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.

 

[SouthernPurseGal]

I decided to continue with the challenges and do number two a bit by taking the new bag out right away. I decked her out with a Soretro strap and a veracord organizer. So if I go out today she is ready. View attachment 4956033
It is over cast here so I had to shine a light on her.

What a pretty strap!!!

 

[Bag peace]

At least all it cost me was money. When I was in college, I used to do this same thing with boyfriends!

Unfortunately, it's to a doctor's appointment.

I hope your follow up brought good news and your recovery is right on track!

I got a $50 Amazon gift card from my dad and stepmom for my birthday and so bought a scarf from a seller named Grace Scarves.

Gorgeous scarf! So happy your birthday month just keeps getting better for you.

Today: Tory Burch chain wallet.

Very nice! It's really pretty. Well done on 15 bag carries so far; that's impressive.

The natural grain leather is great but not to be confused with the classic Mulberry natural vegetable tanned leather which was thick, sumptuous and smelled like heaven (only someone on TPF would “get” that!). Natural grain is lovely but has a more treated finish to it. My oak is in NVT and at the time they had oak in both. I definitely prefered the feel and look of NVT so got that but you do have to baby it much more. The NG is lovely leather and probably more robust. They don’t make the NVT anymore but do several shades in glossy goat which again has less of a treatment grain and more of a shine.

Wow, I learned a lot from this. Thanks!

 

[Bag peace]

I've hit a bit of a road block on the challenges. My long-covid nerve issues are preventing me from doing anything useful- like carry a bag - so I started looking at my bags and thinking I really should remove some. 38 is a ridiculous number of bags to own and I suspect amongst the highest number on the forums!

I asked myself 2 questions hoping to find some bags to shed:
1- If I were starting my collection over, would I purchase this bag again?
2- If I were moving tomorrow and could only take half my collection, which bags would I choose?
You'd think I'd have answers at the ready, but I felt completely stuck.
I would not edit out the 50% of my collection that has been gifts from family and friends because somehow they got me the most perfect bags. I would not remove any of the ones I bought myself because I love them. I think I'll stop trying to cull at this point.

I feel really greedy with the quantity I currently own but would rather not remove something forcibly only to regret it later.

 

[880]

38 is a ridiculous number of bags to own and I suspect amongst the highest number on the forums!

I’m so sorry covid issues prevent you from taking up the challenges. But the purpose of the challenges is to get us to really see our bags and where they fit in our lives. It could be enough to figure out outfits to pair them with when things get back to normal.

38 is not an unreasonable number for a TPFer, esp. given the shopping proclivities of some members here. How about @diane278 ’s idea of putting the marginal ones in the shed. . . Or other closet. That way, they’re not exactly in your active count. I also think sentimental journey bags should not count. @diane278 would probably frame them. I still regret an orange cashmere mock turtleneck I gave away after college in 1990. but, as I get older, it’s easier to let go. Someone, perhaps @Hazzelnut saI’d something like think of letting go as part of a journey in curating your bag collection. . .

re your questions 1. And 2., they seem more geared to decreeing your current favorites (that reflect your current style) among the 38. and if you were moving tomorrow and could only take half, youd have a dear friend box the rest and send them. Plus, totes and clutches and strictly seasonal pieces should not count either. it’s like having foley food mill and a masher. You may only use them once a year at thanksgiving, but they do the job.

@Vintage Leather, I love your spoiler below, and I also remember when some hermes bags at resellers were 400 usd though I did not start my journey until well into the time period you mentioned. back then, I focused on the classics and I deeply regret not buying more playful collectors pieces like sac malette pocBette, sun motif bag, ile de Shki, porc, vibrato, crinoline, Amazonia, various H shoulder bags, exotics. This Year, I felt like Prices increased by at least 2K usd plus after an initial lull. I think resellers realized chanel boutique prices were approaching the stratosphere (and Hermes should follow suit) and shoppers needed to alleviate covid boredom by shopping on line.

 

[ElainePG]

I got a $50 Amazon gift card from my dad and stepmom for my birthday and so bought a scarf from a seller named Grace Scarves. Ordered it on Monday. Free shipping with a supposed arrival on Sunday. It came today and WOW! The silk is thick and supple, the design/colors are precisely printed. The quality is on par with the Cartier I have. Best part- it was $45, with other styles and colors for $45-50. I am really impressed and very pleased!!!! I will be buying from them again and wanted to pass the word. Here is a pic off Amazon and the scarf in the flesh.View attachment 4956430View attachment 4956431

Pretty! What great prezzies you're getting for your birthday.

