2023 Resolution: Shopping my Own Bags and SLG Collection

[Vintage Leather]

A long standing tradition in this thread is to remind ourselves of how wonderful our own collections are by showcasing them. We can see how far we have come, collection wise, and we reminded that we have all (or most of) what we need making it easier to shop our own closets.



• New theme weeks start each Sunday

• Don’t jump ahead but, if you miss a week, please do show your bags “late”.

• Show bags individually or in a group

• You do NOT have to wear the bags that week

• For added fun, show old pictures from previous years to demonstrate how you have curated it over time.

• This is completely voluntary. There is no pressure to post at any time.





So what are the showcases? In the Fall, we group our bags by makers! Feel free to show bags, small leather goods, or however it is easiest to organize!

August 13 - Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta

August 20 - Burberry, Celine

August 27 - Coach, Chanel

September 3 - Chloe, Dior

September 10 - Dooney & Bourke, Fendi

September 17 - Ferragamo, Givenchy

September 24 - Goyard, Gucci

October 1 - Hermes, Kate Spade

October 8 - Loewe, Longchamp

October 15 - Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs

October 22 - Michael Kors, Miu Miu

October 29 - Mulberry, Prada

November 5 - Proenza Schouler, Rebecca Minkoff

November 12 - Saint Laurent, Tods

November 19 - Tory Burch, Valentino

November 26 - Bags by Jewelers: Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany Co, Van Cleef & Arpels. Alternatively, the pillboxes, compacts and other lovelies made by jewelers that fit in your bag.

December 3 - independent artisans and custom bags.

 

[nyeredzi]

One of the many reasons I love tPF: I learn something new every day! I live in Maryland (been here almost 27 years now) and have never heard of this festival until today. I live in the next county over and work in the county where this festival takes place. Apparently I have been living under a rock!

I would love, love, love to see a photo of your socks, and am hoping you (@whateve) will show photos of your bags, if you make them.

Oh, I'm glad to let you know about it! It's my favorite festival, and I go to a lot of kid-friendly type ones. We missed Bunnyland this year, but I've enjoyed that. And all the fall festivals. I think the one at Montpelier Farm is my favorite fall. We do pick your own fruits and vegetables, the county fairs and state fair, strawberry festival, and an oyster festival down in St. Mary's that we haven't been to in a while, but did enjoy. But Maryland Sheep and Wool is my favorite. Might be the yarn. But I think it's fun for the whole family.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Wow! That’s sharp!

Thank you! The dress has been with me for over a decade now. For some reason, my default winter outfit is often pants and jeans, and I end up not wearing dresses much. I really should wear it more often.

My metallic bag, no change between 2017 to 2023. Also shown previously with my grey bag family.

2017, and 2023

• Chanel 14P Silver Metallic Reissue Camera Case

View attachment 5766287

Beautiful! Love the bag and scarf pairing!

I started carrying crossbody styles before covid, about the time when I downsized what I carry. I had some trouble adjusting to putting the strap over my head. It seemed awkward and sometimes still does. If I'm walking around with my bag I'll wear it crossbody but if I'm going to be taking it off almost immediately I'll just put it on my shoulder or hand carry it. That's when it is nice to have a top handle. The thing I appreciate most about crossbody is being able to access things inside without taking the purse off.

I don't have a problem with puddly bags. I love smooshy leather. I only love bags that puddle if they were designed that way. They are hard to photograph though. If a bag is supposed to be structured, I want it to stay that way.

I often wear my crossbody bags as shoulder bags -- I prefer them that way, as long as the strap drop is not too long. Being able to access things inside without taking the purse off is indeed a nice feature of a crossbody bag. Agree that puddly bags are harder to photograph, but the pictures do manage to capture the beautiful and sumptuous leather.
I hope you will post pics of your afghan when you are ready.
@nyeredzi, you are a skilled knitter! The socks are great and the pattern looks quite complicated. If either of you do decide to crochet the raffia tote, we would love to see pics. I can only do basic knit and purl, and while I have knitted easy wool scarfs in the past, my one big project, a vest for my dad, has stagnated right around the point it gets a bit complicated for my skill level (reducing the stitches to shape the neckline). I need to get over the inertia and try to complete it. I started knitting because I figured it would be easier to do while watching TV (unlike cross stitch or painting, which require more of a time commitment and focus from me), but perhaps I should stick to very basic projects even with the knitting.

