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]

I am interested to learn how you clean white leather. I think the soft, grained/pebble leathers are probably the hardest to clean so I would avoid getting a white bag in that leather but epi leather is easier to clean and wipe down after use since the leather is less delicate. I do think a white bag brightens up an outfit nicely but even with that in mind, I am unwilling to add one to my wardrobe.

One of the issues with white leather is that the white finish is painted on. When it is scuffed, the natural darker color of the leather shows through. Conditioning won't bring back the white color. But if you get stains on it, including ink, they can bleached off by spot treating with benzyl peroxide, which is zit cream!

The one white bag I have is pebbled leather that I believe was treated with something that makes spills bead up rather than soak in. Even if it didn't have that treatment, I could protect it with the right conditioners.

 

[BowieFan1971]

I am interested to learn how you clean white leather. I think the soft, grained/pebble leathers are probably the hardest to clean so I would avoid getting a white bag in that leather but epi leather is easier to clean and wipe down after use since the leather is less delicate. I do think a white bag brightens up an outfit nicely but even with that in mind, I am unwilling to add one to my wardrobe.

Brightening up an outfit? That’s what orange and tomato red are for!

 

[BowieFan1971]

One of the issues with white leather is that the white finish is painted on. When it is scuffed, the natural darker color of the leather shows through. Conditioning won't bring back the white color. But if you get stains on it, including ink, they can bleached off by spot treating with benzyl peroxide, which is zit cream!

The one white bag I have is pebbled leather that I believe was treated with something that makes spills bead up rather than soak in. Even if it didn't have that treatment, I could protect it with the right conditioners.

Trying to match the “white” to paint over any areas where the finish scuffed off is as difficult as trying to match a color...and the results if you don’t get it right are awful!!! White bags are never truly white. They have undertones that have to be matched. Believe me, I have tried on bags I gathered to donate to the moms at Ronald McDonald House. That’s why I said never again!

 

[Cookiefiend]

I felt that way until I got my one white leather bag. It is bright white and looks clean and new. I've carried it many times without a problem. On the other hand, I had a fabric bag in an offwhite that constantly got color transfer. I always had to deep clean it after every use.

+1
I have one white bag.
I don’t carry it often, but I took it on a beach trip 2 years ago and it was perfect. It’s bright and white, no color transfer.... and it has the unexpected pop of color with its yellow sides.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

One of the issues with white leather is that the white finish is painted on. When it is scuffed, the natural darker color of the leather shows through. Conditioning won't bring back the white color. But if you get stains on it, including ink, they can bleached off by spot treating with benzyl peroxide, which is zit cream!

The one white bag I have is pebbled leather that I believe was treated with something that makes spills bead up rather than soak in. Even if it didn't have that treatment, I could protect it with the right conditioners.

Good to know about the benzyl peroxide. I never thought about the white being painted on, but yes, I can imagine that scuffs can be really challenging to fix. I haven't seen any white bags that I want but I saw someone carrying an ivory colored Chanel once and must admit it was an absolutely beautiful bag. However, for now, I am happy to admire these bags from afar.

Brightening up an outfit? That’s what orange and tomato red are for!

I was actually washing tomatoes earlier today and thinking that tomato red is such a beautiful shade. That is exactly the shade I would chose for a red bag!

 

[whateve]

+1
I have one white bag.
I don’t carry it often, but I took it on a beach trip 2 years ago and it was perfect. It’s bright and white, no color transfer.... and it has the unexpected pop of color with its yellow sides.

I remember your beautiful white and yellow bag!

 

[momasaurus]

This book helped me out of a slump after I gained weight and was not feeling good about myself, which became about more than just how I looked. He is wonderfully but not condescendingly positive and affirming and helps you find YOU in your clothes where you are today and gives solid advice about how to shop and curate to make it happen. I review it periodically or whenever I feel I am dissatisfied or losing my way style-wise, which happens less and less now.View attachment 5018776

Game changer! Life changer! Love Tim!!!!

I love this book and I simply ADORE Tim.

 

[momasaurus]

My pink and purple beauties.

1. Balenciaga First in Eggplant
2. Balenciaga MU (makeup bag) in pearly pink
3. BV Nodini in Amaranto -- a cross between red and pink. In certain lights, it looks more like a dark pink.
4. BV Nodini in Byzantine
5. Massaccesi midi Diva in Byzantine
6. Arayla Hepburn tote in Orchid (with a silver pouch)
View attachment 5018988View attachment 5018995View attachment 5018996View attachment 5018997View attachment 5018998View attachment 5018999

OK I need that BV amaranto big-time.
And the MM - so beautiful. This is why I have too many of his bags. They are beautiful!!! But then most of them don't work for me.

 

[momasaurus]

+1000. I especially love midnight navy metallic

ITA! @Kimbashop, you have an amazing array! Gorgeous, mouthwatering bags!