 

[ElainePG]

Wow this thread moves fast!

I’m not satisfying a January bag challenge today, but continuing to rotate through my own bags as was one of my resolutions. I’ve worn 15 different handbags this month so far.

Today: Tory Burch chain wallet. Love the tweed and the working turnlock. If only it would get little warmer out!

View attachment 4956482

This is a really nice bag. The turnlock is classic. And it does match your coat… but I'm sure you'd much rather wear something lighter-weight!

 

[ElainePG]

Absolutely gorgeous! I’m loving the Lily chat on this thread. It’s one of my favourite bags. Your pink is stunning!!

I only have the Lily in regular. These are previous shots of my two. The black from Christmas and the oak from early last year.
View attachment 4956591View attachment 4956592
I like the medium but I’ve resisted temptation because I have several satchels that are that size.

What's the difference between the "medium" and the "regular"?

 

[ElainePG]

I think I remember you posting about travelling with the pink! Where did you go? The oxblood in medium is very tempting but I agree the regular is the perfect size!

I think you just answered my question… sounds as though the regular is smaller than the medium. I've never owned a Lily, and I'm not in the market for a bag at the moment, but the Lily is SUCH a classic… maybe some day…

 

[whateve]

I've hit a bit of a road block on the challenges. My long-covid nerve issues are preventing me from doing anything useful- like carry a bag - so I started looking at my bags and thinking I really should remove some. 38 is a ridiculous number of bags to own and I suspect amongst the highest number on the forums!

I asked myself 2 questions hoping to find some bags to shed:
1- If I were starting my collection over, would I purchase this bag again?
2- If I were moving tomorrow and could only take half my collection, which bags would I choose?
You'd think I'd have answers at the ready, but I felt completely stuck.
I would not edit out the 50% of my collection that has been gifts from family and friends because somehow they got me the most perfect bags. I would not remove any of the ones I bought myself because I love them. I think I'll stop trying to cull at this point.

I feel really greedy with the quantity I currently own but would rather not remove something forcibly only to regret it later.

I like your questions but I don't think your number is ridiculous, and isn't amongst the highest number on the forum. There are plenty of people who have much more. I've seen several people who have hundreds! I have more than you.

Here's an idea I'd like to try. Arbitrarily divide your collection in half, but make sure each half has the basics covered in terms of color and type of bag. Then put one half away some place and only use the other half for an extended period of time. Then you can switch and maybe it will feel like you got a bunch of new bags.

 

[Vintage Leather]

I've hit a bit of a road block on the challenges. My long-covid nerve issues are preventing me from doing anything useful- like carry a bag - so I started looking at my bags and thinking I really should remove some. 38 is a ridiculous number of bags to own and I suspect amongst the highest number on the forums!

I asked myself 2 questions hoping to find some bags to shed:
1- If I were starting my collection over, would I purchase this bag again?
2- If I were moving tomorrow and could only take half my collection, which bags would I choose?
You'd think I'd have answers at the ready, but I felt completely stuck.
I would not edit out the 50% of my collection that has been gifts from family and friends because somehow they got me the most perfect bags. I would not remove any of the ones I bought myself because I love them. I think I'll stop trying to cull at this point.

I feel really greedy with the quantity I currently own but would rather not remove something forcibly only to regret it later.

Do not feel guilty about the number of bags you own. No guilt!!

38 is not really that high of a number. At one point, I owned over 80, of which 70 were premiere designer. I’m not saying this to brag but to admit that yes, I had a problem.

Spoiler

And that ‘01 to ‘12 were a darn dangerous time, with Tom Ford, Lee McQueen and Galliano all being innovative and crazy, and before thrift stores moved online, so you could find 60s and 70s Gucci for $5-35 at the thrifts, and Chanel and Hermes for $100-400 at the Japanese resellers. And I’m spoilering this because I’ve gotten off topic, but yes, I had a problem. Anytime someone says I’ve said anything insightful about collection management, I think “that’s because I’ve been particularly stupid.”

Anywho. The number is not important. What is important is how it makes you feel.

Do you feel like the substitute teacher of 30 sugar-high 4 year olds? (overwhelmed, and while each individual is precious, if half got lost, you wouldn’t be so sad and yet you feel guilty about not loving anything enough?)

