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.

 

[Jereni]

I feel very out of the loop on current bags, lol. I have no idea who's doing what or if some of them are even still around. It seems like something happened with Dooney & Bourke, but I don't know what. I just know they pulled their stuff from Macy's and the SA made it sound like they were pretty much selling only in their own stores and on their website or something. 🤷‍♀️ I've also noticed that Balenciaga seems to have moved away from their motorcycle bags and that breaks my heart.

Which bags are you ladies loving right now?

I’ve experimented with a lot of different brands over time but lately I’m just not inspired by much. For awhile I liked Polene, and I still do in theory, but I’ve sold most of them and I don’t care for most of their newer designs.

I continue to return to Coach again and again as time goes on. I like their bags that they do in glovetanned leather.

My preferred designer brand has been Celine, but lately I’ve decided to move on from a few of those as well. I still love my Valextra Iside and want another one.

 

[paculina]

I’ve experimented with a lot of different brands over time but lately I’m just not inspired by much. For awhile I liked Polene, and I still do in theory, but I’ve sold most of them and I don’t care for most of their newer designs.

I continue to return to Coach again and again as time goes on. I like their bags that they do in glovetanned leather.

My preferred designer brand has been Celine, but lately I’ve decided to move on from a few of those as well. I still love my Valextra Iside and want another one.

I agree about Coach being a go-to brand. I'm sure I've bought from them more than any other brand.

 

[papertiger]

Hi all. I used to participate in this thread back in the day. I think I fell off some time in 2019. I see some familiar names and some new names. I also see that Sparkletastic has taken some time away, I hope she's doing well.

I decided to check in here because yesterday I sold/consigned 11 (!!) of my bags, including my LV Pallas BB and my Mulberry Bayswater. I had also donated some other contemporary/sub-contemporary bags a few months ago. I still have plenty though.

Honestly, when I was posting here, I was changing bags every day or few days, making an effort to use them all. And then the pandemic started and the lockdown hit and I've been using the same Coach bag for most of the last 5 years. I changed for my birthday over the summer and haven't changed back so far.

Anyway, just saying hi. Maybe I'll jump in and participate some here and use some of my lovely bags that I've neglected/forgotten about.

I hope you're all doing well.

Good toy see you, welcome back

 

[papertiger]

I'm very behind on the thread, but have had some movement in the collection. 1 bag left and another quickly replaced it!
The bag that came in is giving me nightmares!
It is a gorgeous (preloved) weekender from MBMJ that is in absolutely perfect condition (must be from around 2012-ish). I mean, perfect condition. Except for the fact that this bag reeks!

I've washed it, put baking soda in it, aired it out and it still smells exactly the same. I dunked it in a vinegar bath and it's on its second day out in the sun but I can still smell it from a foot away.
This is the 2nd time I've had this happen with this specific bubble lamb leather that the brand used in certain years. I let go of a bag years ago for this same reason. I should've remembered that experience when I ordered this bag because it's the same leather!

Please give me all your tips and tricks on how to get the smell out! I really don't want to have to let go of this bag but I cannot possibly carry it when it's this pungent.

My mother would say anything that absorbant and placed inside is good. Even cotton socks or a pillow slip or cushion cover filled with kapok or scrunched tissue. I did this with a mahogany wardrobe and it worked well. Bicarbonate is good, but I think vinigar only if you need to get rid of greese. Place outside as much as possible.

 

[Bag peace]

My mother would say anything that absorbant and placed inside is good. Even cotton socks or a pillow slip or cushion cover filled with kapok or scrunched tissue. I did this with a mahogany wardrobe and it worked well. Bicarbonate is good, but I think vinigar only if you need to get rid of greese. Place outside as much as possible.

Cannot thank you enough! Will do.

 

[dcooney4]

I am curious have you found some newer brands that you have fallen in love with or some older ones that you have fallen in love with? Some brands seem to be not as careful with quality control, so I am trying to look at or discover ones that still care.

 

[Bag peace]

I am curious have you found some newer brands that you have fallen in love with or some older ones that you have fallen in love with? Some brands seem to be not as careful with quality control, so I am trying to look at or discover ones that still care.

Great question and I'm keen to hear what everyone thinks.

I think Aspinal of London and The Row (both at totally different price points) are the two currently consistent with quality and very clear aesthetics.

I know that Polene is really dropping the ball with regards to quality control, and my friends are having issues with their DeMellier bags, which is disappointing.

There's currently a lot of hype around the Aussie brand, The Horse, mostly because they've got a Puzzle-inspired bag. I knew of the brand from years ago because I loved their watches (genuine marble watch faces. I didn't buy because they were too large on my small wrists).
They've grown a lot since I first heard of them and I'm not sure if they've kept up the quality as they've grown, but I would hope they have.

Edit: I just checked and The Horse are now manufacturing in China. I'm sure the watches I saw were said to be handmade in their workshop in Aus. Either this is a recent change or I was misinformed at the boutique years ago.

 

[Claudia Herzog]

I am curious have you found some newer brands that you have fallen in love with or some older ones that you have fallen in love with? Some brands seem to be not as careful with quality control, so I am trying to look at or discover ones that still care.

Given that I own what I believe was one of your original Selene Midi designs, you already know about Massaccesi. The levels of quality in materials and construction have never faltered, the options for customization are even wider now, Marco has released some gorgeous new designs and new leathers in recent years, and despite two or three flirtations with closing the doors, he's still in business. The prices have gone up with inflation, but this is still a brand that "punches way above its weight" in terms of value for the money.

