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.

 

[SakuraSakura]

Hello everybody! I haven't posted in the last two months. I pray everybody is doing well. I will try my best to respond to your posts.

I don't know if anybody remembers but I was contemplating selling my thrifted Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette. I made the choice to sell it. It sold within a day of posting and it's off to its new owner shortly. Truthfully I still love this bag but the energies it has been omitting have been pretty dark. As some of you know, the context of which this item came to me was with an abusive ex boyfriend. I sometimes feel like seeing the item tends to make me minimise the lasting trauma and pain he has caused me. This feels like the right decision as no item is worth my well-being, whether it be spiritual or financial. Yesterday I found an Emilio Pucci tote for $33 with its tags. As someone who believes in manifestation I can sense a spiritual shift within me.


I am freshly graduated. I also just celebrated my 26th birthday. Many changes and new beginnings. I just applied to another job - wish me luck! I'm also learning ASL on Lingvano. I have been discovering my love of felines. I think I'm going to try fostering shelter cats once I get my own place. I've had some sad realizations regarding the people that I live with but I know that I cannot take on their emotional vampirism any longer.

I feel like I've been reborn. I have blossomed within the past six months. Although it has been tough, that is when character is built. Thank you everyone for your limitless kindness.

 

[Evia]

I don't have this problem much any more. When I first started collecting, I wanted to get matching items for my purses. Then I decided I like the variety - of brands, colors and patterns.

My problem is that when I decide I need something - say a red bag - in the process of searching, I'll come across several possibilities and have trouble narrowing it down to one. Next thing you know, I buy more than one. Then even after I get them, I'm still in looking mode. I do this with nearly everything; shoes, clothes, even salad dressing! I just ordered 2 swimsuits when I only need one.

I don’t get the urge to complete sets of things, but I do get drawn into buying extra items (clothes or house things not bags) when shopping on line. I am much better at sending back things I only quite like though, just need to get to the point of not succumbing in the first place. it’s too easy to click, click, buy

 

[Sunshine mama]

I don't have this problem much any more. When I first started collecting, I wanted to get matching items for my purses. Then I decided I like the variety - of brands, colors and patterns.

My problem is that when I decide I need something - say a red bag - in the process of searching, I'll come across several possibilities and have trouble narrowing it down to one. Next thing you know, I buy more than one. Then even after I get them, I'm still in looking mode. I do this with nearly everything; shoes, clothes, even salad dressing! I just ordered 2 swimsuits when I only need one.

Oh my gosh! I tend to do this too.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I don't have this problem much any more. When I first started collecting, I wanted to get matching items for my purses. Then I decided I like the variety - of brands, colors and patterns.

My problem is that when I decide I need something - say a red bag - in the process of searching, I'll come across several possibilities and have trouble narrowing it down to one. Next thing you know, I buy more than one. Then even after I get them, I'm still in looking mode. I do this with nearly everything; shoes, clothes, even salad dressing! I just ordered 2 swimsuits when I only need one.

This is exactly what I tend to do too. When I search for the perfect dress for example I´ll at least get two contestants telling myself it´s only vintage and mostly cheap, so no harm done.
This winter for example when I was looking for a blue coat to go with my blue outfit and blue handbag for Paris I bought a blue coat and at the same time intuitively a black alternative. The blue coat was the perfect look, but in the end was too warm for the weather at the time of our trip while the black coat wasn´t as spot on at first, but the perfect weight and after I had taken about 3 sizes out of it at the very last minute it turned out to be the perfect solution. I wore the blue coat a lot later on at home- with black!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I've been in a bit of a whirlwind so I'm not sure when I last posted stats. It feels like I did just a week ago but it was probably last month? Anyway, 1 bag in this month. This adorable no-brand, velvet cat-shaped clutch. There's a chain tucked into it.
Gifted to me by an old friend for my birthday (which was in April but I didn't have a mailing address so she waited until I settled and then sent it to me). Cost her only £2! Bargain! Doesn't fit my phone, but it's so adorable that I don't care. The picture isn't good but it's a lovely shade of emerald green irl.

View attachment 5816365

Also, 1 watch out. It was one I was planning to give away later in the year because I just don't love it, though it really is very nice and it goes with everything. Pic from the web.

View attachment 5816366
I was wearing it when a barista commented on how nice it was. I took it off and let her try it on. It suited her so much better than it did me. Not the original intended recipient but I love when things work out perfectly like that. It was 6am and she had just opened up the shop, so it was a really nice way for both of us to start our day.

Otherwise, I've been dealing with lots of challenges that are honestly too great for me to handle. My mental health is in the gutter and I honestly don't know which way is up anymore. It's a dark and heavy place to be in.
On top of it, people have been devastatingly cruel. I will share this thing that happened a couple of weeks ago because I need to let it out and let it go.

