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
- Start date
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@Cookiefiend what are your 'must have's' in a bag?
- Fits lifestyle - sufficient size, practical for use type
- Versatility - I want to be able to carry my bags for many occasions, many outfits, and with multiple carrying options (hand carry, shoulder carry, crossbody)
- Not heavy empty
I love Rick Owen’s leather jackets-your outfits always sound fabulous!❤️
Absolutely magical!Sunshine in a handbag - great bag and scarf pairing!
@papertiger re: Which bag cheers you up on a dismal day?
I agree, colour will lift my spirits, the one I’ll share is this Chanel Cloudy Tie and Dye Purple, Blue & Pink Mini.
@Bag peace you recently asked if I’ve been wearing this. It was my second most frequently carried bag last year, and it joined my collection part way through the year!
View attachment 6130545
A true unicorn purse!Sunshine in a handbag - great bag and scarf pairing!
@papertiger re: Which bag cheers you up on a dismal day?
I agree, colour will lift my spirits, the one I’ll share is this Chanel Cloudy Tie and Dye Purple, Blue & Pink Mini.
@Bag peace you recently asked if I’ve been wearing this. It was my second most frequently carried bag last year, and it joined my collection part way through the year!
View attachment 6130545
Ohmigoodness - that’s beautiful! Wow!
Well - that’s truly a pretty bag - is it iridescent too?Sunshine in a handbag - great bag and scarf pairing!
@papertiger re: Which bag cheers you up on a dismal day?
I agree, colour will lift my spirits, the one I’ll share is this Chanel Cloudy Tie and Dye Purple, Blue & Pink Mini.
@Bag peace you recently asked if I’ve been wearing this. It was my second most frequently carried bag last year, and it joined my collection part way through the year!
View attachment 6130545
Versatility is a great point too - I think it’s why I struggle with ‘formal’ bags, and only have one. But my one formal bag also has a shoulder strap so it’s not just a clutch!
I used to struggle with them as well. I buy bags for quality, materials, look and functionality. And, ideally, I want them to last a lifetime. So it’s worth it to me to spend good money on them.
But! I break my rules for true evening bags (ones only suitable for black or white tie events - not cocktails or fancy dinners out) and tbey’re my aliens
in my collection. Because I wear them rarely, I only need them to be pretty. My dress or gown carries my look. So I bought inexpensive pretty bead / sequin encrusted bags years ago. With how bad quality has declined in everything, I don’t even know that this kind of bag exists anymore at the price point I paid (about $100 USD each). I’d probably have to spend hundreds to get the same beading and quality - which would irritate me enough to push me into trying to find a premier designer bag instead (that’s not sensible. I’m just being honest.) Sometimes I do wear my gold Chanel mini or my Fendi silver WOC for formal events. (One reason I need to replace the Fendi eventually) Both work well when I don’t want to have to keep up with a clutch - say when the gala / wedding / whatever is one where I want to dance the evening away.
Have you thought about getting fun vintage bags for formal wear? They could be signature conversation pieces.
Your opinion needed! 
I started the year evaluating 12 handbags to decide if they should stay in my collection. So far:
TOTAL EXITED: 7
Sold
Refurbished
Pros: I looooooooove the look of this bag.
And it has very special memories attached from when Mr. Sparkle gave it to me.
Cons: It’s rigid and too small to comfortably carry my things. (I tried the next size up but didn’t care for the look of that size.) I can get my basics in except for sunglasses. And since I’ve had 7 eye surgeries over my lifetime, sunglasses are a necessity for me - not a nice to have. But, I could put my sunnies on top of my head or just carry this bag after dark.
Another consideration. Because of the size, I’ve only carried this bag twice since Mr. S gave it to me in 2019. 😱
I realy struggle with this bag. In my heart, I know I won’t use it often. I could put its monetary value towards something I would love and use. But, I adore the look of the bag and wish I could make it work.
Help me! What should I do?
I started the year evaluating 12 handbags to decide if they should stay in my collection. So far:
TOTAL EXITED: 7
Sold
- Chanel black lamb medium single classic flap
- Cambridge Hello Kitty tote
- Prada Chocolate Brown Bowler Bag
- Fendi Burgundy Mon Tresor
- Dior Ltd Edition Panarea Tote
- Jimmy Choo Red Cheri Tote
- Jimmy Choo Black Raven Hobo
Refurbished
- Bvlgari Navy Logomania Bucket (sent to Leather Surgeons to have strap reworked)
- Gucci python “1970” hobo
- Max Mara black Whitney
- Fendi silver flowered WOC
Pros: I looooooooove the look of this bag.
