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.

 

[whateve]

My biggest issue is FOMO (fear of missing out.) If I don't get it now, will I regret it? Will I ever get another opportunity to get it?

Two years ago, my favorite raincoat wore out. I haven't thrown it away but it looks too worn. Last year, I substituted two other raincoats from my closet that I don't love but do the job. I was waiting until I found the perfect replacement. Last week, I thought why not see what is available online? I found something I thought would work but didn't act. A few days later, it was marked down more. I ordered it last night. I want it, but I'm kicking myself because I don't need a raincoat this year. I won't need one until things return to normal.

 

[keodi]

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.

Good point!, and very true!

 

[momasaurus]

I bring greetings from @ElainePG, who is recuperating and not on the computer much at the moment. She sends her best to us all, and looks forward to our continued camaraderie! I was so happy she answered my DM.

 

[dcooney4]

I bring greetings from @ElainePG, who is recuperating and not on the computer much at the moment. She sends her best to us all, and looks forward to our continued camaraderie! I was so happy she answered my DM.

So glad to hear this.

 

[More bags]

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.

Wonderful goals @doni! This one is my favourite,
- 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.

 

[More bags]

Thanks for starting this! I just popped on today to do it haha.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season and are looking forward to the new year.

My goal for 2021 is definitely not to buy anything. 2020 found me falling back into old habits as I purchased the highest number of bags in a year since i think I started the first thread - 8!!! Might not sound like a lot but it’s 8 too many for me! That said, I absolutely love each of them and wear them regularly (well, as much as possible with lockdowns). But that is it, no bags for 2021, I need to get back to the original goal of this resolution - to enjoy what I already have. I also did manage to sell a few bags and wallets this year as I outgrew them in my lifestyle so that was great - hope to ride on that momentum and keep going. I have a lot of bags I still love but no longer really suit my lifestyle so it best to pass them on to people who will love them and let them shine.

Wishing everyone a great 2021!!

Thanks for the update @eggtartapproved! You created a lovely space for like minded people who want to enjoy what they already have. Best wishes to you in 2021!

 

[More bags]

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.

Fantastic solution!

 

[More bags]

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.

Excellent advice. Both 2a and 2b resonate with me, so I may be doomed, as well!

 

[More bags]

I bring greetings from @ElainePG, who is recuperating and not on the computer much at the moment. She sends her best to us all, and looks forward to our continued camaraderie! I was so happy she answered my DM.

Thanks for poking @ElainePG, hopefully in her good shoulder! Thanks for the update @momasaurus!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I can live with this mantra! But sadly, the space problem... I mean do any of you have bags that are just sitting on the floor of your dressing room?so embarrassing

I have bags sitting on top of the prams in my room, bags in shelves, bags on top of the wardrobe, bags hidden inside prams... on the floor of an actual dressing room doesn´t sound like a bad space for a bag to me!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

- 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.

Thanks for reminding me of this @doni! I vowed to do so a while ago, but still haven´t and the notifications keep making me itchy... ok, I´ve learned to simply look at them and ignore most as what I´m watching sometimes is only there because of research reasons, but these mean vouchers and discounts can get tricky...

- 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.

Almost everything I own was bought pre-loved. My younger DD used to tell me that´s yucky, but I have become very comfortable with buying everything I can clean up pre-loved- shoes and clothes, too. I know at first this sounds a bit "dirty", but when I think about it: just imagine how often the clothes and shoes you buy new in a shop have already been tried on, ended on the floor of a changing room, went back on the hanger, might have already been sold and gone to somebody´s home and have been returned... there´s not much to be found in a shop that´s virginal! Online it´s the same. Without pre-loved I woudn´t own one single luxury item!

- 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...

In case you can´t find a seamstress soon you might opt for a little sewing kit. Lose buttons and undone hems usually can be repaired by hand in no time. In case you need a little help there are heaps of tutorials on youtube. It´s so easy and rewarding, too, to fix little issues like these.

- Buy less online

Oh, I wished I had this option. In general I prefer to buy items I can try on, see closely, feel, smell... in person, but in my town and within sensible vincinity there´s no shop that would cater my needs/interests. It´s online or nothing for me.

