2021 Resolution: Shopping my own bag and SLG collection. Any one else?

[Sparkletastic]

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

1. Bags by Brand Showcase!

Each week, share photos of your bags from the specified brands. Choose a posed “beauty” shot or get your bags out and about in action shots!

We highlight 3 brands per week: 2 premier and 1 contemporary in alphabetical order as listed on tPF. Any brands not listed are showcased in our last week. Brands change to the next set each Sunday.

Our first brand week starts now - Sunday, Oct 31. Please share photos of bags from these brands:

• Bottega Venetta
• Burberry
• Alexander Wang

Tip: Grab your photos from last year in the 2020 resolution thread. Search your user name and the brand to find your photos.

2. Special Stories
Thanks @Claudia Herzog for the suggestion

Wear a bag that has a backstory involving a person, place, or opportunity for which you feel grateful.

 

[More bags]

I’ll take your bags on the floor and raise you “two packing crates of totes staring at me balefully”

My purse armoire is just the right height and lighting to be a lightbox/staging area for items being sold. So I haven’t even unpacked 78% of my purses.

 

[papertiger]

Also, I’m really thankful to everyone for keeping this thread lively. @papertiger thanks again for starting this year’s thread!! The last few years have been a bit tough for me to keep up but it’s great to still see many familiar ‘faces’ from year 1, and new members, when I’m able to pop in. Much love to everyone!

We absolutely love having you

Obviously, there are times when we just have to put other priorities first. In a way that's what this thread is a bout too.

Shout out to our veteran member @Sparkletastic too, and hope that things are OK with her.

 

[doni]

Oh wow, this thread is in full swing. I have been reading your posts, finding inspiration and thinking hard of what I want to achieve in this front for next year (I will not be looking into what happened this year, I am the looking ahead type ).

As I have mentioned before, last year I left my corporate job, went back to school, and founded a company. So this year is all about focusing on that. Whether my company goes well or not, for a few years my income is going to be quite diminished and I have to adjust to that. Plus in all honesty, my dressing needs are now much lower, what with working from home and being in a more informal industry (which has its own challenges...). Plus I do have plenty to shop from my own wardrobe, specially handbag wise.

So I have come up with these goals (to be reviewed).

- Set up a budget for fashion and stick to it. I am not good at budgeting, or planning in general. So this is priority number one and something that would make a difference.

- Unsubscribe from all newsletters etc of fashion (and home decor) sites. That includes NAP, Westwing, VC, Loewe... everything. And if it means I am going to miss a voucher, private sale or special for you only (and a million other people) discount, so be it.

- Avoid impulse buys. I am pretty good at this, and usually I don’t rush but think over my purchases carefully, enjoying the process. However I have a trigger which is having a special occasion, event, or situation which is important to me. I have always been like that, if I have an interview or a presentation, or a ball or a special party... As the date approaches, I suddenly decide I need a new [insert clothing item or accessory] and get it in a rush. Not good, specially as there will be quite a number of “firsts” this coming year.

- Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to do this. I tend to find gaps in my wardrobe that “need” to be filled, and I am often not wrong, per se, as I am reflective about it. But once a need is identified it becomes almost an obligation to tackle it. This Summer for example, I did overcome the need to have a white bag. But I know next Summer it will be back again...

- Buy more vintage/pre-loved. As the pre-loved marketplace has exploded, this has become even easier and better. There are also a number of new small consignment shops in my town that are very well edited. This is not just about cost but about the circular economy, sustainability, the beauty and quality of vintage... I do have some limits regarding pre-loved (cannot do shoes, and not confortable with clothes other than outwear), but will attempt to tackle more and more of my clothing needs this way.

- Take better care of my clothes with priority number one being finding a good enough seamstress as since my last retired I have too many loose buttons and undone hems that are preventing me from shopping in my wardrobe...

- Stick to my guts and don’t buy fast fashion. I have been pretty good at this for quite a while now. But this Fall I was tempted by a friend to buy some Zara recycled cashmere. Such a bad idea. I now feel obliged to wear these horribly pilled knits at home to give them use, which makes me miserable.

- Buy less online (excluded vintage/pre-loved). To hit the buy button is very easy but to deal with returns is very hard (for me). I have to remember this. Plus, support the small boutiques in my neighborhood.

- For bags I am ONLY going to buy, if anything at all, absolutely best quality (which at this point I believe means H) or vintage (which tends to be great quality anyway).