And it has very special memories attached from when Mr. Sparkle gave it to me.Cons: It’s rigid and too small to comfortably carry my things. (I tried the next size up but didn’t care for the look of that size.) I can get my basics in except for sunglasses. And since I’ve had 7 eye surgeries over my lifetime, sunglasses are a necessity for me - not a nice to have. But, I could put my sunnies on top of my head or just carry this bag after dark.
Another consideration. Because of the size, I’ve only carried this bag twice since Mr. S gave it to me in 2019. 😱
I realy struggle with this bag. In my heart, I know I won’t use it often. I could put its monetary value towards something I would love and use. But, I adore the look of the bag and wish I could make it work.
Help me! What should I do?
You mentioned that you break your rules for evening bags - could you designate it as a cocktail/evening bag, and only take it out at night?Your opinion needed!
I started the year evaluating 12 handbags to decide if they should stay in my collection. So far:
TOTAL EXITED: 7
Sold
Consigned
- Chanel black lamb medium single classic flap
- Cambridge Hello Kitty tote
Listed for sale
- Prada Chocolate Brown Bowler Bag
- Fendi Burgundy Mon Tresor
- Dior Ltd Edition Panarea Tote
- Jimmy Choo Red Cheri Tote
TOTAL KEPT: 4
- Jimmy Choo Black Raven Hobo
Refurbished
Reclaimed
- Bvlgari Navy Logomania Bucket (sent to Leather Surgeons to have strap reworked)
Eventually to be replaced
- Gucci python “1970” hobo
- Max Mara black Whitney
That leaves me with just one bag to consider - my Gucci mini Dionysus in Navy.
- Fendi silver flowered WOC
Pros: I looooooooove the look of this bag.
Cons: It’s rigid and too small to comfortably carry my things. (I tried the next size up but didn’t care for the look of that size.) I can get my basics in except for sunglasses. And since I’ve had 7 eye surgeries over my lifetime, sunglasses are a necessity for me - not a nice to have. But, I could put my sunnies on top of my head or just carry this bag after dark.
Another consideration. Because of the size, I’ve only carried this bag twice since Mr. S gave it to me in 2019. 😱
I realy struggle with this bag. In my heart, I know I won’t use it often. I could put its monetary value towards something I would love and use. But, I adore the look of the bag and wish I could make it work.
Help me! What should I do?
View attachment 6130818
That’s a different category of bag - ones for black / white tie.
Theoretically I could designate this for after dark casual to cocktails. But, that would mean I’m changing clothes from the day after sundown. - which isn’t going to happen that often. Hmmm…
Maybe I can try again in a few months when I’m back in my clothes after I lose more of this “sickness weight”.
I have tried both vintage bags and fun/interesting bags…I used to struggle with them as well. I buy bags for quality, materials, look and functionality. And, ideally, I want them to last a lifetime. So it’s worth it to me to spend good money on them.
But! I break my rules for true evening bags (ones only suitable for black or white tie events - not cocktails or fancy dinners out) and tbey’re my aliens
Sometimes I do wear my gold Chanel mini or my Fendi silver WOC for formal events. (One reason I need to replace the Fendi eventually) Both work well when I don’t want to have to keep up with a clutch - say when the gala / wedding / whatever is one where I want to dance the evening away.
Have you thought about getting fun vintage bags for formal wear? They could be signature conversation pieces.
A friend of mine carried a darling velvet Gucci (either a Marmont or a Matlasse) to a formal event and I loved it. I should have just bought one and probably spent the same amount that I’ve wasted on other formal bags. I might still do it!
My one formal bag is suede Stuart Weitzman - it works for me because my EpiPen and phone fits - and it has a tucked away shoulder strap.
But I could make room for that Gucci!
Well - I am going to be no help whatsoever. That bag is Darling! I second Vintage Leather’s idea!Your opinion needed!
