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.

 

[whateve]

Happy new year to all! I’m excited to join this thread at the start of the year. I have a lot more personal goals than bag goals, which I can get into while I share about myself:

I am a single mom (divorce forthcoming) to an amazing toddler. I work from home as a student success manager at an education technology company. After spending the first three quarters of 2022 getting everything in order to be able to leave my ex, I moved myself and my toddler back home to my mom’s house in September. It’s been so nice to be around supportive family while handling matters with my ex in family court.

I shared in the previous thread that I acquired a lot of new bags, SLGs and charms last year to help distract from the emotional turmoil I was experiencing. I am now at a better place and ready to enjoy what I have this year rather than continue to grow my collection. Bag goals include:

1. Use at least 3 different bags a month - In December I used just 2 bags so I’d like to do better this year and really use my bags.
2. Improve my storage organization - Right now I have most of my bags on the top shelf of my closet but there’s a lot of empty space between that shelf and the ceiling, so I’m thinking about having a second shelf added so I can spread out my bags more.

Personal goals include:
1. Joining a gym or dance studio and working out or taking classes at least 2x per week.
2. Taking advantage of my job’s professional and personal learning budgets. I can use the personal learning budget for joining a dance studio or even on supplies to learn something new. I’m thinking about getting a Cricut, for example. And I would like to figure out my next career move because I’ll need to increase my earning potential as a single mom. So once I know which direction I’d like to move in, I can use that professional learning money to help get there.
3. Setting my mom up on Poshmark and FB Marketplace to help her sell some things that she needs to get rid of.

I think that’s plenty for now!

My daughter and neighbor are really into scrapbooking. My neighbor built an extra room onto her house just for scrapbooking. My daughter has been doing it for many years and has an instagram and youtube account dedicated to it.

Good luck with your career move!

 

[DME]

Question for the group: do you have a bag in your collection that you didn't fully love until you started using it?

I do! A number of years ago I asked DH for a Chanel flap bag in black. He got me an XS size, shiny caviar, a little too short of a strap for my crossbody liking. However, small bags are in and I’ve lost some weight since then, so the bag sits lower and at a place I like more. It has become my go-to bag!

 

[DME]

I'm with you on SLGs @DME haha. I don't think I have a very large collection but I do feel the need to downsize.
About that lululemon habit, I had a crazy time where I was buying a ridiculous amount of activewear. I must have had about 30 pairs of leggings and 30 sports bras. Granted, that was when I was working out basically every single day so it was worth for me at the time. But when I got more busy with work and cut workouts down to 2-3 times a week and now once a week, I downsized my leggings and sports bra collection a lot! Fortunately, activewear resells easily in California so I didn't have trouble cleaning them out. I think I've downsized to about half of what I had before.

I do work out a decent amount, but nowhere near enough to own the amount of athletic wear I do! There’s a consignment store I use and lululemon is sought after, so that’s helped in my weeding out process. I have been working on downsizing to pieces I really love. And I have to keep reminding myself that dark solid leggings are my friend, despite how much I love all the patterns.

 

[Jereni]

Happy New Year all!

I actually have no goals for 2023 in terms of buying or selling. I'm just going to follow my heart. I've had a tough year last year(witnessed my mom's passing at hospice after an extended stay) so I'm going to keep it easy this year.
In terms of wearing bags, I'm still just going to follow my heart.
So I guess following my heart is my goal.

That said, I've been really enjoying featherweight bags lately.
This Moynat Yoyo bag is the lightest bag I own and for that reason, I really use this bag a lot. (There's a tiny amount of cream on the bag from the waffle in the 2nd picture) View attachment 5682161View attachment 5682164

I’m so so sorry about your mom. I lost mine in 2018 and obv there are no words. Sending hugs your way.

 

[JenJBS]

Hello darlings! How I've missed you all. I fell off the wagon last year as I am officially done with university, yaaaay! Technically convocation takes place in June ; however, I felt like celebrating early. My collection is brimming with handbags right now, something I'm definitely okay with as fashion is my thing. This year I'd like to continue exploring other brands. I'd like to learn more about clothing and jewelry as well. I don't think I shared this but I now work for a consignment store (( amazing but also ouch on the paycheque)) I'm going to have to practice some self restraint as my top priority is my overall well-being whether it be financial, emotional and physical.

I'm not necessarily looking to downgrade my collection but expand it in directions I never thought I could take it in. I'm still in love with the Acne Studios Misubi.

To summarize, this is a massive year of big changes. I'll try to keep in touch, everyone! I hope you guys had a wonderful holiday season.

Congratulations on finishing university!

 

[Jereni]

@DME great goals!! Never a bad idea to downsize a collection. I am going to do that with bag charms myself. Have a few and just don’t use em.

@JenJBS love the simplicity of your goals!

@jblended I think the bag I didn’t appreciate enough until I used it more was my Coach Marlie. I bought it for the color, but upon using it, it’s also such a perfect and useful bag in so many ways. Easy to get in and out of, inside and outside pocket, roomy, top handle for easy grab… everything a girl needs.

@SakuraSakura congrats on your upcoming graduation, that’s great!!! Looking forward to seeing the new directions your bag collection goes in.

@lill_canele - good idea on the 1 in 1 out thing. I also tend to try and keep that in mind, as I cycle thru bags.

@Cookiefiend I’m sorry the end of 2022 was so hectic for you!!!

 

[JenJBS]

@JenJBS love the simplicity of your goals!

@jblended I think the bag I didn’t appreciate enough until I used it more was my Coach Marlie. I bought it for the color, but upon using it, it’s also such a perfect and useful bag in so many ways. Easy to get in and out of, inside and outside pocket, roomy, top handle for easy grab… everything a girl needs.

