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.

 

[Bag peace]

@Bag peace , did you try spritzing the bag with vodka? Hugs

Yes, no luck! One of my friends wants to take it off my hands and try to rescue it, so that's the next course of action. Hopefully she'll have better luck.

 

[Bag peace]

I'm going to be offline for a while so I wanted to wish you all a very happy holiday season in advance! I hope every one of you is able to get some much needed rest, laughter, and a massive dose of love from your nearest and dearest!

Hope to see you all in the next thread!

And many, many thanks for all the support and advice you gave me when my mum was in a coma. I haven't forgotten it and am forever indebted! The kindness that pours out of you all is boundless and truly precious, and I feel so blessed to be the recipient of it.

 

[dcooney4]

We’re almost at month’s end. How is everyone doing on challenges? Do we want to do challenges in December?

I have not done any challenges this month. I think they were fun, but with my cast I have stuck to two inexpensive bags that my fiber glass cast doesn't seem to scratch. I have a few sweaters and tops that will be tossed from rubbing against the cast once it comes off. Perhaps some very east challenges like wear your shiny or fancy party bags at least once.

 

[dcooney4]

Maybe, instead of styling challenges, a year in review challenges?

Most useful purse?
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 we want to take into the next?

These are excellent.

 

[papertiger]

Agree. JL used to do non crystal purses for other designers. I used to have a fabulous silk one in cream, ebene, orange, that was the same pattern as a Carolina Herrera pleated skirt with an orange cashmere top that had cuffs and collar in the same silk pattern. I think my mom has all of that now. . .

That sounds gorgeous !

 

[papertiger]

Maybe, instead of styling challenges, a year in review challenges?

Most useful purse?
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 we want to take into the next?

Most useful purse?
Hermes Evie

Best purchase of the year?
It's between the only 3 bought

BV lizard Knot:
Pros:
Looking for this particular variation for 10 years, now I have it
Good price
Goes with my bangle

Cons:
Rattles BV won't fix it
Phone won't fit
Haven't worn it (yet)

Verdict: Still worth it but haven't had an opportunity to wear it.

Bal silver Le City
Pros:
Got off to a good start by wearing it straight away
Different vibe for me
Made me get out and use my other silver Bal bag
Looks fab
Can be used as casual eve look

Cons:
Not strong
Besides studs, hardware quality is 'flimsy' IMO

Verdict: It's a fashion bag, nothing serious

Balmain Jolie Madame
Pros:
Avant-garde looking
Evening bag, but with a huge twist
Used 3 times already (and will go out next week)

Cons:
Not expensive - but still too expensive
Can just about get essentials inside
Very heavy

Verdict: It's a fashion bag too. I prefer it to the new versions (they are more than double the price).

Full verdict: With all these 3 bags, 2 are more 'fashion' and fun, and 2 are strictly evening. It'll be a while before I can see whether they were good purchases.

We’ve all had a lot of lifestyle changes this year - how has it affected your style?
Hardly going out in the evening, I still bought 2 evening bags

What is the one thing we’ve learned this year that we want to take into the next?
Don't store anything leather under the stairs.

The thing I learned this year was that I am pleased I have the bags I have. I have really enjoyed using some of my most vintage bags too. The prices of designer goods has gone off the scale. For the price of a new bag, I'd rather spend on jewellery.

 

[Sparkletastic]

The prices of designer goods has gone off the scale. For the price of a new bag, I'd rather spend on jewellery.

I COMPLETELY agree. In my main collection I only own premier designer bags and I look at current prices on these bags and think - no way! And certainly not with 1) quality being far from what it was 10, 20 years ago and 2) super fakes - which I’d eat glass before buying - being mirror quality. “Real” spending money goes to jewelry, high quality furniture, and experiences now.

