2024 Resolution: Shopping my own Bag and SLG Collection

[Sparkletastic]

December Activities and Challenges - pick and choose as you please.

I. 2024 Year In Review Reflection
(Thanks @Vintage Leather)

Utilize these thought starters to evaluate your collection, your usage patterns and your lessons learned in 2024.
• What is your most useful purse?
• What is your best purchase of the year?
• We’ve all had a lot of lifestyle changes this year - how has it affected your style?
• What is the one thing we’ve learned this year that you want to take into the next?

II. Setting 2025 Goals
Take this month to consider what you want to do with your handbag collection, wardrobe or even your beautiful life in 2025. Share these thoughts in January when we start the 2026 Shopping Your Closet thread.

III. End of year optional challenges

• Holiday colors: December has many holidays celebrated across the world - red & green, brown & gold, blue & white and more! Pick the holiday that you want to honor and wear / show off your bags in those traditional colors.

• End with a bang: As we come to the last part of the year, wear the last bag you’ve purchased at least 3 times this month.

@Vlad please pin this to the top of our thread.

 

[dcooney4]

This made me cry. Thank you, PT.

And thank you to everyone who has kindly posted words of support and encouragement. This is the darkest period of my life, and that's saying something considering how bad things have been in the last few years. Your kindness at this time is deeply appreciated. I can't express how comforting it is to have virtual support.

Spoiler: Update

She had a very close call yesterday. It is unfortunate that I was by her side as it happened, since I now can't shake the mental image of what I saw. This experience is deeply traumatizing.
She is stable now but, my heart breaks for her. She has endured so much in such a short space of time. She was actually starting to improve before everything just fell apart yesterday. I was so happy to see her open her eyes in the morning, only to leave the hospital sobbing after she crashed in the afternoon.
I am waiting for news about the next step, which may be another procedure. Another surgery puts her back a few steps and comes with its own risks, yet we have to do what we have to do.
My anxiety levels are sky high and my nerves are shot. I don't know how to do what I have to do. I look at other people around me in the hospital and they're so composed as they visit their loved ones. I walk in feeling like I may be sick at any moment.
I wish I had that kind of strength. Still, I'm not giving up and I'll do all I can for her.
I can't wait to be allowed to hug her again.

In lighter news, I'm baffled by the amount of designer looks I see at the hospital. Hermes, Dior, Chanel, Fendi. I think I counted 5 different H bags yesterday- B, K and Pico, I believe. Lots of Dior saddle bags, too. It seems so out of place.
One woman was dressed in a very cosy looking white knit top and joggers, with a Chanel backpack and Chanel sneakers. The whole outfit looked very comfy, very cute, very expensive...just not hospital-appropriate. Another woman was wearing a Fendi dress with Stuart Weitzman boots and an H belt. She looked fab for a day out on the town, but I did a double take seeing her go into the ward.
Am I the only one who finds it odd to see people dressed to the nines in that setting?
Also, the number of people filming dancing videos for their social media while visiting relatives in the hospital has made me lose faith in humanity. I am deeply offended each time I see someone do it.

I hope things take a turn for the better. Hugs!

 

[dcooney4]

I don’t know where I am in terms of bag love/use/buying. In October 2023, I was in several countries in Europe for a vacation. Of course I would not miss the opportunity to buy bag(s) there because of the great prices compared to what are accessible to me from my home country in Southeast Asia. Since then, I have been using these new purchases, plus only a small number of 2020-2024 purchases. The older ones, not so much! I’m lazy now for daily bag rotation.

My bag storage is overflowing, but I don’t know how I will “dispose” of those I don’t use (but still hesitant to part with). I don’t want to sell by myself since I don’t see a market within my circle. I could go the consignment route, but I see lots of unsold nice pieces from my trusted resellers.

Earlier on this thread I mentioned that I no longer believe in a forever bag for me (unless maybe a classic flap black Chanel). Even if I still love my older bags, I’m realizing that I want my bags to be more current. Anyone feeling this way to?

I feel the same way.

