Do wet want some new challenges in August?
How about wearing one non-black neutral per week (whatever is a neutral for you)
How about wearing one non-black neutral per week (whatever is a neutral for you)
2025 Resolution: Shopping my own Bag and SLG Collection
- Thread starter papertiger
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I think it is cyclical. There are times I buy a lot of stuff, and other times nothing impresses me.
I hate feeling trapped in my clothes. I've had a few pairs of boots that are too hard to get on and off, and I've gotten rid of them.I love a sort of "taller" ankle boot if that makes sense. Tall enough to stuff the skinny jeans inside but don't quite go past mid-calf.
I have 1 pair of Hermes and SL boots of that style and they are on rotation every fall/winter. The Hermes are more clean and sleek while the SL are a little edgier.
And then I go all the way to the other side of the spectrum with over the knee boots. I have that classic suede Stuart Weiztman OTK boot that we all went crazy about in the 2000s/2010s lol. But I left them in China with my in-laws because I had a little too much fun shoppingand couldn't bring everything back.
Every fall/winter I debate on knee high boots. Being in California I probably would only wear them fall/winter. But I also have trouble finding a pair that fits my large calves.It's not a great combo to have narrow feet but large calves.
And I'm not into the sort of slouchy folded knee high boot. I prefer the kind that are sleek and hug the calves.
Basically all of my boots are black. I do have a pair of Burberry sock boots with the classic plaid print but I'm debating on letting them go. I realize they're such a pain to take off. I need my husband to help me pull them off lol. I've also realized that when it comes to boots, I prefer ones that I can slip in and out more easily. (The SW OTK boots have enough give/stretch that I can still take them off in a hurry.)
I have no intentions of buying anything else but then I see something I like - and the next thing you know I've bought it. I feel sad for all the things that aren't getting used, or aren't getting used enough. This summer I have been wearing one pair of sandals and one pair of white sneakers almost exclusively. Why do I have so many other choices if I'm not using them? Some of them are new too.
and visually, the labubu doll actually is the stuff of nightmares for some people...
yes I think the dopamine rush from purchasing has to find an outlet... and then corporates will seize it to make money.
but in all seriousness, I'm quite impressed with the gen-zs I know, and they come from a wide range of financial backgrounds, they explicitly prioritise saving and investing and will do their research on ETFs (although I'm sure there are some who just lob their savings into meme stocks). There are lots more brokerages these days, lower cost, and they actively advertise to young consumers.
I wish that had been advertised to me when I was their age 10 years ago, instead of the ridiculously priced bags and clothes!
yeah, I think your pattern fits that of a consumer who knows what they want and steadily purchases according to their taste.
But I'd be curious to see how much of the luxury spending was propped up / boosted by people who are the opposite and were happily buying to collect / as a trend, and have now lost interest. I was definitely that way about 5 years ago? And just when I got off the treadmill, it seemed like a whole crowd got on, post-pandemic. We'd probably find out soon with LVMH & Kering results over the next couple of quarter!
@papertiger- thanks for starting this thread. I always read the threads here and there in years past, but even though this year is 2/3 done, great to read.
@lill_canele- I love the idea of cosmetics and perfume, no buying til you’re done. Definitely going to implement this. Ok, I’m going back to the thread to read more.
I am with many Gen Z everyday. I don't find them a single type, but generally they could do with investing in a watch - coz they always seem to be late.
I'm actually really glad I invested my money on designer bags and shoes and RTW statement pieces a while back. I am very thankful I have many exquisite, durable things that designers are not creating now made of high quality materials. The prices are through the roof. When I bought an all-leather Gucci bag 20 years ago it was £600-1K.
I remember AW08/9, I waited until I was invited for the pre-sale for the suede Babushka Boston because it had been £1.8K and I'd already bought a coat, skirt, shirt and jacket (for my graduation ceremony). I still have all those pieces and will wear them this Winter. The thought of starting now would not only be ludicrously expensive but also impossible. Can you imagine the young me starting my 'Hermes journey' now, I wonder if security would let me in the door LOL.
There are a couple of things I regret giving away but mostly not. Usually, I realise I have something comparable that's better anyway. I have sold a lot of jewellery lately, all stuff I never or hardly ever wore.
Me too, I have been wearing a pair of Summer clogs, Nikes or DMs on cooler days. In my hallway I have 3 pairs of sandals that I have not worn since I put them out in March when the weather became warmer.
The problem with those parent companies is that the Epidemic made them feel infallible. When so many other business were failing they expanded. There was fear before, which is why LVMH bought Tiffany for a knock-down price. They really thought they were immune.
First it was the smaller designers like Moynat, Bal and McQueen that slowed. Those companies hardly register on their financial reports. It was sales slowing in their huge brands like LV and Dior (making up 50% of revenue at LVMH) and Gucci (50% of all revenue for Kering) that they started putting prices up to make-up for the short falls in retail revenue. LVMH only saved itself last year with LP 'quiet' souvenirs, beauty (it owns Sephora and well as Fenty, Benefit and Guerlain) and jewellery. Their wines/spirits were down and some brands like Off-White can't function without its personality designers (A-Z factory for Richemont too). Kering haven't diversified quite so much, but their choice of Demna at Gucci better work, huge risk. Personally, beyond ironic postmodern jokes, I don't think he's a designer nor visionary and letting Sara Burton go from McQueen was a mistake.
