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.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I wouldn’t do it. Not a new one, anyway. Maybe it can be your preloved unicorn…the thing you keep an eye out for and one day it finds you.

I think we will have special occasions again and maybe it is a bag that you wear as a piece of excessive bling with an outfit that is simple and more casual just because. A bag like that is a bag that is an “on purpose” bag when worn with something like jeans paired with a tee and blazer or oversized white button down. Like a bag equivalent to red lipstick.

I’m known for pairing “sparkletastic” bags with regular wear. But, this one would be a stretch even for me. Doable though.

And, re: unicorn bags. I’m so over the thrill of the hunt. I spent years hunting, buying, selling bags and part of my joining this thread was to end that cycle. I’m “proud” that I’ve only bought 3 bags in 5 years and haven’t really had to sell any because of regret. So, if I want it, I’m buying it. I just have to decide if I really want this one.

That’s so well said! I think I’ve been doing something like this over the last few weeks, too- watching endless youtube and insta stories by preloved bag retailers. There are so many wonderful bags out there, but hey, most of them are not for me. I like to see them, learn about the models, details, quality and: "swipe, next one".

I can’t do that yet. I’m perfectly content as long as I don’t look. But, if I look, I’ll find something. And, I’ll see trends change which can cast a pall on what I have. (Which is totally ridiculous since I’m the “trendiest” person I know and I’m not a trend chaser. I don’t run with fashionistas or live in a fashion forward city. LOL! ) For example, puffy has been a big trend. I hate puffy. But, it makes me see my structured bags as a little dated. (Being honest and admitting my silliness) I really love what I have so I don’t look because I don’t want to manufacture discontent or want in my impressionable little head.

@More bags, I hope your DS gets better soon!

@Jereni, I’m so sorry you had such a long wait, but glad you are okay!


Pls post a pic of the bag. I would probably keep it. But then perhaps not wear it, and a decades later give it away. Sigh. So I’m not the best person to advise on this lol.

by the way, I love fantasy clothes and dislike going out. I don’t mind if I wear the stuff to run errands. It’s for my own pleasure after all.

I didn’t post a photo because I wanted gut reactions on my quandary that weren’t swayed by like / dislike of the bag itself.

Oh, I feel for you! Sometimes we just have to have a bag- especially after having the chance to touch it, try it on, bond with it... I´ve been there and back and in the end always bought what I loved. Preloved and some in worse state than I would have wanted and still on the upper edge of my budget.

In contrast to you I never have any occasion, gala or party to ever wear my treasures to... zero, none at all!



This made me all dreamy already. How does it feel to be a person who goes out for cocktails? I will never know!

It´s all phantasy and still I love my bags and don´t regret the purchases while other purchases of "sensible" bags I did regret and sold most of them on. The fancy bags make me happy to look at, fondle, play and dream with...

Good luck with your decision!

Lemmie just say. I despise just going for cocktails. My social group loves it and it bores me to flipping tears. What’s fun about watching people drink and talk about nothing???? I’m more of a geek / active girl. But, I can’t get most people to go to a ComiCon or hiking in a rain forest. So, I “behave” and do the cocktails thing.

The ONLY good part is being able to dress up. I do love a good gala though. Dress up + dancing + charitable activity is win win win.

You make an excellent point about passion for our bags. I made a decision to spend the most on the bags I’ll use (vs cheaping out on workhorses) and it was the best decision. Maybe I need to go for it and simply lean further into parts of my life and attire that will support it.

 

[Sparkletastic]

+1 to @Kimbashop - I also owned the Tiny in two colors at one point, it’s basically a ‘perfect’-sized bag in my opinion.

Thanks everyone for the good wishes on the wellness front. I should have been like some of you and bought the kits to use at home. In the end, I spent 5 hours to get through the whole process at this local clinic. 3 hours after I added my name to the list before I was checked in, then another hour before they called me in for the test, and then another hour waiting in an actual patient room before there doctor could see me. What a mess.

The whole thing I’m sure did not do me any favors wrt to the actual misc cold that I have, as I had a tumultuous night of sleep and woke up with a temp of 102. So much for my nice vacation week before Christmas!

Update. The date has been put back but at least there's been communication and I have some spare tiles.

I realised we have 4 days to get through without shops open nearby and went out again. This time fold-up shopping bags only, popping into the supermarket for cat food, loss-leader veg and reduced sell-by stuff. I don't mind 'fasting' but I can't let my cat not have his favourite .

