2022 Resolution: Shopping my own bag and SLG collection. Anyone else?

[Katinahat]

2 Aug - brand showcase: A-F
4 Sept - brand showcase: G-L
11 Sept - brand showcase: M-R
18 Sept - brand showcase: S-Z
25 Sept - totes
2 Oct - satchels
9 Oct - crossbodies inc WOCS
16 Oct - shoulder bags
23 Oct - bucket bags
30 Oct - clutches
6 Nov - backpacks
13 Nov - bags that don’t count
20 Nov - pairing bags with shoes
27 Nov - pairing bags with other accessories
4 Dec - bag storage
11 Dec - SLGs
18 Dec - charms

Challenges:
Sept - bags in different locations
Oct - Halloween: wear orange or black bags
Nov - International Merlot Day: wear wine coloured bags or pair bags with wine.
Dec - use the bag.

 

[880]

Where do you do the searches for the Designers you mentioned? Nothing came up on ebay. Did a general search and it looked like there were some items on Real Real and 1st Dibs. The google images were amazing. So elegant.

I found my chairs and some vintage pieces on eBay. Some things on Etsy. I bought most of my things years ago, but here is the result of a recent search ( I have not checked condition, authenticity or any other factor ; this is just a quick example of search

ETA: deleted links and sent to @Cordeliere by PM

 

[Cordeliere]

I found my chairs and some vintage pieces on eBay. Some things on Etsy. I bought most of my things years ago, but here is the result of a recent search ( I have not checked condition, authenticity or any other factor ; this is just a quick example of search results)

My mistake was probably narrowing the search from "all categories" to "women's clothing." Thanks.

How did you learn about those designers? I am thinking about prior decades I lived through and am not sure what I liked. Probably the 80's.

 

[dcooney4]

My mistake was probably narrowing the search from "all categories" to "women's clothing." Thanks.

How did you learn about those designers? I am thinking about prior decades I lived through and am not sure what I liked. Probably the 80's.

I liked Norma Kamali from then.

 

[whateve]

Love the color. Wish I knew a bit more about the brand. The handles are a bit odd but not uncomfortable. It also has a Crossbody strap. I had gone to the outlets and there wasn’t any bags in this color. Still not sure will decide by Monday or Tuesday. It is not the cost but I have been quite bad this month so it is about the space.

I don't know anything about the brand but I have heard people mention that the quality isn't as good now as it used to be, or maybe it depends on the piece.

 

[880]

How did you learn about those designers? I am thinking about prior decades I lived through and am not sure what I liked. Probably the 80's

I read labels; I shop. I window shop. Magazines, books. my mother, grandmother, numerous aunts, cousins. We all are crazy about RTW. @Vintage Leather once spoke of an evening bag library. I essentially loan out my RTW to family. I’ve shopped since the early 1980s. Premier RTW since 1996. And, my DH also adores RTW, some fashion, most custom sartorial. At one point, many years ago he was going to interview to head the e-commerce division of a premier design house. I don’t recall what came of it, (he eventually settled into starting healthcare companies) but we read WWD for months, years. . . I joined TPF to learn about Hermes, but clothing is my real passion, so long as I can slim down enough to fit into it. And, I learn a lot from all of my SAs over the years.

ETA I seem to recall that : @Antonia is expert at vintage denim

 

[Cordeliere]

I read labels; I shop. I window shop. Magazines, books. my mother, grandmother, numerous aunts, cousins. We all are crazy about RTW. @Vintage Leather once spoke of an evening bag library. I essentially loan out my RTW to family. I’ve shopped since the early 1980s. Premier RTW since 1996. And, my DH also adores RTW, some fashion, most custom sartorial. At one point, many years ago he was going to interview to head the e-commerce division of a premier design house. I don’t recall what came of it, (he eventually settled into starting healthcare companies) but we read WWD for months, years. . . I joined TPF to learn about Hermes, but clothing is my real passion, so long as I can slim down enough to fit into it. And, I learn a lot from all of my SAs over the years.

ETA I seem to recall that : @Antonia is expert at vintage denim

You have decades of accumulated knowledge in your brain. How wonderful that your DH shares your passion.

 

[Katinahat]

As perfect of a match that strap would be for your Mulberry, it is so expensive! Maybe just try a contrasting camera strap you can buy very cheaply to see how much you would actually use it before springing for the expensive version.

Thanks @whateve! That is such a good idea! I’ve been looking up straps online since I read it. So many options with a hint of pink and more if I were to add ones with no pink

All under £20 and all with GHW to match the Alexa. All are crossbody straps but the style I think would completely adjust to half the length for shoulder carry - do you have experience of that? I’m quite short!

