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.

 

[Vintage Leather]

Last year, I knew by Christmas what I intended to do in the new year. This year, I’m somewhat overwhelmed still. Looking back at 2023, I would have to say that I did better than I would have without having goals to measure against, but I can still see room for improvement. But it’s the act of striving that’s the important bit.

So, for those who don’t know me, I’m an educator, and a former entrepreneur, about ten years out from retirement. I’m the primary caregiver to my disabled mother and I have an 18 yr old who is graduating high school in May.

In the upcoming year, Mon petit will be off to college, and I’m exploring the idea of downsizing and moving. VintageMama is talking about doing a Death Cleaning, but she also has been clinging to her possessions so, either way, I see myself hauling boxes. So, with little further ado:

1) 2024 in 2024 again! By the end of 2024, I intend to gift, sell or donate over 2,024 items. This year, I want to focus on bulky items, big items, or stuff you’d otherwise say “why the heck did I pay someone to move this”. So, furniture, art, papers, books, kitchen stuff. I need to make decisions about some of my tea sets (yes, plural) and need to find a gallery or auction house for VintageMama’s art collection that she’s marked to downsize.

2) Don’t leave things unfinished. I have that shawl to knit, two travel journals to ink and paint, a knife and three bags to send in for warrantee repair. One “I’ll get around to it” project a month.

3) work on my Italian. Take at least 15 minutes a day on Rosetta Stone, a podcast or audiobook. Goal 20 days a month.

4) Stop the bag churn. In times of high stress, I tend to browse a lot, and sell a lot. It’s exhausting to keep selling. So, by the end of the year, donate or gift low cost items, recycle my “it’s a very nice sized box” collection, and have a low buy year. Don’t buy anything that’s not on my list. Inventory gifts as well as purchases

 

[Vintage Leather]

That’s great, I’d love some tips on how to have a low buy year, if you have any. Eg my current thought process is “omg I love this bag / shoes / clothes / jewellery / anything else pretty and I have to have it!” when really id like my thought process to be “I love it but don’t need it so DO NOT BUY IT”

Another thing that might work is to wait a month before buying anything. If you still remember it a month later, then you probably want it, rather than being caught up in the moment.

 

[Bag peace]

when really id like my thought process to be “I love it but don’t need it so DO NOT BUY IT”

You can remind yourself that you don't need to own everything you love. Sometimes you can just appreciate beauty from afar. That works for me.

 

[Bag peace]

The end of 2023 saw a lot of health emergencies, including my dear cat getting acutely ill, and unfortunately all that heavy stuff is carrying into 2024. I'm hoping things turn around soon but, in the meantime...

Bag goals:

1- Release 5 bags by the end of this year. 7 would be even better, if I can find a way to manage it.

2- Possibly buy 1 bag this year.
It would be a pre-loved MBMJ bag that I've previously owned (and wore until it fell apart). I still love the style and I kind of miss it. There are many in rough shape on the resale market that I could rehab, but I'm undecided on whether I need to indulge in this whim at all. After all, I've already had and loved it, and I have too many bags now as it is. So, we'll wait and see how I feel in a few months' time.

3- I've been itching for a yellow and a grey bag for a couple of years.
My mum has this mini-Boston bag style (in the colour plum) that she has never worn because it's not her taste (it was a gift). I'll be taking it off her hands and turning it grey. That will be a win for both of us.
The yellow bag itch is down to one I passed up years ago that I really regret. It was $100 (brand new, on clearance sale) when I passed on it and is now around $250 on the preloved market in shoddy shape. Absolutely not.
I'm open to adding a yellow bag if I ever happen to come across something really special. I'm in no rush and will let the right one find me. It would work so well with my closet (a lot of blues and greys that I think a pop of yellow would work with).

Bag stats Jan 2024:

Total of 30 bags: 27 handbags (various sizes, styles and colours) + 1 gym bag + 1 laptop backpack + 1 nylon crossbody used exclusively for travel.

