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.

 

[dcooney4]

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.

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It looks divine .

 

[dcooney4]

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.
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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.
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And my pink Coach bags. Not often summery here!
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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!

Enjoy that feeling ! I rarely feel that and for me it never lasts long.

 

[papertiger]

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.
View attachment 5408926
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.
View attachment 5408927View attachment 5408928
And my pink Coach bags. Not often summery here!
View attachment 5408930View attachment 5408932

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!

Wow, that's such an interesting question. I've had lots of bags for a long time, it's hard to remember how I felt before.

I think I'm more interested in each/all, but less worried about them. I enjoy using my bags more now, even though I always bought them to wear, and with a few exceptions have worn them.

The whole Covid thing, not going out (not having an opportunity to wear them) left me feeling very frustrated, but I think that was the same with my whole wardrobe. I'm a lot happier now I have the opportunities to use bags again.

 

[Cordeliere]

Covid checks?

In the US, when the government did the first lockdown, lots of people couldn't pay their rent or buy food because they had no savings. Our congress voted to send every single American a payment of $1,200. Our income was not impacted, but my husband and I both got checks (slightly less than $1,200 each as they were income adjusted). The covid checks were great for those who could not work, but the knowledge workers could work from home and were still working, as were the essential workers. It was the restaurant workers who were hit really hard.

Over the course of the pandemic, they sent eligible people two more checks. People could get unemployment payments that were higher than normal. Social service agencies paid rent for people. There was so much money rolling in, people were reluctant to go back to work. All that extra money sloshing around in our economy is a major factor in the bout of high inflation that the US is currently dealing with. People who were still working and who got covid checks spent them on new furniture, TVs, and probably purse addicts spent it on purses. Lot's of demand for goods due to free money from the government, and not enough goods due to supply chain problems.

Here are the US covid payments. These are per person, not per household.

• $1,200 in April 2020
• $600 in December 2020/January 2021
• $1,400 in March 2021

On a different topic, I love your stone walls.

 

[Cookiefiend]

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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What a beautiful garden!
I might never leave it! We added to our landscaping in 2020 and it has become a haven for me - I sit on the patio and just look at all the green. Yesterday, I planted a few flowers (literally I planted 16 vinca ), and they’ve added a pretty pop of pink.
(only a few because I forget to water them, and the squirrels and/or rabbits eat them, so I only plant a few)

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.

View attachment 5408933

What a beauty PT!

 

[880]

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.

Agree! Having said that there is a venue small size dior numbered couture? Dress and matching coat on UK eBay for £399 or so. I told my dior SA if I remotely thought I could make it work on me, I would consider buying it. (Have not vetted the seller or done any due diligence)

Authentic Christian Dior Boutique Vintage 60s Dress & Jacket - Numbered pieces

 

[Cordeliere]

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. 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 also feel satisfied with my collection for the time being and have no urge to buy anything else.

I edited your quote down to the parts I relate to most. For me the answer is mostly yes on the "less interested" question. About half of my collection is small date bags. I used to say that the date bags were like peanuts. There is always room for one more. (I was wrong. My last small bag purchase was one too many). The answer is definitely yes on the "less interested" issue for my medium and large bags. Not only do I feel less interested as I get more, I feel overwhelmed by them because I am not using them enough.

I have a magic number. I want to cap my collection at 18 bags. Currently I have 22 plus 4 that I don't count (2 from long ago past and two travel bags that don't really work). There is no logical reason for 18. My body relaxes thinking about 18. My body tenses when I think 22. Plus I am still searching for the perfect travel bag, so I would go to 23. Yikes.

Yesterday I thought about selling my 4 least favorites. The idea made me happy. Only 18 bags. Yeah. Then I went to my bag armoire and looked at the 4. My reaction was "they are wonderful. They are works of art. Look at that leather. Look at that craftsmanship. What? Am I nuts? I was think of letting those go????"

My conclusion was I should keep them all, and leave one on the couch at all times to pet. I don't have to carry them. I can just cuddle them and enjoy them. DH thought this whole struggle was hilarious. I think what will happen is I will probably sell one of the four per year over the next four years. After I cuddle them a while, I can set my least favorites free.

I could try to carry them more, but I am not good at rotating. (The ladies who rotate easily are my heroes.) I have considered putting two or three per week on or in the buffet by the front door to make switching in and out easier. As I deep clean our house over the summer, my goal is to move our tax records to storage to make room for bags in the buffet.

My short answer is I am going to try to give all my bags more cuddle time and make it easier rotate them more.

 

[DME]

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.

OMG, I am in this exact spot with gray right now. Does it drive you crazy? It does me. I want a gray leather crossbody bag. Preferably textured leather. Likely SHW. There are some out there, but I’ve yet to find what I have in mind. Maybe someday.

