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.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

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!

I really like exotics. Furs and leather. They are so special!

I know some people will squirm when they see it, so I feel guilty!

Of course people do squirm. I don´t feel guilty at all. All my exotics are older than me and most of them would be in the garbage if they weren´t with me. I put the work in to clean them up and make them wearable again and I enjoy my pieces. Let people stare... the locals here do it anyway as soon as I wear something I like and not boring jogging pants and anoraks.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Also, it seems like it's not easy to travel with them

I don´t dare to take any of my croc or python bags or my exotic wildcat coat near any airport or border control. My pieces are very vintage and I do not have a cites for any of them. Regarding the cat coat I know it´s illegal in Germany to buy or sell them when there is no cites. (I gathered information hoping to obtain a cites, but it seems to be very complicated and involves professional appraising to prove the age of the piece when there is no receipt for the original purchase.) Owning them is ok, though.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

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!

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.

One day you will find the bag and your fingertips will tell you what your brain might not remember. Fingertips never lie and have the perfect memory!

Years ago I bought a dolls pram that seemed to look very much like the one I had as a little girl. There only was one photo and I couldn´t find it. When the little pram arrived all I needed was to touch the decoration on the side panels and I was absolutely sure I had found exactly what I had been looking for. As a little girl I had fingerd those plastic pieces that hold a metal ring so often, always wondering how to get the rings out...
Later I found the photo.

 

[jbags07]

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!


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!

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.

Your mother sounds amazing, and its wonderful that you appreciate her and try to emulate her
I love that thread of @diane278 ! I need to go read through again, thank u for the reminder

Is this the bag? Olimpia is a beautiful style, and in gray ostrich is so stunning! if its still on your radar, i bet one will pop up at some point if you stalk TRR and FP…..and BV exotics are significantly less on the resale market then retail….

Edited! I failed to read past your post, @stacy_natalie
Beat me to it!

 

[jbags07]

Is this the bag?

Omg i LOVE THIS BAG….thank goodness its sold I just made an impulse BV purchase so no mote bags for awhile lol.

 

[jbags07]

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!

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.

I find this thread so interesting b/c everyone here is incredibly insightful….i am learning so much from you all i think i arrived here at a time when i was ready to learn too, ready to really curate a collection that works for my style and lifestyle, instead of just being a museum collection.

‘The things we reach for most are the ones that truly define our style’. This is so true, and its foundational, but something i’ve overlooked. Going to remember this phrase before i choose to add additional bags!

 

[jbags07]

@cowgirlsboots , i love your approach to exotics and furs. These older pieces are treasures and deserve to be loved and used, b/c however they were sourced, enjoying their beauty now honors their experience imo. Not sure i am articulating this well, but i think my meaning is clear?

Have u posted pix of your vintage skins and furs? I need to go search, would love to see!
I have a few of my moms and grandmothers furs….they are in storage but i am determined this year to shed the pounds so i can wear them, especially my moms mink coat from the 60s and my grandmothers raccoon from the 30s.

Love the doll pram story! Amazing you found one, and the power of touch and memory is so cool!

 

[jbags07]

My most carried bag this year was my BV Nero Nodini. Its so soft and comfortable now….i love carrying it!

Favorite bag…do we have to limit to only one?! Not sure i can lololol

 

[Bag peace]

One day you will find the bag and your fingertips will tell you what your brain might not remember. Fingertips never lie and have the perfect memory!

Years ago I bought a dolls pram that seemed to look very much like the one I had as a little girl. There only was one photo and I couldn´t find it. When the little pram arrived all I needed was to touch the decoration on the side panels and I was absolutely sure I had found exactly what I had been looking for. As a little girl I had fingerd those plastic pieces that hold a metal ring so often, always wondering how to get the rings out...
Later I found the photo.

I love your stories more than you can imagine. You transport us to a wonderland! Thank you for sharing.

Is this the bag? Olimpia is a beautiful style, and in gray ostrich is so stunning

The more I look at it, the more certain I am it is the right one. Do you know, by any chance, if this is an older BV style that would have been around 10-15 years ago?
It's such a beautiful bag!

I find this thread so interesting b/c everyone here is incredibly insightful….i am learning so much from you all

This thread is something really special. The most generous, intelligent, witty and gentle people are in here.
This year it is quieter than usual and many of the regulars are away, so if you're impressed now, you'll be blown away when it's in full swing.
I feel like a student of life listening to everyone's perspectives and learning from their unique insights. It's truly the greatest corner on tpf.
(no idea how I got into this cool club but so, so grateful to be here)

 

[dcooney4]

One day you will find the bag and your fingertips will tell you what your brain might not remember. Fingertips never lie and have the perfect memory!