Personal goals:

1- More silence and self-care. My life is utterly chaotic. There's too much stress and noise but very little forward motion. I need more calm and I have to be proactive about creating pockets of peace amidst the chaos.

2- Nourish my friendships. 2023 was full of miscommunication. I really want to make more time and show people I do genuinely care and support them.

3- Start reading again. I haven't had the strength or the ability to focus, but I need to start reading. I'll aim for a couple of books a month.

4- Learn to laugh again! I've been gifted with a second chance at life but I've been so busy dealing with the aftermath of traumatic events that I haven't stopped to enjoy this precious gift I've been given. I'm taking a leaf out of my mum's book and will (hopefully) be learning to just relax into the madness. More humour: STAT.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous 2024!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

That’s great, I’d love some tips on how to have a low buy year, if you have any. Eg my current thought process is “omg I love this bag / shoes / clothes / jewellery / anything else pretty and I have to have it!” when really id like my thought process to be “I love it but don’t need it so DO NOT BUY IT”

There are some excellent suggestions upthread, but I will add what has helped me resist the constant temptations. There are three things I considered.
First, my lifestyle -- how many bags will I realistically use, given my current lifestyle. Things like working from home and post covid lifestyle factor in here.
Second, the need for variety -- well, we're here on TPF and that means we like to own more than five bags, lol, and it's fine to have a collection. But how many do I actually need to fulfill my desire for variety? Obviously, things like closet space and budget also significantly impact our bag and fashion purchases.
And lastly, the development of a personal style and a wish list (with less emphasis on the wish list).

In answering some of these questions, I realized that I do need some variety, but too much choice is overwhelming given my current lifestyle, so for me it's a fine balance of finding a collection size that works for me, and exiting less favored bags so that I can have a number that feels manageable to me and can fit my space limitations. Budget considerations might mean that I either set a certain amount aside for fashion purchases or choose to bring in just one special item a year. This year, I will probably not buy anything as I am more in a curating mode and already have enough for my needs. However, I have allowed myself one bag addition if I find the one that meets my needs.

And lastly, developing a personal style is so important. I am as tempted by the latest pretty bag or shoes as any other person on this site. However, novelty can have its own attraction and the question to ask is whether I will still love it a year from now, and does it suit my style. When I started paying attention to developing my personal style, I realized that it sort of works as a filter, screening out purchases that don't fit me even if they're pretty and I am enamored with them. Therefore, taking my lifestyle, my need for variety and my personal style into consideration, I realized I enjoy having a smaller quantity of quality items that I can rotate and use on the repeat. These considerations naturally set boundaries for me on what I will buy or add to my collection. To be clear, this is a process that has evolved for me as I have my share of stress purchases and impulse purchases sitting in my closet. But it's a work in progress, and I think one gets better at it as we keep at it, and time goes by.

Obviously, we will all have different responses to each of these three questions, based on our individual situations, but I am sharing the things that have helped me. And... one of my resolutions this year was to not ramble and be long-winded in my posts, and as this is getting pretty lengthy, I will wind down.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

The end of 2023 saw a lot of health emergencies, including my dear cat getting acutely ill, and unfortunately all that heavy stuff is carrying into 2024. I'm hoping things turn around soon but, in the meantime...

Bag goals:

1- Release 5 bags by the end of this year. 7 would be even better, if I can find a way to manage it.

2- Possibly buy 1 bag this year.
It would be a pre-loved MBMJ bag that I've previously owned (and wore until it fell apart). I still love the style and I kind of miss it. There are many in rough shape on the resale market that I could rehab, but I'm undecided on whether I need to indulge in this whim at all. After all, I've already had and loved it, and I have too many bags now as it is. So, we'll wait and see how I feel in a few months' time.

