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.

 

[jbags07]

This is interesting to read because when I think back on what I loved 10 years ago, I realize that the style of bags I've owned has been fairly consistent. Satchels with two top handles and a longer detachable shoulder strap have always been my preference. When using a longer shoulder strap, I prefer shoulder carry to crossbody. There was a short period of time during covid lockdowns when I preferred to be hands free, and was drawn to crossbody bags for that reason, but crossbody is not my preferred method of carrying a bag. If I have to use a long strap, I would rather carry it as a shoulder bag.

You both make great points @Purses & Perfumes and @whateve …..
The thing i love most about this idea of shopping our closet etc is to analyze what works for us, past present and into the future….for me its to stop buying bags b/c i love them, if they won’t work for me. Especially shoulder bags. I cannot carry them, only exception is the Veneta. So for me, that rules out SO many bags. Top handle, clutch, crossbody are the only bags i can carry. And the options are way more limited within those then the shoulder bag category! And ive been selling my shoulder bags like crazy.

 

[jbags07]

This is the secret for me when I'm releasing stuff. I figure I had it, it made me smile, now it can make someone else just as happy. I'm very lucky never to have regretted letting go of anything and I think it's because I approach the process in this manner.


Ah, the second BV mention. I desperately wanted a BV in grey ostrich I saw once. It was stunning. I never did figure out what the model was. I remember it was a small shoulder bag with a flap. Not the flap nodini because it was just ostrich with no knots, but it may have had whiplash/lacing on the side? I can't recall exactly. But the fact that I still remember that bag so long after seeing it tells me that it was that special.
Ostrich is often seen as pimply leather or chicken poxy-ish. I've seen people visibly squirm at the sight of ostrich bags, and one friend recoiles at any snakeskin. I get really self-conscious because people can have sensitivities or phobias. Then again, I'm probably overthinking it!

Thats huge imo, just being ‘able’ to release stuff. I struggle with it. I would keep everything if i could, but as i get older, there seems to be a natural progression going on, with learning and desiring release. And part of that is letting go to someone who will enjoy and give new life to your bag/item. It helps the letting go so much. It can be pretty key actually!

BV, yup. Except for Hermes, older BV exotics are just I guess i carry what i like and don’t worry about it…….thats just me tho! I see nothing but beauty in my exotics. Plus if i buy them resale, technically its being sustainable, and however they were sourced, they already exist, and is it better to throw in a landfill or to use? Thats my thinking lolol.

Ok now i want to figure out which BV ostrich you were looking at! I am intrigued……

 

[880]

Topic for discussion:
I've just realized that I'm probably never going to own another exotic. As much as I admire them, I don't like owning/using them. The only exception is my mum's ostrich bag, which is aging so beautifully. I would consider adding another ostrich (in navy blue or grey) at some point, but I have no interest in lizard, snakeskin, stingray, etc.
I even hesitate with the ostrich because I know some people will squirm when they see it, so I feel guilty!

How do you feel about exotics? Am I alone in my fondness for ostrich? (I always feel like I am, lol.)

____
Edit:
@880 Tagging you because you buy H rtw...where are the H outfits posted on tpf? The 'H in Action' thread is mostly bags, but I've discovered I really like some of H's rtw and would like to see how people are styling their pieces. I'm sure I've seen a thread for clothing but can't seem to find it now. Thank you!

Hey,

the H RTW thread is here in H clubhouse. https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/hermes-rtw.920133/page-258

I confess that I sometimes have a lapse of memory and end up posting RTW in H in Action.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

You both make great points @Purses & Perfumes and @whateve …..
The thing i love most about this idea of shopping our closet etc is to analyze what works for us, past present and into the future….for me its to stop buying bags b/c i love them, if they won’t work for me. Especially shoulder bags. I cannot carry them, only exception is the Veneta. So for me, that rules out SO many bags. Top handle, clutch, crossbody are the only bags i can carry. And the options are way more limited within those then the shoulder bag category! And ive been selling my shoulder bags like crazy.