I started the year evaluating 12 handbags to decide if they should stay in my collection. So far:
TOTAL EXITED: 7
Sold
Consigned
- Chanel black lamb medium single classic flap
- Cambridge Hello Kitty tote
Listed for sale
- Prada Chocolate Brown Bowler Bag
- Fendi Burgundy Mon Tresor
- Dior Ltd Edition Panarea Tote
- Jimmy Choo Red Cheri Tote
TOTAL KEPT: 4
- Jimmy Choo Black Raven Hobo
Refurbished
Reclaimed
- Bvlgari Navy Logomania Bucket (sent to Leather Surgeons to have strap reworked)
Eventually to be replaced
- Gucci python “1970” hobo
- Max Mara black Whitney
That leaves me with just one bag to consider - my Gucci mini Dionysus in Navy.
- Fendi silver flowered WOC
Pros: I looooooooove the look of this bag.
Cons: It’s rigid and too small to comfortably carry my things. (I tried the next size up but didn’t care for the look of that size.) I can get my basics in except for sunglasses. And since I’ve had 7 eye surgeries over my lifetime, sunglasses are a necessity for me - not a nice to have. But, I could put my sunnies on top of my head or just carry this bag after dark.
Another consideration. Because of the size, I’ve only carried this bag twice since Mr. S gave it to me in 2019. 😱
I realy struggle with this bag. In my heart, I know I won’t use it often. I could put its monetary value towards something I would love and use. But, I adore the look of the bag and wish I could make it work.
Help me! What should I do?
View attachment 6130818
Sunshine in a handbag - great bag and scarf pairing!
@papertiger re: Which bag cheers you up on a dismal day?
I agree, colour will lift my spirits, the one I’ll share is this Chanel Cloudy Tie and Dye Purple, Blue & Pink Mini.
@Bag peace you recently asked if I’ve been wearing this. It was my second most frequently carried bag last year, and it joined my collection part way through the year!
View attachment 6130545
So beautiful!
I used to struggle with them as well. I buy bags for quality, materials, look and functionality. And, ideally, I want them to last a lifetime. So it’s worth it to me to spend good money on them.
But! I break my rules for true evening bags (ones only suitable for black or white tie events - not cocktails or fancy dinners out) and tbey’re my aliens
Sometimes I do wear my gold Chanel mini or my Fendi silver WOC for formal events. (One reason I need to replace the Fendi eventually) Both work well when I don’t want to have to keep up with a clutch - say when the gala / wedding / whatever is one where I want to dance the evening away.
Have you thought about getting fun vintage bags for formal wear? They could be signature conversation pieces.
I have too many fun (and serious) vintage bags.
I have worn Gucci's leather-harness shoulder pads though. They were a talking point
Your opinion needed!
I started the year evaluating 12 handbags to decide if they should stay in my collection. So far:
TOTAL EXITED: 7
Sold
Consigned
- Chanel black lamb medium single classic flap
- Cambridge Hello Kitty tote
Listed for sale
- Prada Chocolate Brown Bowler Bag
- Fendi Burgundy Mon Tresor
- Dior Ltd Edition Panarea Tote
- Jimmy Choo Red Cheri Tote
TOTAL KEPT: 4
- Jimmy Choo Black Raven Hobo
Refurbished
Reclaimed
- Bvlgari Navy Logomania Bucket (sent to Leather Surgeons to have strap reworked)
Eventually to be replaced
- Gucci python “1970” hobo
- Max Mara black Whitney
That leaves me with just one bag to consider - my Gucci mini Dionysus in Navy.
- Fendi silver flowered WOC
Pros: I looooooooove the look of this bag.
Cons: It’s rigid and too small to comfortably carry my things. (I tried the next size up but didn’t care for the look of that size.) I can get my basics in except for sunglasses. And since I’ve had 7 eye surgeries over my lifetime, sunglasses are a necessity for me - not a nice to have. But, I could put my sunnies on top of my head or just carry this bag after dark.
Another consideration. Because of the size, I’ve only carried this bag twice since Mr. S gave it to me in 2019. 😱
I realy struggle with this bag. In my heart, I know I won’t use it often. I could put its monetary value towards something I would love and use. But, I adore the look of the bag and wish I could make it work.
Help me! What should I do?
View attachment 6130818
I would keep it as a formal evening bag.
Reminds me of my Balmain bag dilemma. I am sure my bag is far less practical. I once carried it empty. Basically, I think of it as wearable (3D-printed) art. Yours is an actual artisanal bag.