I think you said your new bag is Patricia Nash? While I don’t have any personal experience with the brand, I have a friend who speaks quite highly of them (I had never even heard of the brand until she mentioned it to me about four years ago).

 

[DME]

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
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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!

@whateve made a great suggestion (and beat me to it!). I love the fabric straps Louis Vuitton makes and wanted the pink one like that on the Multi Pochette bag @Jereni has shown. I didn’t want to pay what LV is charging for just the strap, plus the pink one is not available for individual sale, so I would have to convince one of my CAs to order me a “replacement strap” for a bag I don’t actually own. I ended up searching Etsy and found a similar style in a similar color for $48, and I’ve been really happy with it.

The straps you’ve found so far are all great. Do you have a favorite?

 

[DME]

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.

View attachment 5408933

I don’t think I’ve seen a mention of this brand in ages. Thanks for reminding me of it! (A quick Google search tells me it’s still around; I’m going to do a little investigating later today.) Your bag is gorgeous! And I’m sorry it wasn’t as warm out as the photo would have us believe. After a colder than usual spring here, it’s going up to 93 degrees F today (almost 34 degrees C), which is HOT for us in May. Hope your dinner was lovely!

 

[DME]

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?

Very interesting question! Thanks @Katinahat for making it a discussion topic after @lill_canele mentioned it.

I don’t think having more bags makes me less interested in some of them. Instead I think my moods change and my style changes/evolves and that’s what dictates my bag interests. My response to this makes me think of something @880 spoke about a few pages back that I wanted to respond to, but just hadn’t had the time yet, so I’ll bring it up here because they’re related. Someone (@coffee2go maybe?) brought up the topic of price increases and how they might impact our shopping habits. In her reply, @880 spoke of how she buys investment pieces and I believe mentioned in that post, plus a couple more since, how some of her RTW dates back to the 90’s. I’m super impressed! I’m curious to know if others are like that?

I maintain a style for about five years, so investment dressing has never worked for me, although I wish it would. Sometimes my style changes are dictated by changes in my body (weight fluctuations, aging), sometimes they’re dictated by current fashion and sometimes I just want to try something new (nothing too drastic, but a definite shift). I’ve kept most of my designer bags over the years (although I’ve purged contemporary brands because they don’t seem as timeless to me) and tend to reach for those styles that mesh with whatever my current fashion style might be. I’ve thought about letting go of bags that are not getting much love, but then I find a renewed passion for them a few years later when my style inevitably changes again and am glad I held onto them - especially with all the crazy price increases and the insane resale market, since letting go and buying back would make for an expensive decision!

I’m about to head into that transition phase again; I can feel it. Thinking back, it’s been five years since the last one, which happened soon after I had my hysterectomy and lost some weight/inches as a result. It must be a mood shift this time since my weight has been fairly stable and there is nothing specific on the fashion front that seems to be driving the itch. Maybe it’s some kind of mid-life crisis, since I turn 50 in a few months. It will be interesting to see where my fashion style heads this time. The funny thing is I’ve had nearly the same hair style for about 20 years and have no desire to change it. Go figure!

 

[DME]

The emotive impact of music is an unexpected thing. A curve ball. Who could prepared themselves for that? What a pressure to have everyone know you.

Regarding coping mechanisms, they are not a problem unless they are causing a problem. A few years ago I was freaked out that DH was drinking more. A lot of old people drink a lot because they can--no pressure to get up and go to work. His was not a coping mechanism--it was just his idea of a good time. I was freaked because I was afraid he would turn into an alcoholic. I finally decided his drinking was not causing any problems so it didn't matter. He was still carrying out all his responsibilities, he wasn't hungover, his health is good. It was only a problem because I was making it a problem.

My point is don't make purse shopping a problem if it is not. Overwork is not a problem unless it is making you too tired or stressed or causing family problems. Over-eating--maybe not the best--but does it really matter if you have clothes that fit and husband who loves you? Coping mechanisms are a good thing. People who don't have problems don't need them. If you have something to deal with, you want well developed coping mechanism. You don't want coping mechanisms that are so good that they keep you from dealing with the root problem, but that is not your case. I say celebrate those coping mechanisms.

