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.

 

[FizzyWater]

Fantastic stats!

Nice!!
What brand was the suede bag, and how do you like it?
I am a loafer girl - I love them! I'm currently in the process of stretching out a pair... I bought them on line (I have 2 others of the same style, but in different colors) and they are smaller than the others! I bought them to replace my ancient brown/cognac loafers - I think they're from the '80's. I had them repaired in 2020, but since then they are starting to fall apart again.

And just so you know... twillys don't count!

holy moly - IMPRESSIVE!!
Wow - I think this is amazing - congratulations!

Great stats... but uhmmmm - the the ER?
Everything okay?

Love the orange purse and the charms are darling!
For me - the donation pile is never ending... it's a work in progress.

Everything's fine. Gallstones that were happily hanging out, doing no harm, decided to make a break for it. Since they're not going to behave, they're all getting evicted en masse sometime this month. My first surgery where the doctors will be speaking German - whee!

*who am I kidding, they will all speak flawless English which they will break into the moment they hear my awful German.

ETA Thank you for asking!

 

[Cookiefiend]

Everything's fine. Gallstones that were happily hanging out, doing no harm, decided to make a break for it. Since they're not going to behave, they're all getting evicted en masse sometime this month. My first surgery where the doctors will be speaking German - whee!

*who am I kidding, they will all speak flawless English which they will break into the moment they hear my awful German.

ETA Thank you for asking!

Glad everything is 'fine'... I often wonder what the human body is thinking. Turn a milestone birth year, blood pressure and cholesterol goes sky high, get dehydrated, and get diarrhea (cuz it makes more sense to lose even more water?), gallstones are just hanging out, suddenly decide all at once and together that it's time to make a fuss.
Seriously!
I hope the surgery goes well!

 

[880]

Everything's fine. Gallstones that were happily hanging out, doing no harm, decided to make a break for it. Since they're not going to behave, they're all getting evicted en masse sometime this month. My first surgery where the doctors will be speaking German - whee!

*who am I kidding, they will all speak flawless English which they will break into the moment they hear my awful German.

ETA Thank you for asking!

oh no, this sounds painful.
I hope this procedure gies smoothly and feel better soon!

 

[jbags07]

I graduated high school 1991 and college 1995. So we so had the same underoos AND the same first Gucci bag around same time. Too funny!

P.s. Sorry to hear about your mom. I lost mine 10 years ago. Can't imagine how rough that would be for a teenage girl. My youngest daughter is currently a junior and we're like BFF.

Yes, a few years difference, but those years in that context make no difference!
Thank u for your kind words, its hard losing a parent at any age
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom too.
Its wonderful you and your DD are so close, thats very special. Is she into bags yet? How fun it must be to go shopping together

 

[jbags07]

I GOT THE JOB!! ✨

Congratulations
So exciting starting a new job. I hope it exceeds your expectations!

 

[jbags07]

Love Mulberry week! View attachment 5885045View attachment 5885046View attachment 5885047View attachment 5885048View attachment 5885049

Your Mulberrys are beautiful, they are all such classics

I'm a tiny bit early for October stats, but my stats are no bags or slgs in or out. I haven't bought a bag since June, and I've been thinking how/if I want to continue. I don't have a lot of room left, but there's still all kinds of things I want to try. I've never had a flap bag, the kind that's like a Chanel classic flap, and I'm curious to try a bag in that shape (not a Chanel of course, not monied like that). I was thinking of trying one of the Karl Lagerfeld Agyness bags. Or maybe even a Coach Rogue top handle. I think I don't care for how that style looks, the flap, but everyone else seems to love it, so I must just be missing something that I'd find out if I tried it. I also want a trapezoid shaped bag, either glitzy and small as an evening bag or bigger as a daily carry. They look so refined and proper. I love the Coach Sammy top handle every time I see it, but also like the Marc Jacobs St. Marc. I want to try a vintage Coach bag just to see what the hype is about. I want a Mulberry small Iris ... maybe it sort of fits the trapezoid bag group? I want an LV in empreinte with the gradient color patterns, such a pretty color pattern. I want a Le Pliage, also just to see what the hype is about. I want another shoulder bag, that stays on the shoulder and doesn't slip and goes under my arm with ease and carries everything, like my old D&B hobo did, so maybe like the Fount Kinsley I've seen here. I want to try D&B's Florentine leather. I want to try all of these things, but don't want all of them because it would clutter my life. So I've bought nothing while pondering what I'd want next. I wish there was a handbag lending library, so I could just try them for a week and see if I actually like them.

On another note, I've noticed some wear on my Gucci Aphrodite, which I've only had for 6 months or so, and my Polene Numero Neuf, which I've had for a little less than a year. I've worn these bags 38 and 40 times (I have a spreadsheet ). The Gucci is faring worse, and I really haven't had it long at all. I admit to being a bit disappointed about this, since it's my most expensive bag but seems to show wear just as fast (perhaps faster?) than others I have. Oh well, so it is. I'll take it as a life lesson.

