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

[Cookiefiend]

My "shopping my closet" goals for 2020:

1. I say this every year, but I really do feel "bag content"! (And then I buy a bag. Or two.) So this year I won't make any silly promises to myself. If a bag catches my eye, I'll seriously consider it within the context of my collection.
2. I will also be putting my bag collection under a high-power microscope… I have three bags that may not be perfect for me any more. In line with @papertiger 's point about not settling, I plan to be in "love it or list it" mode with each of these bags at some point this year.
3. I adore my collection of Hermès scarves, and I've honed it down to just the colors & designs that flatter me. I doubt I'll be buying anything new this year (though who knows what I'll find on the resale market???) but if something comes along in the F/W2020 season that lights up my brain, there's certainly a little corner for it. (Besides, scarves don't take up much room.)
4. I absolutely do not need any new jewelry. In fact, my goal is to be better about wearing the jewelry I own. Switching out earrings, f'rinstance, instead of wearing the same pair for five days in a row out of sheer laziness.
5. I also don't need any perfume, makeup, or shoes. All of which tend to tempt me when I'm stressed. It's just so easy, when the day has been ugly, to go online to Sephora and buy a pretty new eye shadow. Gotta stop that!
6. Finally, as for clothes, I'm definitely in good shape for fall/winter, but I need some spring/summer tops in colors that suit me (per my color analysis last year). As soon as spring clothes become available, I plan to pounce… and NOT wait for things to go on sale in late summer!

What a thoughtful post - cheers Elaine!
I really like your thoughts about purses - to think of any new purchases "within the context of your current collection"... I feel slightly silly saying this - but Yowza. I am going to 'borrow' your idea!

Go ladies! Everyone has some great insight and goals.

Not sure if any of you are already finding it a challenge to keep to your goals, but I started finding strategies from others.

YouTube:
Audrey Coyne - one of my current faves. She talks a lot about capsule wardrobes and shopping your own closet.

General tips I've learned through others and trial by error:
- I have a wishlist now that I revisit weekly where I add and remove stuff. The idea is do I like something as a fad or do I actually like it. By regularly evaluating it, I can see what stands the test of time
- reminding myself of my spend goal every time I end up on a shopping website
- turning your coat hanger on pieces you wear when you wear them so that you see at the end of the season what got no wears
- does this item look anything like my existing items. If yes, which do I like better? I can only own one

The last point is also an excellent idea! Thank you!

 

[ohmisseevee]

"Bargains," "discounts," and "sales" are my downfall. Which brings us right back to settling, doesn't it? Because a bargain isn't really a bargain if it's not 100% the right color, or shape, or neckline, or fabric, or…

Which is probably why it's on sale in the first place!

It really kills me to pay full price for anything, but when I look back into my closet at the things that have stood the test of time, they are generally the ones I bought because I adored them, rather than the ones that were on an amazing discount.

So true. I've realized that bags I've purchased on impulse because they were discounted or when I read about how much someone else liked it, are usually the ones that don't end up working for me. I've already given away / donated a few of those, some from a few years ago and that I haven't used since the first year I purchased them!

I am glad I was able to send them onwards to new homes where they will be loved and used.

If I had to pick one takeaway from my "bag journey" from 2019, it's that I prize quality and design above all else - quality of the materials, and both the aesthetic and practicality/usability of the design. I've noticed that my biggest gripes with my bags over the years have been a lack of functionality/organization (lack of pockets is often the biggest culprit) or lack of quality (cheap lining, seams coming out, hardware breaking). Hopefully I can keep reminding myself of this, especially when I see something available "for a good deal" - if it doesn't work for me because I don't like some aspect of it or can't use it the way I want to, I likely will never be able to incorporate the item(s) into my wardrobe.

My "shopping my closet" goals for 2020:
4. I absolutely do not need any new jewelry. In fact, my goal is to be better about wearing the jewelry I own. Switching out earrings, f'rinstance, instead of wearing the same pair for five days in a row out of sheer laziness.

Not sure if this will be helpful to you, but my solution for jewelry has actually been to find staple pieces that I don't mind wearing all the time. (This specifically applies to earrings.) I am super lazy and always forgot to wear my earrings, even when I had a huge collection, and especially as my metal allergy got worse, I stopped finding it "worth it" to wear jewelry that would leave my ears feeling tender and uncomfortable.

For my birthday in 2018 I purchased a pair of beautiful amethyst/diamond earrings that have threaded posts and flat backs, so they don't dig or bite into my skin, and made with implant-grade materials. They are simple and beautiful and very 'me' (my favorite color is purple). I've been wearing these in my original/first lobe piercings and have felt 0 desire to change them out to something else, because they fit me so well and go with all outfits, whether casual or professional/formal.

Luckily for me, I don't wear much other jewelry due to my movement/fitness of choice (aerial yoga, aerial silks/lyra, and occasionally pole), since I would normally have to remove all of it and, again, being lazy, I've opted to wear nothing instead. The only piece of jewelry that I wear regularly is a thin gold band on my left wrist that is low-profile enough that it doesn't catch in anything, and my fitness tracker, which I wear as a necklace and doesn't look like a fitness tracker at all (it's actually quite pretty). I can easily re-clip it onto my sports bra if I'm doing something where having it as a necklace is inconvenient or not preferable.