3- I've been itching for a yellow and a grey bag for a couple of years.
My mum has this mini-Boston bag style (in the colour plum) that she has never worn because it's not her taste (it was a gift). I'll be taking it off her hands and turning it grey. That will be a win for both of us.
The yellow bag itch is down to one I passed up years ago that I really regret. It was $100 (brand new, on clearance sale) when I passed on it and is now around $250 on the preloved market in shoddy shape. Absolutely not.
I'm open to adding a yellow bag if I ever happen to come across something really special. I'm in no rush and will let the right one find me. It would work so well with my closet (a lot of blues and greys that I think a pop of yellow would work with).

Bag stats Jan 2024:

Total of 30 bags: 27 handbags (various sizes, styles and colours) + 1 gym bag + 1 laptop backpack + 1 nylon crossbody used exclusively for travel.

Personal goals:

1- More silence and self-care. My life is utterly chaotic. There's too much stress and noise but very little forward motion. I need more calm and I have to be proactive about creating pockets of peace amidst the chaos.

2- Nourish my friendships. 2023 was full of miscommunication. I really want to make more time and show people I do genuinely care and support them.

3- Start reading again. I haven't had the strength or the ability to focus, but I need to start reading. I'll aim for a couple of books a month.

4- Learn to laugh again! I've been gifted with a second chance at life but I've been so busy dealing with the aftermath of traumatic events that I haven't stopped to enjoy this precious gift I've been given. I'm taking a leaf out of my mum's book and will (hopefully) be learning to just relax into the madness. More humour: STAT.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous 2024!

I am so sorry to hear about your cat, and I hope he is doing better.
I am curious to know which MBMJ bag you are referring to? I had one of his bags, and it had the best, smooshiest leather ever. I let it go in a decluttering round and miss it!
And I love your personal goals. Such a good idea to add them in.

 

[Bag peace]

I am so sorry to hear about your cat, and I hope he is doing better.
I am curious to know which MBMJ bag you are referring to? I had one of his bags, and it had the best, smooshiest leather ever. I let it go in a decluttering round and miss it!
And I love your personal goals. Such a good idea to add them in.

Thank you so much!

We're taking it one day at a time with the cat. He went into liver failure, but the liver can regenerate so we're hopeful. He is back home now and on meds, looking and seeming perfectly fine, albeit a bit tired. I'm hoping with all my heart he can get through this.

The old MBMJ bags are the best. The smooshy leather is addictive. None of the new MJ bags have that leather!
The style I'm missing is the Flash bag (there was a Flash Kelsey, a Flash Leola, and another I can't recall the name of). I loved all those zippers and the leather was out of this world. So thick and gorgeous.
I still have 4 MBMJ bags in my collection and 2 of the newer MJ bags, so I have no excuse to add another. It's just this particular style that I crave (tbf, it is the one out of all of them that I reached for consistently). It suits my personality.

May I ask which one you decluttered? I have an odd feeling it might've been the Natasha bag (the smooshy leather really shows on those ones).

 

[DME]

That’s great, I’d love some tips on how to have a low buy year, if you have any. Eg my current thought process is “omg I love this bag / shoes / clothes / jewellery / anything else pretty and I have to have it!” when really id like my thought process to be “I love it but don’t need it so DO NOT BUY IT”

To put my personal spin on some of the excellent advice others have already provided… One thing I learned is that I don’t have to own all the things; sometimes simply admiring them on others will do. Even if I love an item on sight, not everything works for me, or for my lifestyle. For example, I love hobo bags, but they are bottomless pits and aggravate me, so I no longer buy them. That doesn’t stop me from loving them when I spot them and thinking I should consider buying them, but I just remind myself the style is not for me and leave it as eye candy.

To capitalize on the diet analogy mentioned by @whateve, I’ve found that looking and even a little sampling from time to time often scratches the itch. For example, I carefully look over a menu, or stop at every station at a buffet, but I usually stick to the more reasonable salad with protein and maybe a small bit of carb because I know anything else will ultimately make me unhappy with myself. Or I will ask for a bite of a dish DH or DD orders so it’s just a bite (less guilt) and not a full plate. I take that same mindset to shopping. I look, maybe pick up, maybe ask to see how my items fit, but then I usually put the item back because looking and that little bit of sampling usually satisfies. If I’m still thinking about the item days or weeks later, then I might go back to buy, but that’s after carefully considering whether there is a hole in my wardrobe the item will fill.

