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.

 

[BowieFan1971]

April stats

bags in 2
bags out 1
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 0

ytd
bags in 2
bags out 4
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 3

I bought 2 bags in April. One is a Brahmin I still haven't carried. The other is a Balenciaga in ultraviolet that was an impulse buy. I've carried it 10 days in a row.

The bag out was a horrible experience. I sold a brand new bag to a nightmare buyer on Poshmark. She returned it damaged and Poshmark just gave me a courtesy store credit for half the amount. I donated the bag so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore.

I'm continuing my reading pace, 3 to 5 books a month. I still have a backlog of about 20 books on my kindle.

I carried 8 bags this month.

I bought a couple of new pairs of shoes this month. One pair is from Allbirds. I've been wanting to try the brand for awhile.

Here is a picture of the new Balenciaga.

View attachment 5774241

Allbirds flats are the best! Wore them all day long walking around Italy and they were so comfy and molded to my feet.

 

[880]

April stats

bags in 2
bags out 1
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 0

ytd
bags in 2
bags out 4
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 3

I bought 2 bags in April. One is a Brahmin I still haven't carried. The other is a Balenciaga in ultraviolet that was an impulse buy. I've carried it 10 days in a row.

The bag out was a horrible experience. I sold a brand new bag to a nightmare buyer on Poshmark. She returned it damaged and Poshmark just gave me a courtesy store credit for half the amount. I donated the bag so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore.

I'm continuing my reading pace, 3 to 5 books a month. I still have a backlog of about 20 books on my kindle.

I carried 8 bags this month.

I bought a couple of new pairs of shoes this month. One pair is from Allbirds. I've been wanting to try the brand for awhile.

Here is a picture of the new Balenciaga.

View attachment 5774241

I am so sorry about the Poshmark experience, and that there is little or no recourse, but I’m glad you donated it
Karma will catch up to buyers like that

would be interested to hear your opinion on Allbirds re comfort, sizing, durability etc. I’ve heard they can be comfy, but no idea as to support compared to say, Birkenstocks or standard sneakers.

 

[whateve]

I am so sorry about the Poshmark experience, and that there is little or no recourse, but I’m glad you donated it
Karma will catch up to buyers like that

would be interested to hear your opinion on Allbirds re comfort, sizing, durability etc. I’ve heard they can be comfy, but no idea as to support compared to say, Birkenstocks or standard sneakers.

Allbirds are super comfortable. I have narrow feet and was worried they wouldn't work for me since they advertise that everything is unisex. I took advantage of the fact that we were near a store where I could try them on. I wear my normal size. They felt so good the minute I put them on. The SA picked a style for me that works better for narrow feet, pretty much saying that most of the other styles wouldn't work for me. I got the wool ones. I love the fuzzy look. I don't know if I'll ever get any others because I have tall toes. My big toe curls up and pokes up the top of the shoe sometimes. It doesn't hurt because it is flexible but I'm afraid it will wear weird there. I'll wait and see if it becomes a problem.

I think Cariuma works a little better for me. The material makes a difference. For Cariuma, the knit sneakers are more comfortable than the canvas.
These are the Allbirds I got: https://www.allbirds.com/products/womens-wool-pipers
These are the Cariuma shoes that are my favorite: https://cariuma.com/products/ibi-stone-blue-knit-sneaker-women

 

[880]

Allbirds are super comfortable. I have narrow feet and was worried they wouldn't work for me since they advertise that everything is unisex. I took advantage of the fact that we were near a store where I could try them on. I wear my normal size. They felt so good the minute I put them on. The SA picked a style for me that works better for narrow feet, pretty much saying that most of the other styles wouldn't work for me. I got the wool ones. I love the fuzzy look. I don't know if I'll ever get any others because I have tall toes. My big toe curls up and pokes up the top of the shoe sometimes. It doesn't hurt because it is flexible but I'm afraid it will wear weird there. I'll wait and see if it becomes a problem.