 

[dcooney4]

Given that I own what I believe was one of your original Selene Midi designs, you already know about Massaccesi. The levels of quality in materials and construction have never faltered, the options for customization are even wider now, Marco has released some gorgeous new designs and new leathers in recent years, and despite two or three flirtations with closing the doors, he's still in business. The prices have gone up with inflation, but this is still a brand that "punches way above its weight" in terms of value for the money.

I had totally forgotten about this brand. It is beautifully made. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I have tons! I have been collecting vintage since I was 10. Just keeping the best stuff.

Please give yourself time to chose what to let go. I sorted through all my vintage bags within one afternoon and now I know I left one or the other behind that I should have kept.
When you aren't pressed for quick decisions a " bag limbo" somewhere out of sight could be a good solution - waiting to be re- evaluated.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I'm very behind on the thread, but have had some movement in the collection. 1 bag left and another quickly replaced it!
The bag that came in is giving me nightmares!
It is a gorgeous (preloved) weekender from MBMJ that is in absolutely perfect condition (must be from around 2012-ish). I mean, perfect condition. Except for the fact that this bag reeks!

I've washed it, put baking soda in it, aired it out and it still smells exactly the same. I dunked it in a vinegar bath and it's on its second day out in the sun but I can still smell it from a foot away.
This is the 2nd time I've had this happen with this specific bubble lamb leather that the brand used in certain years. I let go of a bag years ago for this same reason. I should've remembered that experience when I ordered this bag because it's the same leather!

Please give me all your tips and tricks on how to get the smell out! I really don't want to have to let go of this bag but I cannot possibly carry it when it's this pungent.

Possibly putting it in the freezer for a week and airing it preferrably in the sun afterwards might help. I bought a fairly smelly fur coat last month which after repeating this treatment twice is absolutely fine now.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

@dcooney4 That bag is super unique! Thanks for the pics!
That crack should be an easy fix, since it's the cow leather portion and not the croc itself.
I'm tagging @cowgirlsboots because she often fixes up bags with wear and tear, and I'd be seeking her advice if it were my own bag.

This bag is stunning!

If it was my bag I'm d try to glue a bigger piece of leather or a tough nylon fabric under the split area and handstitch along the edges of the splits. The repair would be visible, but could be duplicated as a decor on the intact side.

 

[papertiger]

I am curious have you found some newer brands that you have fallen in love with or some older ones that you have fallen in love with? Some brands seem to be not as careful with quality control, so I am trying to look at or discover ones that still care.

New:
I like some of the Métier bags. I've been in to the store in London twice accompanying others looking for a work bag. . For work, Loro Piana bags look very nice too, especially the Loom. Happily or sadly, the last thing I need is another work bag. Everything new that's decent seems very expensive.

I really like the newish Burberry Knight, Shield (expensive-ish for smart-casual but fabulous hardware) and even the new Snip in leather and the Rocking Horse. I'd like to think that the newer will be the quality of the Knight and Shield.

I'd love to try a Joseph Duclos Diane. I just can't justify spending that amount of money when I have no-name vintage bags that a equally glorious.

Jury's out:
Tomorrow, I'll be taking my black leather Liberty briefcase. It's one of three embossed leather bags I use for work (2 black, one red). I've noticed a deterioration in quality of own-name silk scarves lately, I have several beautiful ones from recent years, I hope their bags are still quality. Most are canvas now, but they still look really nice. I hope someone with a newer Liberty can chime in.

Sad to say:
Not looking at BV anymore. I don't understand the ethos of the fashion shows, SS25 was awful, there is no aftercare to speak of and prices jump hundreds overnight. I do like the Hop and found a beautiful colour (Khaki) but I'm not sure I believe in the company anymore. They are not the 'Hermes of Italy' they pretend to be, I don't even think they are the BV of Italy anymore.

I love my Balenciaga Le City, but it's really just a fashion bag at a luxury price, same with my new Balmain.

 

[papertiger]

Please give yourself time to chose what to let go. I sorted through all my vintage bags within one afternoon and now I know I left one or the other behind that I should have kept.
When you aren't pressed for quick decisions a " bag limbo" somewhere out of sight could be a good solution - waiting to be re- evaluated.

🦉

 

[dcooney4]

Great question and I'm keen to hear what everyone thinks.

I think Aspinal of London and The Row (both at totally different price points) are the two currently consistent with quality and very clear aesthetics.

I know that Polene is really dropping the ball with regards to quality control, and my friends are having issues with their DeMellier bags, which is disappointing.

There's currently a lot of hype around the Aussie brand, The Horse, mostly because they've got a Puzzle-inspired bag. I knew of the brand from years ago because I loved their watches (genuine marble watch faces. I didn't buy because they were too large on my small wrists).
They've grown a lot since I first heard of them and I'm not sure if they've kept up the quality as they've grown, but I would hope they have.

Edit: I just checked and The Horse are now manufacturing in China. I'm sure the watches I saw were said to be handmade in their workshop in Aus. Either this is a recent change or I was misinformed at the boutique years ago.

I have one Aspinal and it is beautiful.

This bag is stunning!

If it was my bag I'm d try to glue a bigger piece of leather or a tough nylon fabric under the split area and handstitch along the edges of the splits. The repair would be visible, but could be duplicated as a decor on the intact side.

I brought it to a small leather repair shop about 45 minutes away. I will pick it up the end of the week. If it doesn’t work I will do your suggestion myself.