 

[lill_canele]

That’s great, I’d love some tips on how to have a low buy year, if you have any. Eg my current thought process is “omg I love this bag / shoes / clothes / jewellery / anything else pretty and I have to have it!” when really id like my thought process to be “I love it but don’t need it so DO NOT BUY IT”

I almost always have a full wishlist but it doesn't mean I'll buy everything on it or will buy it sooner rather than later.
I have wishlists based on year, brand, and category.
When they're done by year, the higher the priority, the closer they'll be put in the current year's wishlist.

Often times, I'll take a photo on my phone, when browsing online, and put it in a wishlist folder. It kind of sits there, usually for weeks or even months. I'll go in to look at the photos. Some things fall out of love and some things stay. Similar items are usually compared with one another. I usually think about how I'll use or wear the item or how it will go with my current wardrobe. Sometimes I'll talk about it with my husband.

When I feel up to it, I'll go to the store to take a look or try it on. If it's something I really want, usually one try on is enough and it becomes a serious consideration for me. When I'm not sure, I'll go in a couple more times and I either finalize my "want" for it, or it goes off the wishlist.

After trying an item on and it goes into the "serious consideration" part of my brain, it's probably going to be purchased. If it's a relatively expensive item, then it's at the top of the wishlist, and I budget and plan accordingly. If it's relatively inexpensive, I'll probably buy within the next week or so.
There are exceptions though. There have been times when I just fall for the item, and know in my gut that it's the one and buy it on the spot. But, that is when I'm trying the item on, which means it was already in the wishlist and it was just a matter of time until I decided to go into the store to try it.

Also, I am not one to buy online and I only buy in-stores. If it's not there, then that's okay. I'll just wait for a transfer or move on.
However, I don't go in-stores often because I'm busy and just don't have the time or am too lazy to make the time to go in.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Thank you so much!

We're taking it one day at a time with the cat. He went into liver failure, but the liver can regenerate so we're hopeful. He is back home now and on meds, looking and seeming perfectly fine, albeit a bit tired. I'm hoping with all my heart he can get through this.

The old MBMJ bags are the best. The smooshy leather is addictive. None of the new MJ bags have that leather!
The style I'm missing is the Flash bag (there was a Flash Kelsey, a Flash Leola, and another I can't recall the name of). I loved all those zippers and the leather was out of this world. So thick and gorgeous.
I still have 4 MBMJ bags in my collection and 2 of the newer MJ bags, so I have no excuse to add another. It's just this particular style that I crave (tbf, it is the one out of all of them that I reached for consistently). It suits my personality.

May I ask which one you decluttered? I have an odd feeling it might've been the Natasha bag (the smooshy leather really shows on those ones).

Glad to hear that he is back home now, surrounded by love and comfort and seeming fine, and hope he continues to get better.

If it's a style you crave and reached for consistently, I think it's okay to add it back in your collection. Maybe give yourself a little time to think about it. You are right, I did declutter the Natasha bag. The shape on the larger bags made it difficult to style, or so I thought at that time. The smaller Natasha bags are easier to style. It had the most wonderful leather.

 

[Bag peace]

You are right, I did declutter the Natasha bag. The shape on the larger bags made it difficult to style, or so I thought at that time. The smaller Natasha bags are easier to style. It had the most wonderful leather.

I completely understand this. I have 2 small Natasha bags, and while they're functional, I find the shape so difficult to style. I would never be able to pull off the larger ones.
My preference is usually camera bag shapes with zipper closures, so that may be why I struggle with the Natasha bags I have.
Still, I keep them for the leather. They're so lush, as you said. I really should pull them out to carry this year. I really haven't touched them in a long time (outside of airing and conditioning them).

