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.

 

[nyeredzi]

I had fun making a pie chart of how often I wore my bags in 2023. I was surprised to find that my Coach Tali in red orange was my most worn bag!



I kind of want to take out the Nolitas, which I have in there as though they were one bag. But I don't count Coach Nolitas as real bags ... they're closer to wristlets. Also, I didn't have all of these bags for the whole year. I might make another one that uses a value that is the number of times worn divided by the number of days I've had it.

 

[stacy_natalie]

I had fun making a pie chart of how often I wore my bags in 2023. I was surprised to find that my Coach Tali in red orange was my most worn bag!

View attachment 5919395

I kind of want to take out the Nolitas, which I have in there as though they were one bag. But I don't count Coach Nolitas as real bags ... they're closer to wristlets. Also, I didn't have all of these bags for the whole year. I might make another one that uses a value that is the number of times worn divided by the number of days I've had it.

Interesting. Would be fun if you could color code the sections of the pie chart to align with the actual color of each bag!

 

[dcooney4]

A belated Merry Christmas to all who celebrate
I’ve been down with the flu for the last 9 days so it was a low key holiday for us.
Thank you @Vintage Leather and @lill_canele for the precious pup pix! Too cute 🥰

I hope you are feeling better.

 

[dcooney4]

I usually keep a list using evernote and just put a little mark next to the bag I use each day. They now suddenly want to charge me for using this after many years, so now I need to come up with a new system.

 

[nyeredzi]

Interesting. Would be fun if you could color code the sections of the pie chart to align with the actual color of each bag!

Interesting idea! I'll have to see how that looks. Right now, they are ordered with most frequent first, starting at 44 and going counter clockwise. So I'd have to make sure that adjacent bags are not the same color, so that you could see them next to each other. And would probably have to change the font color depending on the bag, since the same font color won't show up well on both black and white.

 

[jbags07]

I had fun making a pie chart of how often I wore my bags in 2023. I was surprised to find that my Coach Tali in red orange was my most worn bag!

View attachment 5919395

I kind of want to take out the Nolitas, which I have in there as though they were one bag. But I don't count Coach Nolitas as real bags ... they're closer to wristlets. Also, I didn't have all of these bags for the whole year. I might make another one that uses a value that is the number of times worn divided by the number of days I've had it.

This is fantastic! What a great way to track usage.

 

[papertiger]

Dear all shopping from our closets regulars and enthusiasts, just popped in to say big hugs to you all. I hope you had the holiday you wished for and that 2024 will be your dream year.

Can you all believe it's the close of a year (once again)?

I'll copy some points over and add to this for our new thread. I just thought whilst I have time...

Annual appraisal:

Buying:
I bought 0 bags in 2023 -
BUT, I bought 3 in 2022 (all new Guccis) 2 more than I usually allow myself per annum. '22 was one of my my expensive bag years for a very long time - but I remain unapologetic (to myself ) but also proud I held firm in '23.

Didn't buy:
The BV pink Lizard Knot clutch that was too good to be true (rattle-y closure). Had it been perfect - different story.
SS23 Saint Laurent, Amber Eel SdJ. In some ways I am pleased with myself I didn't succumb, yet I am also sorry . Such a lovely colour, and I know I would have enjoyed it night and day.

Wearing:
I have nothing like as accurate as @nyeredzi data intel for the year, but I still feel pretty happy wearing new and older bags this year.
New(ish) I had a craving for something bright and my beautiful Gucci Aphrodite filled that spot perfectly. It's Med size and with the shorter strap fills that Y2K shoulder bag look.
I only wore my new Blondie twice (weather sensitive pony) but at least it went to a rock concert
Centenary Gucci all-black BTH - I love this bag. Went to Gucci Cosmos with me. This is a true icon.
Older: I wore quite a few of my real 00s bags this year, especially the Guccis (see below).

Rediscovered 23:
BV Navy '15 Roma and repurposing for work
Gucci Jade '06 Horse-bit shoulder bag
Gucci Dark '05 Red '00s Punch TH bag
Gucci black '02 Horse-bit clutch bag
Gucci Dark Red '15 suede Lady Web shoulder bag
Chanel black vintage Tassel/flap
Gucci light beige '15 Bold Med BTH

High-points:
Gucci crocodile (I still say its alligator) Aviatrix Boston for birthday weekend away
Hermes Chocolate Swift Travel Web Bolide at special event MoCA London
Gucci Green Pony Blondie at Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert
Centenary Gucci all-black BTH - went to Gucci Cosmos with me.
Hermes Bambou Plume at TPF meet and Chanel Manifesto exhibition
Hermes Chocolate Box Plume 28 on Boxing Day - much admired
DH actually noticed when I wore an old Pickett of London Alice bag

Gaps in wardrobe for '24:
Possibly everyday cross body to alternate with H Evelyne
Possibly interesting amber colour bag
Possibly small tote (or dig out my Chanel Cambon)

Resolutions for '24
Wear Gucci BTHs more
Take out H Kellys
Keep rediscovering.