 

[BowieFan1971]

Oh no! Are you going to unravel it? You can always just say you did it intentionally, lol. You were improvising the color sequence. It was like ... color jazz.

I do use double points for socks. I hate circulars for socks, hard to maneuver such a tiny little circle. I have seen people knit socks on a single set of circulars, but I'd think at some point, like at the toe, it's just too narrow and they'd have to either switch to double points or use 2 circulars. I love circulars for big enough things, like hats or sweaters. All knits, no purls! But if you are comfortable with double points, socks are not hard, especially if you keep the pattern simple. The trickiest part is the heel. Allow me to share my most difficult socks, from a pattern called QBert (hmm, looks like the project name changed to Q ... maybe copyright issue?). In my current life, I'd never attempt these. I'm burned out, and need relaxing yarn projects.

View attachment 5766356

I am in awe.

There used to be a video game in the early days called Q-bert that had graphics like that from what I can recall….

 

[More bags]

My only metallic bag: BV Knot. I was in the middle of putting my winter dresses away, so snapped a pic with one, but this bag is perfect year round, and works just as well with spring and summer outfits too.
View attachment 5766328
The ring belonged to my mom. It has a Tiger's eye stone set in the center, and I felt the color of the stone somehow went with the overall vibe of the dress.

Gorgeous Knot and ring. Cool pairing with the details in this dress!

 

[More bags]

The leather MJ mini tote has a zipper. I have one also. Great bag !

@dcooney4 - thanks for the zipper info, not enabling at all!

Thanks for your kind words @880, @Purses & Perfumes

@nyeredzi you are so talented!

 

[Evia]

Indeed, the different ages and stages of life and career play a major role in influencing our bag choices. Top handles with shoulder straps are my favorite style too. For a while, when Covid emerged, crossbody styles played a bigger role in my life, but I have now reverted to top handle bags as my most favored style. Loved reading about how your bag tastes have evolved over time.

I prefer cross body bags nowadays, I used to carry much bigger bags. Lifestage does make a difference and so does technology. At one point I used to carry work phone, work iPad, on call bleep, home phone, and pre iPad had a fat diary, notebook and files and papers to lug about too! Things have changed a lot.

Oh no! Are you going to unravel it? You can always just say you did it intentionally, lol. You were improvising the color sequence. It was like ... color jazz.

I do use double points for socks. I hate circulars for socks, hard to maneuver such a tiny little circle. I have seen people knit socks on a single set of circulars, but I'd think at some point, like at the toe, it's just too narrow and they'd have to either switch to double points or use 2 circulars. I love circulars for big enough things, like hats or sweaters. All knits, no purls! But if you are comfortable with double points, socks are not hard, especially if you keep the pattern simple. The trickiest part is the heel. Allow me to share my most difficult socks, from a pattern called QBert (hmm, looks like the project name changed to Q ... maybe copyright issue?). In my current life, I'd never attempt these. I'm burned out, and need relaxing yarn projects.

View attachment 5766356

I’m very impressed, they’re amazing!

 

[nyeredzi]

I am in awe.

There used to be a video game in the early days called Q-bert that had graphics like that from what I can recall….

Thanks! Yeah, that game (which I’m just old enough to remember ) is definitely the inspiration. Maybe the copyright holders made them change the name.

Thanks @More bags and @Pessie !

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

I prefer cross body bags nowadays, I used to carry much bigger bags. Lifestage does make a difference and so does technology. At one point I used to carry work phone, work iPad, on call bleep, home phone, and pre iPad had a fat diary, notebook and files and papers to lug about too! Things have changed a lot.

Very good point about technology -- it does indeed make a significant difference. I can see that you would definitely need a large bag to carry all the things mentioned above. When I worked in an office, I had to occasionally carry files, for which I had a tote, but it was an infrequent occurrence. I did carry a small diary/planner though because I prefer planning with pen and paper (to this day). Never quite got into the habit of planning on the iPad or other device.

 

[baghabitz34]

Your metallics are gorgeous @880!

@baghabitz34 great first tote to start your tote collection. I didn’t realize the Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag has a zipper, is it only for the large size? The smaller MJ totes are cute.