A big thank you to all of you for the love and wishing well!
We are slowly coming out of the haze, still very tired, but I guess the actual virus is over. So far I didn´t dare do a home test, though. I´ll give it a few more days and just stay put at home. Our official isolation period (according to what the Health Authorities told me on the phone, which was the only contact we had with them and only after over a week of being sick and self-isolating) ended yesterday. There should be some letters coming, but we were told to wait and not to phone again...
This will be an unusal Christmas with no special food/ drinks as we only have what we had in stock and in the fridge on Dec 6th when my boy tested positive. No chance to get any groceries since then.

Sending hugs to everyone struggling with health, family, home concerns. I’m very much hoping 2022 is better for everyone.

 

[papertiger]

Sending hugs to everyone struggling with health, family, home concerns. I’m very much hoping 2022 is better for everyone.

You too

And to everyone that's been shopping from their own closet this year. Whatever issues you have I wish you all a bright, healthy and stress-free '22

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I can’t do that yet. I’m perfectly content as long as I don’t look. But, if I look, I’ll find something. And, I’ll see trends change which can cast a pall on what I have. (Which is totally ridiculous since I’m the “trendiest” person I know and I’m not a trend chaser. I don’t run with fashionistas or live in a fashion forward city. LOL! ) For example, puffy has been a big trend. I hate puffy. But, it makes me see my structured bags as a little dated. (Being honest and admitting my silliness) I really love what I have so I don’t look because I don’t want to manufacture discontent or want in my impressionable little head.

Not long ago I would look at all the bags out there- youtube vlogs of ladies going through the boutiques, handbag collection show-offs, insta stories, resale shops... and have the feeling of missing out, of wanting the pretty bag, the classic, the new trend: I saw it, I wanted it... and I´d go right down the rabbit hole of research and start hunting for the bag in question- that puffy Coach bag for example- just to (after hours and then turning on my head for a few seconds) see this bag is not for me. It´s great on so many others, but for me? Even at an affordable price/ great deal? No thanks!
At some point during the last couple of weeks the switch in my head must have flipped. I adore looking, it´s so entertaining, so educational (as when something catches my eye I will do further research. First example that comes to my mind is the Bulgari bag with the snake handle and the Lanvin with the cat... their names already slipped my mind again) but there´s no wanting.
I´m not saying I have reached bag peace, but I´m getting closer to this state and there are not many bags that I really want. They only very rarely if ever turn up on social media or resale sites...

 

[Vintage Leather]

Remember me mentioning I purchased a preloved bag knowing it would need some repair for an issue (stain)? I took the chance thinking worst case, I could have the bag dyed a darker color.

Well, the bag arrived and it’s simultaneously bad and good news.

The bad: the damage was more extensive than described. Someone tried to clean the stain so the fabric is worn. Dying won’t change the damaged texture. And, the bag has missing adornments which were not mentioned. Bottom line, the bag is in rough shape and has been misused. So, back it goes.

The good (terrible) news: this is the prettiest bag I’ve seen in my life. Seriously. So, now I HAVE. TO. HAVE. THE. BAG!!!! The problem is it’s expensive bought new, I’m unlikely to ever find it preowned, and it’s truly a special occasion bag. My CPW would be trash. It’s like buying an expensive cream puff.

Mr. S and I have spent a lot of fun money recently on travel / purchases while traveling / my bday (pent up covid fun). I can afford the bag but sheesh. The idea of buying it now makes me feel a little hungover because fundamentally I’m a saver over a spender. But, I’ll forever regret not owning it if I don’t get it.

What would you do? Will we even have special occasions / galas / parties again to wear pretty little nothings in a post covid world?

I am the absolute worst person to ask, in that I have a mildly silly number of JL bags; an obscene number for my lifestyle, especially when you add them in with other bags in the clutch library.

Would you get pleasure from looking at it in a display case, even if you aren’t carrying it?

If you never saw the bag again, would you think of it? Is there anything you want more? Like I’d love a Leiber Cinderella clutch and a Cartier Cactus necklace. Those two things are about the same cost as a lake house. And I think the house would improve my quality of life significantly.

Would you still love it ten years from now - twenty years - or would it be clutter.

I frequently have to remind myself to think of boutiques like museums - it’s great to appreciate things, and then leave them for others to appreciate as well.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I am the absolute worst person to ask, in that I have a mildly silly number of JL bags; an obscene number for my lifestyle, especially when you add them in with other bags in the clutch library.