Interesting points:
Used fewer hobos last Summer. I wore more shoulder/cross bodies instead.
Getting interested in vintage BVs more.
Shocked at the level of new prices across the board.

 

[shopaholicious]

I discovered this thread mid-year and thoroughly enjoyed all the photos and wisdom from you all. It is wonderful to share and ponder all the nuance of handbags!

This year was mainly reassess and rediscovery of my existing collection, whilst adapting to hybrid work and life post-covid. The only change to my collection is trading in a Mansur Gavriel top handle bag for a MG mini lady bag.

My current approach is having one group of long term, carefully curated, must-have bags and another group of short term, functional, one-in-one-out bags. This strategy will likely evolve and improve over time.

Wish you peace, health and happiness in the New Year!

 

[dcooney4]

2023 Dec.
4 Bags in- My boys bought me some bags for the holidays.
2 bags out
3 slgs in- They are all card holders. 2 of them I might use as prizes for a party.
1 slgs out
0 sports/travel bag in
1 sports/travel bag out.
I had a crazy amount of movement in my closet, but my closet is still neat and tidy and no bag is being squeezed. I think I have all my basics covered now. I stayed in my budget. I only have four bags that did not get worn this year, besides what I just received. Those are special occasion bags, so I did quite well with rotating bags.
I wish everyone a wonderful New Year!

 

[dcooney4]

The only thing I did not do as well as I had hoped was to plan complete outfits, so all my bags get worn more easily. I will work on that in the new year.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Wishing everyone the very best in 2024!

No bags in during December, 1 bag out (a contemporary bag, new with tags, that I gave to a friend).
This year, I definitely slowed down on bag acquisitions, unlike the last few years. In fact, I would like to prune my collection a bit more, and then possibly add one more satchel to round it off, but still undecided about which one I want to get, and if it's really necessary. I have officially run out of space in the closet! In the upcoming year, we are discussing some house upgrades including possibly a closet extension. The bathroom needs to be re-tiled because the shower floor is leaking, so we might possibly end up re-doing the entire bathroom. Also looking at some furniture upgrades. Decluttering, home decor and suchlike will be more of a focus for me in the months ahead. As far as bags go, I will continue to focus on using my existing bags rather than garnering new acquisitions. Well, at least that's the plan.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

The only thing I did not do as well as I had hoped was to plan complete outfits, so all my bags get worn more easily. I will work on that in the new year.

Do you plan your outfit the previous evening? I find that when I plan what to wear for the next day as part of my evening routine, I tend to do better at rotating my bags, and using things that are otherwise left unused.

 

[dcooney4]

Do you plan your outfit the previous evening? I find that when I plan what to wear for the next day as part of my evening routine, I tend to do better at rotating my bags, and using things that are otherwise left unused.

That is a good idea. Right now I just check the weather in the morning and go from there. Sometimes I am quite rushed.

 

[meokeefe11]

That is a good idea. Right now I just check the weather in the morning and go from there. Sometimes I am quite rushed.

I need to check the weather as well -- both to determine my overall outfit and therefore what purse might go with it, and also to make sure there won't be rain etc. to damage my nicer or painted bags

 

[jbags07]

Dec stats

Bags in - 2 tiny vintage dooneys, K35 (planned purchase), Gold Knot (impulse buy but no regrets!)
Bags out - sold 8, gifted 5
slgs in - none!
Slgs out - gifted 3 pouches
Bag charms in - 1
Scarves in - 2
Scarves out - sold 2, gifted 3

Usage - i only carried 5 of my bags this month. Most used were my black Gucci soho disco and Nero Nodini. I carried 2 of my mini cabats, and one of my Knots. Editing to add, i also carried my BV Ardoise Coco Sable Vendome Bag, so 6 bags carried in total!

Observations and goals…..I’ve approached bags with a collector mindset for quite a few years. I’ve purchased so many bags it’s impossible to carry most of them, and the ensuing bag chaos was overwhelming, so I’ve spent 2023 in sell mode…..i let go of a lot of bags this year, bags i loved but didn’t work (shoulder bags mostly)…..hard to let go of beautiful bags, but no point keeping bags i won’t carry……plus it allowed me to create space for and fund some H bags that i am so happy to have added……so i am feeling in 2024 i will be shopping my own closet as i continue to curate, selling styles or colors that do not work for me. Trying to slow down purchases, but i do have a few wishlist items……I want to add a couple of casual crossbodies, another K32 or 35, another Picotin, a GM NF for travel, vintage Kusama and Cerises Speedy’s, and a couple other vintage LV styles…..thinking also about adding a Capucines….will try not to add too many BV this year, unless i see some i cannot resist🤣

Wishing everyone a wonderful and happy New Year, may 2024 bring abundant health and joy for everyone here