- Everything that comes into my wardrobe this year has to bow me over with its beauty, functionality and “it is so me” quality, be it a handbag or a pair of socks.

 

[Bag peace]

@doni brilliant goals!

- Everything that comes into my wardrobe this year has to bow me over with its beauty, functionality and “it is so me” quality, be it a handbag or a pair of socks.

I particularly like this last bit that everything, be it little or large, has to be worth it if one is to make space for it in their wardrobe. I'll be keeping this in mind.

 

[papertiger]

Oh wow, this thread is in full swing. I have been reading your posts, finding inspiration and thinking hard of what I want to achieve in this front for next year (I will not be looking into what happened this year, I am the looking ahead type ).

As I have mentioned before, last year I left my corporate job, went back to school, and founded a company. So this year is all about focusing on that. Whether my company goes well or not, for a few years my income is going to be quite diminished and I have to adjust to that. Plus in all honesty, my dressing needs are now much lower, what with working from home and being in a more informal industry (which has its own challenges...). Plus I do have plenty to shop from my own wardrobe, specially handbag wise.

So I have come up with these goals (to be reviewed).

- Set up a budget for fashion and stick to it. I am not good about budgeting, or planning in general. So this is priority number one and something that would make a difference.

- Unsubscribe from all newsletters etc of fashion (and home decor) sites. That includes NAP, MyTheresa, Westwing, VC, everything. And if it means I am going to miss a voucher, private sale or special for you only (and a million other people) discount, so be it.

- Avoid impulse buys. I am pretty good at this, and usually I don’t rush but think over my purchases carefully, enjoying the process. However I have a trigger which is having a special occasion, event, or situation which is important to me. I have always been like that, if I have an interview or a presentation, or a ball or a special party... As the date approaches, I suddenly decide I need a new [insert clothing item or accessory] and get it in a rush. Not good, specially as there will be quite a number of “firsts” this coming year.

- Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to do this. I tend to find gaps in my wardrobe that “need” to be filled, and I am often not wrong, per se, as I am reflective about it. But once a need is identified it becomes almost an obligation to tackle it. This Summer for example, I did overcome the need to have a white bag. But I know next Summer it will be back again...

- Buy (even) more vintage/pre-loved. As the pre-loved market place has exploded, this has become even easier and better. There are a number of new small consignment shops in my town that are very well edited. This is not just about cost but about the circular economy, sustainability, the beauty and quality of vintage... I do have some limits regarding pre-loved (cannot do shoes, and not confortable with clothes other than outwear), but will attempt to tackle more and more of my clothing needs this way.

- Take better care of my clothes with priority number one being finding a good enough seamstress as since my last retired I have too many loose buttons and undone hems that are preventing me to shop from my wardrobe...

- Stick to my guts and don’t buy fast fashion. I have been very good at this for quite a while now. But this Fall I was tempted by a friend to buy some Zara recycled cashmere. Such a bad idea. I now feel obliged to wear these horribly pilled knits at home to give them use, which makes me miserable.

- Buy less online (excluded vintage/pre-loved). To hit the buy button is very easy but to deal with returns is very hard (for me). I have to remember this. Plus, support the small boutiques in my neighborhood.

- For bags I am ONLY going to buy, if anything at all, absolutely best quality (which at this point I believe means H) or vintage (which tends to be great quality anyway).

- Everything that comes into my wardrobe this year has to bow me over with its beauty, functionality and “it is so me” quality, be it a handbag or a pair of socks.

I can really relate to these.

- Set up a budget > Meeeeee too! However, 2021 is Gucci's centenary so I will acknowledge that milestone and budget accordingly.

- Unsubscribe from all newsletters I mark them as spam. Unfortunately, they are a good source of information for my job so I can't get rid of them altogether. At least marking them as Spam means I don't get notification on my phone or laptop. Some of these companies are so over-pushy, e.g. Liberty, almost every day in Dec, and some are so bossy and intrusive ("finish you checkout, look what you've left in your shopping cart!").

- Avoid impulse buys. I am pretty good at this too, the fact that 2 spontaneous buys online didn't work out in Dec '20 may have taught me a lesson, and why making considered purchases and rarely making regrets work together for a reason (for me).

- Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to help you. I also love lighter accessories in the Summer. Sadly, this Summer we had nowhere to go. I will say that casual bags in almost any colour look more summery/spring-like than formal and structured. I'm not sure I have any gaps left in my wardrobe so it's harder for me justify. I am very happy with my Calvi before Christmas - now I must try not start to collect them like they're leather/colour samples.

- Buy (even) more vintage/pre-loved. As the pre-loved market exploded is that everyone wants a piece of the mark-up. They also have discovered that all items need 'search-engine friendly' words and describe things in a way people want to hear and not accurately. The closer you get to the real seller (owner) the less expensive it will be. Hence, there are informal and formal groups of people that only buy from (first) from each other. Some dept stores are newly offering rentals too BTW.

- Take better care of my clothes with you on trained professionals to do the expert invisible mending and sewing. Don't forget, if you are a reg somewhere that has alteration services (like Gucci, Valentino etc) you can ask a button to be re-sewn or a hem to be altered again (paid/unpaid - depending on how much one buys a year). Also, if you're buying something quite pricey, you can make free alteration(s) part of the initial bargain before you buy - not only will it lessen the hunt of someone brilliant to alter but the onus will be on the retailer/designer to replace/refund if ruined. I do a lot of time talking on tPF, but I have a list of repairs I can do myself that I haven't done for a month. I did spruce-up a 2005 Gucci handbag yesterday though - but only because I wanted to carry it. Perhaps, I need to want to wear something in order to bother spending 20 mins on it. I have been looking after my shoes/boots better by leaving brushes, cloths and leather cream on a shelf in the office rather than hidden under the stairs, I need to keep that up for 2021.

- Don’t buy fast fashion. I have no hard rules on this, I like to know when a trend/fashion hits that actually works for me and when it doesn't so I try it. Conversely I use as 'garnish' so you utilise what's already in your wardrobe more. The big blazer trend made me look at Cos' pure wool oversized jackets (specific jacket didn't look great, black too 'heavy', (milk) chocolate brown terrible - but an olive Haider Ackermann worked) whilst walking through, noticed Cos' recycled-silver range (just a marketing ploy for their up-sell) but a couple of their rings were strong, enough to turn a classic black cashmere Crombie-style coat (10 years + ) into much stronger minimalist aesthetic (good for meetings I find).

- Buy less online (including pre-loved for me). For all the reasons you gave.

- absolutely best quality 100%! I want that to be applied to everything from now on, including underwear and gym gear. Best quality doesn't always mean highest price.

- beauty, functionality and “it is so me” quality, be it a handbag or a pair of socks. 100%. I am negotiating my look(s) for 2021 atm. I must say, although I'm learning a lot about 'Flamboyant-Gamines' and Dramatic-Classics', Delicate-warms and Greyed-Springs, Yin-Yang balance, or the difference between an Ingenue and a Gamine and all sorts of retrospective ideas on what 'grunge' or boho was/is, I am also aware most of this is as scientific as pin the tail on the donkey. One colour analyst refuses to believe that red is a warm colour and a style guru that thinks punk started in the 1980s. And since when did 'Rich B-i-tch' become a style? I'm gonna go back to tearing-up old magazines for a physical mood board today and then compile a list of what I already own that can work.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

- Avoid impulse buys. I am pretty good at this, and usually I don’t rush but think over my purchases carefully, enjoying the process. However I have a trigger which is having a special occasion, event, or situation which is important to me. I have always been like that, if I have an interview or a presentation, or a ball or a special party... As the date approaches, I suddenly decide I need a new [insert clothing item or accessory] and get it in a rush. Not good, specially as there will be quite a number of “firsts” this coming year.

- Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to do this. I tend to find gaps in my wardrobe that “need” to be filled, and I am often not wrong, per se, as I am reflective about it. But once a need is identified it becomes almost an obligation to tackle it. This Summer for example, I did overcome the need to have a white bag. But I know next Summer it will be back again...

- Buy more vintage/pre-loved. As the pre-loved marketplace has exploded, this has become even easier and better. There are also a number of new small consignment shops in my town that are very well edited. This is not just about cost but about the circular economy, sustainability, the beauty and quality of vintage... I do have some limits regarding pre-loved (cannot do shoes, and not confortable with clothes other than outwear), but will attempt to tackle more and more of my clothing needs this way.