I'm glad I have things from these brands' heyday because I think there are huge changes still to come and it won't just be changes of CDs and CEOs.
I’m planning to focus on needs over wants for the remainder of the year. I might not be successful, but I will be asking myself tough questions before every purchase. There seems to be a lot of uncertainty that gives me pause.
Your H and SL boots sound lovely: would love to see a pic if/when possible (I know most of our boots are probably not picture-ready as it's still summer and they're probably in storage.)I love a sort of "taller" ankle boot if that makes sense. Tall enough to stuff the skinny jeans inside but don't quite go past mid-calf.
I have 1 pair of Hermes and SL boots of that style and they are on rotation every fall/winter. The Hermes are more clean and sleek while the SL are a little edgier.
And then I go all the way to the other side of the spectrum with over the knee boots. I have that classic suede Stuart Weiztman OTK boot that we all went crazy about in the 2000s/2010s lol. But I left them in China with my in-laws because I had a little too much fun shopping
Every fall/winter I debate on knee high boots. Being in California I probably would only wear them fall/winter. But I also have trouble finding a pair that fits my large calves.
And I'm not into the sort of slouchy folded knee high boot. I prefer the kind that are sleek and hug the calves.
Basically all of my boots are black. I do have a pair of Burberry sock boots with the classic plaid print but I'm debating on letting them go. I realize they're such a pain to take off. I need my husband to help me pull them off lol. I've also realized that when it comes to boots, I prefer ones that I can slip in and out more easily. (The SW OTK boots have enough give/stretch that I can still take them off in a hurry.)
I never quite got into over-the-knee boots but definitely remember the Stuart Weitzman OTK boot craze from years ago. Slouchy boots are not my thing either and I too prefer sleek leather boots.
I've come to realize that when it comes to most of my footwear (other than maybe some evening footwear), I prefer those that I can slip in and out of easily. Those are the ones that get worn frequently while the others tend to languish in the closet. Sock boots in general are harder to put on and take off. I'm not surprised that you're thinking of letting go of your Burberry sock boots...
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Like you, I can’t stand the idea of selling. 10 years ago or more, selling used to be easier and more fun. Now there are too many scammers and too much competition. So I’ll likely die with what I have. I still have 3 bags on consignment at Ann’s Fabulous Finds that have been there for months. If they can’t sell them, I know I would have no luck doing so.
Also, like you, I would like to trade a couple of my C jumbos for mediums or something smaller. But, as I said. I’m not up to selling so I’ll be grateful I have them and start wearing them more often.
Can you have some of the well loved pieces tailored?
My collection has been relatively stable for about 8-9 years. So I don’t think this is part of that collect / rest cycle.
My health issues gave me (unwanted) time to think about a lot of things and I’m simply far less into acquiring anything than I was before. Add to that my realization that my effusive zeal for acquiring bags just isn’t sustained in the owning and my energy to buy is at zero. I don’t want to chase or give into that high just to have it fade away.
I have been purging all year. And every time I think I’m done, scales fall from my eyes and I “see” more things that need to go. I’m sure knowing this is wasted money is also contributing to my disinterest in bag buying.
I see other people look stylish in over the knee boots and feel I just look like an awkward pirate.
And I can’t do slouchy boots because I think they make my legs look stocky.So for me it’s ankle boots or knee high boots.
Yes, I am not a fan of selling and this has made me more thoughtful about bag acquisitions since I don't want to be bothered with selling because I didn't think it through properly before buying. The thing is, I'm not entirely sure I absolutely want the reissue or a Trendy CC in black. So I could conceivably let go of my blue bag and the jumbo and still be fine in terms of collection usage and needs. I already have the classic flap medium in black lambskin and the medium size black coco handle and probably don't really need another black Chanel bag. As for the reissue, I tend to go back and forth on it. So it's easier for me to just not do anything at the moment. I might wait till bag sales in general pick up and then just let these two bags go and not add anything.
I actually really like the blue Trendy CC which is a spring/summer bag for me, and should perhaps make more of an effort to use it. As for the jumbo, I love the color but because of its size I like pairing it with coats so it's a winter bag for me. I think I see a pattern here: bags that are seasonal (in my mind) get used less than bags that I think I can wear all year.
I recall the jumbo was such a desirable bag several years ago and lots of people really wanted it. And then small bags became popular and then it went even further with the mini and micro bag trends. But I think the tide may be turning. For the last several years, people have been saying that big bags are coming back but I often felt that it was more wishful thinking than anything else. However, this year I'm noticing that a large (suede) hobo appears to be the desirable bag for fall and in general, I feel like I'm seeing more large bags with top handles being carried. It may not happen immediately but I think the trend is shifting back to big bags and the jumbo might well be back in full swing. I think most of yours are single flaps too, and those are very easy to use. So yes, think of ways to style them and wear them often - they're beautiful bags.