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.

 

[papertiger]

@papertiger This is my necklace that reminds me of the fun bracelet you’re considering. I wear it with simple lacy gold huggy earrings and gold bangle and/or gold “mesh” diamond bracelet. View attachment 5987854
And this the the tri color necklace that I struggle with wearing. (The more I talk about this, the more cuckoo I feel because I suddenly can see a myriad of ways I could have worn it.) My pendant seems to be a little larger than the Cartier which may give it a bit more of a casual feel and it only has 3 rings vs the Cartier’s 5. I placed my new Tiffany RG Lock necklace (medium) next to it for size comparison.
View attachment 5987855View attachment 5987856
I think the Cartier will work well for you as it has that pretty gold chain we discussed. That plus the warmth of the doubled RG & YG will help the piece come across as more warm toned which will be quite flattering against your skin tone.

Maybe you should get the bag and let everyone in your friends & family circle know that you expect the necklace to show up as well.

Yes these are aesthetically close, fabulous. You got, now you gotta get wearing, these are so stunning!

 

[papertiger]

Wow, the Balenciaga peeps are fierce, they are hating on the silver Le City, I darn't go back there if I buy it https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/new-2024-le-city-what-do-we-think.1067993/page-4#post-36010346

 

[Bag peace]

Wow, the Balenciaga peeps are fierce, they are hating on the silver Le City, I darn't go back there if I buy it https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/new-2024-le-city-what-do-we-think.1067993/page-4#post-36010346

Nah, we like what we like. Don't let anyone yuck on your yum.
That bag can be styled a million ways by the person who has the personality to pull it off. To anyone with a different aesthetic or expectation, it'll fall flat. They're comparing old Bal to new Bal, so their litmus test is different than yours.
I get what they're saying as it can be a real mixed bag with metallic finishes. I had a brief period of obsessing over metallics (2019-2021 ish?) and saw some silvers (especially mirror finishes) that felt awful, and others that were fab. You'll know better when you see it in person and actually touch the leather. A picture only tells you so much.
Also, now that I've seen pics of the jewellery you're after, I'm finding it harder to choose! I wanna say buy it all while you can because life is short, but that's only because it's not my bank account.

@Sparkletastic and @cecchetti Thank you for your kind words.

@Vintage Leather I loved reading about your journey with "stuff" and it has given me plenty to think about. I wish @diane278's Editing thread was still active because it was wonderful to see how people were figuring out their processes and ideals.
I wanted to comment earlier but forgot- I love the scarf in your profile pic. Would you please tell us a little about it? Thank you.

 

[papertiger]

Nah, we like what we like. Don't let anyone yuck on your yum.
That bag can be styled a million ways by the person who has the personality to pull it off. To anyone with a different aesthetic or expectation, it'll fall flat. They're comparing old Bal to new Bal, so their litmus test is different than yours.
I get what they're saying as it can be a real mixed bag with metallic finishes. I had a brief period of obsessing over metallics (2019-2021 ish?) and saw some silvers (especially mirror finishes) that felt awful, and others that were fab. You'll know better when you see it in person and actually touch the leather. A picture only tells you so much.
Also, now that I've seen pics of the jewellery you're after, I'm finding it harder to choose! I wanna say buy it all while you can because life is short, but that's only because it's not my bank account.

@Sparkletastic and @cecchetti Thank you for your kind words.

@Vintage Leather I loved reading about your journey with "stuff" and it has given me plenty to think about. I wish @diane278's Editing thread was still active because it was wonderful to see how people were figuring out their processes and ideals.
I wanted to comment earlier but forgot- I love the scarf in your profile pic. Would you please tell us a little about it? Thank you.

 

[Bag peace]

@papertiger I'm sorry for the double post but I'm trying to show you a pic and failing, lol. Unfortunately the forum gives me an error message whenever I try to upload anything. Anyway, I have an old Coccinelle bag in that exact same silver finish. It's a woc around 8x5", but it's one of my coolest bags and I can dress it up or down really easily. Having seen a couple of your outfits over the years, I'm sure you'll be able to style the LC in a gazillion awesome ways should you decide to get it.