 

[Katinahat]

RTW is crazy!

I think that is because it's like the rest of the world has 'suddenly' discovered clothes.

At the Gucci event, a silk jacquard suit jacket was £5K. It wasn't bespoke, just MTO. MTO (wool boucle) skirt of another suit £2K, I would have bought it but youwcouldn't buy it unless you bought the jacket. I would have never worn the jacket and skirt together and I didn't really like the (blouson, short, feathered-sleeve) jacket so what would be the point? Now I'm thinking the £2K red velvet jacket before Christmas (also MTO) was a bargain. Perhaps that's the point.

I guess they are making for people who think nothing of spending that amount on one outfit.

I've realized that the more bags I buy, the less interested I am in them. This may be partially due to the fact I don't like having a lot of stuff and I like using my items; so if I don't see something being used, it gets sold or donated relatively quickly.
Price increases definitely make me think twice though, especially when I think about depreciation of pre-loved goods. Even though I have the general rule of buying what I love, intending to keep and not resale, so price shouldn't matter; I know that I change over time and sometimes there are just things that I no longer like or use anymore; so I'll sell them at a loss.
For pre-owned, it depends; it's been a while since I've bought pre-loved bags (gosh, how I miss the 2015-2018 era of buying pre-loved); but I think I would do it if it was a limited or special edition piece or something very very classic, like a Chanel reissue. Though I'd probably go to 3rd party authentication for peace of mind since super fakes are more and more prevalent nowadays.



Ah, school, I don't miss it. I remember when I studied 6 -12 hours a day! Hard work definitely pays off though, good luck!



I remember the prices of private jets ~5-6 years ago and then recently my husband and I looked at the prices, and wow! Are they ridiculous! (Not that we go on private jets, one of our friend's does)



Yes! Especially with all the price hikes, the 2ndhand market follows suit!



I didn't walk into a single luxury store in 2020. When I just started getting back into going out in mid 2021, my SAs told me they were so surprised at the amount of people who used their COVID checks to buy luxury bags instead! It was disappointing to hear. Sigh....



Feel free to come to my neck of the woods. Chanel bags are common. And Hermes, while less common, it's not too hard to see a non-quota bag in the wild, and at certain locations, you'll definitely see quota bags around.


Forgot to add, I stop shopping when I am at a high weight or low weight for my range. Bc I cannot properly gauge style choices at high weight; and if I buy at low weight, it only fits or looks appropriate for a nano second. So that, plus price hikes at retail and resale, are serious factors to curb shopping (for years, not months). For me, it’s either feast or famine.

Covid checks?

In older clothes there are often three labels:
Designer
Retailer
Fabric mill or other

I have searches set for favorite mid century modern designers; but you can pick any decade that appeals.

for example, when I decided I wanted Norman Foster aluminum chairs (not the navy chair), my search ran for 2+ years before I was able to purchase 12 chairs for 250 each from Florida including shipping

the pickings are slim for what I want now, but again, it’s a matter of waiting. Often an item will not be labeled dead stock but NWT or otherwise be pristine. If an item is not dead stock, I prefer if there were underarm shields, that can be removed, to guard against excessive wear.

I prefer search by designer (Jacques feith, Donald brooks, Adel Simpson, Norman Norell; but will occasionally run a search by store (Ultimo, charivari, Linda dresner, Wilkes bashford, didier ludot, Anna lowe; bonwit teller). or, location, like British Hong Kong. or design element, such as, peplum. I have a continual search for Catherine regher, a canadian designer, bc I used to own the most magic dress ever (40 USD with custom label from Bergdorfs) but I loaned it to my cousin for her wedding after party (and it was left on the floor to be WASHED, probably with third world coconut soap). Urgh. Needless to say, I’ve never loaned my cousin anything else.

As you browse vintage searches, you will come up with other names, either suggested by the search engine or from whatever seller you happen to be perusing. There was once a woman from Iceland selling a warehouse filled with dresses on Etsy.

note: for vintage RTW, it is essential that you know your measurements; the silhouette that works for your body type. Also, factor in cost of cleaning, refurbishing etc. even dead stock may have linings that have given out (due to the weight or age of the garment etc). For example, my norman Norell coat is one of my favorite pieces, but the lining was not the best quality. It cost the same amount as the purchase price of the cost to have my tailor replace the lining in a very luxurious silk twill.

for fur or leather, be especially careful of condition. IMO it is almost impossible or very costly to rehab a dried pelt. Balding calf hair is a loss. I learned this the hard way when I bought a vintage lizard trench coat (not sure if it was Gucci, but it had a certain disco 70s flair that Tom Ford tried to resurrect). It could not be saved. i spent about 700 USD before giving up. The cost of refurbishment can exceed the cost of the item.

