2023 Downsizing Your Bag Collection

[Kuschelnudde]

Yes, a few years ago I made a straight cut and sold a lot. I still love bags but I am more mindful with my purchases.

For example I realized that - though I really like colorful bags - I always tend to wear more muted or classic colors.
Also I stopped looking for „deals“. These were always seasonal and at the end I didn’t use them as much as I would have used the classic styles.

At the moment I have around 15 bags. Mainly timeless styles (or what I see as timeless) in black, brown or beige. Before a new purchase I think a lot about how I will use it and if it will fit my lifestyle. Often I pass - too small, too colorful, too trendy, not practical… the list of my no-go‘s today is very long and this stopped my obsession. And there are months I am not even thinking about bags. Afterwards it is just fun scrolling through the new releases and styles and sometimes I find something appealing which is going to work for me. But I have to love it.

Great post, thanks for sharing!!!

 

[novicecollector]

I've seen so many deinfluencing videos online, but I wanted to see actual tips on buying less and reducing the urge to keep searching and collecting more handbags. Here are the things that have helped me so far. It would be great if everyone could share the tips and tricks that work for them so we can all make better, more mindful purchases.

• Buy secondhand as much as you can. Wait for deals. If you miss one, there will always be another deal, another bag.
• You want the item, but you also want your money. The sellers also want your money. This means your money is very valuable, and you should think twice before spending it.
• A lot of bags you see online touted by influencers could be rentals or gifts. Some are also fakes.
• Don't listen to what other people say are the bags you NEED, or the categories you have to get at least one bag for. Think carefully about what your personal needs actually are.
  • Example: I thought I needed a top handle style evening bag, but I never used it. Similar to style categories or use categories. I only have two categories: daily bags, and fancy bags I can use on a daily basis as well as take to a nice evening event if the occasion arises. I have a few Celine bags that meet that standard, so I have no need in my life to continue buying expensive bags when I'm not going to get the same value out of owning that item.
• The company can set whatever price they want for that bag, but that's not the actual value of that bag. Do a cost-benefit analysis. On the cost side, what's the value of the materials used to produce the bag? The labor? The brand? On the benefit side, what's the value of the bag to you? How much value would it bring to your life? What is the design worth to you? What is the brand worth to you? How do you want to use the bag?
  • Example: I have enough bags at this point that another bag wouldn't bring me much additional benefit to my life. I wanted to try black shoulder bags so I bought cheap ones to try out the style and see if I wanted to invest in a more expensive luxury designer one later. I ended up donating those bags away because I lost interest in that style, so I'm glad I didn't spend that much money in the first place.

Luv your cost-benefit analysis idea. I need to start doing that. Thank you!

 

[cecchetti]

This year I’ve sold 2, gifted some, bought 1, I’m at 9, with a wishlist of 4, but they’re all very expensive exotics, and I’m currently buying rtw and jewellery, and I’m perfectly happy for now with the collection I have, knowing that I’ll buy my wishlist when the time is right-which isn’t now..

 

[poleneinblack]

Coming back to add another "rule." I like all the bags I have right now but I realize I still don't use all of them or I'm not getting the use/enjoyment I want out of certain bags because I still have too many. Now I want to only keep the bags that I would replace in a heartbeat if I lost my current one.

 

[Antonia]

Coming back to add another "rule." I like all the bags I have right now but I realize I still don't use all of them or I'm not getting the use/enjoyment I want out of certain bags because I still have too many. Now I want to only keep the bags that I would replace in a heartbeat if I lost my current one.

That's a good way of thinking of it!!

 

[cecchetti]

Coming back to add another "rule." I like all the bags I have right now but I realize I still don't use all of them or I'm not getting the use/enjoyment I want out of certain bags because I still have too many. Now I want to only keep the bags that I would replace in a heartbeat if I lost my current one.

I’m in a very similar position to you-I like all of my current bags but don’t use them all.
But only have 9..atm I’m keeping them as I don’t want to regret any, although that could change next year when I’m able to purchase one of the bags on my short wishlist .
However, I don’t want to sell any, so I’d only part with them to gift..

Although , having said that, if I had a way of selling them at a good price, I’d sell most of my collection towards a new crocodile bag, as mostly I’m carrying my Jimmy Choo navy crocodile bag atm…

 

[poleneinblack]

Coming back here to share some tips and experiences on what helped me spend less, consume less. I've had a mindset shift in the last few months and I don't think about shopping at all. Inspired by these youtube videos:

 

[poleneinblack]

These are the things I found helped me. Please share your tips below!


1. Decluttering my bag collection by getting rid of bags I didn't want to keep, and only keeping ones I love and couldn't bear to give away.
2. Having limited storage space, so it makes me not want to get more bags because then I'd have to get rid of other ones or find more space.
3. Having a clear wish list or shopping list and not deviating from it.
4. Not shopping online out of boredom.
5. Stop looking at influencers, shopping Youtubers, etc. Replace with content about hobbies or interests I want to spend more time on in place of online shopping/luxury.
6. Not shopping online just because there's a sale.
7. Having lists or reminders that show me what I already have so I don't buy things that are similar or just because I forgot I already had it.
8. Spending less time online.
9. Focusing on other hobbies and activities I care about more, like reading and writing.
10. Looking at financial goals and bills, and rewarding myself for not spending money and investing money instead of buying stuff.
11. Focusing on only buying things I need

 

[forgetmenot301]

These are the things I found helped me. Please share your tips below!