After barely buying anything since 2018, I went a little nuts this year and purchased 14 premier designer bags (only one new but all pristine or close to like new) - For the most part, it was an opportunity for me to fill in gaps with older, unusual, unpopular and/or vintage bags that I missed but loved. All for less than the cost of 1 1/2 Chanel Jumbo classic flaps and I couldn’t be happier.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I love the reflection questions:

Most useful purse?
I would have said my YSL So Black Camera bag because I’ve tracked over 150 “wears” on it since I bought it mid 2020. And it still looks almost pristine! 😱

But, in April I bought my new to me Prada Striped Black Galleria Double Zip Tote and OH MY GAWD it is sooooo useful. The saffiano means it’s no worry and the organization on that bag is superior to every other bag I’ve ever had. If I see any other DZT’s that are unique in some way (this one has tone on tone stripes) or one in a rich burgundy, I’m buying it without a second thought.

Best purchase of the year?
It depends on what we mean by “best”.

• Biggest Win - Louis Vuitton Black Mahina Blossom MM Tote. I’ve looked for a great black tote for a decade. To finally end my search so happily has to be a “best”!
• What The Heart Wants - Fendi First in Nappa & Snakeskin - This is the bag I love the most of my newbies even if it won’t get tons of wear. I’ve wanted a First since they were released.
• Functionality meets beauty Prada black striped DZT - Now the most functional bag in my collection.

We’ve all had a lot of lifestyle changes this year - how has it affected your style?
I’m more in the moment and completely unconcerned with resale value, status signaling, CPW, trends, etc. so I’m (finally and in truth) only buying for quality, beauty according to MY eye, and function. As a result, I’m buying brands and styles I’d passed on before and they’re becoming some of my favorite bags.

While I still gravitate to dresses for casual - formal wear I have branched out into wearing jeans / pants / athleisure more often because I’m not in an office and I’m much more active on the daily. My style continues to lean even more into architectural details and a bit less into ultra feminine touches. I let my hair / makeup and accessories (bags, jewelry & shoes) carry the femininity quotient in my looks.

What is the one thing we’ve learned this year that we want to take into the next?
Buy what will bring me the perfect combo of function and joy for my life in this minute. No more buying for my pre-Covid life. That’s never coming back and while it still shocks me how much life has changed, I’m the happier for it.

(Bonus: think three times before I buy anything. I HATE “stuff” in my house, I HATE selling and I HATE contributing to landfills. So I need to get even more stringent about buying whether it be a cotton ball or a diamond necklace)

 

[Sparkletastic]

Balmain Jolie Madame

I just looked up this bag and it’s a stunning architectural piece. Did I miss a picture of which on you bought? If so, I’d love to see it!

 

[Cookiefiend]

Maybe, instead of styling challenges, a year in review challenges?

Most useful purse?
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 we want to take into the next?

I think this is a great idea!
I'll start thinking now...

I can say that as far as lifestyle changes this year - and I've had way too many this year - I have begun to value comfort.

After 2 injuries this year and not being able to wear a lot of my pants and now most of my shoes - I need to be wearing things that don't hurt me anywhere. I'm not sliding into Slob-hood, but I have begun wearing things that are easy for me to get into - like dresses and pants that are loose. My shoe situation though makes me want to cry. I like dresses and have found a brand that seems to work well for my height - so that's good. And I 'like' flat shoes - but currently I can only wear something with a low vamp - so all of my beloved loafers and boots are on the sidelines for the near future.

The two moves in two months (GA in November and the local move in 10 days) has truly made me realize that I have WAY TOO MUCH stuff. My goal next year is to not buy anything unless there is a true need, or find a Holy Grail scarf. I might not succeed 100% but I am really going to try.

 

[880]

Maybe, instead of styling challenges, a year in review challenges?

Most useful purse?

thank you for this food for thought. I bought 2 bags this year: MKII, black Epsom PHW and sac Kelly elan, etoupe Epsom, ghw.

Best purchase of the year?

Sac Kelly elan is the best bag purchase

The purchase that makes me feel the most special when wearing is my Dior cocktail dress

We’ve all had a lot of lifestyle changes this year - how has it affected your style?

It hasn’t. I go out less and travel more, but my style remains the same which I think of as vintage with a twist. When I travel, I don’t carry bulky bags or RTW that cannot be rolled.

What is the one thing we’ve learned this year that we want to take into the next?

I’ve made a few RTW mistakes.* I love everything I’ve gotten, but some things will never come close to cost per wear

Next year, DH and I want to go out more so we can have fun dressing up (shopping our closets) and less time shopping (we have enough)

Don't store anything leather under the stairs.

