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.

 

[Kimbashop]

Not sure if anyone recalls but I posted up-thread about adding a really quirky bag to my collection. Well, it has arrived far, far ahead of schedule!
I realise this one is super weird and may not be to anyone else's taste but, it makes me laugh every time I look at it!
Pre-loved with no branding on it (and no additional info from the owner), so if anyone knows what brand this is, please educate me!
It's got a tag that says '100% Italian leather, made in Italy' inside. The leather is so soft, and the hardware looks and feels like it's great quality as well.
It's actually a clutch that I converted using my own leather strap. The clutch had an external loop on one side for the original wristlet strap, so I connected one end of my crossbody strap to it. Then I placed a fabric pouch with a grommett inside the clutch, and attached the other end of the strap to the grommet by feeding it under the zipper (if that makes sense).

Here he is! I'm calling him Mr. Grumpy.
View attachment 4990139

As grumpy goes, he is pretty darn cute.

 

[whateve]

My purse brands:
Balenciaga - 6
Bottega Veneta - 2
Brahmin - 1
Coach 26 + 23 vintage, this is my go-to brand
Dooney & Bourke - 1 vintage
Henri Bendel - 3
Longchamp - 1
Michael Kors - 2
Reed Krakoff - 1


One of the reasons I stick with Coach is that I'm familiar with the brand enough to be able to authenticate it for myself. For most other brands, I have to ask for authentications so I might not want to take the risk if I'm shopping second-hand.

 

[Kimbashop]

Orange and yellow bags... Coach canvas tote, Le Pliage in coral and...
SHE IS HERE! Hermès Picotin 18

She arrived dirty enough to be dingy and with more corner wear than on the pics. I honestly was underwhelmed...not as nice as what I saw in the store, which was black and looked and felt luxe. I started to wonder if I made a mistake, should have gotten another color....and DH was distinctly unimpressed. Said “this is the $1400 bag?” So I cleaned and conditioned her, put on the Mediterranee lock I bought (she did not have one, which I knew about, and no dust bag either, which I did not know about). I put all my stuff inside (fit perfectly which had been a concern) a scarf and nestled it in, tied it and voila! The bag that was a disappointment looks exactly the way I hoped! I think I am going to make a drawstring bag out of the scarf, but this does the trick for now! I have a cute silver snaffle bit keychain coming that should be the perfect final touch!View attachment 4990662View attachment 4990667View attachment 4990670View attachment 4990674View attachment 4990675

Beautiful restoration work!

 

[whateve]

Everyone - has your taste or focus changed on what style of bag you buy?

I used to be almost exclusively enamored with flaps. But, relatively recently (before the black hole of 2020) Mr. Sparkle gifted me with a small bucket and a camera bag. I love them! So now I’m super tempted by more.

For example, I love this pretty pink bucket from Jimmy Choo. View attachment 4990713But, I can’t justify pulling the trigger because I already own this pretty pink bucket from Fendi (seen with me on our last trip. Anyone else remember this thing called traveling?) View attachment 4990709
I’m also intrigued by this cute minty scalloped version by Polene View attachment 4990733
So, has your preferred style(s) changed over time? If so, what caused the change?

I used to only get hobos. Medium to large bags that fit on your shoulder without too much of a drop. Now I still like hobos but I don't like bags with a very short drop. In the last few years, I've started to appreciate crossbody bags. I like smaller bags worn crossbody and larger bags worn shorter on the shoulder. I like flaps and bucket bags. There are a lot of shapes I like. That Polene is adorable!

 

[JenJBS]

I love a good hobo. This looks wonderfully soft with just the right amount of hardware.

Thank you! Great minds think alike.
Totally agree on the hardware.

 

[Kimbashop]

My purse brands:

• Arayla: 7. I love this small, US company run by two women. The leather is incredible. The vibe is casual elegance. And the service is wonderful.
• Balenciaga: 7 plus 2 SLGs that function as makeup bags and clutches. One of my favorite brands and still very much my style: I find the moto bags classic, timeless, yet also edgy. Beautiful colors and leathers. I love softly structure satchels.
• Bottega Veneta: 2, and I would like to purchase more. Gorgeous craftsmanship, understated designs, beautiful colors. I could see owning a rainbow of Nodinis, which to me is the most perfect crossbody design.
• Coach: 3. At one time I had more. I love the older, classic styles from the 90's.
• de Lanthe: 1 Bermuda bag with 4 covers! I grew up in the 1970s and 80s, when preppy reigned supreme. I had a Bermuda bag in middle school. Later in life, I found the de Lanthe bag on ebay. I will never part with it. I love the sound it makes when the wood handles close together.
• DeMellier: 1. A mini-Venice. I love the brand's mission. And their styles are fun while also remaining classic.
• Givenchy: 1. Timeless, elegant, and classic in design and function. I love my soft Antigona, the only bag I own from Givenchy (so far). Beautiful leather. Since purchasing it in December, it has become my most used bag.
• Hermes: 1. I own a Trim, a gorgeous structured hobo that is so easy to wear. Beautiful leather and craftsmanship. I'd like to get another. And someday I'd like to own a vintage Kelly 32 in box leather.
• Marco Massaccesi: 9. One of a handful of Italian craftsman left (he learned the trade from his father and now owns his own studio where the bags are made). Beautiful craftsmanship and leathers sourced from Itally. The service is first-rate.
• Marc Jacobs: 1. I had 2 but sold the Hobo that I no longer reached for. I now just own the "totally turnlock" crossbody bag that was popular in 2010.
• Rebecca Minkoff: 2. Such a fun company. My mini MAB was my favorite bag for years and is still seen everywhere in NYC; I will never let it go.
• Misc. handmade bags A lovely French Blue crossbody bag I bought in Belgium from a woman who owned a shop in Leuven and made the bags in the front of her store. A handwoven straw tote I bought in Hawaii. A fabric bag made by an artist in my town.
• Misc. Vintage handbags: 6. I own about 4 vintage bags from my mother and grandmother and 2 that I thrifted. I have a weakness for vintage bags. I love using them as special occasion bags for weddings and formals.

I'm planning to sell or give away about 7 bags this year. Eventually, I would like to get down to about 30 bags.

 

[sherrylynn]

Orange and yellow bags... Coach canvas tote, Le Pliage in coral and...
SHE IS HERE! Hermès Picotin 18

She arrived dirty enough to be dingy and with more corner wear than on the pics. I honestly was underwhelmed...not as nice as what I saw in the store, which was black and looked and felt luxe. I started to wonder if I made a mistake, should have gotten another color....and DH was distinctly unimpressed. Said “this is the $1400 bag?” So I cleaned and conditioned her, put on the Mediterranee lock I bought (she did not have one, which I knew about, and no dust bag either, which I did not know about). I put all my stuff inside (fit perfectly which had been a concern) a scarf and nestled it in, tied it and voila! The bag that was a disappointment looks exactly the way I hoped! I think I am going to make a drawstring bag out of the scarf, but this does the trick for now! I have a cute silver snaffle bit keychain coming that should be the perfect final touch!View attachment 4990662View attachment 4990667View attachment 4990670View attachment 4990674View attachment 4990675

Looks fabulous! Love the addition on the lock and scarf. I think you got a great deal!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

@Sparkletastic, that Max Mara Whitney tote is one stylish bag. Glad you found the solution in your own closet!

I consider metal colors (gold/silver/etc - not other colors with a metallic finish) to be neutral for shoes and bags.

Yes, I agree! I usually like to use metal color bags for evening events only, and not so much as daytime bags.

View attachment 4990222View attachment 4990223
My sunflower and papaya mini Crossbodys from Portland Leather Goods. I don’t recall having had a yellow or orange bag before.

Very pretty! That strap goes so well with the orange bag!

@BowieFan1971, I love the orange shade of your Picotin!

 

[Sparkletastic]

I used to only get hobos. Medium to large bags that fit on your shoulder without too much of a drop. Now I still like hobos but I don't like bags with a very short drop. In the last few years, I've started to appreciate crossbody bags. I like smaller bags worn crossbody and larger bags worn shorter on the shoulder. I like flaps and bucket bags. There are a lot of shapes I like. That Polene is adorable!

It’s such a cute bag at such a great price point. I could feel “ok” with buying a color I won’t use often like mint green. I thought about getting it and adding a chunky chain accent handle since those are in style now. The only thing I don’t like about it is the shoulder strap isn’t removable. If I buy, I’d take it to the cobbler and have them cut it off and reattach via lobster claw hooks so I have options. I think I’m talking myself into it.