I like bags that can be carried 3 ways: top handle, crook of arm or shoulder. Occasions also dictate bag preference. For social outings like lunches or evening events, a chain strap bag is my go to. You have such a beautiful collection and it must be hard to part with the shoulder bags. However, if they're not serving a purpose, it's probably best to let them go.

 

[Bag peace]

Thats huge imo, just being ‘able’ to release stuff.

It may be my only skill in life! I'm entirely worthless otherwise.
I've shared this many times before, so apologies in advance to those of you who have had to read my nonsense for ages!
I grew up with this culture of releasing. We moved a lot as kids due to my mum's work and we were mainly surrounded by abject poverty. It changes your perspective entirely.
My earliest childhood memories are all surrounding my mum's ritual of leaving a village to move on to the next. My siblings and I were told to select our favourite toys to keep, then everything else would get donated to the village. The relevant portion to my young mind was when the doors would be flung open and the local kids would select what they wanted from our toys. Seeing the joy on their faces was sublime and made us want to give away more and more. We never felt bad because we never sacrificed our favourites.
Even at a tender age, we understood that we were giving them something special- the feeling that they were as deserving of these toys as we were. It stays with me to this day.
We never had much but also never wanted for anything. I don't even know how my mum managed to start from scratch every time we moved! I couldn't do it! The older I get, the more grateful I am that I had such a unique, albeit slightly unusual and unstable, upbringing.

I struggle with it. I would keep everything if i could, but as i get older, there seems to be a natural progression going on, with learning and desiring release. And part of that is letting go to someone who will enjoy and give new life to your bag/item. It helps the letting go so much. It can be pretty key actually!

Struggling with it is natural, especially for a collector! There's a sentimental aspect to it. We put so much time, effort, money and thought into our collections. Of course it's hard to cull after you've invested a part of yourself into building the collection.
Totally agree that knowing you're giving another joy is an integral part of it. It gets easier the more you do it, btw. There's another type of joy in seeing the more curated collection, I find.

Plus if i buy them resale, technically its being sustainable, and however they were sourced, they already exist, and is it better to throw in a landfill or to use? Thats my thinking lolol.

You're not alone there! I'm immediately thinking of @cowgirlsboots who rescues vintage bags (exotic or not) and fur coats! I believe it's one of the most ethical and sustainable ways to consume exotics.

Ok now i want to figure out which BV ostrich you were looking at! I am intrigued……

I wish I knew! I didn't know enough about bags then to know what I was looking at. I just remember thinking that it was stunning and then seeing the price tag...

 

[Bag peace]

Hey,

the H RTW thread is here in H clubhouse. https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/hermes-rtw.920133/page-258

I confess that I sometimes have a lapse of memory and end up posting RTW in H in Action.

Thank you! I searched and searched before asking but, I see now I put in the wrong search terms.
Much appreciated!

 

[jbags07]

I like bags that can be carried 3 ways: top handle, crook of arm or shoulder. Occasions also dictate bag preference. For social outings like lunches or evening events, a chain strap bag is my go to. You have such a beautiful collection and it must be hard to part with the shoulder bags. However, if they're not serving a purpose, it's probably best to let them go.

Your approach is really practical — versatility is important. The ability to carry multiple ways make a bag so useful……chain strap on clutch like bags for example. My clutches w/o straps/chains can be limiting. I carried a Knot last night and DH did become a bag holder at several points in the evening
Shoulder bags….none stay on my weird slopey shoulder so much as i love them it makes no sense to keep them. I sold enough bags the last 6-7 weeks to fund another kelly by around 75%, and that makes it easier to let go, being able to mostly fund new bags from within my bag closet.
Thank you for your kind words regarding my collection i worked hard to build it so its not easy letting go but. Some of the folks who bought the cervos i sold are so happy to have them, and will be able to carry and enjoy them. And that feels really good!