Or like a dragon in their most beloved hoard (Each item is precious, and seeing them en mass makes you feel satisfied and proud?)

If things own you, it’s time to let them go. If they stress you out or take up more time than you have to spare, let them find someone else. But if you enjoy your bags, savor them. And to heck with anyone who tells you you have too much.

 

[SouthernPurseGal]

@jblended Don't feel bad about thirty something bags! Because they do last when you rotate and you love them. Shoe people have to live with the fact that their collection is ultimately consumable, and they do wear out much faster. This is not so bad.

 

[ksuromax]

I was looking at the Mulberry website, it’s “natural grain leather” according to their description. Do they make oxblood in goat leather? What leather do you prefer?

i love natural grain, the feel of it, but it lacks the structure, and after some use the bag becomes a bit 'relaxed' (which i'm ok with), but if you prefer a sturdy and shape retaining option, look at goatskin. My neon pink is goat, it wears like iron!

 

[ksuromax]

I think I remember you posting about travelling with the pink! Where did you go? The oxblood in medium is very tempting but I agree the regular is the perfect size!

Italy and Spain, i remember taking pics of it in Barcelona and Florence, good old days of free traveling

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I've hit a bit of a road block on the challenges. My long-covid nerve issues are preventing me from doing anything useful- like carry a bag - so I started looking at my bags and thinking I really should remove some. 38 is a ridiculous number of bags to own and I suspect amongst the highest number on the forums!

I asked myself 2 questions hoping to find some bags to shed:
1- If I were starting my collection over, would I purchase this bag again?
2- If I were moving tomorrow and could only take half my collection, which bags would I choose?
You'd think I'd have answers at the ready, but I felt completely stuck.
I would not edit out the 50% of my collection that has been gifts from family and friends because somehow they got me the most perfect bags. I would not remove any of the ones I bought myself because I love them. I think I'll stop trying to cull at this point.

I feel really greedy with the quantity I currently own but would rather not remove something forcibly only to regret it later.

Don´t worry about owning 38 bags, please. The figure isn´t silly or shameful! Just look at each one- if you love it it´s in the right place, if you don´t feel anything it´s time to let it go... I refuse to count my bags. Numbers don´t have much meaning to me.

 

[Bag peace]

Ah, I feel so much better! Thanks to you all for the brilliant suggestions and insightful thoughts regarding editing my collection.

I believe this is all pandemic-driven. It feels like I attempt (and fail) to edit my bags every few days. It's being in lockdown and unable to use them that drives me to want to do something about the total number, but I fear that is actually the worst way to go about editing and I'd make a lot of mistakes if I forced the matter.

How about @diane278 ’s idea of putting the marginal ones in the shed. . . Or other closet. That way, they’re not exactly in your active count.

The ones I had in the 'departing' closet just got gifted to a covid cleaning crew. I am attempting to re-fill that closet now and that's where I'm failing. I thought it would be easier, especially having nowhere to go these days. It should be easy to look and say 'I can't wait to use x, y and z bags', but what I'm finding is that I can't wait to use all A-Z bags! Addicted, much?

Here's an idea I'd like to try. Arbitrarily divide your collection in half

This sounds like a good way to tackle it. I recently pulled 10 bags (comprising of my least favourite and most worn out bags) to use and then let go of, thinking I'd be left with only favourites after that. But I cannot use those 10 in lockdown, and I now think I cannot let go of them either because having them out has made me love them all over again.
Your approach would just be swapping between 2 bag capsule wardrobes, so it may function better for me given how I'm feeling attached to them all. Thanks for the suggestion.

Do you feel like the substitute teacher of 30 sugar-high 4 year olds? (overwhelmed, and while each individual is precious, if half got lost, you wouldn’t be so sad and yet you feel guilty about not loving anything enough?)

Or like a dragon in their most beloved hoard (Each item is precious, and seeing them en mass makes you feel satisfied and proud?)

Honestly, this varies by the day!
Sometimes I'm entirely overwhelmed and thinking I'll never get a chance to use all of these properly in my lifetime and it's better to donate and let someone else get some pleasure out of them.
Other days, I love how each of my bags is a unique shape and texture, or attached to a country I once lived in, or was a gift from someone dear...and then I'm the dragon!

Because they do last when you rotate and you love them.

if you love it it´s in the right place, if you don´t feel anything it´s time to let it go

Both excellent points! Thank you!