My purse brands:

• Arayla: 7. I love this small, US company run by two women. The leather is incredible. The vibe is casual elegance. And the service is wonderful.
• Balenciaga: 7 plus 2 SLGs that function as makeup bags and clutches. One of my favorite brands and still very much my style: I find the moto bags classic, timeless, yet also edgy. Beautiful colors and leathers. I love softly structure satchels.
• Bottega Veneta: 2, and I would like to purchase more. Gorgeous craftsmanship, understated designs, beautiful colors. I could see owning a rainbow of Nodinis, which to me is the most perfect crossbody design.
• Coach: 3. At one time I had more. I love the older, classic styles from the 90's.
• de Lanthe: 1 Bermuda bag with 4 covers! I grew up in the 1970s and 80s, when preppy reigned supreme. I had a Bermuda bag in middle school. Later in life, I found the de Lanthe bag on ebay. I will never part with it. I love the sound it makes when the wood handles close together.
• DeMellier: 1. A mini-Venice. I love the brand's mission. And their styles are fun while also remaining classic.
• Givenchy: 1. Timeless, elegant, and classic in design and function. I love my soft Antigona, the only bag I own from Givenchy (so far). Beautiful leather. Since purchasing it in December, it has become my most used bag.
• Hermes: 1. I own a Trim, a gorgeous structured hobo that is so easy to wear. Beautiful leather and craftsmanship. I'd like to get another. And someday I'd like to own a vintage Kelly 32 in box leather.
• Marco Massaccesi: 9. One of a handful of Italian craftsman left (he learned the trade from his father and now owns his own studio where the bags are made). Beautiful craftsmanship and leathers sourced from Itally. The service is first-rate.
• Marc Jacobs: 1. I had 2 but sold the Hobo that I no longer reached for. I now just own the "totally turnlock" crossbody bag that was popular in 2010.
• Rebecca Minkoff: 2. Such a fun company. My mini MAB was my favorite bag for years and is still seen everywhere in NYC; I will never let it go.
• Misc. handmade bags A lovely French Blue crossbody bag I bought in Belgium from a woman who owned a shop in Leuven and made the bags in the front of her store. A handwoven straw tote I bought in Hawaii. A fabric bag made by an artist in my town.
• Misc. Vintage handbags: 6. I own about 4 vintage bags from my mother and grandmother and 2 that I thrifted. I have a weakness for vintage bags. I love using them as special occasion bags for weddings and formals.

I'm planning to sell or give away about 7 bags this year. Eventually, I would like to get down to about 30 bags.

I thought Massaccesi went out of business (???)

@Sparkletastic

Glad you were able to solve your problem of a tote to carry your laptop. Have fun searching for a sparkly, work worthy bag! Love your orange D&B! (Even though you no longer have it.)

I loved that orange D&B but it didn’t work for my lifestyle. @pippiethehippie and I got them at the same time. She still has hers!

 

[baghabitz34]

Red bag #3 for Valentine’s Day - Coach Cooper Carryall in Bordeaux

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

[baghabitz34]

Everyone - has your taste or focus changed on what style of bag you buy?

So, has your preferred style(s) changed over time? If so, what caused the change?

Absolutely! I never liked bucket bags or totes. I thought open top bags were way too risky, security wise. Then in early 2019, I became interested in totes. Bought an inexpensive tote from the outlets to try the style & loved it! Now I have several of them. Same with bucket bags - tried the style, loved it & now own several.

 

[Jereni]

@Jereni
Bottega Veneta is my favorite for purples; especially MonaLisa. Other excellent ones are Ferragamo (hard to find though), Rebecca Minkoff, and Balenciaga. Behno's new Orchid is a lovely purple that leans pink - especially in direct sunlight it looks pink, in shade it's a really pretty purple.

Thanks for the advice! I have been looking at the BV lilac a lot lately.

I've heard others say that true red is a neutral, but for me, I still haven't quite found the shade of red that I would consider neutral yet. But I always admire red bags when I see other people wearing them, and would like to get one at some point. Maybe something smaller in size like a wallet on chain or mini bag.

In truth, I sort of feel like red is the furthest thing from a neutral possible lol. To me it doesn’t go with other colors... with blue I just immediately feel like I’m dressing like a flag, with green it’s Christmas, with pink it’s a lot of warm tones together... I love red as the pop of non-neutral against black, white, gray, beige, camel... But then again I may just not have enough imagination

Not sure if anyone recalls but I posted up-thread about adding a really quirky bag to my collection. Well, it has arrived far, far ahead of schedule!
I realise this one is super weird and may not be to anyone else's taste but, it makes me laugh every time I look at it!
Pre-loved with no branding on it (and no additional info from the owner), so if anyone knows what brand this is, please educate me!
It's got a tag that says '100% Italian leather, made in Italy' inside. The leather is so soft, and the hardware looks and feels like it's great quality as well.
It's actually a clutch that I converted using my own leather strap. The clutch had an external loop on one side for the original wristlet strap, so I connected one end of my crossbody strap to it. Then I placed a fabric pouch with a grommett inside the clutch, and attached the other end of the strap to the grommet by feeding it under the zipper (if that makes sense).