 

[papertiger]

@papertiger I'm sorry for the double post but I'm trying to show you a pic and failing, lol. Unfortunately the forum gives me an error message whenever I try to upload anything. Anyway, I have an old Coccinelle bag in that exact same silver finish. It's a woc around 8x5", but it's one of my coolest bags and I can dress it up or down really easily. Having seen a couple of your outfits over the years, I'm sure you'll be able to style the LC in a gazillion awesome ways should you decide to get it.

Thank you, exactly, as I thought.

I am as it happens a serious collector of Nicolas Ghesquière era Balenciaga RTW 2002-12 and some of the catwalk footwear. I just bough an AW06 skirt. That's where the brand made its impact on me. The Moto bags and jackets were more the brand's everyday 'off-duty-model-style' cash cows, and although I loved how they look, I preferred the high-fashion pieces.

I'm not a Balenciaga bag aficionado. I can see there are important factors for collectors that are perhaps less important to me. I don't expect a heavily 'fancy' finished bag to behave or feel the same way as a veg-tanned one. For Gucci, BV and Hermes, I'm very fussy over leather types, and how it's patina over time, but Bal bags are just some fashion-fun.

Do you remember the LV Mirror Speedy? That was an early bag-crush for me, I missed out because my mother was horrified it wasn't leather for the money. I am so much happier with the mirror leather Bal Bowling, and yes, it doesn't feel like leather at all, but it is, - whereas the Mirror Speedy was some sort of vinyl (and is now 6 x the original price).

Anyway, I will go to Bal next week with an open mind, and open heart, bring my CC and wear my best off-duty-model look (20 years too late ) which will be just as well, since I'll be with a colleague who's an A1 fashion photographer and he'll absolutely tell me the truth. If it doesn't live-up to the dream of adding some edgy 'cool', I'll put the money towards jewellery and no harm done.

 

[whateve]

Wow, the Balenciaga peeps are fierce, they are hating on the silver Le City, I darn't go back there if I buy it https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/new-2024-le-city-what-do-we-think.1067993/page-4#post-36010346

wow! I think the silver looks beautiful. I don't care for the other colors. They look painted, like the color is on top rather than absorbed into the leather.

 

[papertiger]

wow! I think the silver looks beautiful. I don't care for the other colors. They look painted, like the color is on top rather than absorbed into the leather.

I haven't seen them yet, but me and pastels are like

 

[JenJBS]

It's not the end of the month but it's the end of the week.

OUT
As you know, at least 10 bags went last week at the archive sale I did for charity in the area of London where my mother had a lot of friends. The opening night raised just under £2K in 3 hours. The charity even invited the local press and their marketing person (girl with phone LOL)

3 more bags went to goodwill today plus lots of RTW. + A vintage snakeskin is out in no mans land (the hallway). My LV and Burberry luggage are possibly going and maybe a suede Westwood but I'd rather sell or give away to people I know.

None of it is leaving a hole, TBH, you can still hardly tell. I just found two vintage Loewe bags I forgot about.


In

BV Knot

plus

I'm looking at this as a birthday present to myself https://www.balenciaga.com/en-gb/le-city-small-bag-metallized-silver-7977892AA9R8122.html

It's sold out online but I've asked for one to be put away for next week. I never expected to find myself liking a Bal bag so much (I only have one more) but something is calling me - I think it's the silver - blame metallic week .

What do others think? If not a bag, I'll be buying jewellery (for the third year in a row).

Love the bag! It gets my vote. Happy Birthday!

 

[cecchetti]

Thank you, exactly, as I thought.

I am as it happens a serious collector of Nicolas Ghesquière era Balenciaga RTW 2002-12 and some of the catwalk footwear. I just bough an AW06 skirt. That's where the brand made its impact on me. The Moto bags and jackets were more the brand's everyday 'off-duty-model-style' cash cows, and although I loved how they look, I preferred the high-fashion pieces.

I'm not a Balenciaga bag aficionado. I can see there are important factors for collectors that are perhaps less important to me. I don't expect a heavily 'fancy' finished bag to behave or feel the same way as a veg-tanned one. For Gucci, BV and Hermes, I'm very fussy over leather types, and how it's patina over time, but Bal bags are just some fashion-fun.