Those who know me will know that I've never sold any of my stuff. I always donate my things, most often directly to those who can use them. However, we've been struggling to keep our heads above water in the last couple of years as medical expenses have piled on and I've been unable to secure steady work.
We finally decided to sell an etched sterling silver tray that was my grandmother's but is too large and heavy to be functional for any of us. Since my current chosen "home" doesn't value silver at all, I asked an old friend to sell the tray for me in their country of residence where the market readily accepts silver as a commodity. Normally I would have asked my siblings to sell it, but they've both been very ill and I didn't want to burden them with this task.

My friend took the tray, sold it for £1000 (I had to approve the quote) and then...I still can't quite believe it...he immediately disappeared. Changed his phone number, social media, email, everything.
I was robbed by someone I've known for almost two decades.

The thing that hurts most is that a while ago, he was unemployed for almost 2 years. The entire time, I sent him money out of my paycheque every month so that he would be able to get back on his feet. It was a gift, I don't want that money back. I was lucky enough that I had a steady income at the time and was happy to help out. However, now that I'm in dire need, he has repaid me by stealing the only item of actual value I had. I needed that money for rent or else I would never have thought to sell. He knew that and stole the money anyway.

Objectively, it's fine. It's just a material object, just a bit of cash. My grandmother's memory will not be tarnished by this, nor will I allow myself to get worked up about the money. However, the betrayal has really been devastating. Perhaps because I'm already so depressed. You think you know someone after almost 20 years of friendship, only to discover you never knew them at all.

Oh well, live and learn. He may have earned some money for himself but you can't buy character. It still makes me cry because it's quite fresh and it was a shock but, I'll lick my wounds and move on. It's my own fault for being stupid. If there's anything I can say with certainty, it is that I'm always making dumb mistakes like this. Shame you can't outgrow stupidity.

Edit: as I just typed all that out, it hit me that this is what my friendship is worth. A grand. 20 years of friendship for a grand. If that doesn't wreck your self-esteem...

Your cat bag is adorable! So unique! Wear it in good health!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Sorry for the delayed response but if you are still contemplating good handbags that can be used as "personal item" while traveling, I have used both the YSL Icare and LV On the Go numerous times while flying and fit alot (all necessities) and still managed to fit underneath the seat in front of me.

My apologies for taking so long to reply. The last few weeks have been full of family get-togethers and travel, and I haven't been online much, but I am finally able to get back to talking handbags on the forum! Thank you for the detailed information in your post. On my travels, I actually ended up taking a non-designer bag as my personal item/cabin bag. I am not familiar with the YSL bag, and will look it up. A top zipper is a necessity for me in a cabin bag, but I also think my collection needs a large bag (like the On the Go) for smaller, local excursions, so it's something I will be looking into.



Hello everyone -- I haven't caught up on the thread yet. As I mentioned above, I was away, and came back home to various issues (malfunctioning dishwasher being just one of the minor ones), and am still trying to get back into a routine. Coming back home after being away for a while, and looking at everything with a fresh pair of eyes makes me realize just how much stuff I have crammed into this place. Need to do something about it!

Regarding handbags, I added a Boxyz bag in a dark red/burgundy color to my collection since I love my brown Boxyz, but I also let go of two contemporary bags to make space in my collection. Pics at a later date, once I have properly unpacked and gotten things back into some kind of order here.

 

[FizzyWater]

Does anyone else get sucked into the idea of “sets” or collections?

I’ve been dealing with deep depression, and a variety of health issues. One of my coping strategies is I’ve been cataloging and cleaning up my bags and scarves, and making lists of any gaps.

I found myself making a list of the gaps in my Hermès bags - never mind the fact that I have lovely and wonderful bags by other designers that already fill those so-called gaps that I have no intention of getting rid of. It’s true that I don’t have an Hermes version - but does it matter? No one is threatening to take away my other bags. There’s no prize for having an Hermes bag set.

But when I’m scrolling, I find myself thinking, “ooh, this will fill the gap in your wardrobe”.

It’s probably why my churn has been so high this year - I’m looking for bags I don’t need because it’s something that makes me feel accomplished when I’m depressed.

Or is there something appealing about having a one-name or two-name collection?

I'm proudly pro-"sets" outside of evening bags. My goal is to have a bag in light gray, dark red, black, and aFunColor(TM) in each of a few styles. That way I know I the pros and cons of each bag, exactly how I carry it, what it will and won't hold... Current sets are LC Le Pliage Cuir S, LC Le Pliage Neo Shopping L, Hobo Lola, and the "flat family": a mix of H Trim 38 and BV Veneta M.

While I like to think it's practical, I do have to admit that it's a bit of a control thing. I can have one lovely little closet section that looks like a showroom among the mess of everything else. It's also maybe a rejection of exploring new bags, which obviously brings joy to most TPFers but I find overwhelming.