Here he is! I'm calling him Mr. Grumpy.
View attachment 4990139

This is so cute! I love the face. It reminds me of the Fendi monster bags, which I’ve always wanted one of

Hm. I like cocktails and Colbert too, so just send me your address when you're all settled in.

+1!

View attachment 4990222View attachment 4990223
My sunflower and papaya mini Crossbodys from Portland Leather Goods. I don’t recall having had a yellow or orange bag before.

Lovely colors!

 

[Bag peace]

Thanks everyone for welcoming Mr. Grumpy!
I'm amazed anyone at all found that bag cute! It's a world away from the 'proper' bags we often see.

SHE IS HERE! Hermès Picotin 18

Congratulations! I'm happy you managed to spruce it up a bit and make it perfect. It's gorgeous!

My purse brands:

I love your collection and I love that you are as driven by the values of the brands/artisans as you are the gorgeous designs! I have such respect for you!

@Sparkletastic Great question. Not much has changed for me. I've always carried small crossbody/camera bag styles. And I've always been drawn to interesting shapes and details.
The only real change is that I've become picky about the quality of the leather on my bags, and that I now will use flap bags where previously I was exclusively about zippered bags. I still prefer a zipper over a flap, but I will buy a flap if I like the overall bag enough.

Now to sit back and bask in the sunshine of these gorgeous yellow and orange bags!

 

[More bags]

Something I noticed today...it has been a rainy/drizzly day today and I chose to wear my Hermès scarf anyway. It’s from 1954...it has sone light stains that you have to look for to see and is not perfect. It may seem crazy to some, but I think that makes me like it more. I feel more comfortable wearing it than my new one. I know a few raindrops won’t “ruin” it. The tag is already off. It has been worn countless times and is still strong and whole. It is every bit as beautiful as a new one. That makes me smile!View attachment 4989367View attachment 4989369

You look beautifu!

My work laptop was just delivered and it doesn’t fit in my new tote. Had it been just 1.5ish cm smaller, it would have been a perfect fit.

My only option is to carry it “upright” which looks goofy or to sell the tote.

AAAAAAGGGHHHHHH!

Those of you who have been on this thread know I am under a black tote curse. I’m open to any and all suggestions for a pretty but functional tote. Help! View attachment 4989424View attachment 4989425

Nooooooo!

Finished kitchen...backsplash behind stove is done, swapped out knobs, added a few decorative pieces, dish towels. Really happy with the results! Now it really ties into the dining area.
Since I am done for a while, I promise no more pics of my house in this thread! But it had really given me a positive diversion from all the issues with my mom and grandma. Thank you for your receptiveness and positive feedback. No one else gets to see it in person!View attachment 4989432View attachment 4989433View attachment 4989436View attachment 4989439View attachment 4989445View attachment 4989449

View attachment 4989456

It’s wonderful - happy and inviting, just lovely! Congratulations BowieFan.

View attachment 4989502
My Prada Matinee bag.

Stunning!

View attachment 4989511
Dooney Pembrook Claire satchel. This and the Prada are my two burgundy bags. Perhaps a bit similar in color.....
I also have a red Longchamp Le Pliage tote.

What a beauty!

View attachment 4989587View attachment 4989587
Here's me at Nordstrom today. Not much styling done today, as it was 2 degrees out! Sorry for the extra classy photo in the lounge/ladies! I'm a terrible selfie taker.
I carried her open, and without the zippered pouch, and was much happier. I think I'll try this again when it warms up a bit.

You look great - gorgeous lipstick red bag!

 

[JenJBS]

Thanks for the advice! I have been looking at the BV lilac a lot lately.
View attachment 4991058




In truth, I sort of feel like red is the furthest thing from a neutral possible lol. To me it doesn’t go with other colors... with blue I just immediately feel like I’m dressing like a flag, with green it’s Christmas, with pink it’s a lot of warm tones together... I love red as the pop of non-neutral against black, white, gray, beige, camel... But then again I may just not have enough imagination

I have the Mini Pouch in purple, and love it! It looks like the lavender is lighter.

I feel the same way about red. I think a true red can be used as a neutral; but I always think of it, and wear it, as an accent color with grey, black, black and white, tan, etc. Or as the main color (a red dress) with black accessories, or silver or gold accessories. I get what you mean about wearing red with blue looking like a flag, but for if it's worn with jeans, and red or black shoes and bag (not white) it doesn't look like the flag to me; since I see jeans as a total neutral, even though they are blue.