Would you get pleasure from looking at it in a display case, even if you aren’t carrying it?

If you never saw the bag again, would you think of it? Is there anything you want more? Like I’d love a Leiber Cinderella clutch and a Cartier Cactus necklace. Those two things are about the same cost as a lake house. And I think the house would improve my quality of life significantly.

Would you still love it ten years from now - twenty years - or would it be clutter.

I frequently have to remind myself to think of boutiques like museums - it’s great to appreciate things, and then leave them for others to appreciate as well.

Great questions! To your point, this conundrum clarified for me I didn’t want a Cartier Love bracelet. I’d been considering getting one. Silly bunny sees it too much. Silly bunny starts
to want it. I realized I’m “meh” about that which costs 4x the bag I’m crazy about. I’ll stick to diamonds.

I would despise seeing it languish on a shelf. I’m not a collector of bags. I’m a passionate user of bags.

I think I’d love it forever. It’s not trendy and would look nice as a vintage piece. If I can figure out covid reality usage, I’m buying it.

And, I’ve gotten good at not buying passing fancies. This just hit me like a freight train. Lol!

 

[880]

First example that comes to my mind is the Bulgari bag with the snake handle and the Lanvin with the cat... their names already slipped my mind again

Mary Katrantzou for Bulgari I can say that this bag is far more gorgeous IRL than in the link below. I saw one in turquiose leather with gold handle (I refused it bc I wanted the black one). But, it was spectacular. and packaged like a piece of jewelry
(and I’m not even into packaging for the most part)

Mary Katrantzou x Bvlgari Top Handle 291070 | Bvlgari

Discover Mary Katrantzou x Bvlgari Top Handle and read more about Bvlgari's Collection on the official website.

www.bulgari.com

WOMEN'S BAGS, HANDBAGS AND PURSES

Order your women's designer and luxury bags on the official Lanvin website. An expertise since 1889 ✓ Secure payments ✓ Fast shipping ✓ Free return and exchange

www.lanvin.com

I’m not a collector of bags. I’m a passionate user of bags

yes this!

for lovers of the serpenti bag and the lanvin, who admire the silhouette of the gucci bamboo top handle, this is also quite beautiful (except the shoulder strap looks ungainly)

BENTO MINAUDIÈRE IN LAMBSKIN LEATHER

Lanvin Official Website - Discover the Bento Minaudière In Lambskin Leather. The Spring/Summer 2021 collection available at Lanvin.com

www.lanvin.com

these bags are almost museum pieces to my mind. . .

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Mary Katrantzou for Bulgari I can say that this bag is far more gorgeous IRL than in the link below. I saw one in turquiose leather with gold handle (I refused it bc I wanted the black one). But, it was spectacular. and packaged like a piece of jewelry
(and I’m not even into packaging for the most part)

Mary Katrantzou x Bvlgari Top Handle 291070 | Bvlgari

Discover Mary Katrantzou x Bvlgari Top Handle and read more about Bvlgari's Collection on the official website.

www.bulgari.com

WOMEN'S BAGS, HANDBAGS AND PURSES

Order your women's designer and luxury bags on the official Lanvin website. An expertise since 1889 ✓ Secure payments ✓ Fast shipping ✓ Free return and exchange

www.lanvin.com

yes this!

The Bulgari bag is gorgeous- so sculptural, elegant and playful at the same time. I admire it like a piece of artful jewellery and assume the quality to be impeccable. But I honestly don´t want it for myself. I know it would look out of place on me.
Same goes for the Lanvin cat bag. A playful artsy statement (though I think there´s too much hardware on the bag that competes with the cat) for another type of woman, not me... Still I terribly enjoyed looking at both in videos and insta stories.

Unlike Sparkletastic I´m definetely more of a museum piece (on a very humble level) collector than a user (no occasions and I always fear to ruin my treasures, be unworthy of actually carrying them)...

 

[cowgirlsboots]

This just hit me like a freight train.

I love this statement!

 

[880]

The Bulgari bag is gorgeous- so sculptural, elegant and playful at the same time. I admire it like a piece of artful jewellery and assume the quality to be impeccable. But I honestly don´t want it for myself. I know it would look out of place on me.
Same goes for the Lanvin cat bag. A playful artsy statement (though I think there´s too much hardware on the bag that competes with the cat) for another type of woman, not me... Still I terribly enjoyed looking at both in videos and insta stories.

