pink Nike zip hoodie, jeans and white Michael Kors sneakers w silver sparkly accents. What stay at home fashion are you all sporting today?

 

[ElainePG]

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.

Thank you for this detailed information, @papertiger !

I'm pretty sure I remember when you got the Plumes. A year or two ago, if I'm remembering correctly. Is it the one from the early 1950s? With a light pink border?

 

[ElainePG]

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.
View attachment 4709096

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! View attachment 4709097 View attachment 4709098 View attachment 4709099

It sounds as though you have a great set of plans in place, @Katinahat . I'm glad you were able to upgrade your computers for your children.

Ticket to Ride sounds like so much fun! We don't have board games at home, but we do have Scrabble and Cribbage. Oh, and also Backgammon. You're inspiring me. I think Mr. PG and I should start some sort of a tournament.

I've got some adult coloring books tucked away in a drawer, and (I think) some nice pens. Now I'm motivated to pull them out and see how far I get!

 

[ElainePG]

Let him relive his hippie days.

That's funny!
He wasn't ever a hippie, although he and I are certainly both of that era. I do have some pix of him taken when he had hair over his ears, and touching his collar. AND a mustache. Early 1970s. Wide tie. Bright shirt. Need I say more?
Needless to say, this was before I knew him.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Your vintage bags are really amazing. Every time you post pix my jaw drops. LOVE these crocs! And the Jaguar!

Thank-you so much!

 

[ElainePG]

Some of my brown bags:
B35 in vache
Dalvy in brique chevre
K32 in chamonix
aligator
Trim in toile and barenia
Massaccesi Midi Selene biscotti tuscania with fuchsia lining
View attachment 4709301

Love the fuchsia lining on the Massaccesi bag. The leather looks butter-soft from where I'm sitting. Fabulous!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

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

Aww, I love them all! Do you get bad reactions when wearing the croc bag with the body of the beast very recognizable?

 

[Cookiefiend]

Makes sense! thank you for the feedback!


Beautiful brown and tan bags!


Beautiful collection! I love the leathers on your kelly and Birkin!

I agree! I also agree with your philosophy on waring what makes you great in, and what looks nice. I'm not a fan of sorts either..

Thank you sweetie!

Speaking of aesthetic. I am so not in mine during quarantine. I’m in a pink Nike zip hoodie, jeans and white Michael Kors sneakers w silver sparkly accents. What stay at home fashion are you all sporting today?

Sounds like a cute outfit to me!
It's chilly today (and zomg the wind! ); I'm wearing brick-ish colored corduroy leggings, a dusky rose chenille sweater, and H scarf (Brides Rebelles). I did wear my old faithful Cole Haan loafers when I took some ham and cookies to my mother, but I'm barefoot now.

 

[ElainePG]

Speaking of aesthetic. I am so not in mine during quarantine. I’m in a pink Nike zip hoodie, jeans and white Michael Kors sneakers w silver sparkly accents. What stay at home fashion are you all sporting today?

Today I actually made an effort. I'm writing haiku for a contest, so I wore a lavender cashmere sweater over a navy tee and nice navy pants, topped by an H scarf that has a Japanese theme (because, haiku). And earrings, which I bought a few years ago at the Asian Art Museum in SF (because, haiku). And… wait for it… eye makeup!

Here's the scarf.



Oh, and I lit a tea-scented candle at my desk, to put me even deeper into the creative spirit. And I had a cup of green tea. Sake would have been better, but we haven't got any.

At any rate, maybe it worked, because I've written three fairly decent haiku. At least they don't totally make me blush. I'll let them marinate for the afternoon, and then send them off to the contest coordinator tonight.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Wow , what an cool collection.

Thank-you! The bags I showed so far are only a part of my brown (vintage) bags- the first that fell into my hands.