 

[ElainePG]

This is my biggest downfall. Sometimes I justify it by saying that it allows me to try a style without costing very much. Then I can look for the same style in my favorite color later. I do have things I got for bargains that I love, even if they weren't things I was looking for.

ETA: Second biggest downfall is to be influenced by talk and pictures on tpf. Sometimes I'll become interested in something because of all the chatter.

This doesn't often happen to me with bags, but it definitely does with H scarves!

 

[Rhl2987]

This doesn't often happen to me with bags, but it definitely does with H scarves!

Yes! Me too! I do feel that I get decent use from my scarves though!

 

[innerpeace85]

My goals this year:

1. Buy 6 bags on my wishlist - LV Boite Chapeau Souple PM, LV On the Go tote MM, LV multi pochette, LV Nice with strap and Hermes K25(if I get offered the specs I want). I am planning not to buy Chanel bags anymore. I had 4 Chanel bags and sold all of them within 2 years of having them(1 one of them I sold within 2 months of having it). Don’t know why I fall out of love with Chanel bags so fast!
2. Be on VCA ban - this is very hard for me! I am self-confessed VCA addict.
3. Buy Cartier pave love/JUC rings
4. No more than 5 shoes this year.

 

[dcooney4]

I think there is a GREAT insight in this...many times we like and enjoy things but there is just one little detail that needs adjusting. And it’s so much better to be creative and find that way to make something work rather than ditching it altogether and buying something new.

Exactly! Adore the bag but wasn't wearing it often.

 

[dcooney4]

Would love to hear how this temporary long strap works for you. If it makes your bag wearable, you can always upgrade later in the year. Is the lululemon strap also wider, as well as longer? For me, it was also the width of the strap that distributed the weight of my bags better across my back & shoulder.

Yes wider and longer and softer on my shoulder. I have a long torso and I like the bag down below my hip. The strap is adjustable so it could be used many ways. It is a temporary strap till I find something prettier but it works great.

 

[lynne_ross]

My goals this year:

1. Buy 6 bags on my wishlist - LV Boite Chapeau Souple PM, LV On the Go tote MM, LV multi pochette, LV Nice with strap and Hermes K25(if I get offered the specs I want). I am planning not to buy Chanel bags anymore. I had 4 Chanel bags and sold all of them within 2 years of having them(1 one of them I sold within 2 months of having it). Don’t know why I fall out of love with Chanel bags so fast!
2. Be on VCA ban - this is very hard for me! I am self-confessed VCA addict.
3. Buy Cartier pave love/JUC rings
4. No more than 5 shoes this year.

Haha VCA Addict! Me too but I am embracing it and still building a jewelry wardrobe so no ban.

 

[momasaurus]

Me, too. I don’t need to feel joy every time I look at my bag. I just need to feel great satisfaction that I made a wise choice and I’m keeping this bag because it works really well for me.

I just don't get "sparks joy" anyway. Lots of things spark joy in me, including artwork in museums. It doesn't mean I need to own this object.
If i already own the object, it might spark joy with memories or associations, but I still might need to get rid of it, if it's not useful any more.

 

[momasaurus]

I like your no settling idea. I haven't read Kondo's book; so this is interesting to hear the idea that some believe their things are bad. I don't think of our belongings as bad or good. I simply don't want to keep things that are no longer useful to us. They might be useful to someone else, while making room for things we do use and enjoy. To me that is a huge positive and makes me smile, and hopefully helps someone else too. I like your idea of being creative to make things work, but when we're done with our things, I enjoy passing them on and am relieved to let them go. I don't like a lot of clutter, and with children, things are outgrown fast. Once-useful things have to go or we will run out of room.

I love having a variety of bags now, and took my time before starting to pass along the neglected ones. I'm thankful for everything we have and feel like it is such a luxury to have excess to share with others. I see this as a very good thing. I'm glad you shared your thoughts; so I could hear how this might all be a less positive process for some.

What a great definition of luxury. I have a financial mantra that includes the phrase "more than enough." When we have more than enough, we are living in luxury!

 

[momasaurus]

My "shopping my closet" goals for 2020:

1. I say this every year, but I really do feel "bag content"! (And then I buy a bag. Or two.) So this year I won't make any silly promises to myself. If a bag catches my eye, I'll seriously consider it within the context of my collection.
2. I will also be putting my bag collection under a high-power microscope… I have three bags that may not be perfect for me any more. In line with @papertiger 's point about not settling, I plan to be in "love it or list it" mode with each of these bags at some point this year.
3. I adore my collection of Hermès scarves, and I've honed it down to just the colors & designs that flatter me. I doubt I'll be buying anything new this year (though who knows what I'll find on the resale market???) but if something comes along in the F/W2020 season that lights up my brain, there's certainly a little corner for it. (Besides, scarves don't take up much room.)
4. I absolutely do not need any new jewelry. In fact, my goal is to be better about wearing the jewelry I own. Switching out earrings, f'rinstance, instead of wearing the same pair for five days in a row out of sheer laziness.
5. I also don't need any perfume, makeup, or shoes. All of which tend to tempt me when I'm stressed. It's just so easy, when the day has been ugly, to go online to Sephora and buy a pretty new eye shadow. Gotta stop that!
6. Finally, as for clothes, I'm definitely in good shape for fall/winter, but I need some spring/summer tops in colors that suit me (per my color analysis last year). As soon as spring clothes become available, I plan to pounce… and NOT wait for things to go on sale in late summer!