Do you remember the LV Mirror Speedy? That was an early bag-crush for me, I missed out because my mother was horrified it wasn't leather for the money. I am so much happier with the mirror leather Bal Bowling, and yes, it doesn't feel like leather at all, but it is, - whereas the Mirror Speedy was some sort of vinyl (and is now 6 x the original price).

Anyway, I will go to Bal next week with an open mind, and open heart, bring my CC and wear my best off-duty-model look (20 years too late ) which will be just as well, since I'll be with a colleague who's an A1 fashion photographer and he'll absolutely tell me the truth. If it doesn't live-up to the dream of adding some edgy 'cool', I'll put the money towards jewellery and no harm done.

Will be thinking of you next week, and looking forward to either seeing your new silver bag, if not , the jewellery you decide on.

I think the bag is very you, but I’ve never handled a Balenciaga bag(I agree the Ghesquiere clothes are great), I’m hoping it works…but if not, never mind, you have jewellery options ready.

Happy shopping!❤️and a brilliant Birthday!

 

[Vintage Leather]

Thank you, exactly, as I thought.

I am as it happens a serious collector of Nicolas Ghesquière era Balenciaga RTW 2002-12 and some of the catwalk footwear. I just bough an AW06 skirt. That's where the brand made its impact on me. The Moto bags and jackets were more the brand's everyday 'off-duty-model-style' cash cows, and although I loved how they look, I preferred the high-fashion pieces.

I'm not a Balenciaga bag aficionado. I can see there are important factors for collectors that are perhaps less important to me. I don't expect a heavily 'fancy' finished bag to behave or feel the same way as a veg-tanned one. For Gucci, BV and Hermes, I'm very fussy over leather types, and how it's patina over time, but Bal bags are just some fashion-fun.

Do you remember the LV Mirror Speedy? That was an early bag-crush for me, I missed out because my mother was horrified it wasn't leather for the money. I am so much happier with the mirror leather Bal Bowling, and yes, it doesn't feel like leather at all, but it is, - whereas the Mirror Speedy was some sort of vinyl (and is now 6 x the original price).

Anyway, I will go to Bal next week with an open mind, and open heart, bring my CC and wear my best off-duty-model look (20 years too late ) which will be just as well, since I'll be with a colleague who's an A1 fashion photographer and he'll absolutely tell me the truth. If it doesn't live-up to the dream of adding some edgy 'cool', I'll put the money towards jewellery and no harm done.

My mother is a bal collector, and I’ve come to the conclusion that Bal collectors are leather driven, but there’s only one type of leather they like. I remember how strongly opinionated people were on tPF when they replaced chèvre with agneau, (VintageMama is team Chèvre, and she forgets that, so in the last two years, she’s been snapping up cheap vintage bags, and then giving all the lambskin ones to me).

So if bal collectors keep up their old ways, in 6-8 years, there will be a devoted contingent of buyers who only like this line, and think the older stuff is overhyped.

Personally, I have to remind myself that I don’t need any more lavender in my life. Over the last three years, I’ve become slowly more obsessed with lavender and lilac and the purple bag in that thread looks so cheerful and calm.

And isn’t it marvelous when the substitution is better than the original? I often remind myself of my ysl Mombasa when I’m disappointed - a missed chance to buy something just means something better is coming along.

Nah, we like what we like. Don't let anyone yuck on your yum.


@Vintage Leather I loved reading about your journey with "stuff" and it has given me plenty to think about. I wish @diane278's Editing thread was still active because it was wonderful to see how people were figuring out their processes and ideals.
I wanted to comment earlier but forgot- I love the scarf in your profile pic. Would you please tell us a little about it? Thank you.

It’s the Hermes “Flagship” scarf.

I have a deep and abiding weakness for puns (I personally blame Terry Pratchett and Wallace and Lladmo for my sense of humor.) and this scarf just made me laugh and was also pretty.
It’s the Hermes Fabourg Saint Honore store (the heart of the Hermes retail experience (one might call it their flagship store) and the site where I bought my first scarf as a teenager) reimagined as a top of the line 18th century naval vessel - the flagship of the fleet.

it’s the first scarf I’ve purchased in fourteen years.