I hope your pipes ? were fixed ; I hope your beautiful things were not damaged

The thing I learned this year was that I am pleased I have the bags I have. I have really enjoyed using some of my most vintage bags too. The prices of designer goods has gone off the scale. For the price of a new bag, I'd rather spend on jewellery.

Agree, but in my case, I’d also rather spend on RTW like a great coat or dress

I bought one vintage necklace from Briony Raymond that I don’t wear that much: I’m going to rectify that next year

Balmain Jolie Madame
Pros:
Avant-garde looking
Evening bag, but with a huge twist
Used 3 times already (and will go out next week)

Cons:
Not expensive - but still too expensive
Can just about get essentials inside
Very heavy

Verdict: It's a fashion bag too. I prefer it to the new versions (they are more than double the price).

I love this bag, and I love your style. I was strongly considering buying/ twinning with you on your leopard Borsalino, but ultimately decided that I do better with cooler leopard tones (but not the white/gray snow leopard, IDKW) near my face. Also, a lesson I’ve learned is that I have a large head relative to my size, so plainer hats are better on me lol

@Bag peace , thinking about you and your mom

@dcooney4 , @Cookiefiend (I know what it’s like not to be able to wear a lot of shoes and hope this is temporary) ; @Sparkletastic ; @papertiger , all, hoping for good health for you and our loved ones, which is better than the best material purchase

ETA* Re mistakes, I made a rookie mistake. I bought a couple of pieces of RTW when I was barely into a size smaller (meaning I should have gone up a size so I could do things like breathe and eat lol). So this is a reminder to myself

 

[papertiger]

I just looked up this bag and it’s a stunning architectural piece. Did I miss a picture of which on you bought? If so, I’d love to see it!

How about 2 of my new 2024 bags on one night?!?

It was a Balmain party, basically a disco around a pool. So many beautiful ladies, I think you would have loved it because they were dressed so feminine and sparkly. I had a wonderful time.

The dress is Alexander McQueen Denim from SS04, a 20 yo dress with the bags, but I think it looked good. I'm wearing it with a Balmain silk scarf.

 

[papertiger]

I think this is a great idea!
I'll start thinking now...

I can say that as far as lifestyle changes this year - and I've had way too many this year - I have begun to value comfort.

After 2 injuries this year and not being able to wear a lot of my pants and now most of my shoes - I need to be wearing things that don't hurt me anywhere. I'm not sliding into Slob-hood, but I have begun wearing things that are easy for me to get into - like dresses and pants that are loose. My shoe situation though makes me want to cry. I like dresses and have found a brand that seems to work well for my height - so that's good. And I 'like' flat shoes - but currently I can only wear something with a low vamp - so all of my beloved loafers and boots are on the sidelines for the near future.

The two moves in two months (GA in November and the local move in 10 days) has truly made me realize that I have WAY TOO MUCH stuff. My goal next year is to not buy anything unless there is a true need, or find a Holy Grail scarf. I might not succeed 100% but I am really going to try.

I am so sorry. I have a friend in a similar situation, but due to back problems. The wanted no fastenings at all, and no pants, her shoes literally have to slip on because she can't bend to alter them. Her new secret weapon is Pleats Please Issey Miyake as a base, they make her flatter shoes look good too.

I am still shredding papers from 10 years ago. Every week I have a at least 2 recycle bags of just shredded paper to put out for recycle.

 

[880]

How about 2 of my new 2024 bags on one night?!?

It was a Balmain party, basically a disco around a pool. So many beautiful ladies, I think you would have loved it because they were dressed so feminine and sparkly. I had a wonderful time.

The dress is Alexander McQueen Denim from SS04, a 20 yo dress with the bags, but I think it looked good. I'm wearing it with a Balmain silk scarf.

View attachment 6093963

You look beautiful ! Strapless dress with t shirt ?

 

[papertiger]

You look beautiful ! Strapless dress with t shirt ?

McQueen corseted, strapless dress with an old rock tee under

The dress loves to unzip itself so I have to use a safety-pin