Unlike Sparkletastic I´m definetely more of a museum piece (on a very humble level) collector than a user (no occasions and I always fear to ruin my treasures, be unworthy of actually carrying them)...

I know what you mean; I don’t even wear much GHW, particularly with black leather (I have one bag currently and I don’t wear it)
but, theyre gorgeous to look at or for ones imaginary life

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I know what you mean; I don’t even wear much GHW, particularly with black leather (I have one bag currently and I don’t wear it)
but, theyre gorgeous to look at or for ones imaginary life

Exactly! For me they are on a Disney Princess movie level... dream and smile...
I hear you re GHW! Silver is always my preferred hardware colour- especially to combine with black leather as my jackets all have silver hardware. (Just imagine the snake in silver now... on a black bag... just teasing!)
Of my premier bags only 3 have GHW which is simply overpowered by the bags themselves and therefore can be ignored...

 

[880]

clutch library.

If you have a pic, or a link to a prior post, I would love to see the clutch library (I love clutches and do not have a clutch lifestyle which I define as either plenty of clutch social events or a car lifestyle)

hope you are feeling better!

 

[Claudia Herzog]

Remember me mentioning I purchased a preloved bag knowing it would need some repair for an issue (stain)? I took the chance thinking worst case, I could have the bag dyed a darker color.

Well, the bag arrived and it’s simultaneously bad and good news.

The bad: the damage was more extensive than described. Someone tried to clean the stain so the fabric is worn. Dying won’t change the damaged texture. And, the bag has missing adornments which were not mentioned. Bottom line, the bag is in rough shape and has been misused. So, back it goes.

The good (terrible) news: this is the prettiest bag I’ve seen in my life. Seriously. So, now I HAVE. TO. HAVE. THE. BAG!!!! The problem is it’s expensive bought new, I’m unlikely to ever find it preowned, and it’s truly a special occasion bag. My CPW would be trash. It’s like buying an expensive cream puff.

Mr. S and I have spent a lot of fun money recently on travel / purchases while traveling / my bday (pent up covid fun). I can afford the bag but sheesh. The idea of buying it now makes me feel a little hungover because fundamentally I’m a saver over a spender. But, I’ll forever regret not owning it if I don’t get it.

What would you do? Will we even have special occasions / galas / parties again to wear pretty little nothings in a post covid world?

My theory is that the thread you chose for this posting tells you what you already know deep down.

 

[Vintage Leather]

If you have a pic, or a link to a prior post, I would love to see the clutch library (I love clutches and do not have a clutch lifestyle which I define as either plenty of clutch social events or a car lifestyle)

hope you are feeling better!

I might have talked about it in a previous post, but I don’t actually have pictures. The Clutch Library is like the old Georgian subscription libraries where a small number of people have a shared cataloguing system and have agreed to lend it to others.

The five members are myself, my mother, my college roommate, her sister, one of my aunts and one of my cousins. We all own 2-10 designer clutches. I created a web-based catalog and any one can request a clutch for an occasion from anyone else. It also has a “borrowing history” so you know if you borrowed it a previous year, unique facts and if any of the borrowers was photographed carrying it and where.

Some of the items include my Leiber Chatelaine and owl, a Gucci satin and velvet shoulder bag from the 90s, a VBH envelope bag, BV alligator box clutch, McQueen DeManta.

The borrower pays for shipping, and all borrowers have agreed to keep at least one bag in the catalogue to maintain privileges

Basically, it’s a limited circle of trust, who have agreed to work together to keep cpw on occasion bags in a somewhat reasonable range

 

[880]

I might have talked about it in a previous post, but I don’t actually have pictures. The Clutch Library is like the old Georgian subscription libraries where a small number of people have a shared cataloguing system and have agreed to lend it to others.

The five members are myself, my mother, my college roommate, her sister, one of my aunts and one of my cousins. We all own 2-10 designer clutches. I created a web-based catalog and any one can request a clutch for an occasion from anyone else. It also has a “borrowing history” so you know if you borrowed it a previous year, unique facts and if any of the borrowers was photographed carrying it and where.

Some of the items include my Leiber Chatelaine and owl, a Gucci satin and velvet shoulder bag from the 90s, a VBH envelope bag, BV alligator box clutch, McQueen DeManta.

The borrower pays for shipping, and all borrowers have agreed to keep at least one bag in the catalogue to maintain privileges

Basically, it’s a limited circle of trust, who have agreed to work together to keep cpw on occasion bags in a somewhat reasonable range

I love this idea! So fabulous!