I think Cariuma works a little better for me. The material makes a difference. For Cariuma, the knit sneakers are more comfortable than the canvas.
These are the Allbirds I got: https://www.allbirds.com/products/womens-wool-pipers
These are the Cariuma shoes that are my favorite: https://cariuma.com/products/ibi-stone-blue-knit-sneaker-women

Thank you! This is so helpful. I think I will try the cariuma for my next pair of sneakers

 

[essiedub]

OMG, you did an absolutely amazing job! I am so impressed!

thank you!

You did an outstanding job. I hope you carry it again soon. Maybe you can bring it out more over the coming months? It would be easy to style with spring/summer outfits!

yes, I will carry it for some spring event!

ohmigosh - you made that? It's adorable!!

thank you! It was so much work. I have learned to appreciate all the work of the artisans.

Looks amazing!!

thank you Bowiefan!

I love the one you made. You are very talented.

You are too kind. Thank You!

That's so cute! I think you did a great job. One thing, too, that we often don't give ourselves credit for is, when we try things like this, it's often our very first time to do that particular thing. Meaning, we did that good of a job with just one try, no pattern! I'm sure with the right time and incentive, we'd perfect it even further after writing down a couple notes and trying a couple of times. We'd also get more efficient at doing it.

Working on this raffia tote dupe has me thinking, too, of what the work must be like for the people who are making these fairly mass-produced bags. @cowgirlsboots mention of her knitting job ruining her hands made me think of it, too. I'm sorry you have that injury now! What were you knitting? Crochet, I believe, can still only be done by hand. If I had to design a workflow for workers to make crocheted objects, I'd have them do actual crochet no more than 4 hours in a day, and not consecutive. Max 1 hour at a time, and then wrist stretches and perhaps doing other work to give their hands a break. Especially this raffia yarn which, as cowgirlsboots mentioned, is stiff and so has no give and I'm finding is harder on the hands. I think, after understanding the construction and doing it once, I could crochet this bag with 8 hours of crochet work, but no way should I try to do it all in one day, especially over and over again. At most 8 hours over 2 days with lots of breaks would be best to preserve your wrists. I wonder how Prada's workflow is?

I cannot even imagine what raffia would do to the hands! Yes, it is a lesson in work and effort.

Wow, no laughing at all, that's just so pretty

Thank you. It was a fun project. But that was it.



and thanks to everyone for the kind “likes!”

 

[More bags]

I did actually manage a donation run - I also finally sorted through my tools, and have each of my cousins a large tote full of old car repair tools.

I held on to one set of the carpentry tools, plus my electronic tools and general home repair stuff. But I am not going to need a break puller at this time of my life, and it’s time to stop holding on to it.

Tools was one of my four big categories I was tackling this year - tools, jewelry, art and books.

So I’m 28% done.


April

Bags In: 2
Bags out: 2
Accessories In: 1
Accessories Out: 1
Household Out: 4
Donations out: 195




April YTD

Bags In: 3
Bags Out: 4
Accessories In: 4
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 209
Household: 15
Donations Out: 354
Total out: 582

Amazing stats!

 

[More bags]

Wow great stats!

Thank you dc!

 

[More bags]

April stats

bags in 2
bags out 1
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 0

ytd
bags in 2
bags out 4
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 3

I bought 2 bags in April. One is a Brahmin I still haven't carried. The other is a Balenciaga in ultraviolet that was an impulse buy. I've carried it 10 days in a row.

The bag out was a horrible experience. I sold a brand new bag to a nightmare buyer on Poshmark. She returned it damaged and Poshmark just gave me a courtesy store credit for half the amount. I donated the bag so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore.

I'm continuing my reading pace, 3 to 5 books a month. I still have a backlog of about 20 books on my kindle.

I carried 8 bags this month.

I bought a couple of new pairs of shoes this month. One pair is from Allbirds. I've been wanting to try the brand for awhile.

Here is a picture of the new Balenciaga.

View attachment 5774241

I love your new Bal. Sorry to hear about the Poshmark experience. That is terrible.

 

[Evia]

Saw these in a boutique today! I generally don’t do shoulder bags but they were quite light and the Italian leather was very nice. They are not a name brand and would not be easy to sell, but I really liked them.The top one has more of a moss green tone in real life. Both bags have side pieces that can turn it into more of a tulip shape. I would only get one. What do you think ?