Still trying to catch up and realized this was another post that caught my attention. I am not a medical professional of any sort, so please bear that in mind, but I agree with what @Cordeliere writes. Coping mechanisms can been constructive in many ways; it’s why we teach them to our children beginning when they are infants. If scrolling through tPF, or online browsing, takes your mind off your triggers and allows you some peace, then I would think that’s a good thing for your mental health. If scrolling through tPF is keeping you from being functional (e.g., impacting your work, your family), then it might have moved into problematic territory. I feel the same can be said for alcohol, food, shopping and other behaviors.

if you have concerns, perhaps discuss them with your therapist, or another health care provider? For me, wine is a coping mechanism; I like a glass, or two, with dinner as a way to relax and wind down. However, there are seemingly weekly articles in U.S. newspapers about alcohol consumption and these always have me concerned, so I make this a yearly discussion topic when I see my general practitioner for a checkup. As long as he’s not seeing anything in my lab work that causes him concerns from a physical health standpoint and as long as my wine consumption isn’t destructive (e.g., excessive drinking, drunk driving), then he’s not worried. I feel like this helps me to keep things like this that I worry about in check.

YMMV and it would be best to check with a medical professional if you have concerns, but we all need ways to (constructively) cope/escape. The fact that you stop to even question whether your behaviors are healthy is very a good sign, since it tells me you are self-aware. You might just need some professional permission, if you will, to allow yourself the room to enjoy them. (That’s how I feel about my yearly discussion with the GP.) Again, I’m not a medical professional, but thought my experience could be helpful as you work through this. Hugs!

 

[papertiger]

I don’t think I’ve seen a mention of this brand in ages. Thanks for reminding me of it! (A quick Google search tells me it’s still around; I’m going to do a little investigating later today.) Your bag is gorgeous! And I’m sorry it wasn’t as warm out as the photo would have us believe. After a colder than usual spring here, it’s going up to 93 degrees F today (almost 34 degrees C), which is HOT for us in May. Hope your dinner was lovely!

Fantastic heritage brand. At one point Chanel owned them (when I bought this in 2006). Not sure if they still do. Quentin Mackay designed for them and I was a big fan of his work. When I first saw this bag in Selfridges I was obsessed, I mean literally obsessed . I'm pleased with myself that I still like the same things many, many years later.

The Italian restaurant consistently good. A really safe bet for taking people to and very warm and friendly.

Sunny here today, we entertained at French cafe/bistro, but it seems to have crossed-over to mostly British traditional which is also good because our friends are German (posh fish and chips, scampi, lamb - I had a veg option with tea). If they had allowed us to actually plan things ahead I could have booked the afternoon tea. I don't think anyone left any table hungry.

 

[BowieFan1971]

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.
View attachment 5408926
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.
View attachment 5408927View attachment 5408928
And my pink Coach bags. Not often summery here!
View attachment 5408930View attachment 5408932

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!

Interesting that you asked that question now, since I just took a bunch of bags (at least 12) for consignment yesterday, including my orange Picotin 18. It was just a tiny bit too small in that I did not like how the bag looked when I put my essentials in it. I would consider a 22, but prices on pre-loved Picos have gotten insane and new supply stinks. I may be able to net as much as a $1000 profit off my bag, which is welcome but insane. I also pared down my LV and Gucci collections, along with my other bags. I had some bags I bought because they fit criteria and were excellent buys, but were not what I really wanted. They were “good enough.” I am not going to do that anymore. I will pay more (within reason) to get what I want, not just close enough to it. I am going to get an orange bag (brand undecided but would love another H) to replace the orange Pico and still need a red bag (which may be a Italy purchase.) I am also replacing 2 brown mono Guccis with one in a style that is more me. The other Gucci (Bardot) may or may not get replaced. The 2 LVs and Prada will not get replaced, nor will the other bags of mixed brands. I will take a loss on a few, but will make enough on others to make up for it. I want to only have bags I will enthusiastically wear and love the idea of getting more wear from the bags that I have. I have a few more to consign in the fall (browns and dark reds) and some SLGs I want to take. I will still have bags that will not be worn every day, like the Kelly, but the rest? They need and deserve to be used. And the more I use them, the less they cost.

 

[dcooney4]

OMG, I am in this exact spot with gray right now. Does it drive you crazy? It does me. I want a gray leather crossbody bag. Preferably textured leather. Likely SHW. There are some out there, but I’ve yet to find what I have in mind. Maybe someday.

I think you said your new bag is Patricia Nash? While I don’t have any personal experience with the brand, I have a friend who speaks quite highly of them (I had never even heard of the brand until she mentioned it to me about four years ago).

Yes , it was driving me a little crazy. I went to Gucci, mulberry, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Tory Butch outlets and a few others . I am very pale and certain tans look hideous on me. So I happened across this one . It was attached to a string with an alarm and of course while I was trying to look at it , I set it off. Luckily I had already caught the managers eye to get someone to unlock it for me. I wanted to get a better look at it but the woman took it and my name and said she would have it at the register for me. It was the shops opening day so I took it and a woven tiny leather bag. Hence all the questions after purchase rather than before.