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one of my favorite pieces is a wool dress by Donald brooks from a random ebay seller for 57 USD. Such amazing wool fabric is impossible to find nowadays. The inverted pleat and pockets align perfectly

deals like that balance out more expensive vintage finds

also, one last note: pants are hard to fit. It’s possible to size up, but depending on the fabric, there may be marks. Sizing down does not always work. i suspect @cowgirlsboots knows much more about tailoring vintage clothing than I will know in a lifetime, so perhaps she will chime in . If you start buying vintage, go slowly. There is a learning curve and mistakes will be made.

Wow, you know so much!

It´s the same here in Germany. Everything has gone up in price and still continues to do so. Petrol prices are through the roof (2,20€ this morning for 1L unleaded), grocery prices are exploding- some have doubled compared to last year. The wood pellets for our stove almost cost double of what I paid last year, too. (I just placed the order, because I was afraid not to get any later in the year.) Oil is the same.
Spending money for silly as in non-essential purchases is definetely getting less for most people.

Im sorry to hear that. I think people everywhere are suffering this impact.

Oh, I know a lot about altering vintage to fit me, but wouldn´t actually call what I do tailoring... a lot of what I do is very makeshift! I do know my measurements, I do know which size fits me from some of the 70ies brands and I know the household sizecharts for 40ies, 50ies and 60ies from the period diy magazines. Usually I try to buy according to my measurements or bigger (but not tooooo big!) as it´s easier to take in than out (though it can be done...). I try to get a look at the inside of clothes before buying to assess seam allowances and the way they were made.
Generally I wouldn´t buy overcoats that obviously need altering, because that´s highly complicated and risky. Pants are a challenge! I keep my hands off them! I mean I have trouble finding modern pants that fit perfectly even when I can try them on. Buying vintage blind would be very risky.
A while ago I got a man´s suit for free from a house clearance and actualy managed to alter the pants. I think it was sheer luck, though.

I have made many mistakes during the years I´ve been buying and altering my vintage clothes- some awful hatchet jobs I did, some dresses that died in the washing machine, some items that simply felt yucky to me and I had to throw out, shoes that fell apart because they weren´t fit to be worn anymore...

I fully agree: start buying vintage sowly. Maybe in person in vintage stores where you can try on, feel, sniff... it´s like a relationship that has to develop.

I think you are a tailor! I can hardly hem trousers myself.

I understand that from both sides. I was just looking at ebay and the store for Rebag has 23,000 items listed. I bet they are going to be in a world of hurt when everyone stops buying.

On the other side of it, there was a very large Hermes reseller who closed down her shop a few years ago. First it was 25% off, then 50% off, then 75% off a good number of the items. I bought a bag that had been $4,000 for $1,200. One of my friends said I stole it. Not everything was marked down that much and her prices were really high to begin with, but still. I hope you get some "give-away" bargains when the time comes. (Stash a little money back for a spree.)

Wow, what a purchase. A bargain not a steal!

I read labels; I shop. I window shop. Magazines, books. my mother, grandmother, numerous aunts, cousins. We all are crazy about RTW. @Vintage Leather once spoke of an evening bag library. I essentially loan out my RTW to family. I’ve shopped since the early 1980s. Premier RTW since 1996. And, my DH also adores RTW, some fashion, most custom sartorial. At one point, many years ago he was going to interview to head the e-commerce division of a premier design house. I don’t recall what came of it, (he eventually settled into starting healthcare companies) but we read WWD for months, years. . . I joined TPF to learn about Hermes, but clothing is my real passion, so long as I can slim down enough to fit into it. And, I learn a lot from all of my SAs over the years.

ETA I seem to recall that : @Antonia is expert at vintage denim

Interesting it’s a family hobby and great to share something like that with DH too. No wonder you need such an awesome closet!

That’s like gardening is a hobby for my family - passed in down generations, although I’m far from an expert or green fingered in comparison to my parents or grandparents. Totally off the point of the strand but are some hints of what we’ve created in our outdoor space. I love roses!

 

[papertiger]

I guess they are making for people who think nothing of spending that amount on one outfit.

Covid checks?

Wow, you know so much!

Im sorry to hear that. I think people everywhere are suffering this impact.