 

[jbags07]

I’ve enjoyed reading all of your posts and was going to reply but lost track …..so many insightful observations and wonderful goals. Thank you @Vintage Leather for getting us off to a great start with this years thread

Happy New Year to you all, wishing everyone a wonderful and healthy 2024

@jblended , very best wishes for your kitty. Its very difficult when our fur babies are ill so much worry and stress! One of our puppies was recently diagnosed with a horrible and mostly fatal disease, but he has been responding beautifully to treatment. Sending all the good vibes to your kitty that he also responds well to treatment

@whateve - i am with you on the bag charms! I have so many and keep buying can’t resist the cuteness!

@Vintage Leather , downsizing house can be overwhelming, especially when you are doing it yourself and with your mom. Its worth it in the end though! We did a big downsize, but listed our house too soon and wound up bringing a lot of stuff with us we didn’t have time to downsize/sort. It sat in 3 storage units for 3 years until we moved again, (a job change moved us but we also went back up in sq footage a bit) and i’ve been slowly working on it all. So my best advice is - get rid of everything you don’t want, before you list your house!

 

[jbags07]

i am excited to be a part of this thread from the beginning i want to shop my own closet as much as possible, and slow my bag purchases down. There are a few bags i would love to add, but i have so many bags i don’t really ‘need’ any. Bags are my thing tho (and scarves) so there is no permanent cure for me. Continuing to curate, and be super careful about purchases, is my goal! I apologize for the length of this, but it was a really good exercise for me, writing it all down! Thank you for letting me share


Central questions…..for current bags and any i am considering……
~Do i need it
~Does it fit my lifestyle
~Do i have other bags i would reach for instead


Some goals or things to ponder…..
~No more impulse purchases…….be very careful and only add bags i know will work for me. Stop buying bags b/c i love them, even tho they aren’t right for me ( shoulder bags and hobos especially)

~Try to do a no buy for a few months to reset and clear my head. I’ve already purchased 2 bags this month 🙈.

~Focus on weight loss, shifting to a healthy lifestyle. Limit screen time and scroll shopping, replace with walking, biking, kayaking.

~Shop my own closet —— very few bags remain that i can easily let go of. 2023 was a huge sell year, and i cleared out a lot of bags. I need to rotate and carry what i have, to get a good sense of bags that no longer work for me, in an effort to reduce further. I still have too many bags. And i do have a wish list, lolol. Would live to get down to 100 bags. (I know, ridic! )

~Shift from collect to carry mode. No more buying just to collect, only keep/add bags i can actually carry.

~Stop buying in every color/size when i like a style.

~Limit bag charm purchases - again, collector mindset.

~Be very careful about H scarf purchases - i don’t wear most of what i have. I do want to add a few vintage scarves for specific bags tho.

~In the next couple of months - sell or consign any remaining premier bags i am ok letting go of.

~Remaining contemporary and vintage bags that have not sold —- i am getting tired of selling…….so i’ve started gifting bags to friends and will continue to do so…..and start winding down all the listing and selling. Will start donating more bags too. I have/had so many bags still new with tags and never carried, it pains me to not sell. But i’ve sold enough that at this point, its time to let go.


……2 bag categories i struggle with…….

Chanel bags….i never carry them. 2 are mint condition 90s era flaps and i am afraid to carry them b/c i want to keep them in pristine condition. Should i just use them? Definitely not ready to sell. But they sit unused. Never use my reissue either but i just can’t sell it……Considering purchasing a vintage flap thats worn enough but still in good condition, so i am not afraid to carry it. I adore vintage lambskin, not a fan of caviar……Also, i never carry my woc but not ready to let it go either. I guess i enjoy having them. I did sell 1 Chanel bag this year with no regrets. And if i could go back in time i would not have purchased any of them. My favorite brands/bags are BV, Hermes, LV.