 

[papertiger]

My mother is a bal collector, and I’ve come to the conclusion that Bal collectors are leather driven, but there’s only one type of leather they like. I remember how strongly opinionated people were on tPF when they replaced chèvre with agneau, (VintageMama is team Chèvre, and she forgets that, so in the last two years, she’s been snapping up cheap vintage bags, and then giving all the lambskin ones to me).

So if bal collectors keep up their old ways, in 6-8 years, there will be a devoted contingent of buyers who only like this line, and think the older stuff is overhyped.

Personally, I have to remind myself that I don’t need any more lavender in my life. Over the last three years, I’ve become slowly more obsessed with lavender and lilac and the purple bag in that thread looks so cheerful and calm.

And isn’t it marvelous when the substitution is better than the original? I often remind myself of my ysl Mombasa when I’m disappointed - a missed chance to buy something just means something better is coming along.

Ah, OK. I have some Chèvre/Capra Hermes and Gucci. It is harder to find goat, but every type of leather has its plus and minuses IMO.

 

[Vintage Leather]

Ah, OK. I have some Chèvre/Capra Hermes and Gucci. It is harder to find goat, but every type of leather has its plus and minuses IMO.

In defense of old Bal: the original Bal chèvre was weird and beloved because it was made to be floopy - if that makes any sense.

Most leather companies try to make a product that will look the same in 4-8 years time with care (at a minimum - ideally after decades!) - Hermes usually uses chèvre as a lining leather and for slg, and for very limited bag styles, and it’s dyed to keep its color. You see a puddly floopy birkin, and you know that the buyer chose and worked hard to make that happen

‘01-‘06 Bals were designed to look distressed. Very thick and chewy chèvre, fabric lined and with minimal structure. They become a puddle after weeks of being worn and achieve their final form after roughly 2-4 years when they conformed to the body of the person carrying them, slump dramatically when set down, and their color is mottled by sun and bending so that they have a few bright spots and some fading. And twenty years later, they’re still being carried, and still looking like they did after they broke in the first time around.

The handbag equivalent of Birkenstocks.

Very few bag makers tried to do anything like that, so the people who were attracted to cuddly, colorful, slightly worn looking bags flocked to Bal - just as Bal has spent 20 years, give or take, moving away from that very thing

 

[Bag peace]

It’s the Hermes “Flagship” scarf.

I have a deep and abiding weakness for puns (I personally blame Terry Pratchett and Wallace and Lladmo for my sense of humor.) and this scarf just made me laugh and was also pretty.
It’s the Hermes Fabourg Saint Honore store (the heart of the Hermes retail experience (one might call it their flagship store) and the site where I bought my first scarf as a teenager) reimagined as a top of the line 18th century naval vessel - the flagship of the fleet.

it’s the first scarf I’ve purchased in fourteen years.

Who doesn't love a good pun?! Thank you so much for sharing. It's gorgeous! Wear it in good health

 

[lill_canele]

For what reasons or back stories made you buy recent new or new-to-you bags?

Hmm, I don't really have any back story to any recent bags. I'm pretty good at sticking to my 2 bags a year or 1-in-1-out policy so I don't have many recent bags either.

Usually it's to fill in a functional gap in my bag collection. My recently bought, Celine boston bag is the perfect errand, amusement park, casual bag. I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I brought it to Disneyland this month as well and it was perfect! I've been very happy with it for my errands, etc.
My YSL black on black envelope bag, my previous errand bag, which has gone through much wear since Feb 2017, is now a semi-retired "normal" bag. It's great for casual outings with friends and family, under-the-radar but still dressy enough for my wardrobe.

In the past 2 years, I have loved shoulder bags, so that will probably be my next bag purchase. I'm pretty sure on what I will be getting but I will also be going to Vegas at the end of June, so I am very excited to do some window shopping and see what's in stock. There is a chance I may veer of track (or the planned bag track), if something stunning appears, so we'll see! haha

The contemporary bag before the Celine bag was my Coach Hampton bag that I bought for work. It's a nice slender understated shoulder bag. I have not reached for it when going out, but it's a favorite for all my work trips and work events that require a smaller, more evening-type bag.

The luxury bag before that was my Moynat voyage that I got end of last year, which I have been loving as well. I recently brought in to a work conference this past weekend, and in addition to all my personal items, it was able to hold 2 slices of cake and a mini water bottle (can't resist free food)!