2025 Resolution: Shopping my own Bag and SLG Collection

[papertiger]

Do wet want some new challenges in August?

How about wearing one non-black neutral per week (whatever is a neutral for you)

 

[dcooney4]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
I’ve just leaped out of bed, after a dream that I was in Paris(where I lived), with my Dad, and had one day to visit the clothes boutiques of my choice,and had to choose which area to visit, and grabbed my iPad to make a list, and suddenly realised I wasn’t in Paris.

I stroked the cats, and emailed my Dad, and told him I’d better visit Paris later this year.
I want to go back to Giverny with him too(we went with Mum and stood on the bridge in Monet’s paintings, Mum was particularly enamoured with his kitchen-Monet liked food!).

So I’m being tested even in bed….

It sounded like a great dream till you woke up.

 

[papertiger]

STOPPING THE SALES CYCLE

I really, really, REALLY despise selling bags. I hate the hassle of photographing and listing them. I get irritated by seller questions that are already answered in the listing. And most of all, I’m DONE with how I beat myself up for having made a buying error the entire time they’re listed.

So, I’ve decided on a new approach to the nine bags I have for sale. One by one, I’m going to find a way to transform the bag so I love it. If after serious thought I absolutely cannot, I’ll consign it or donate it to get it out of my house.

First up is my Bvlgari Logomania Bucket Bag. This bag can be turned from trash to treasure with two changes: 1) the cloth material is faded at the top so I’ll have it redyed 2) I’m going to have the awkward hand carry handle made removable and add a chain shoulder strap.

Since the bag will likely never sell as is, investing a little money to make it something I’ll love seems like a great option.

Anyone else up for transforming your unwanted bags so we can better “shop our own collections”?
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I painted an orchid on a beautiful 1960s bag many years ago that I thought too boring plain.

I rather regret it now because I think I'd use the bag more. I like it in the Summer if I need a navy bag. I also regret selling this lovely Burberry jacket LOL. Regets, I've had a few.

That doesn't mean I would't hack/customise another bag. If you can dye that Bulgari, I 100% agree it would be better than not carrying it at all.

 

[Bag peace]

I’ve had luck with Dooney bags (no affiliation) in the past, but can’t speak to more recent releases.

I've heard great things but have never had one! Thanks for the recommendation!

I also regret selling this lovely Burberry jacket LOL.

I love that jacket! But, no regrets. Sometimes stuff isn't meant to stay in our hands. Hopefully the new owner loved it as much as you did. You make everything look fab, so I'm sure your other pieces are just as stunning on you!

@dcooney4 I wanted to ask how your wrist is doing? Do you need any physiotherapy or is it just a matter of removing the cast? I hope you're better!

Edit:
@whateve I was just skimming the 2024 thread to get caught up and saw your post about hurting your hips doing yoga! Sounds incredibly painful and I'm shocked you weren't given instructions on avoiding those movements when you had your surgery! How are you doing? I hope you're in less pain.

 

[cecchetti]

It sounded like a great dream till you woke up.

All of my dreams are set in Paris-and have been since my first visit there as a child, I always knew I had to live there…

 

[Joeli7]

Can I ask about cleaning and moisturising bags? I'm doing this today for my 20 year old Natuzzi leather sofa, it's been a while... can I use the furniture product for bags or should I look for special bag maintenance products?

 

[Sparkletastic]

I have done this type of refresh, and I tend to regret the DIY solution. Basically, I end up donating the bag anyway. But. Hopefully this will not happen to you.

I think we may be thinking of two different approaches. I don’t intend to DIY any of my solutions. I don’t have the leather crafting, painting, etc. skills.

I’ve gotten a quote from Leather Surgeons to refashion the strap on the Bvlgari and intend to have them do the dying as well. This will give me a professionally completed, like new bag that completely solves the issue I have with it.

The next bag to be saved will be my Fendi Mon Tresor bucket which is boring to me. I’m going to reach out to one of the vendors mentioned here on tPF to paint the bag with an image that will remind me of a personally meaningful moment. The bag will go from blah to precious and unique. If that doesn’t work, I’ll see if I can find someone to add studs or something else to it. I have a pink version that came with embellishments that I love. So I know the bag has potential.

The last bag I’m reclaiming is a like new python Gucci 1970 bag I purchased last year. This is a different scenario in that there is nothing wrong with the bag. I was just going to sell it because I was scared of getting wear and tear on the skin. I decided that life is short and to wear the bag. To embolden myself, while I was waiting as DH helped his mom, I spent hours exhaustively researching how to wear and care for the bag. (@papertiger, your post on this was one of the resources I’ll be referencing.)

So, no do-it-yourself projects on the bags. Instead I’m getting professional upgrades and / or rethinking how I use the bags to make them their most functional.

North/south bags don’t work for me either, precisely because of the black hole issue. If it’s a bag with a more structured base, you could try padding it at the base with something lightweight but structured like a cardboard box and put an organizer over the padding and this basically reduces the space available in the bag which in this case might be what’s needed. To be clear I haven’t tried this since I don’t have any north/south bags. As for the zip, well, half the time I leave my bags unzipped or zipped halfway so that’s one way around a tiresome zipper. But yes, some things fundamentally don’t work for you and sometimes we just have to cut our losses and let them go.

It would drive me crazy to have something stuffing the bottom of the bag. And the zipper is right under the armpit and is two zippers coming together in a slanted V. The bag is just poorly designed. It needs to GO!