Excellent goals, @doni! I am in a similar situation with impulse buys, except that my trigger is stress. I think it's important to identify the triggers for impulse buys and you have done that, so that's good. You mentioned that special events are usually a trigger, and you have a number of them coming up this year -- I wonder if it would help to set aside some time and plan your entire outfit out ahead of time for these events? Maybe even take photographs? For me, I find this preparation very helpful when I have events coming up, and there is less likelihood of buying something in the last minute.

Another of your goals that resonated with me is buying more vintage/preloved -- this is something I need to explore, specifically handbags. I agree with your post and the reasons for buying vintage (sustainability and quality) as well as your limits (my explorations would only be vintage bags, no other items, although I do admire vintage furniture). In particular, I would like to explore some vintage or older bag styles that are no longer available, like the Marc Jacobs Stam, for instance. I don't know if I have any vintage shops in my area, but I too like to shop in person versus online, so I will have to see if I can find any vintage shops in my area.

Regarding re-assessing needs, I also have this difficulty. Once I identify a gap, it becomes somehow necessary to address it and tackle it soon! I would love to hear the viewpoint of others on how to manage this. Perhaps a starting point is to see if there is something else in the wardrobe that will fill the gap -- something that will be a satisfactory substitute. For instance, I love white bags too, but don't own any. For me, the gap of a white bag in the summer is filled with using either beige or pale pink bags already in my wardrobe -- not the most ideal substitute perhaps, but it works for me! Sometimes, I think it also helps to just accept that one will have gaps in the wardrobe, and that is okay. I mean, our wardrobes are an evolving process and will never really be complete -- once a gap is filled, there will always be some other gap to take its place.....

 

[SouthernPurseGal]

Thank you. I admire how you’ve searched for and found many treasures and made a profit flipping bags, that requires courage and hard work!

Since I spent it on liposuction, no need to put me on a pedestal.

 

[stephsposhlife]

Goals for 2021 include furthering my work from 2020 (significantly reduced my closet and sold items I have not used for a while) HOWEVER... i still managed to purchase 6 new handbags this year. Although I financed some from the sale of others, I still did not need 6 new . Goal for 2021 will be to reduce and keep my collection at 10 bags. If I purchase new I must sell something. Quality over quantity.

how do you guys stop purchasing- i need tips!

 

[keodi]

Oh wow, this thread is in full swing. I have been reading your posts, finding inspiration and thinking hard of what I want to achieve in this front for next year (I will not be looking into what happened this year, I am the looking ahead type ).

As I have mentioned before, last year I left my corporate job, went back to school, and founded a company. So this year is all about focusing on that. Whether my company goes well or not, for a few years my income is going to be quite diminished and I have to adjust to that. Plus in all honesty, my dressing needs are now much lower, what with working from home and being in a more informal industry (which has its own challenges...). Plus I do have plenty to shop from my own wardrobe, specially handbag wise.

So I have come up with these goals (to be reviewed).

- Set up a budget for fashion and stick to it. I am not good about budgeting, or planning in general. So this is priority number one and something that would make a difference.

- Unsubscribe from all newsletters etc of fashion (and home decor) sites. That includes NAP, Westwing, VC, Loewe... everything. And if it means I am going to miss a voucher, private sale or special for you only (and a million other people) discount, so be it.

- Avoid impulse buys. I am pretty good at this, and usually I don’t rush but think over my purchases carefully, enjoying the process. However I have a trigger which is having a special occasion, event, or situation which is important to me. I have always been like that, if I have an interview or a presentation, or a ball or a special party... As the date approaches, I suddenly decide I need a new [insert clothing item or accessory] and get it in a rush. Not good, specially as there will be quite a number of “firsts” this coming year.

- Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to do this. I tend to find gaps in my wardrobe that “need” to be filled, and I am often not wrong, per se, as I am reflective about it. But once a need is identified it becomes almost an obligation to tackle it. This Summer for example, I did overcome the need to have a white bag. But I know next Summer it will be back again...

- Buy more vintage/pre-loved. As the pre-loved marketplace has exploded, this has become even easier and better. There are also a number of new small consignment shops in my town that are very well edited. This is not just about cost but about the circular economy, sustainability, the beauty and quality of vintage... I do have some limits regarding pre-loved (cannot do shoes, and not confortable with clothes other than outwear), but will attempt to tackle more and more of my clothing needs this way.

- Take better care of my clothes with priority number one being finding a good enough seamstress as since my last retired I have too many loose buttons and undone hems that are preventing me from shopping in my wardrobe...