 

[Sibelle]

I don’t know where I am in terms of bag love/use/buying. In October 2023, I was in several countries in Europe for a vacation. Of course I would not miss the opportunity to buy bag(s) there because of the great prices compared to what are accessible to me from my home country in Southeast Asia. Since then, I have been using these new purchases, plus only a small number of 2020-2024 purchases. The older ones, not so much! I’m lazy now for daily bag rotation.

My bag storage is overflowing, but I don’t know how I will “dispose” of those I don’t use (but still hesitant to part with). I don’t want to sell by myself since I don’t see a market within my circle. I could go the consignment route, but I see lots of unsold nice pieces from my trusted resellers.

Earlier on this thread I mentioned that I no longer believe in a forever bag for me (unless maybe a classic flap black Chanel). Even if I still love my older bags, I’m realizing that I want my bags to be more current. Anyone feeling this way to?

Yes I feel the same. I am always excited for interesting new releases while most luxury bags that I own are more "classic". I think I buy luxury items a lot more conservatively (mostly black and brown tones) than contemporary bags. I totally love shiny colors, especially turquoise, green, red and orange. So I love to get Coach bags and other designers in these colors. Which ends with me using my contemporary bags a lot more than my expensive ones on a daily basis.

 

[lill_canele]

This made me cry. Thank you, PT.

And thank you to everyone who has kindly posted words of support and encouragement. This is the darkest period of my life, and that's saying something considering how bad things have been in the last few years. Your kindness at this time is deeply appreciated. I can't express how comforting it is to have virtual support.

Spoiler: Update

She had a very close call yesterday. It is unfortunate that I was by her side as it happened, since I now can't shake the mental image of what I saw. This experience is deeply traumatizing.
She is stable now but, my heart breaks for her. She has endured so much in such a short space of time. She was actually starting to improve before everything just fell apart yesterday. I was so happy to see her open her eyes in the morning, only to leave the hospital sobbing after she crashed in the afternoon.
I am waiting for news about the next step, which may be another procedure. Another surgery puts her back a few steps and comes with its own risks, yet we have to do what we have to do.
My anxiety levels are sky high and my nerves are shot. I don't know how to do what I have to do. I look at other people around me in the hospital and they're so composed as they visit their loved ones. I walk in feeling like I may be sick at any moment.
I wish I had that kind of strength. Still, I'm not giving up and I'll do all I can for her.
I can't wait to be allowed to hug her again.

In lighter news, I'm baffled by the amount of designer looks I see at the hospital. Hermes, Dior, Chanel, Fendi. I think I counted 5 different H bags yesterday- B, K and Pico, I believe. Lots of Dior saddle bags, too. It seems so out of place.
One woman was dressed in a very cosy looking white knit top and joggers, with a Chanel backpack and Chanel sneakers. The whole outfit looked very comfy, very cute, very expensive...just not hospital-appropriate. Another woman was wearing a Fendi dress with Stuart Weitzman boots and an H belt. She looked fab for a day out on the town, but I did a double take seeing her go into the ward.
Am I the only one who finds it odd to see people dressed to the nines in that setting?
Also, the number of people filming dancing videos for their social media while visiting relatives in the hospital has made me lose faith in humanity. I am deeply offended each time I see someone do it.

I'm so sorry it's been so crazy and difficult for you. I cannot imagine what you're going through and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother.

Regarding wearing designer in the hospital. It doesn't surprise me too much. It depends on the location and the hospital. There are some very wealthy hospitals with very wealthy patients in California and it is relatively common to see designer. I've even see supercars parked in front of my center.
What throws people off is when hospital employees wear designer. There's a very heavy conservative expectation that it is not appropriate or acceptable that those working on the floor wear designer or bring designer bags. I think many find it distracting from work and it may give others the impression that one cares more about material goods than caring for people.
I have met those who love designer and wear designer to be excellent and wonderful healthcare workers. I have also met those who love and wear designers to be terrible superficial healthcare workers as well.

Earlier on this thread I mentioned that I no longer believe in a forever bag for me (unless maybe a classic flap black Chanel). Even if I still love my older bags, I’m realizing that I want my bags to be more current. Anyone feeling this way to?