I’ve been very fortunate in the US and abroad, but that is the beauty of convertible bags. Though I think I carry a lot more than you do!
@momasaurus, thank you for your kind words. I mainly buy rescue bags for myself that need a second life My mom has a major birthday coming up, and we bought her a major bag (a new craie 30B, brushed ghw) — this is the first year we’ve ever bought her this kind of gift (or anyone this kind of gift) and I don’t anticipate it ever happening again. It is her grail bag. I said to DH that I should put myself on a self ban for the rest of the year. he started to laugh hysterically and sputtered out, it’s only March. . . Guess he knows me pretty well
Hugs

This is fabulous. Your mom is going to be so happy!! (Speaking as a mom who has a major birthday coming up whose DD lives on about what a new B costs LOL).
And your DH - can't fool him!

 

[doni]

Taking note on all the tips on cleaning white bags! Every time this year, I get the urge to get a white leather bag. I don’t have any (leaving aside a couple of vintage clutches).

A while ago I heard/read Jamie Chua saying that her more carefree Hermes bags (she has an extraordinary collection) are the white ones, and that it became that way when she realized they would come back looking like new from Hermes spa. So one way of looking at this is, if I am going to get a white bag it should be Hermes . But also, it makes sense in general, because white is relatively easy to refurbish, white is white (so the whiter the better). It is a simple color. The bleaching thing that @whateve says then, also makes lots of sense. So no fearing white I conclude.

I do think white leather bags are kind of difficult looks-wise. You have to avoid that early 80s naff girl from the suburb out in the city vibe... But I think well done they can look so sleek with tees and denim or shorts, or for a minimalist all white look with a summer dress and espadrilles...
I do need one

 

[Cookiefiend]

I keep looking at the Halzan 31 in black, but they cost more preloved than a preloved Bolide!!!! I love the versatility of the Halzan, but is it just me that the Bolide just looks more expensive?

I think the Bolide looks more streamlined, maybe more elegant (though it is not a 'fancy' bag at all) - if that makes sense?
The Halzan has handles and buckles, it folds over, it's busier.

Your trip to Italy sounds amazing, I am looking forward to your pictures!
While I don't do a 12 item packing agenda, I do try to be sure everything works together. I usually bring 2 to 3 bags - a carefree crossbody for daytrips/events, a small dressier bag for dinners, and my travel bag which is a Longchamp Le Pliage Neo. When we were in Paris last, I brought my Kelly, the Coach Dinky, and my LC.

 

[baghabitz34]

My pink/purple/violet collection:
Pretty much the same as last year. Floral Ted Baker, Coach Rogue in dusty pink, Coach Charlie Bucket in vintage mauve, Gucci Soho Disco in peonia, LV Hyde Park in fuchsia, Coach Tea Rose Rogue in primrose, LV raisin Retiro and miscellaneous SLGs.

 

[baghabitz34]

Added this Ferragamo tote in Nebbiolo late last year

 

[Cookiefiend]

My pink/purple/violet collection:
View attachment 5020266Pretty much the same as last year. Floral Ted Baker, Coach Rogue in dusty pink, Coach Charlie Bucket in vintage mauve, Gucci Soho Disco in peonia, LV Hyde Park in fuchsia, Coach Tea Rose Rogue in primrose, LV raisin Retiro and miscellaneous SLGs.

The Coach Tea Rose is lovely!

View attachment 5020291Added this Ferragamo tote in Nebbiolo late last year

What a great color!

 

[ElainePG]

@ElainePG, @Hazzelnut, @momasaurus, re vintage chanel boucle jackets, have you checked out other preloved premium designer options. I snagged a gorgeous J mendel boucle jacket in steel blue and black with a black mink collar, jet bead trimmed cuffs, (IMO nicer than lesage) virtually new, for about 200 usd at TRR. And, a less adorned one by Christian Dior for 150 usd. Dennis Basso is best known for fur, but also does a RTW line. Other designers do gorgeous boucle (ranging from Akris, Akris punto and, a favorite of mine, a bridge designer Lafayette) and the prices at resellers can be gentle. You do have to be careful as some clothing can be faked, and also know your measurements, but all prices tend to bottom out after the holidays and in the summer.

Re sizing. The advantage to a chanel item, is there are usually multiple side seams along the body of the garment, each with plentiful seam allowance, so a garment can be let out up to two sizes up or (with a talented tailor who is also a pattern cutter) can be cut down. An alteration to let out might show marks on a smooth or shiny fabric but not on boucle. I don’t think there is currently anyone to authenticate chanel RTW, but there is a RTW thread in the chanel forum with very knowledgeable members.

This is such great advice! I scored a couple of Akris jackets (not bouclé, but still lovely) at a local consignment shop last March, just before everything shut down. Super-cheap, and one of them still had the tags. (Then, of course, I've not had an opportunity to wear them, but one of these days!)

I'd worry about buying jackets on line without knowing my size. I'm small, either a size 4 or 6, with a narrow waist, but my shoulders are broad so sometimes I have to size up & then have the waist taken in. However we do have some good consignment shops in our area, and I'll be on the lookout for the brands you mentioned.