- Stick to my guts and don’t buy fast fashion. I have been pretty good at this for quite a while now. But this Fall I was tempted by a friend to buy some Zara recycled cashmere. Such a bad idea. I now feel obliged to wear these horribly pilled knits at home to give them use, which makes me miserable.

- Buy less online (excluded vintage/pre-loved). To hit the buy button is very easy but to deal with returns is very hard (for me). I have to remember this. Plus, support the small boutiques in my neighborhood.

- For bags I am ONLY going to buy, if anything at all, absolutely best quality (which at this point I believe means H) or vintage (which tends to be great quality anyway).

- Everything that comes into my wardrobe this year has to bow me over with its beauty, functionality and “it is so me” quality, be it a handbag or a pair of socks.

Great goals doni! I identify with so many of them!
- For bags I am ONLY going to buy, if anything at all, absolutely best quality (which at this point I believe means H) or vintage (which tends to be great quality anyway). Same here!!!

Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to do this. I tend to find gaps in my wardrobe that “need” to be filled, and I am often not wrong, per se, as I am reflective about it. But once a need is identified it becomes almost an obligation to tackle it. This Summer for example, I did overcome the need to have a white bag. But I know next Summer it will be back again... I'm guilty of this as well

I can really relate to these.

- Set up a budget > Meeeeee too! However, 2021 is Gucci's centenary so I will acknowledge that milestone and budget accordingly.

- Unsubscribe from all newsletters I mark them as spam. Unfortunately, they are a good source of information for my job so I can't get rid of them altogether. At least marking them as Spam means I don't get notification on my phone or laptop. Some of these companies are so over-pushy, e.g. Liberty, almost every day in Dec, and some are so bossy and intrusive ("finish you checkout, look what you've left in your shopping cart!").

- Avoid impulse buys. I am pretty good at this too, the fact that 2 spontaneous buys online didn't work out in Dec '20 may have taught me a lesson, and why making considered purchases and rarely making regrets work together for a reason (for me).

- Be harsh and hard in assessing and re-assessing my needs. I am not sure how to help you. I also love lighter accessories in the Summer. Sadly, this Summer we had nowhere to go. I will say that casual bags in almost any colour look more summery/spring-like than formal and structured. I'm not sure I have any gaps left in my wardrobe so it's harder for me justify. I am very happy with my Calvi before Christmas - now I must try not start to collect them like they're leather/colour samples.

- Buy (even) more vintage/pre-loved. As the pre-loved market exploded is that everyone wants a piece of the mark-up. They also have discovered that all items need 'search-engine friendly' words and describe things in a way people want to hear and not accurately. The closer you get to the real seller (owner) the less expensive it will be. Hence, there are informal and formal groups of people that only buy from (first) from each other. Some dept stores are newly offering rentals too BTW.

- Take better care of my clothes with you on trained professionals to do the expert invisible mending and sewing. Don't forget, if you are a reg somewhere that has alteration services (like Gucci, Valentino etc) you can ask a button to be re-sewn or a hem to be altered again (paid/unpaid - depending on how much one buys a year). Also, if you're buying something quite pricey, you can make free alteration(s) part of the initial bargain before you buy - not only will it lessen the hunt of someone brilliant to alter but the onus will be on the retailer/designer to replace/refund if ruined. I do a lot of time talking on tPF, but I have a list of repairs I can do myself that I haven't done for a month. I did spruce-up a 2005 Gucci handbag yesterday though - but only because I wanted to carry it. Perhaps, I need to want to wear something in order to bother spending 20 mins on it. I have been looking after my shoes/boots better by leaving brushes, cloths and leather cream on a shelf in the office rather than hidden under the stairs, I need to keep that up for 2021.

- Don’t buy fast fashion. I have no hard rules on this, I like to know when a trend/fashion hits that actually works for me and when it doesn't so I try it. Conversely I use as 'garnish' so you utilise what's already in your wardrobe more. The big blazer trend made me look at Cos' pure wool oversized jackets (specific jacket didn't look great, black too 'heavy', (milk) chocolate brown terrible - but an olive Haider Ackermann worked) whilst walking through, noticed Cos' recycled-silver range (just a marketing ploy for their up-sell) but a couple of their rings were strong, enough to turn a classic black cashmere Crombie-style coat (10 years + ) into much stronger minimalist aesthetic (good for meetings I find).

- Buy less online (including pre-loved for me). For all the reasons you gave.

