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.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Could it be remade into something else, something smaller so there won't be evidence of the mend?

This was my thought as well.

 

[Sparkletastic]

After two days recovery in hospital, I’ve been able to fly home to continue convalescing. Yet again, I’m bumbling about wearing more medical accoutrements. 🤨 I’d much prefer stylish designer accessories to the drab and often uncomfortable ones healthcare workers love to force upon me.

I’ll whine a bit as I’ve realized I’ve had 5 surgeries in the last 5 years with still a couple more to come. I’m trying to stay peppy but the grumpies have taken fierce hold today as I’m very tired of so frequently being “Bandaged, Braced and Bored”. I don’t even want to go for a teeth cleaning. Argh!!

But, I occupied my conscious moments over the last few days indulging in handbag fun. I “wore” (took with me) a lesser used WOC - Dior So Black Studded Diorama - and a utility (brand??) backpack to meet challenge #4.

And I fell in love again with the oversized coin purses that I’d forgotten Coach had shown on one of their recent runways. I would have KILLED to have this fun teddy to cuddle after surgery.
And I will SOOOO buy either it or this beautiful burgundy “regular” version if I can get my hands on one when they’re released. Any word on when they’ll hit stores? (And exactly WHY are mainline luxury brands not being this fun?)
Um… if I buy an oversized coin purse… er… that doesn’t qualify as breaking a handbag ban does it?

 

[dcooney4]

I have not been using any of my bags. My son's girlfriend gave a nylon bag that I can open easily with left hand and if I spill something on it she doesn't care. I thought I would only use it for a day or two, but since it has a wide comfortable strap, I ditched my sling and hang my arm on it. So much easier than carrying a bag on one shoulder and a sling on the other, but I miss my pretty bags. If you have ever broken a wrist or arm what did you do?

 

[GraffS]

Thanks! I just knew you were the person to ask! (Running off to capture some cashmere!)

Also Brunello Cucinelli! Wonderful cashmere.

 

[cecchetti]

After two days recovery in hospital, I’ve been able to fly home to continue convalescing. Yet again, I’m bumbling about wearing more medical accoutrements. 🤨 I’d much prefer stylish designer accessories to the drab and often uncomfortable ones healthcare workers love to force upon me.

I’ll whine a bit as I’ve realized I’ve had 5 surgeries in the last 5 years with still a couple more to come. I’m trying to stay peppy but the grumpies have taken fierce hold today as I’m very tired of so frequently being “Bandaged, Braced and Bored”. I don’t even want to go for a teeth cleaning. Argh!!

But, I occupied my conscious moments over the last few days indulging in handbag fun. I “wore” (took with me) a lesser used WOC - Dior So Black Studded Diorama - View attachment 6085233and a utility (brand??) backpack to meet challenge #4.

And I fell in love again with the oversized coin purses that I’d forgotten Coach had shown on one of their recent runways. I would have KILLED to have this fun teddy to cuddle after surgery. View attachment 6085231
And I will SOOOO buy either it or this beautiful burgundy “regular” version if I can get my hands on one when they’re released. Any word on when they’ll hit stores? (And exactly WHY are mainline luxury brands not being this fun?)View attachment 6085232
Um… if I buy an oversized coin purse… er… that doesn’t qualify as breaking a handbag ban does it?

I wish you had the teddy to cuddle as well!❤️❤️

 

[Sparkletastic]

I have not been using any of my bags. My son's girlfriend gave a nylon bag that I can open easily with left hand and if I spill something on it she doesn't care. I thought I would only use it for a day or two, but since it has a wide comfortable strap, I ditched my sling and hang my arm on it. So much easier than carrying a bag on one shoulder and a sling on the other, but I miss my pretty bags. If you have ever broken a wrist or arm what did you do?

In my ongoing yet fully unwilling bid to be Queen of the Walking Wounded, I ended up with a dislocated shoulder as a result of a terrible seizure I had last fall. As a result, I had to wear a sling for about six weeks. To cope, I purchased a sling equipped with a pouch on the forearm section from Amazon. The pouch held my phone, card case, pen and lip balm. I added a carabiner so that I could hook my essential keys to it as well.