I think you are a tailor! I can hardly hem trousers myself.

Wow, what a purchase. A bargain not a steal!

Interesting it’s a family hobby and great to share something like that with DH too. No wonder you need such an awesome closet!

That’s like gardening is a hobby for my family - passed in down generations, although I’m far from an expert or green fingered in comparison to my parents or grandparents. Totally off the point of the strand but are some hints of what we’ve created in our outdoor space. I love roses!

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Wow, I absolutely love your garden.

I love my garden too but I'm not as dedicated.

 

[papertiger]

Thanks @whateve! That is such a good idea! I’ve been looking up straps online since I read it. So many options with a hint of pink and more if I were to add ones with no pink
View attachment 5408907View attachment 5408908View attachment 5408909View attachment 5408910View attachment 5408911View attachment 5408912View attachment 5408913View attachment 5408914View attachment 5408916
All under £20 and all with GHW to match the Alexa. All are crossbody straps but the style I think would completely adjust to half the length for shoulder carry - do you have experience of that? I’m quite short!

I'm very drawn to the simpler straight steps for to. but they're all fab.

Before the whole Fendi Strap You launch just a few years ago, it was so hard finding anything. I really like that without buying a whole new bag, we can transform our existing ones.

 

[880]

I guess they are making for people who think nothing of spending that amount on one outfit.

Covid checks?

Wow, you know so much!

Im sorry to hear that. I think people everywhere are suffering this impact.

I think you are a tailor! I can hardly hem trousers myself.

Wow, what a purchase. A bargain not a steal!

Interesting it’s a family hobby and great to share something like that with DH too. No wonder you need such an awesome closet!

That’s like gardening is a hobby for my family - passed in down generations, although I’m far from an expert or green fingered in comparison to my parents or grandparents. Totally off the point of the strand but are some hints of what we’ve created in our outdoor space. I love roses!

View attachment 5408919View attachment 5408920View attachment 5408921

Thank you for your kind compliment!

I love your garden of roses! So beautiful!

Your sweet dog looks so relaxed and happy there!

 

[papertiger]

Went to an Italian with visiting friends last night. In the end I went with my silver Tanner Krolle Latch bag (2006) which I've had from new. We walked on the beach to get there. Don't let this pic fool you, it was freezing compared with the day before.

 

[Katinahat]

Back on bags! Interesting point for discussion raised by @lill_canele
I've realized that the more bags I buy, the less interested I am in them. This may be partially due to the fact I don't like having a lot of stuff and I like using my items; so if I don't see something being used, it gets sold or donated relatively quickly.

Does having more bags make you less interested in some of them? What do you do about that?

For me having more bags does mean I carry others less. I love having a choice of bag to match my outfit, purpose or simply mood. Like little pops of art when I open my cupboards and see them there, they do brighten my life and bring me joy. I expect we are all the same in this regard or we wouldn’t be here.

I have bags lurking I use less than I might wish. Probably mostly event/evening bags. My tearose dinky. It’s beautiful but I hardly use it now I have 4 other chain bags.

And work bags. I stick more to the practical Bays Tote so the Seaton and Bays get used less. Both are heavier and I only drive once a week so rarely switch to them.

And my pink Coach bags. Not often summery here!


For now, I won’t let any of them go. I enjoy owning them and, even if it is currently more limited, I can see when they might match with my pupose and style, now or in the future. I have gifted a few I couldn’t say that about.

I also feel satisfied with my collection for the time being and have no urge to buy anything else. Let’s see how long that lasts!

 

[dcooney4]

I don't know anything about the brand but I have heard people mention that the quality isn't as good now as it used to be, or maybe it depends on the piece.

I have been reading a lot of reviews out of curiosity. It is funny when you have a certain color in mind, and no one seems to make what you want, what you will do.

 

[dcooney4]

I guess they are making for people who think nothing of spending that amount on one outfit.

Covid checks?

Wow, you know so much!

Im sorry to hear that. I think people everywhere are suffering this impact.

I think you are a tailor! I can hardly hem trousers myself.

Wow, what a purchase. A bargain not a steal!

Interesting it’s a family hobby and great to share something like that with DH too. No wonder you need such an awesome closet!

That’s like gardening is a hobby for my family - passed in down generations, although I’m far from an expert or green fingered in comparison to my parents or grandparents. Totally off the point of the strand but are some hints of what we’ve created in our outdoor space. I love roses!

View attachment 5408919View attachment 5408920View attachment 5408921

Beautiful gardens and an adorable puppy!