It may be my only skill in life! I'm entirely worthless otherwise.
I've shared this many times before, so apologies in advance to those of you who have had to read my nonsense for ages!
I grew up with this culture of releasing. We moved a lot as kids due to my mum's work and we were mainly surrounded by abject poverty. It changes your perspective entirely.
My earliest childhood memories are all surrounding my mum's ritual of leaving a village to move on to the next. My siblings and I were told to select our favourite toys to keep, then everything else would get donated to the village. The relevant portion to my young mind was when the doors would be flung open and the local kids would select what they wanted from our toys. Seeing the joy on their faces was sublime and made us want to give away more and more. We never felt bad because we never sacrificed our favourites.
Even at a tender age, we understood that we were giving them something special- the feeling that they were as deserving of these toys as we were. It stays with me to this day.
We never had much but also never wanted for anything. I don't even know how my mum managed to start from scratch every time we moved! I couldn't do it! The older I get, the more grateful I am that I had such a unique, albeit slightly unusual and unstable, upbringing.


Struggling with it is natural, especially for a collector! There's a sentimental aspect to it. We put so much time, effort, money and thought into our collections. Of course it's hard to cull after you've invested a part of yourself into building the collection.
Totally agree that knowing you're giving another joy is an integral part of it. It gets easier the more you do it, btw. There's another type of joy in seeing the more curated collection, I find.


You're not alone there! I'm immediately thinking of @cowgirlsboots who rescues vintage bags (exotic or not) and fur coats! I believe it's one of the most ethical and sustainable ways to consume exotics.


I wish I knew! I didn't know enough about bags then to know what I was looking at. I just remember thinking that it was stunning and then seeing the price tag...

I need to reread and reread what you wrote. What an incredible and inspiring upbringing, your mom sounds incredible. You learned at a tender young age what many of us never learn, or do so very late in life. It is better to give then to receive, even more so when you can touch someone’s life in a positive way. Perhaps unusual, but most certainly a very unique and special upbringing….thank u for sharing, i think your experience is really incredible!

Collecting, sentiment…investing oneself as well as our money…..you summed it up perfectly. And with great insight! The collector mindset can be heavy…so the concept of ‘releasing’ as u put it, can be wonderful if you are ready for it. To ‘relax’ i recently started watching those timecapsule/abandoned videos on youtube…instead of bag videos lolol which only spark bag buying. Its crazy how many homes are left to decay, full of the previous owners belongings and lifetime of collecting/decorating….even if there are children/grandchildren…..they just don’t want the stuff…..its kind of spurred me to let go of more and more lol….it really gives perspective on whats important in life. The life lived. The experiences, friends, family. Stuff is nice, but superfluous.

Rescuing exotics is fantastically sustainable! And agree, what @cowgirlsboots does is beyond amazing

 

[Bag peace]

What an incredible and inspiring upbringing, your mom sounds incredible.

Thank you very much. I'm very lucky to have her and to have a good relationship with her. It's a great blessing.
The only problem is that I'm nothing like her!
I'm trying to make that something I work on. She's always laughing and dancing, even when things are rough, and can find gratitude in the most difficult circumstances. In recent years, I've become anxious and have been struggling with depression, so I'm trying to emulate her a bit and stop being so uptight!

Its crazy how many homes are left to decay, full of the previous owners belongings and lifetime of collecting/decorating….even if there are children/grandchildren…..they just don’t want the stuff

I'm reminded of the concept of Swedish Death Cleaning that I believe was brought up in @diane278 's wonderful 'editing' thread. It's a great way to avoid this eventuality!

The life lived. The experiences, friends, family.

So much this!
I wanna measure my life in laughs shared with those whom I love, not stuff. Thanks for expressing it so well. I feel inspired.

Edit:
I've been searching and it's possible the grey ostrich BV bag was an Olimpia. I only remember that the strap was not knotted on the bag I saw, and it was a flap bag. How old is this model, does anyone know? I saw the ostrich at least a decade ago (maybe closer to 15 years ago), so if the Olimipia is a recent style, then I'm wrong. I'm working with a very fuzzy memory.