When I needed more carrying space, I wore a no-name cheap nylon tote on my other arm that had a lot of organization space inside.

***
I’m still going for Challenge #4 which is proving to be a bit difficult but a lot of fun. Today I wore my least loved bag - a Saint Laurent Rive Droite flannel tote. This bag is saggy and attracts lint like crazy. But, it was only $95 new (it’s still on the website) and proved to be perfect for a day when I look pretty bummy because I’m just going into physical therapy.

I know the bag is supposed to be soft but the floppiness really drives me nuts. It’s like carrying a flannel pillowcase. So I think I’m going to purchase some interfacing (or maybe try fabric stiffening spray? or both?) and see if I can line / stiffen the interior of the bag for a bit more structure.

This is truly a case of you get what you pay for. But, it’s still fun to find a reason to wear my ignored and abandoned bags. Who knows? If my attempts to give it some structure are successful, I may use it much more!

 

[whateve]

I have not been using any of my bags. My son's girlfriend gave a nylon bag that I can open easily with left hand and if I spill something on it she doesn't care. I thought I would only use it for a day or two, but since it has a wide comfortable strap, I ditched my sling and hang my arm on it. So much easier than carrying a bag on one shoulder and a sling on the other, but I miss my pretty bags. If you have ever broken a wrist or arm what did you do?

When I broke my arm and my hip, I had a sling on one arm and a cane in the other hand yet somehow managed to carry a shoulder bag. I don't remember how I did it.

 

[Sparkletastic]

When I broke my arm and my hip, I had a sling on one arm and a cane in the other hand yet somehow managed to carry a shoulder bag. I don't remember how I did it.

@dcooney4 - Crossbody or backpack?

 

[dcooney4]

In my ongoing yet fully unwilling bid to be Queen of the Walking Wounded, I ended up with a dislocated shoulder as a result of a terrible seizure I had last fall. As a result, I had to wear a sling for about six weeks. To cope, I purchased a sling equipped with a pouch on the forearm section from Amazon. The pouch held my phone, card case, pen and lip balm. I added a carabiner so that I could hook my essential keys to it as well.

When I needed more carrying space, I wore a no-name cheap nylon tote on my other arm that had a lot of organization space inside.

***
I’m still going for Challenge #4 which is proving to be a bit difficult but a lot of fun. Today I wore my least loved bag - a Saint Laurent Rive Droite flannel tote. This bag is saggy and attracts lint like crazy. But, it was only $95 new (it’s still on the website) and proved to be perfect for a day when I look pretty bummy because I’m just going into physical therapy.

I know the bag is supposed to be soft but the floppiness really drives me nuts. It’s like carrying a flannel pillowcase. So I think I’m going to purchase some interfacing (or maybe try fabric stiffening spray? or both?) and see if I can line / stiffen the interior of the bag for a bit more structure. View attachment 6085658

This is truly a case of you get what you pay for. But, it’s still fun to find a reason to wear my ignored and abandoned bags. Who knows? If my attempts to give it some structure are successful, I may use it much more!

Thanks! Great idea!

 

[baghabitz34]

No. I’m thinking of a purse light to illuminate bag contents - not a light purse.

I don’t use hobos or other slouchy bags because I can’t find my things. So I wondered if there was a product to help in taking handbags from dark caverns to well lit storage.

I use this one. It’s by bimbim I think & can be found on Amazon. It’s lightweight, inexpensive and illuminates the inside my bags very well making it easier to find my items.

 

[baghabitz34]

Questions of the day:

In your collection, which brand is most represented and which brand is least represented? Is this what you expected or is this a surprise to you? Do you know why you tend to buy your most represented brand? And/or now that you have this info do you need to make a change in how you purchase going forward?

Good question

In contemporary brands, it’s Coach by far. They are the brand I started with and they keep releasing styles I love like the Tabby’s & Rogue’s.

Other well represented brands include Marc Jacobs, Aspinal of London and Longchamp.

Least represented include Tory Burch and Furla.