Thanks!

After your description I need to look into the Coach Marlie.

 

[Bag peace]

After your description I need to look into the Coach Marlie.

This place is terrible for enabling!

Unfortunately yes. I tried really hard to use my YSL denim puffer.

You're not alone! I know someone who got it and couldn't use it for the same reason- something about the puffy denim in that size didn't look right with her outfits. In theory, it's the perfect casual everyday bag but, in practice it's not quite right.

Once I saw a black Evie being carried the correct way round by a chic urbanite (all in 'Swedish' black) I was like OKAAAAYYYY, not so so ugly. I want one!!!

And the rest is history and a bag I hardly ever take off.

I've never seen anyone irl wear it the correct way! Isn't that funny? This is a great bag to do a 180 on, because it's so sleek and seems really functional.

I do! A number of years ago I asked DH for a Chanel flap bag in black. He got me an XS size, shiny caviar, a little too short of a strap for my crossbody liking. However, small bags are in and I’ve lost some weight since then, so the bag sits lower and at a place I like more. It has become my go-to bag!

Love that you're able to enjoy his pick now! So important that the bag hits at the right spot. I hate it when they're too high or too low on the hip. I kind of fixate on it and never get comfortable, lol.

@jblended I think the bag I didn’t appreciate enough until I used it more was my Coach Marlie. I bought it for the color, but upon using it, it’s also such a perfect and useful bag in so many ways. Easy to get in and out of, inside and outside pocket, roomy, top handle for easy grab… everything a girl needs.

Ooh, I don't think I've held a Marlie, but have seen pictures. I can see how it's an easy everyday bag.

Thanks for the discussion everyone. Just reinforces to me that it's the little details in a bag that make or break it!

 

[dcooney4]

When I saw the Moynat bag it reminded me of the one I saw in London. I didn't buy it as it was bigger than I needed, and the price tag would have made it so I couldn't play with bags as much this year. I had gone to Liberty London and thought their bags were fun and more in my comfort zone, but they were out of stock on the little size I liked. Yesterday I looked on posh and decided to check the Liberty site on the prices people were asking. I saw they had the Tall Mini Marborough on sale now, so I have already failed at less shopping. I need to get something out to get back on track. Budget wise it is fine, but I already have listed the few I don't use. How do you make bags move faster? I really like all the others and don't want to list anymore.

 

[limom]

Question for the group: do you have a bag in your collection that you didn't fully love until you started using it?

Those Longchamp pliage bags.
I hated the look, it is dowdy, blah, blah, blah. I am doing a bag inventory and I am up to 6.
Super practical.

 

[missie1]

Happy New Year ladies.….lots of changes for me over past year. I have totally focused on refining my bags by adding small mini bags in various colors. This was done so that I have options when going to places with bag size restrictions or when traveling. My goals for this year are to stick to jewelry wishlist and add only two bags -mini lady dior in lizard and red Kelly. The Kelly is proving to be difficult to score. Also I must be realistic and leave room for at least two Chanel’s to be added. Wardrobe goals are to only add few key pieces each season and to wear what I already have.

 

[Sunshine mama]

@jblended
I decided to keep my partly painted bag its dark color as is, and instead decided to add a credit card holder in the front if the bag for a fun look.
I love how fun it is now!

 

[dcooney4]

@jblended
I decided to keep my partly painted bag its dark color as is, and instead decided to add a credit card holder in the front if the bag for a fun look.
I love how fun it is now!View attachment 5683314

I love it. It looks like a happy bag.

 

[Vintage Leather]

How do you make bags move faster? I really like all the others and don't want to list anymore.

I’ve struggled with things not moving. So far, I have three strategies:

1) accept that I value the space more than the money and haul them to a consignment or thrift shop. This is when I don’t want to deal with sales or bags ever again.

2) Drop prices/make offers to liners that are low. Insanely low.

3) Put the bags in a box with a lid. Ignore them. Don’t think about them or stress about them for 6 months or a year. If you get sales in the mean time, you know where the box is. But delete posh, ect off your phone so the unsold items don’t affect your thoughts or quality of life.

 

[jp824]

I definitely want to do all of this including make complete outfits so I use more of my bags and shoes (this will prevent me from shopping unnecessarily. (I have those goals with @jp824 and @DoggieBags too, so perhaps they will pop in)

Along with @jblended and others, I don’t have to buy a bag to admire it

ETA: I typically don’t buy unless I am so sure that I love it and will use it enough to wear it out of the store. But, I will add a special resolution to use a purchased item the week of purchase. Even if it’s to break in a new pair of shoes or working out outfit combinations that will actually leave the closet

@880 - Thanks for the tag!

Happy new year to all!

I usually don’t do well with sticking to New Year’s resolutions so I figured I will try to keep things simple this year.

Bag Goals:
I am pretty happy with my bag collection so I don’t really have anything on my list that is a “must have” so my bag goals this year are:
- be more deliberate with my purchases and avoid impulsive buys ..(easier said than done);
- during Covid years, I purged my bag collection and got it down from over 100 to 50. I know this is still a lot but this is over 15 years of collection and I’m at a point now that I appreciate and love every bag in my collection. My goal this year is to keep to that number so this should hopefully force me to be more selective and really think about whether a new bag is worth it enough to let go of one of my older bags.
- I also hope to rotate my bags more to bring down my cost per wear and shop my closet and avoid further purchases at least for the 1st quarter …baby steps ..

As for personal goals, I need to stop drinking diet soda and drink more water which may be harder to do than not shopping for a whole quarter…

So far I’ve been good with the shopping ban but I’ve already fallen off the wagon on the diet soda..but I’m jumping back on since I have to do this for better health.

Good luck to everyone on sticking to their resolutions!