View attachment 5774010

View attachment 5774011

I like the pale blue, it would be very pretty for summer.

April stats

bags in 2
bags out 1
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 0

ytd
bags in 2
bags out 4
SLGs in 0
SLGs out 3

I bought 2 bags in April. One is a Brahmin I still haven't carried. The other is a Balenciaga in ultraviolet that was an impulse buy. I've carried it 10 days in a row.

The bag out was a horrible experience. I sold a brand new bag to a nightmare buyer on Poshmark. She returned it damaged and Poshmark just gave me a courtesy store credit for half the amount. I donated the bag so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore.

I'm continuing my reading pace, 3 to 5 books a month. I still have a backlog of about 20 books on my kindle.

I carried 8 bags this month.

I bought a couple of new pairs of shoes this month. One pair is from Allbirds. I've been wanting to try the brand for awhile.

Here is a picture of the new Balenciaga.

View attachment 5774241

Love the balenciaga, it looks in great condition. I remember nearly buying a black one in store when they were in current production and regretting not buying it when it was too late.

I threw out a bag I bought on eBay because it was so grotty and disgusting I just wanted it out of the house. I should’ve complained and sent it back I know, but I couldn’t face handling the bag or arguing with the unpleasant seller. I think that was the last time I bought anything on eBay.

 

[baghabitz34]

Love those sneakers! Who makes them?

I love the floral print on the cosmetic case. The mini tote in this print is tempting me. Twins on the butterfly charm.

Both the sneakers are from p448.

I love butterflies, so I was happy to add these two. The Field Tote 22 in this pattern

is so pretty, I am tempted to add it. But I already have something coming from Coach plus plan to add something from LV this month too. So it will need to wait.

 

[baghabitz34]

I had two pairs of Allbirds, the Treerunners.

Extremely comfortable. My only issue was since I have big feet, the long toe box made my feet look huge.

 

[mbinlb]

Saw these in a boutique today! I generally don’t do shoulder bags but they were quite light and the Italian leather was very nice. They are not a name brand and would not be easy to sell, but I really liked them.The top one has more of a moss green tone in real life. Both bags have side pieces that can turn it into more of a tulip shape. I would only get one. What do you think ?

View attachment 5774010

View attachment 5774011

The darker color could be worn all year & show less wear.

 

[dcooney4]

The darker color could be worn all year & show less wear.

I went back and forth. I ended up ordering the darker color. If it turns out to be a bag I wear a lot I may get another color at a later date. The light blue was so tempting.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I love how the blue dress turned out.

Thank you so much!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

1923 rainbow bolide 30

The bolide looks great on you! Congrats and enjoy your stunning new bag!

Did you ever just want to start over with your bags and clothes?

I wouldn't want to start over with my bag collection now. But if I could go back in time, I would do a few things differently. For instance, I wish I had purchased my classic flap first, instead of waiting so long. I have some overlap in my wardrobe in terms of color and style, so I would have liked to avoid that.

Overall, I think could release five to six bags from my collection easily, and still feel like I had enough bags to meet the needs of my lifestyle. (Or maybe this is just me being a bit grumpy after spending a slightly frustrating weekend trying to figure out ways to store my bags properly in a tight closet space.)

Recently I´ve been revisiting clothes I had simply shoved in an old suitcase because I was unhappy with them. It´s so rewarding to change them into something I like now and not spend any extra money.

Here´s an example: I bought this dress at a flea market, because I used to have one like it when I was a teenager. Back then it looked great on me. Now? Well, my friend had one look at me and all she said was: "frumpy!".
After putting a lot of work into repairing it this was very frustrating.

View attachment 5773711
Now it looks like this and no matter what she will say this time, I am very sure it suits me. I used a silk shirt (from a vintage job lot) I wouldn´t ever have worn, all the material of the old dress including the trims and some embroidery floss from the flea market.

View attachment 5773713

This one was a recycling project. The materials all were unpicked clothes. An old aunty had sent me a lot of 90ies clothes she considered vintage. I mainly hated them, but liked the fabrics...

from here: to this:

View attachment 5773717 View attachment 5773712 View attachment 5773714

Awesome! You did a great job on these dresses.