For luxury brands, I have more LV. But Ferragamo is a close second. Plus I buy other things from Ferragamo like shoes & SLGs.

Least represented is Chanel. I either don’t like their styles or can’t justify the prices of the ones I do.

 

[whateve]

View attachment 6086033
I use this one. It’s by bimbim I think & can be found on Amazon. It’s lightweight, inexpensive and illuminates the inside my bags very well making it easier to find my items.

That reminds me of my book light, which I guess could also work in a purse.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BF8MBJP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[baghabitz34]

There were some questions a while ago about the Hug bag. Since I’ve had it for a bit I can give some initial impressions.

First, a WIMB from the last time I carried it.

As you can see, the small size holds quite a bit.

Pros:

• It’s gorgeous!
• There’s multiple carry options - hand/wrist/crook-of arm/shoulder/crossbody
• It holds quite a bit
• While the bag looks like it’s quality it doesn’t scream designer

Cons:

• It’s not lightweight. I am not sensitive to weight usually, but if you are, this probably isn’t for you
• The leather only has a slight texture, so it is more susceptible to scratches. Newer versions have a heavier texture though
• I like it so much, I definitely want to add another one

 

[More bags]

So, at the beginning of September, I got a card in the mail from a former boss that I’ve kept in touch with. I thought it was a little strange, but I opened it - inside was a print out of a job posting.

To make a long story short, within a month, I got a new job with a considerable bump in pay, moved across the state, sold my house, and, oh yeah, dropped the Knight off to college.

I’ve been at my new job a month now, and I think I’m getting my feet under me. The Knight is loving college. I’m overwhelmed by boxes and finding everything, but I’m making progress. Weirdly enough, sales have picked up while I’m in the middle of moving, so I got to know the local post office. Who is not exactly great, but 🤷

My apartment is about the same sq footage as the house, but there’s a lot less closet space. No shed, no butlers pantry, no coat closet. Just big open spaces. So a lot more cluttered, unless I eliminate more. In light of it all, I’ll need to look at the years goals, but

So, stats:
August - October
Bags In: 0
Bags Out: 7
Accessories In: 1 (Phoenix Mythologique shawl)
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 29
Household: 22
Art: 1 (sold in a gallery auction)
Donations Out: 3157
Pounds of shredding: 5


October Year to Date
Bags In: 2
Bags Out: 15
Accessories In: 8
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 92
Household: 67 (including 10 pieces of furniture!)
Donations Out: 3719
Pounds of shredding: 54

Total out: 3942

Congratulations on the new role, the move, and a happy Knight!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I don't know whether you have heard of the brand Alviero Martini, Ist Classe. I have this weekender

It was one of my first 'designer' bags and my parents bought it for me so it has sentimental value in some ways, but I have lots of things from my parents. The bag is canvas with leather trim. It's almost crazy to think AM still make the bag because mine must be '90s.

Sadly, on a trip to Australia more than a decade ago, a coach driver yanked the bag by one handle whilst still wedged in the undercarriage of the coach and ripped the canvas where one side of the handle was attached. Afterwards, I just used it to store papers under the stairs.

I'm going through the papers inside, keep/shred

Question:

Shall I repair the bag?

I already know it will never be as strong as it was, and the mend will show. I don't know if I can trust the bag to travel with. The quote is £165 because the canvas has to be reinforced before reattaching the handle. There is printed canvas that's been ripped-off under the handle that will have to be separated, but it can't be rejoined. There will be a square of stitches where the reinforcement is underneath. The print may hide the mend little bit (I'm thinking).

or

Shall I chuck it (keep the shoulder strap)?

I am a bit torn. I'm leaning with chucking it because I don't need the hassle right now - and who knows what kind of repair it'll be.

As you know I have plenty of weekend bags, Gucci, Hermes, utility. I'm not going to be stuck for a travel bag.

What would you do?

I think, I would store it away for now in one of the " sentimental" boxes in the attic. One day you might have some brilliant idea what to use it/ it's material for. From your wording I have the feeling that a repair would not really make you happy.