@nyeredzi I hear you on the Prada raffia tote featured on TPB, the price is eye watering. It doesn’t fit my lifestyle and where I live. If you lived somewhere hot and close to the beach or pool it could be a fun bag.

@whateve I love your Poppy Cinch photo, especially the skates bag charm.

@dcooney4 I love the interior colour of your metallic MZ Wallace.

@Pessie spectacular Cabat!

Thanks!
As far as I know, all of the MJ totes have zippers. I have three sizes - mini, small (now called medium), and large - and they all have zippers.

 

[baghabitz34]

@More bags Love the dark grey metallic camera bag
@Purses & Perfumes Beautiful pairing! I would like to put my winter stuff away too, but the weather here in the Midwest is still unstable. It snowed the other day, but it’s going to be 80F today.

 

[Vintage Leather]

I actually carried - and took a picture - of one of my metallic bags. It’s a Chanel in straw, with metallic champagne gold camelias all across it.

I tend to use it as a personal item when traveling or a very tiny beach bag, because it is lined in plastic. It has a wristlet for private purse items you want to keep secure, and holds a phone, headphones, a book, a sketchbook, a large battery and charging cables, a small water bottle or reusable cup and a bikini or change of underwear.

A little worn but very much loved

 

[Evia]

Very good point about technology -- it does indeed make a significant difference. I can see that you would definitely need a large bag to carry all the things mentioned above. When I worked in an office, I had to occasionally carry files, for which I had a tote, but it was an infrequent occurrence. I did carry a small diary/planner though because I prefer planning with pen and paper (to this day). Never quite got into the habit of planning on the iPad or other device.

Must admit I remember things much better if I write them down on paper. We’ve all seen lots of change in quite a condensed timeframe really. And techs got ever slimmer and more multifunctional too - if only I could say the same for myself

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Must admit I remember things much better if I write them down on paper. We’ve all seen lots of change in quite a condensed timeframe really. And techs got ever slimmer and more multifunctional too - if only I could say the same for myself

LOL, yes, I can never keep pace with technology with its constant changes and upgrades. Additionally, I am what they call a late adopter. I had a flip phone forever, and was quite happy with it until friends and family started complaining about it. I must admit I am happy with my smart phone though. I just wish they didn't keep upgrading the various devices, necessitating new additions on a regular basis.

@Purses & Perfumes Beautiful pairing! I would like to put my winter stuff away too, but the weather here in the Midwest is still unstable. It snowed the other day, but it’s going to be 80F today

Thank you! I do still have my winter coats out because I'm in the same situation/weather pattern as you, and as we know, the weather here fluctuates quite a bit. But I have started to put things away in categories (thicker sweaters and winter blazers went first, winter dresses next), because it's a bit easier to do it in smaller chunks. Also, our closets are small and so I have seasonal items distributed in different places like out of season dresses in the guest closet etc. I dream of a big walk-in closet -- maybe someday!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

I actually carried - and took a picture - of one of my metallic bags. It’s a Chanel in straw, with metallic champagne gold camelias all across it.

I tend to use it as a personal item when traveling or a very tiny beach bag, because it is lined in plastic. It has a wristlet for private purse items you want to keep secure, and holds a phone, headphones, a book, a sketchbook, a large battery and charging cables, a small water bottle or reusable cup and a bikini or change of underwear.

A little worn but very much loved

View attachment 5766403

Love this bag! I am a fan of the camellia design.

@More bags, thank you for the compliments. It's such a temptation to collect the Knot clutches, but I don't really need any more clutch bags.

 

[DME]

Oh, I'm glad to let you know about it! It's my favorite festival, and I go to a lot of kid-friendly type ones. We missed Bunnyland this year, but I've enjoyed that. And all the fall festivals. I think the one at Montpelier Farm is my favorite fall. We do pick your own fruits and vegetables, the county fairs and state fair, strawberry festival, and an oyster festival down in St. Mary's that we haven't been to in a while, but did enjoy. But Maryland Sheep and Wool is my favorite. Might be the yarn. But I think it's fun for the whole family.

Have a great time! And, wow, you’ve given me a whole lot of other local things to investigate. I’m familiar with the Montgomery County Fair - and that’s about it!