- absolutely best quality 100%! I want that to be applied to everything from now on, including underwear and gym gear. Best quality doesn't always mean highest price.

- beauty, functionality and “it is so me” quality, be it a handbag or a pair of socks. 100%. I am negotiating my look(s) for 2021 atm. I must say, although I'm learning a lot about 'Flamboyant-Gamines' and Dramatic-Classics', Delicate-warms and Greyed-Springs, Yin-Yang balance, or the difference between an Ingenue and a Gamine and all sorts of retrospective ideas on what 'grunge' or boho was/is, I am also aware most of this is as scientific as pin the tail on the donkey. One colour analyst refuses to believe that red is a warm colour and a style guru that thinks punk started in the 1980s. And since when did 'Rich B-i-tch' become a style? I'm gonna go back to tearing-up old magazines for a physical mood board today and then compile a list of what I already own that can work.

That's a great idea!

Excellent goals, @doni! I have a problem with impulse buys, except that my trigger is stress. I think it's important to identify the triggers for impulse buys and you have done that, so that's good. You mentioned that special events are usually a trigger, and you have a number of them coming up this year -- I wonder if it would help to set aside some time and plan your entire outfit out ahead of time for these events? Maybe even take photographs? For me, I find this preparation very helpful when I have events coming up, and there is less likelihood of buying something in the last minute.

Another of your goals that resonated with me is buying more vintage/preloved -- this is something I need to explore, specifically handbags. I completely agree with your post and the reasons for buying vintage (sustainability and quality) as well as your limits (I also cannot do vintage shoes and clothing). In particular, I would like to explore some vintage or older bag styles that are no longer available, like the Marc Jacobs Stam, for instance. I don't know if I have any vintage shops in my area, but I too like to shop in person versus online, so I will have to see if I can find any vintage shops in my area.

Regarding re-assessing needs, I also have this difficulty. Once I identify a gap, it becomes somehow necessary to address it and tackle it soon! I would love to hear the viewpoint of others on how to manage this. Perhaps a starting point is to see if there is something else in the wardrobe that will fill the gap -- something that will be a satisfactory substitute. For instance, I love white bags too, but don't own any. For me, the gap of a white bag is filled with using either beige or pale pink bags already in my wardrobe -- not the most ideal substitute perhaps, but it works for me!

This is the one os the reasons why I buy vintage and pre-loved as well.

 

[Vintage Leather]

in response to the “how do you keep yourself from shopping”

Someone on the 2020 thread explained their delayed gratification list - if you like it or identify a need, wait 30 days and see if it’s actually a need or stress speaking.

That doesn’t work for me, because most of my interest are vintage and if I waited 30 days for them, I’d miss out. So, instead I wrote myself a permission list. I wrote down everything I see as a gap in my collection. Then, I give myself two weeks to think about how I’d actually wear them and use them. With some items, I also have a price range I will pay for them.

But if it’s not on the list, I can’t buy it. Or, if I see something I want, I need to wait two weeks until I can add it to the list.

 

[keodi]

in response to the “how do you keep yourself from shopping”

Someone on the 2020 thread explained their delayed gratification list - if you like it or identify a need, wait 30 days and see if it’s actually a need or stress speaking.

That doesn’t work for me, because most of my interest are vintage and if I waited 30 days for them, I’d miss out. So, instead I wrote myself a permission list. I wrote down everything I see as a gap in my collection. Then, I give myself two weeks to think about how I’d actually wear them and use them. With some items, I also have a price range I will pay for them.

But if it’s not on the list, I can’t buy it. Or, if I see something I want, I need to wait two weeks until I can add it to the list.

That is really a great idea for considering vintage/pre-loved items, I do use the 30 day gratification list, but I find when I'm considering pre-loved/vintage, the item is long gone by the time I re-visit.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

This is the one os the reasons why I buy vintage and pre-loved as well.

Yes, I agree. Sustainability has always been important to me, but it's definitely in the focus for me this year. Around the house as well, I have been looking for ways to re-use and avoid waste. Once I developed a system for using kitchen towels and rags, I totally reduced the usage of paper towels -- not that I was using a lot to begin with, but it's always nice to continue to minimize usage. Another area is soaps -- I switched from using shower gels/liquid soaps to using bar soaps. This one is actually hard for me as I find shower gels more convenient but I figure bar soaps are a more sustainable option. And even in these covid times, I still prefer my long-standing cleaner, which is good old vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle. I use the stronger disinfectants only when necessary. Of course, these are all not new ideas, and not big changes either, but I am continuing to look for ways to make more sustainable choices.