 

[whateve]

Thanks for reminding me of this @doni! I vowed to do so a while ago, but still haven´t and the notifications keep making me itchy... ok, I´ve learned to simply look at them and ignore most as what I´m watching sometimes is only there because of research resons, but these mean vouchers and discounts can get tricky...



Almost everything I own was bought pre-loved. My younger DD used to tell me that´s yucky, but I have become very comfortable with buying everything I can clean up pre-loved- shoes and clothes, too. I know at first this sounds a bit "dirty", but when I think about it: just imagine how often the clothes and shoes you buy new in a shop have already been tried on, ended on the floor of a changing room, went back on the hanger, might have already been sold and gone to somebody´s home and have been returned... there´s not much to be found in a shop that´s virginal! Online it´s the same. Without pre-loved I woudn´t own one single luxury item!



In case you can´t find a seamstress soon you might opt for a little sewing kit. Lose buttons and undone hems usually can be repaired by hand in no time. In case you need a little help there are heaps of tutorials on youtube. It´s so easy and rewarding, too, to fix little issues like these.

I can't bring myself to buy used shoes. I've heard that people stretch shoes out to fit their foot so they aren't going to be ideal for someone else. I have a very narrow, hard to fit, foot, so I doubt I would find much in the used market to fit me anyway. I especially can't get over the ick factor for shoes that people wear without socks, like Ugg boots. Sandals aren't so bad because you can see the entire surface and clean it.

My favorite coat is a down coat I found in a thrift store for $1.50. After getting that, every other coat looks too expensive. I have bought some clothing at a thrift store but have trouble wearing something next to my skin that was used by someone I don't know. I know it is an irrational hangup.

I find that when I sell my thrift finds online that some of my buyers would never consider going to a thrift store themselves. Somehow when they buy online, they can delude themselves that the item was only used by the seller, rather than someone anonymous that may have had poor hygiene. My own journey in getting used to buying used items started with books, then continued to purses. Once I learned how to clean the purses, I got over the ick factor with them.

I always do all my own repairs and alterations, although I'm pretty lazy about it. Sometimes things sit in my sewing room for months.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

My biggest issue is FOMO (fear of missing out.) If I don't get it now, will I regret it? Will I ever get another opportunity to get it?

Two years ago, my favorite raincoat wore out. I haven't thrown it away but it looks too worn. Last year, I substituted two other raincoats from my closet that I don't love but do the job. I was waiting until I found the perfect replacement. Last week, I thought why not see what is available online? I found something I thought would work but didn't act. A few days later, it was marked down more. I ordered it last night. I want it, but I'm kicking myself because I don't need a raincoat this year. I won't need one until things return to normal.

@whateve, I absolutely relate!
I´m the fat spider in the net waiting for things I love at bargain prices. If anything shows up, I have to strike immediately or it most certainly will be gone forever. So the fear of missing out is always there. As long as buying online from proper shops there always is the option of returning an item. And I have learned to do so in case there is the slightest regret of the purchase.

Re your raincoat: you made me laugh, because I bought a raincoat, too- in November. Of course I do not need it right now, but it turned up, was exactly what I wanted (60ies leopard print nylon) and dead cheap. It´s a wardrobe basic. I put it aside and know I will wear it next spring!
Last spring when I wanted a raincoat like this and had a look they were a lot more expensive because they were in demand.
Isn´t there a technical term for this? I think I remember this from school: countercyclical purchases! They are a great way of saving as long as you only buy what you will need or buy anyway.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I bring greetings from @ElainePG, who is recuperating and not on the computer much at the moment. She sends her best to us all, and looks forward to our continued camaraderie! I was so happy she answered my DM.

Thank-you! It´s great to hear @ElainePG is recuperating! All my best wishes!

 

[SouthernPurseGal]

I bring greetings from @ElainePG, who is recuperating and not on the computer much at the moment. She sends her best to us all, and looks forward to our continued camaraderie! I was so happy she answered my DM.

Awesome!