My Venetas…..love them and they are the only shoulder bag i can carry, but i still have too many. I sold 8 this year, but i don’t want to let go of the remaining bags. Most will only be carried once or twice a year, with certain outfits….some i’ve never carried. I know i should let more go but …….


…..I do have some wish list bags i want to add, but will approach any purchases slowly and carefully…

 

[dcooney4]

I find the advice to wait when you see a bag for a month doesn't work with certain brands. I buy quite a bit from Mz Wallace. When they do a new drop, it often sells out the first day and very rarely is made again. I need to come up with new criteria when it comes to those bags. They are super light weight, so weight is not a factor. What I have been going with is will I actually wear it. I need more criteria as they are like candy and I want more flavors.

 

[momasaurus]

i am excited to be a part of this thread from the beginning i want to shop my own closet as much as possible, and slow my bag purchases down. There are a few bags i would love to add, but i have so many bags i don’t really ‘need’ any. Bags are my thing tho (and scarves) so there is no permanent cure for me. Continuing to curate, and be super careful about purchases, is my goal! I apologize for the length of this, but it was a really good exercise for me, writing it all down! Thank you for letting me share


Central questions…..for current bags and any i am considering……
~Do i need it
~Does it fit my lifestyle
~Do i have other bags i would reach for instead


Some goals or things to ponder…..
~No more impulse purchases…….be very careful and only add bags i know will work for me. Stop buying bags b/c i love them, even tho they aren’t right for me ( shoulder bags and hobos especially)

~Try to do a no buy for a few months to reset and clear my head. I’ve already purchased 2 bags this month 🙈.

~Focus on weight loss, shifting to a healthy lifestyle. Limit screen time and scroll shopping, replace with walking, biking, kayaking.

~Shop my own closet —— very few bags remain that i can easily let go of. 2023 was a huge sell year, and i cleared out a lot of bags. I need to rotate and carry what i have, to get a good sense of bags that no longer work for me, in an effort to reduce further. I still have too many bags. And i do have a wish list, lolol. Would live to get down to 100 bags. (I know, ridic! )

~Shift from collect to carry mode. No more buying just to collect, only keep/add bags i can actually carry.

~Stop buying in every color/size when i like a style.

~Limit bag charm purchases - again, collector mindset.

~Be very careful about H scarf purchases - i don’t wear most of what i have. I do want to add a few vintage scarves for specific bags tho.

~In the next couple of months - sell or consign any remaining premier bags i am ok letting go of.

~Remaining contemporary and vintage bags that have not sold —- i am getting tired of selling…….so i’ve started gifting bags to friends and will continue to do so…..and start winding down all the listing and selling. Will start donating more bags too. I have/had so many bags still new with tags and never carried, it pains me to not sell. But i’ve sold enough that at this point, its time to let go.


……2 bag categories i struggle with…….

Chanel bags….i never carry them. 2 are mint condition 90s era flaps and i am afraid to carry them b/c i want to keep them in pristine condition. Should i just use them? Definitely not ready to sell. But they sit unused. Never use my reissue either but i just can’t sell it……Considering purchasing a vintage flap thats worn enough but still in good condition, so i am not afraid to carry it. I adore vintage lambskin, not a fan of caviar……Also, i never carry my woc but not ready to let it go either. I guess i enjoy having them. I did sell 1 Chanel bag this year with no regrets. And if i could go back in time i would not have purchased any of them. My favorite brands/bags are BV, Hermes, LV.

My Venetas…..love them and they are the only shoulder bag i can carry, but i still have too many. I sold 8 this year, but i don’t want to let go of the remaining bags. Most will only be carried once or twice a year, with certain outfits….some i’ve never carried. I know i should let more go but …….


…..I do have some wish list bags i want to add, but will approach any purchases slowly and carefully…

I am still putting together my goals to post here, but OMG these are also TOTALLY ME:
~Shift from collect to carry mode. No more buying just to collect, only keep/add bags i can actually carry.

~Stop buying in every color/size when i like a style.