1. Decluttering my bag collection by getting rid of bags I didn't want to keep, and only keeping ones I love and couldn't bear to give away.
2. Having limited storage space, so it makes me not want to get more bags because then I'd have to get rid of other ones or find more space.
3. Having a clear wish list or shopping list and not deviating from it.
4. Not shopping online out of boredom.
5. Stop looking at influencers, shopping Youtubers, etc. Replace with content about hobbies or interests I want to spend more time on in place of online shopping/luxury.
6. Not shopping online just because there's a sale.
7. Having lists or reminders that show me what I already have so I don't buy things that are similar or just because I forgot I already had it.
8. Spending less time online.
9. Focusing on other hobbies and activities I care about more, like reading and writing.
10. Looking at financial goals and bills, and rewarding myself for not spending money and investing money instead of buying stuff.
11. Focusing on only buying things I need

Amazing list!

 

[cecchetti]

I think I’ve become more content this year.
One of my bags split, so I exchanged it for something else(it was a recent purchase)- so my collection is down to 8 bags, which is my Goldilocks number.

I’ve reduced my wishlist to 3 bags-1 I crossed off just because I didn’t think it would make me any happier although I could easily afford it.
Atm I’m spending a lot on jewellery, so I’m not planning on buying any of the other 3 this year, and like @papertiger ill have a “one in one out” rule, as 8 bags works for me.
I always have a bag for every occasion, but don’t feel overwhelmed by my collection.

I will always buy jewellery, although not much as I buy High Jewellery, and I prefer bespoke clothing and don’t wear high street clothing(also I’m small so most shops don’t seem to fit me anyway).

But concentrating on bags, despite having a very expensive wishlist, for now (this year anyway) I have purse peace, although next year I’ll start researching towards one of the bags on my wishlist.

 

[papertiger]

Coming back here to share some tips and experiences on what helped me spend less, consume less. I've had a mindset shift in the last few months and I don't think about shopping at all. Inspired by these youtube videos:

Maximalist does not necessarily mean a huge wardrobe/collection and minimalist small. The terms also refer to an aesthetic.

One can have lots of minimalist bags and still have a huge collection.

IMO, the terms used should be in plain speech. Too much always means too much.

 

[mz_engineer12]

I think I’ve become more content this year.
One of my bags split, so I exchanged it for something else(it was a recent purchase)- so my collection is down to 8 bags, which is my Goldilocks number.

I’ve reduced my wishlist to 3 bags-1 I crossed off just because I didn’t think it would make me any happier although I could easily afford it.
Atm I’m spending a lot on jewellery, so I’m not planning on buying any of the other 3 this year, and like @papertiger ill have a “one in one out” rule, as 8 bags works for me.
I always have a bag for every occasion, but don’t feel overwhelmed by my collection.

I will always buy jewellery, although not much as I buy High Jewellery, and I prefer bespoke clothing and don’t wear high street clothing(also I’m small so most shops don’t seem to fit me anyway).

But concentrating on bags, despite having a very expensive wishlist, for now (this year anyway) I have purse peace, although next year I’ll start researching towards one of the bags on my wishlist.

That’s awesome ! I am on the same boat and am concentrating on fine jewelry vs handbags. Which 8 bags remain in your collection?

 

[cecchetti]

That’s awesome ! I am on the same boat and am concentrating on fine jewelry vs handbags. Which 8 bags remain in your collection?

Hi, I’m not ready to list the 8 bags just yet-although im at the right number, not all are safe yet!
I have a wishlist of 3- some I will gift to make room for these, not all are “ forever” bags, although I wouldn’t part with my exotic bags..
Also my personalised monogrammed travel bag(not really a handbag lol).
But as I mentioned, im spending a lot on jewellery, plus quite a bit on rtw, so I’m not in a hurry -I think this is referred to as a purse pause??

I May gift one as a Christmas present as I’m planning a new bag new year.
My Jimmy Choo matte navy crocodile bag, dark navy no name crocodile bag, Laurus ostrich Prussia blue bag are going nowhere, nor is my Pierotucci mtm monogrammed Ltd edition Vachetta navy travel bag.

So that just leaves 4 which are at risk!-but I gifted my H Tsako this year and want more exotics so all 4 eventually will be transformed over time x

 

[malachitenine]

I just wanted to chime in with the idea of identity - we as people change over time, but there possibly is a bag that is really 'you', that you would choose if you had to wear only one your whole life. It's true enough there are countless amazing bags out there, but i've latched onto the idea of the 'classic signature' bag/outfit/look or 'endgame' because time and money is limited and at least for me I can't buy the infinite offerings in all the stores.

 

[cecchetti]

I just wanted to chime in with the idea of identity - we as people change over time, but there possibly is a bag that is really 'you', that you would choose if you had to wear only one your whole life. It's true enough there are countless amazing bags out there, but i've latched onto the idea of the 'classic signature' bag/outfit/look or 'endgame' because time and money is limited and at least for me I can't buy the infinite offerings in all the stores.

Yes TOTALLY !!

Eventually I’d like an Horizons bespoke bag, and there are a couple of other expensive exotics I’d like which I’ve carefully researched, but atm of my collection , my Jimmy Choo, which I’ve had from new and never babied despite being crocodile, is my signature bag-i coukd “lose” all of the others..but not that one..!