 

[stacy_natalie]

I've been searching and it's possible the grey ostrich BV bag was an Olimpia. I only remember that the strap was not knotted on the bag I saw, and it was a flap bag. How old is this model, does anyone know? I saw the ostrich at least a decade ago (maybe closer to 15 years ago), so if the Olimipia is a recent style, then I'm wrong. I'm working with a very fuzzy memory.

Is this the bag?

 

[Bag peace]

Is this the bag?

Thank you for the pic!
I'm not entirely sure, but I think that may be the one!
The problem is that I don't remember the details of the bag well enough to be sure. It certainly looks the way I remember the original bag looked. I'm just not sure this bag was made by BV that long ago. So either this is the bag, or there was an earlier version similar to it that I saw.
It was lush in person. A very deep, cool grey (with blue undertones, not greige), and very soft ostrich. I remember feeling the quality.

 

[Bag peace]

How does everyone feel about another challenge before we wrap up the year?
I'm thinking we post our favourite/most carried in 2023 and why. Would that be interesting enough?
Of course, better suggestions are welcome!

 

[dcooney4]

How does everyone feel about another challenge before we wrap up the year?
I'm thinking we post our favourite/most carried in 2023 and why. Would that be interesting enough?
Of course, better suggestions are welcome!

My favorite is not the most carried. The most carried is a backpack from Orla Kiely that is waterproof. We had a lot of rain this year. I don't think I have a favorite at the moment.

 

[stacy_natalie]

Thank you for the pic!
I'm not entirely sure, but I think that may be the one!
The problem is that I don't remember the details of the bag well enough to be sure. It certainly looks the way I remember the original bag looked. I'm just not sure this bag was made by BV that long ago. So either this is the bag, or there was an earlier version similar to it that I saw.
It was lush in person. A very deep, cool grey (with blue undertones, not greige), and very soft ostrich. I remember feeling the quality.

Sorry the picture but great but I found it on the real real. Unfortunately was sold so no idea how long ago it was from but seemed to fit your description.

 

[Bag peace]

My favorite is not the most carried. The most carried is a backpack from Orla Kiely that is waterproof. We had a lot of rain this year. I don't think I have a favorite at the moment.

I'm struggling to think of my favourite, too. I know my fave from your collection (the Mulberry bucket) but for some reason cannot do the same for myself!

Sorry the picture but great but I found it on the real real. Unfortunately was sold so no idea how long ago it was from but seemed to fit your description.

Thank you so much! I tried to upload the pic but it wouldn't load for me, so I'm really grateful that you did.
Yes, it fits very well with my memory and description. I just wish I'd paid more attention when I'd originally seen it so I could be certain. I didn't know I'd be a bag-lady back then.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Your approach is really practical — versatility is important. The ability to carry multiple ways make a bag so useful……chain strap on clutch like bags for example. My clutches w/o straps/chains can be limiting. I carried a Knot last night and DH did become a bag holder at several points in the evening
Shoulder bags….none stay on my weird slopey shoulder so much as i love them it makes no sense to keep them. I sold enough bags the last 6-7 weeks to fund another kelly by around 75%, and that makes it easier to let go, being able to mostly fund new bags from within my bag closet.
Thank you for your kind words regarding my collection i worked hard to build it so its not easy letting go but. Some of the folks who bought the cervos i sold are so happy to have them, and will be able to carry and enjoy them. And that feels really good!

Thank you, I am not always practical, but figuring out what I will actually use has been the key. There are many bags I admire aesthetically as they are sitting on my dresser, but just because I admire them doesn't mean they suit my lifestyle or bag carrying preferences. I would go one step further and say that the things we reach for the most are the ones that truly define our style. Of course this hasn't stopped me from collecting pretty things that I don't use much, but I am trying to be better at this.

It can be so annoying when shoulder straps keep slipping off the shoulders, so I understand the need to move them out of your collection. And I know what you mean about clutches and needing a bag holder LOL.
Yay, another Kelly sounds lovely!

I'm thinking we post our favourite/most carried in 2023 and why.

My favorite is not my most carried either. In fact, I will have to think about which one is my favorite since I have a few that I like equally, but for different reasons.