Years ago I bought a dolls pram that seemed to look very much like the one I had as a little girl. There only was one photo and I couldn´t find it. When the little pram arrived all I needed was to touch the decoration on the side panels and I was absolutely sure I had found exactly what I had been looking for. As a little girl I had fingerd those plastic pieces that hold a metal ring so often, always wondering how to get the rings out...
Later I found the photo.

View attachment 5914549

I love your pram. You were such a cute little girl.

 

[JenJBS]

Merry Christmas to me! Not the best lighting but couldn’t wait to share my new Pretty!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

@cowgirlsboots , i love your approach to exotics and furs. These older pieces are treasures and deserve to be loved and used, b/c however they were sourced, enjoying their beauty now honors their experience imo. Not sure i am articulating this well, but i think my meaning is clear?

Have u posted pix of your vintage skins and furs? I need to go search, would love to see!
I have a few of my moms and grandmothers furs….they are in storage but i am determined this year to shed the pounds so i can wear them, especially my moms mink coat from the 60s and my grandmothers raccoon from the 30s.

Love the doll pram story! Amazing you found one, and the power of touch and memory is so cool!

You did articulate it very well! And I totally share your opinion. I wear my old furs and exotic bags to honour the animals by loving the skins they sacrificed decades ago by loving the coats and bags and proudly wearing them. Throwing an old fur or bag into the bin feels so wrong to me. You died- killing you for your skin was wrong, but people didn´t know better back then- and now your skin is so worthless that people throw it out in disgust? Never!
For example: years ago a neighbour came over with a plastic bag, out of which he pulled a fox stole- a really old one with head and feet. He used a stick to do this, because he was disgusted by the stole and asked me whether I wanted it or should he better burn it. I took it happily. The neighbour is around 60. His grandfather killed the fox while hunting and had it made into a stole for the grandmother. The neighbours´son remembers playing with the stole as a little boy.
It was dirty and the tail was very tattered. I ozoned the whole thing, vacuum cleaned it, took the lining off, washed and reattached it and sourced a new tail which I found on ebay, sold by the daughter of a hunter who had passed away. Now my dear "Pjotr" looks very nice! (He got the slavic name, because I already had a fox stole like him that goes by the name of Hugo and came from a Polish trader at a market 30 years ago.)

There might be pics of my exotic bags somewhere in here. I don´t remember taking photos of my furs. I have a few - bought off the floor at markets, off ebay or given to me by family and friends.

Here are a few bags.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I love your pram. You were such a cute little girl.

Aww, thank you!
When I was that little girl I didn´t go by cute, though. I was usually referred to as fat.
I always loved my red dolls pram. It was so posh. The fabric looks a bit like damask- quite unusual for 70ies dolls prams. Most of the other girls had very bright coloured plastic patent prams.

Meanwhile I know it is a German design by Streng- I found the baby version...

 

[whateve]

You did articulate it very well! And I totally share your opinion. I wear my old furs and exotic bags to honour the animals by loving the skins they sacrificed decades ago by loving the coats and bags and proudly wearing them. Throwing an old fur or bag into the bin feels so wrong to me. You died- killing you for your skin was wrong, but people didn´t know better back then- and now your skin is so worthless that people throw it out in disgust? Never!
For example: years ago a neighbour came over with a plastic bag, out of which he pulled a fox stole- a really old one with head and feet. He used a stick to do this, because he was disgusted by the stole and asked me whether I wanted it or should he better burn it. I took it happily. The neighbour is around 60. His grandfather killed the fox while hunting and had it made into a stole for the grandmother. The neighbours´son remembers playing with the stole as a little boy.
It was dirty and the tail was very tattered. I ozoned the whole thing, vacuum cleaned it, took the lining off, washed and reattached it and sourced a new tail which I found on ebay, sold by the daughter of a hunter who had passed away. Now my dear "Pjotr" looks very nice! (He got the slavic name, because I already had a fox stole like him that goes by the name of Hugo and came from a Polish trader at a market 30 years ago.)

There might be pics of my exotic bags somewhere in here. I don´t remember taking photos of my furs. I have a few - bought off the floor at markets, off ebay or given to me by family and friends.

Here are a few bags.
View attachment 5915025View attachment 5915030View attachment 5915032View attachment 5915034View attachment 5915035View attachment 5915036

I love that adorable coin purse!

 

[whateve]

Merry Christmas to me! Not the best lighting but couldn’t wait to share my new Pretty!

View attachment 5915016

This is fantastic!