 

[papertiger]

Goals for 2021 include furthering my work from 2020 (significantly reduced my closet and sold items I have not used for a while) HOWEVER... i still managed to purchase 6 new handbags this year. Although I financed some from the sale of others, I still did not need 6 new . Goal for 2021 will be to reduce and keep my collection at 10 bags. If I purchase new I must sell something. Quality over quantity.

how do you guys stop purchasing- i need tips!

Firstly I would never say stop to myself. Partly, this is why my goal is usually set at one bag per-annum. I love to browse and consider, ruminate and research, and that includes ogling what real people are wearing. Just finding, accessing and buying a perfect bag, better than anything I have or for a specific purpose can take months and months. If I denied myself everything, I'd have to stop browsing/looking completely and that's like asking my cat to stop grooming. Self-love works and acceptance (even of faults) is better than self-loathing or denying all pleasure.

1. I don't don't do this (but probably should ) put (in theory or in-practice) some money aside every month for a bag (specific or non-specific). I may try this next year. I may even earn points from myself with cumulative 'interest', say 10% more money into the bag fund every month I don't buy a bag.

2a. For the variety lover: Never buy what you have already. That can be for purpose, colour, style, model or even same designer. Answers the question: If you have one, why cut down the price per wear of both/all bags?

or

2b. For the obsessional: Only buy what you have already: That can be for purpose, colour, style, model or even same designer. Mantra: Answers the question, why would you venture away from what you love already?

I am both a lover of variety and obsessional so there's no hope!

3. Only buy better than what you have already - always.

4. One in one out rule.

5. Never buy anything in a sale you wouldn't have at full price. It's not love, it's a passing fancy (unless you couldn't actually afford it full price).

6. Don't look for one. Never ever get into a habit once you've bought one fabulous bag you're keeping of then looking comparatively - that way lies madness.

7. If you have a day off and have the time, OPEN your wardrobe/closet and look at what you have already. I found a bag I don't remember yesterday whilst looking for a different bag.

8. Know and understand your best style(s) colours etc. Admire other styles you admire on other people.

9. Convince yourself you're not buying for a museum (unless you are) but instead curate your collection as though you're running an archive, curate, edit, write down bags you didn't get a chance to wear last year, bags that need cleaning, moisturising, conditioning, repairing or donating.

10 If you feel the urge, take out an old bag and clean it - properly. Bigger wardrobe means more time and effort to maintain and manage.

 

[papertiger]

Yes, sustainability has always been important to me, but it's definitely in the focus for me this year. Around the house as well, I have been looking for ways to re-use and avoid waste. Once I developed a system for using kitchen towels and rags, I have totally reduced the usage of paper towels -- not that I was using a lot to begin with, but it's always nice to continue to minimize usage. Another area is soaps -- I switched from using shower gels/liquid soaps to using bar soaps. This one is actually hard for me as I find shower gels more convenient but I figure bar soaps are a more sustainable option. And even in these covid times, I still prefer my long-standing cleaner, which is good old vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle. I use the stronger disinfectants only when necessary. Of course, these are all not new ideas, and not big changes either, but I am continuing to look for ways to make more sustainable choices.

I use bicarb and white vinegar on almost everything. People with cats will already know it's very important not to use most commercial surface cleaners. I've always used bar soap. Glycerine based is better than palm oil or variations/derivatives.

Basically, we are going back to using what our grandparental used before the 'medicine men' and 'snake oil' merchants moved in with their marketing machines.

 

[papertiger]

That is really a great idea for considering vintage/pre-loved items, I do use the 30 day gratification list, but I find when I'm considering pre-loved/vintage, the item is long gone by the time I re-visit.

This is the truth with pre-loved. My only regrets are the things I didn't buy vintage/pre-loved whilst I had the chance. I always tell myself though, if I had really, really, wanted it (and had the money) I would have. Something that helps me is run through the thought process and realise actually you may have right to let the item slip through your fingers. Was that '00s H Barenia/Vibrato Trim II gorgeous? Yes it was! Was I ever going to unsee that oil stain on the front, no I wasn't.

On balance, the joy of the lack of regrets of buying something too hastily/to please the SA/because I was in a certain mood/bored, outweighs regrets those things I didn't buy because I needed to be sure.