These are great, Elaine, and so well tailored to your personality. I especially like #1. As for #5, if a new eyeshadow will scratch a temporary itch, that seems like a better fix than buying something actually expensive. We are supposed to replenish eye makeup anyway, aren't we, to minimize contamination?

 

[momasaurus]

This doesn't often happen to me with bags, but it definitely does with H scarves!

Oh yes. But it also happens to me with bags, LOLOL.

 

[foxgal]

If I had to pick one takeaway from my "bag journey" from 2019, it's that I prize quality and design above all else - quality of the materials, and both the aesthetic and practicality/usability of the design. I've noticed that my biggest gripes with my bags over the years have been a lack of functionality/organization (lack of pockets is often the biggest culprit) or lack of quality (cheap lining, seams coming out, hardware breaking). Hopefully I can keep reminding myself of this, especially when I see something available "for a good deal" - if it doesn't work for me because I don't like some aspect of it or can't use it the way I want to, I likely will never be able to incorporate the item(s) into my wardrobe.

Not sure if this will be helpful to you, but my solution for jewelry has actually been to find staple pieces that I don't mind wearing all the time. (This specifically applies to earrings.) I am super lazy and always forgot to wear my earrings, even when I had a huge collection, and especially as my metal allergy got worse, I stopped finding it "worth it" to wear jewelry that would leave my ears feeling tender and uncomfortable.

For my birthday in 2018 I purchased a pair of beautiful amethyst/diamond earrings that have threaded posts and flat backs, so they don't dig or bite into my skin, and made with implant-grade materials. They are simple and beautiful and very 'me' (my favorite color is purple). I've been wearing these in my original/first lobe piercings and have felt 0 desire to change them out to something else, because they fit me so well and go with all outfits, whether casual or professional/formal.

I so concur with these two points. No matter how trendy or beautiful or lovely a bag is, it’s no use to me unless it’s functional for what I carry and my lifestyle, and of great quality. BUT when will I learn? I have been getting better each year at saying “no” when a bag I’m eyeing doesn’t fit these two boxes. Since my goal is no bags this year, I’d just better stop looking

And I’m the same on the jewelry front, especially with earrings. I have six piercings total and they all have small huggie hoops or flatback studs in them that I wear 24/7. A great way to have some bling everyday without worrying about it snagging, pulling, getting broken and falling off, etc like can happen with necklaces and bracelets.

 

[sexycombover]

I so concur with these two points. No matter how trendy or beautiful or lovely a bag is, it’s no use to me unless it’s functional for what I carry and my lifestyle, and of great quality. BUT when will I learn? I have been getting better each year at saying “no” when a bag I’m eyeing doesn’t fit these two boxes. Since my goal is no bags this year, I’d just better stop looking

And I’m the same on the jewelry front, especially with earrings. I have six piercings total and they all have small huggie hoops or flatback studs in them that I wear 24/7. A great way to have some bling everyday without worrying about it snagging, pulling, getting broken and falling off, etc like can happen with necklaces and bracelets.

I keep learning this the hard way. In fact, I bought a rogue and literally just sold it at a loss (expensive lesson) because I got caught in how pretty everyone made it look and forgetting about checking for practicality within the context of my lifestyle. But now I won't forget this lesson

 

[ohmisseevee]

I so concur with these two points. No matter how trendy or beautiful or lovely a bag is, it’s no use to me unless it’s functional for what I carry and my lifestyle, and of great quality. BUT when will I learn? I have been getting better each year at saying “no” when a bag I’m eyeing doesn’t fit these two boxes. Since my goal is no bags this year, I’d just better stop looking

And I’m the same on the jewelry front, especially with earrings. I have six piercings total and they all have small huggie hoops or flatback studs in them that I wear 24/7. A great way to have some bling everyday without worrying about it snagging, pulling, getting broken and falling off, etc like can happen with necklaces and bracelets.

So true!! And even though I know this and I remind myself of this it's so easy to forget... people in this forum are way too good at taking pictures of their beautiful bags and styling them.

@sexycombover , I actually did the same exact thing - bought a Rogue after checking it out and wowing over all the lovely pieces in the Coach forum. Luckily, I came to my senses (it was a lovely bag but just didn't really tick all the boxes for bags that I actively use right now) and was able to return it in-store. Phew!

(Also I hope you don't mind me asking, but I'd love to see a picture of your jewelry! I just got my second lobe piercing in my left ear and eventually hope to get a third. I am always excited to see how creative others are with their piercings!)