View attachment 5885354

Wow, i agree with everyone who said take the Gucci in to the store, thats way too much wear
Definitely buy an inexpensive flap. I jumped in and purchased Chanel and Dior flaps and rarely carry them, i find the flap too fussy and hard to get in/out of. Some love flaps tho, and u might fall into that category. Rebecca Minkoff has a cute Chanel look alike flap.

A lot of people hate flap bags. I happen to love them but they aren't for everyone. It's a good idea to try out a fairly cheap one to see how you feel. They vary on how hard they make it to access your items. Generally a full flap, as in one that covers the entire front of a bag is harder to use for some people than a half flap.

As far as Coach vintage, you could read through the Coach vintage chat thread. There are tons of styles. You can look through the Coach reference library to see the styles. There is a thread full of vintage catalogs. When I first got into vintage, my goal was to do a rehab because I was fascinated by the transformation some people were able to achieve. But the first few vintage bags I bought were pristine and didn't need rehabbing. When I finally got a bag for rehabbing, it was too difficult for me and I kind of ruined the bag, partly because I had unrealistic expectations. When you buy vintage or any used bag, you have to make sure it isn't going to gross you out. One thing that I love about unlined vintage Coach bags is that once I wash them, I am assured they don't have anything icky in them. These days you can find some already rehabbed bags for sale but make sure the rehabber didn't use anything bad on them, like shoe polish. There are still some vintage Coach bags you can find for a bargain. It takes some getting used to having an unlined bag. The great thing about traditional vintage Coach bags is the leather. This varies from bag to bag, because of when and where they were made, how they were treated during their lifetime, and what the style is. A more structured style will have a stiffer leather than a floppy style. Also, all that thick leather can make these bags heavy. D & B Florentine leather is gorgeous but really heavy. That's why I don't have one. Oh, and leathers like Florentine and vintage Coach often scratch super easily. It's the kind of leather that shows every slight finger scratch but they usually rub out. It can be frustrating if you are a perfectionist. I have a vintage Coach with the most amazing supple leather but I rarely carry it because I'm so aware of the scratches I cause when I use it.

Be aware that the forum may influence you to get bags that aren't really you. If you haven't been drawn to them before, maybe there is a reason. When I first joined the forum I bought a lot of bags that were perfect for other people.

Your last paragraph is SO true. I’ve purchased so many bags after seeing them here, that did/do not work for me.

I missed LV week!
Gracefull
View attachment 5885955
Pallas
View attachment 5885956
Lock Me Bucket - carrying today!
View attachment 5885957

Love these, such classics i wanted a Pallas and waited too long, it was so disappointing when they discontinued that style. Such a great bag!

I just realized that I haven’t shared stats in the last three months. So, third quarter results:

August-October

Bags In: 0
Bags out: 4
Accessories In: 1
Accessories Out: 14
Household In: 11
Household Out: 1
Donations out: 45


October YTD

Bags In: 5
Bags Out: 9
Accessories In: 5
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 266
Household Out: 56
Donations Out: 629
Total out: 965


It’s been an interesting few months. I’m a little less than halfway to my decluttering goal and I don’t know if I’m going to make it. It would be faster if I donated rather than sold or gifted items, but I obsess too much about the downstream of stuff and potential trash.
On the plus side, I have managed to kick the bag churn, and released more jewelry and art than I’ve bought.

I keep reminding myself that goals are for making us better, not for checking something off a list.

Wow…. Your stats are amazing! Thats incredible. 965 items out!

Everything's fine. Gallstones that were happily hanging out, doing no harm, decided to make a break for it. Since they're not going to behave, they're all getting evicted en masse sometime this month. My first surgery where the doctors will be speaking German - whee!

*who am I kidding, they will all speak flawless English which they will break into the moment they hear my awful German.

ETA Thank you for asking!

So sorry to hear you are unwell, wishing you a speedy recovery and successful surgery

 

[jbags07]

October Stats……
Bags in - 1
Bags out - 9
slgs in - 0
Slgs out - 0
Bag charms in - 3
Cadenas in - 10 (i had the opportunity to acquire a collection & could not resist)
Scarves in - 6 twillies & 3 scarves
(I love dog stuff and had to get the En Liberte twillies in every color)

This is my first stats overview on this thread. Yikes, listing it all is eye opening. I brought too much in.

 

[whateve]

October Stats……
Bags in - 1
Bags out - 9
slgs in - 0
Slgs out - 0
Bag charms in - 3
Cadenas in - 10 (i had the opportunity to acquire a collection & could not resist)
Scarves in - 6 twillies & 3 scarves
(I love dog stuff and had to get the En Liberte twillies in every color)

This is my first stats overview on this thread. Yikes, listing it all is eye opening. I brought too much in.

9 bags out is amazing progress!

 

[jbags07]

9 bags out is amazing progress!

Thank you
I was so upset at how much i brought in i kind of overlooked that.