I don't know if I believe in a single forever bag. But I don't really want my bags to be more current either.
Then again, I tend to be very "classic" and prefer very tried-and-true designs and silhouettes. As in, I'm safe and boring lol. But that may mean that the bags I have may work in any day and age.

 

[dcooney4]

Today’s bad weather bag is Kate Spade small Dumpling.

 

[Sibelle]

This week I am trying to rotate my bags as much as possible.
I used my new BV bag for the first time today . It is actually great to wear on the crook of my arm. It is also very lightweight. I love it so far.

 

[whateve]

View attachment 5939221Today’s bad weather bag is Kate Spade small Dumpling.

Such a cute shape!

 

[whateve]

I don’t know where I am in terms of bag love/use/buying. In October 2023, I was in several countries in Europe for a vacation. Of course I would not miss the opportunity to buy bag(s) there because of the great prices compared to what are accessible to me from my home country in Southeast Asia. Since then, I have been using these new purchases, plus only a small number of 2020-2024 purchases. The older ones, not so much! I’m lazy now for daily bag rotation.

My bag storage is overflowing, but I don’t know how I will “dispose” of those I don’t use (but still hesitant to part with). I don’t want to sell by myself since I don’t see a market within my circle. I could go the consignment route, but I see lots of unsold nice pieces from my trusted resellers.

Earlier on this thread I mentioned that I no longer believe in a forever bag for me (unless maybe a classic flap black Chanel). Even if I still love my older bags, I’m realizing that I want my bags to be more current. Anyone feeling this way to?

I'm the same way. I've been tracking my bag use for the last 4-5 years (I can't believe it has been that long I've been on this thread!) and the bags that are newer to me get used more. It doesn't mean that I'm reaching for trendy bags; it just means that the bags I haven't owned as long are more exciting for me to carry. I do the same thing with my clothing. All of my bags still look nearly new, other than the vintage bags, because they don't get carried enough to show much wear.

 

[dcooney4]

Such a cute shape!

Thank you! It is so easy to use I have it in tan too.

 

[dcooney4]

I'm the same way. I've been tracking my bag use for the last 4-5 years (I can't believe it has been that long I've been on this thread!) and the bags that are newer to me get used more. It doesn't mean that I'm reaching for trendy bags; it just means that the bags I haven't owned as long are more exciting for me to carry. I do the same thing with my clothing. All of my bags still look nearly new, other than the vintage bags, because they don't get carried enough to show much wear.

Mine too! I am trying to alter that.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

This made me cry. Thank you, PT.

And thank you to everyone who has kindly posted words of support and encouragement. This is the darkest period of my life, and that's saying something considering how bad things have been in the last few years. Your kindness at this time is deeply appreciated. I can't express how comforting it is to have virtual support.

Spoiler: Update

She had a very close call yesterday. It is unfortunate that I was by her side as it happened, since I now can't shake the mental image of what I saw. This experience is deeply traumatizing.
She is stable now but, my heart breaks for her. She has endured so much in such a short space of time. She was actually starting to improve before everything just fell apart yesterday. I was so happy to see her open her eyes in the morning, only to leave the hospital sobbing after she crashed in the afternoon.
I am waiting for news about the next step, which may be another procedure. Another surgery puts her back a few steps and comes with its own risks, yet we have to do what we have to do.
My anxiety levels are sky high and my nerves are shot. I don't know how to do what I have to do. I look at other people around me in the hospital and they're so composed as they visit their loved ones. I walk in feeling like I may be sick at any moment.
I wish I had that kind of strength. Still, I'm not giving up and I'll do all I can for her.
I can't wait to be allowed to hug her again.

Sending prayers and good wishes for a steady recovery for your mother, and also wishing you strength as you go through this difficult time. Hugs!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Earlier on this thread I mentioned that I no longer believe in a forever bag for me (unless maybe a classic flap black Chanel). Even if I still love my older bags, I’m realizing that I want my bags to be more current. Anyone feeling this way to?