I hope things get better for you, @Vintage Leather , and that you're able to enjoy your bags in a more peaceful way.

 

[dcooney4]

Does anyone else get sucked into the idea of “sets” or collections?

I’ve been dealing with deep depression, and a variety of health issues. One of my coping strategies is I’ve been cataloging and cleaning up my bags and scarves, and making lists of any gaps.

I found myself making a list of the gaps in my Hermès bags - never mind the fact that I have lovely and wonderful bags by other designers that already fill those so-called gaps that I have no intention of getting rid of. It’s true that I don’t have an Hermes version - but does it matter? No one is threatening to take away my other bags. There’s no prize for having an Hermes bag set.

But when I’m scrolling, I find myself thinking, “ooh, this will fill the gap in your wardrobe”.

It’s probably why my churn has been so high this year - I’m looking for bags I don’t need because it’s something that makes me feel accomplished when I’m depressed.

Or is there something appealing about having a one-name or two-name collection?

I have been overly focused on my bags for a while. It is the one thing I can control, while all the other tough things in my life are not controlled. To many people are ill around me and a recent loss has me using my bags as an escape. I make no apologies for it as it is a coping mechanism. I feel as long as I don’t mess with my finances doing it , then it is fine.

 

[Evia]

I have been overly focused on my bags for a while. It is the one thing I can control, while all the other tough things in my life are not controlled. To many people are ill around me and a recent loss has me using my bags as an escape. I make no apologies for it as it is a coping mechanism. I feel as long as I don’t mess with my finances doing it , then it is fine.

Sounds fine to me, sometimes we need to give ourselves a little lift to get through.

 

[DME]

I have been overly focused on my bags for a while. It is the one thing I can control, while all the other tough things in my life are not controlled. To many people are ill around me and a recent loss has me using my bags as an escape. I make no apologies for it as it is a coping mechanism. I feel as long as I don’t mess with my finances doing it , then it is fine.

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through such a rough patch. I hope things start looking up. Hugs to you!

 

[dcooney4]

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through such a rough patch. I hope things start looking up. Hugs to you!

Thank you!

 

[JenJBS]

I have been overly focused on my bags for a while. It is the one thing I can control, while all the other tough things in my life are not controlled. To many people are ill around me and a recent loss has me using my bags as an escape. I make no apologies for it as it is a coping mechanism. I feel as long as I don’t mess with my finances doing it , then it is fine.

Sorry you've had such a rough time.

I don't think anyone should feel the need to apologize, or feel bad, about any coping mechanism they use as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.

 

[stacy_natalie]

Hello everybody! I haven't posted in the last two months. I pray everybody is doing well. I will try my best to respond to your posts.

I don't know if anybody remembers but I was contemplating selling my thrifted Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette. I made the choice to sell it. It sold within a day of posting and it's off to its new owner shortly. Truthfully I still love this bag but the energies it has been omitting have been pretty dark. As some of you know, the context of which this item came to me was with an abusive ex boyfriend. I sometimes feel like seeing the item tends to make me minimise the lasting trauma and pain he has caused me. This feels like the right decision as no item is worth my well-being, whether it be spiritual or financial. Yesterday I found an Emilio Pucci tote for $33 with its tags. As someone who believes in manifestation I can sense a spiritual shift within me.


I am freshly graduated. I also just celebrated my 26th birthday. Many changes and new beginnings. I just applied to another job - wish me luck! I'm also learning ASL on Lingvano. I have been discovering my love of felines. I think I'm going to try fostering shelter cats once I get my own place. I've had some sad realizations regarding the people that I live with but I know that I cannot take on their emotional vampirism any longer.

I feel like I've been reborn. I have blossomed within the past six months. Although it has been tough, that is when character is built. Thank you everyone for your limitless kindness.

Congratulations on your graduation, birthday, and getting rid of negative people and energy from your life! You are still young and have your whole life ahead of you. I am sorry to hear you have been through traumatic experiences but thankful you have learned at a young age that you don't deserve that and are better off moving on even though it is sometimes difficult. I am happy to hear you are in a positive frame of mind now and I am sending good vibes your way. I saw this once and it resonated:

 

[stacy_natalie]

I am not sure I know how to use the multi-quote feature but @Vintage Leather and @dcooney4 I agree there is no harm in what either of you is doing as a way of coping with challenging times. You seem aware of it and if it is necessary to avoid feeling depressed, overwhelmed with life, or it just brings you joy, then it is a welcome escape. A little retail therapy never hurt anyone!

 

[BowieFan1971]

I have been overly focused on my bags for a while. It is the one thing I can control, while all the other tough things in my life are not controlled. To many people are ill around me and a recent loss has me using my bags as an escape. I make no apologies for it as it is a coping mechanism. I feel as long as I don’t mess with my finances doing it , then it is fine.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I feel you. Big hugs!!!