 

[stacy_natalie]

Yes, a few years difference, but those years in that context make no difference!
Thank u for your kind words, its hard losing a parent at any age
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom too.
Its wonderful you and your DD are so close, thats very special. Is she into bags yet? How fun it must be to go shopping together

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) she has no interest in handbags whatsoever. None of these girls carry a purse at this age - they just carry their phones, etc. I don't understand it, I recall always carrying a purse in high school and we didn't even have cell phones back then. I would think having a small bag to hold phone, keys, wallet, lip balm, tampons, would be good and I have bought her a few really cute smaller crossbody bags (contemporary brands like coach, kate spade, tory burch, nothing crazy) but she doesn't use them. I especially worry when she goes to the mall with her friends that she will end up setting her phone, wallet or keys down and leave them somewhere but she refuses to carry. However, she likes those canvas tote bags and when we were in Paris about a month ago, she bought a few all for around $20 so I guess I can't complain LOL My older daughter (turned 24 today) on the other hand suddenly seems to have an interest in designer bags and wants to save up for a YSL or LV bag and has already decided to put dibbs in on certain bags in my collection. I expect the other one will eventually come around!

 

[cecchetti]

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) she has no interest in handbags whatsoever. None of these girls carry a purse at this age - they just carry their phones, etc. I don't understand it, I recall always carrying a purse in high school and we didn't even have cell phones back then. I would think having a small bag to hold phone, keys, wallet, lip balm, tampons, would be good and I have bought her a few really cute smaller crossbody bags (contemporary brands like coach, kate spade, tory burch, nothing crazy) but she doesn't use them. I especially worry when she goes to the mall with her friends that she will end up setting her phone, wallet or keys down and leave them somewhere but she refuses to carry. However, she likes those canvas tote bags and when we were in Paris about a month ago, she bought a few all for around $20 so I guess I can't complain LOL My older daughter (turned 24 today) on the other hand suddenly seems to have an interest in designer bags and wants to save up for a YSL or LV bag and has already decided to put dibbs in on certain bags in my collection. I expect the other one will eventually come around!

I’m close to my niece , who is 20, and very into fashion.
She’s a student, but her only source of designer bags is me, as her mother(my sister) carries a rucksack and doesn’t understand designer bags and thinks I’m wasting my money on both my own and my niece’s bags…

Luckily I don’t care what she thinks!
I’m looking forward to the Christmas holidays and taking my niece out shopping -I get lovely pictures back of her clutching her new bag!

 

[stacy_natalie]

Just realized I almost missed Prada week! Haven't been at my house all week but was planning to swing by tomorrow morning and will try to remember to snap photos. When it comes to handbags, Prada is probably one of my favorite brands. Anyone else have any Prada bags to share? Surprised I haven't seen any (unless I simply overlooked the posts). Here are a couple of photos previously shared in the "what handbag are you carrying today" thread that I dug up to share in the meantime.

 

[stacy_natalie]

I’m close to my niece , who is 20, and very into fashion.
She’s a student, but her only source of designer bags is me, as her mother(my sister) carries a rucksack and doesn’t understand designer bags and thinks I’m wasting my money on both my own and my niece’s bags…

Luckily I don’t care what she thinks!
I’m looking forward to the Christmas holidays and taking my niece out shopping -I get lovely pictures back of her clutching her new bag!

That's great and I can relate to you wanting to spoil her with nice things. At home, my 16 year old usually just wears leggings, jeans or sweat pants with a crop top and hoodie to school however, she did put more thought into being stylish when we were in Paris! It was nice to see her wearing things she would never wear at home. Since my older daughter graduated and moved away 7.5 years ago, it was the first time we had all traveled together, and it was cute to see them coordinating their outfits every day. Your niece sounds like a lucky girl!

 

[cecchetti]

That's great and I can relate to you wanting to spoil her with nice things. At home, my 16 year old usually just wears leggings, jeans or sweat pants with a crop top and hoodie to school however, she did put more thought into being stylish when we were in Paris! It was nice to see her wearing things she would never wear at home. Since my older daughter graduated and moved away 7.5 years ago, it was the first time we had all traveled together, and it was cute to see them coordinating their outfits every day. Your niece sounds like a lucky girl!

I think I’m the lucky one-she’s much taller than I am , and fitted into my jeans when she was only 9(!)- so always looked on me as role model, so we became close, as she sees my sister as a bit frumpy..
She calls me by my first name and laughs when my(younger) sister bosses me about(for the record she bosses my Dad around!)- she sees me as a peer..
She’s promised that when she marries in the future I can be her Maid of Honour(I was my sisters)- I just hope I stay looking young-no grey yet )..

 

[dcooney4]

Everything's fine. Gallstones that were happily hanging out, doing no harm, decided to make a break for it. Since they're not going to behave, they're all getting evicted en masse sometime this month. My first surgery where the doctors will be speaking German - whee!

*who am I kidding, they will all speak flawless English which they will break into the moment they hear my awful German.

ETA Thank you for asking!

Hope the surgery goes quickly and you have a speedy recovery.