Ideally, my collection would be a mix of about a handful of "forever" bags, with room to add the occasional current bag that may catch my fancy. As I said before, novelty has its own charm. However, I actually like the notion of forever bags because it's nice to settle on a design and style that works for me, down to knowing the details like where my pen or lipstick is placed. A forever bag is something that would not go out of style quickly or easily, so I can depend on it as a wardrobe staple for many occasions.

 

[lill_canele]

I'm the same way. I've been tracking my bag use for the last 4-5 years (I can't believe it has been that long I've been on this thread!) and the bags that are newer to me get used more. It doesn't mean that I'm reaching for trendy bags; it just means that the bags I haven't owned as long are more exciting for me to carry. I do the same thing with my clothing. All of my bags still look nearly new, other than the vintage bags, because they don't get carried enough to show much wear.

Ideally, my collection would be a mix of about a handful of "forever" bags, with room to add the occasional current bag that may catch my fancy. As I said before, novelty has its own charm. However, I actually like the notion of forever bags because it's nice to settle on a design and style that works for me, down to knowing the details like where my pen or lipstick is placed. A forever bag is something that would not go out of style quickly or easily, so I can depend on it as a wardrobe staple for many occasions.

Ohhh I get it now. New as in newer in the collection or more recently bought.
I can see that. I do get pretty excited with a bag purchase and will tend to use that bag quite a lot in the beginning.

But maybe because I have a relatively small collection in general, everything sort of even itself out.
The harder ones the use (for me) are the ones used for certain occasions such as clutches, mini/nano bags, and tote bags.

I do have a forever bag for a clutch bag. I have only 1 clutch bag but to me, it's my staple clutch bag for all clutch-needed events. Everytime I think of potentially getting another one, I will compare it to my one clutch bag and then pass on getting another one. I just love that one clutch so much and because I don't use it as often, I don't see much point in getting another one.
It's the same for my one nano bag and my one tote bag.

On the other hand, though, I only started buying luxury bags in 2015/2016, so it really hasn't been that long and my bags are relatively new/young. Except for my vintage CF, but CF will always be the same in design, so it doesn't really age I guess.

 

[papertiger]

I don’t know where I am in terms of bag love/use/buying. In October 2023, I was in several countries in Europe for a vacation. Of course I would not miss the opportunity to buy bag(s) there because of the great prices compared to what are accessible to me from my home country in Southeast Asia. Since then, I have been using these new purchases, plus only a small number of 2020-2024 purchases. The older ones, not so much! I’m lazy now for daily bag rotation.

My bag storage is overflowing, but I don’t know how I will “dispose” of those I don’t use (but still hesitant to part with). I don’t want to sell by myself since I don’t see a market within my circle. I could go the consignment route, but I see lots of unsold nice pieces from my trusted resellers.

Earlier on this thread I mentioned that I no longer believe in a forever bag for me (unless maybe a classic flap black Chanel). Even if I still love my older bags, I’m realizing that I want my bags to be more current. Anyone feeling this way to?

Yes and no.

I may go off a bag for a few years, but then it grows on me again.

The only ones I get rid of are ones I never really wore, have outgrown the cuteness, or a style I have more recently bought a better example (e.g. Gucci saddle bag over a generic 1970s one).

I'm very loathe to get rid of, say, my MJ Venetia or either of my Chloe Bags no matter how dated or cheap they are on resale sites, because those bags are better quality than the new stuff I see. I look at today's exorbitant priced Prada and know I have a better framed bag at home, a new microfibre-lined Gucci when I have the same lined in suede, or £10K + Chanel or H bag and - I'd rather buy jewellery.

 

[papertiger]

Yes I feel the same. I am always excited for interesting new releases while most luxury bags that I own are more "classic". I think I buy luxury items a lot more conservatively (mostly black and brown tones) than contemporary bags. I totally love shiny colors, especially turquoise, green, red and orange. So I love to get Coach bags and other designers in these colors. Which ends with me using my contemporary bags a lot more than my expensive ones on a daily basis.

Everybody seems to work differently. It totally makes sense what you say and it's true most of my most expensive bags are black or conservative colours, I appreciate neutrals greatly, but when I see the 'world's most beautiful colour' like a very certain shade of bright green or red, I always thing it's worth investing heavily in because those very bags are that much more special.