I painted an orchid on a beautiful 1960s bag many years ago that I thought too boring plain.

I rather regret it now because I think I'd use the bag more. I like it in the Summer if I need a navy bag. I also regret selling this lovely Burberry jacket LOL. Regets, I've had a few.

That doesn't mean I would't hack/customise another bag. If you can dye that Bulgari, I 100% agree it would be better than not carrying it at all.


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I’m actually excited about the Bvlgari. It will look very pretty and be very functional once the crazy strap issue is addressed.

I like your painted bag! I don’t have the talent to attempt anything close to that on my bags. So, I’ll see what a professional can do for me.

 

[papertiger]

I think we may be thinking of two different approaches. I don’t intend to DIY any of my solutions. I don’t have the leather crafting, painting, etc. skills.

I’ve gotten a quote from Leather Surgeons to refashion the strap on the Bvlgari and intend to have them do the dying as well. This will give me a professionally completed, like new bag that completely solves the issue I have with it.

The next bag to be saved will be my Fendi Mon Tresor bucket which is boring to me. I’m going to reach out to one of the vendors mentioned here on tPF to paint the bag with an image that will remind me of a personally meaningful moment. The bag will go from blah to precious and unique. If that doesn’t work, I’ll see if I can find someone to add studs or something else to it. I have a pink version that came with embellishments that I love. So I know the bag has potential.

The last bag I’m reclaiming is a like new python Gucci 1970 bag I purchased last year. This is a different scenario in that there is nothing wrong with the bag. I was just going to sell it because I was scared of getting wear and tear on the skin. I decided that life is short and to wear the bag. To embolden myself, while I was waiting as DH helped his mom, I spent hours exhaustively researching how to wear and care for the bag. (@papertiger, your post on this was one of the resources I’ll be referencing.)

So, no do-it-yourself projects on the bags. Instead I’m getting professional upgrades and / or rethinking how I use the bags to make them their most functional.

It would drive me crazy to have something stuffing the bottom of the bag. And the zipper is right under the armpit and is two zippers coming together in a slanted V. The bag is just poorly designed. It needs to GO!

I’m actually excited about the Bvlgari. It will look very pretty and be very functional once the crazy strap issue is addressed.

I like your painted bag! I don’t have the talent to attempt anything close to that on my bags. So, I’ll see what a professional can do for me.

I think you are doing the right thing re Bulgari and Gucci.

As for the 1970, you are going to rock it! That's coooooool bag and I think it will look amazing with your feminine and glamorous style. If you wear yours, I will wear my exotic Guccis more often to keep you company. Life is too short.

It's like clothes. They need to fit us perfectly and work for us, not the other way round.

 

[880]

I think we may be thinking of two different approaches. I don’t intend to DIY any of my solutions. I don’t have the leather crafting, painting, etc. skills.

I’ve gotten a quote from Leather Surgeons to refashion the strap on the Bvlgari and intend to have them do the dying as well. This will give me a professionally completed, like new bag that completely solves the issue I have with it.

The next bag to be saved will be my Fendi Mon Tresor bucket which is boring to me. I’m going to reach out to one of the vendors mentioned here on tPF to paint the bag with an image that will remind me of a personally meaningful moment. The bag will go from blah to precious and unique. If that doesn’t work, I’ll see if I can find someone to add studs or something else to it. I have a pink version that came with embellishments that I love. So I know the bag has potential.

The last bag I’m reclaiming is a like new python Gucci 1970 bag I purchased last year. This is a different scenario in that there is nothing wrong with the bag. I was just going to sell it because I was scared of getting wear and tear on the skin. I decided that life is short and to wear the bag. To embolden myself, while I was waiting as DH helped his mom, I spent hours exhaustively researching how to wear and care for the bag. (@papertiger, your post on this was one of the resources I’ll be referencing.)

So, no do-it-yourself projects on the bags. Instead I’m getting professional upgrades and / or rethinking how I use the bags to make them their most functional.

It would drive me crazy to have something stuffing the bottom of the bag. And the zipper is right under the armpit and is two zippers coming together in a slanted V. The bag is just poorly designed. It needs to GO!

I’m actually excited about the Bvlgari. It will look very pretty and be very functional once the crazy strap issue is addressed.

I like your painted bag! I don’t have the talent to attempt anything close to that on my bags. So, I’ll see what a professional can do for me.

Sounds like a perfect plan

 

[Bag peace]

All of my dreams are set in Paris-and have been since my first visit there as a child, I always knew I had to live there…

Isn't it funny how sometimes you just feel connected to a place? Like your soul craves it and you only feel like yourself when you're there.
I think you're very lucky that you got to live in your "happy place" during your lifetime! Many people dream but never get the chance to experience it.

@880 I forgot to tag you earlier, but I'm curious about your bag closet for the upcoming year. You always go with the flow rather than plan specific purchases but, I wondered if you're feeling the itch for something bespoke again? Do you get much use out of your gorgeous Duret? Or do you think you'd add another Loewe? I've been seeing a lot of the puzzle and it looks so cool when it's all slouchy!

 

[Bag peace]

Can I ask about cleaning and moisturising bags? I'm doing this today for my 20 year old Natuzzi leather sofa, it's been a while... can I use the furniture product for bags or should I look for special bag maintenance products?

I've never used furniture products on my bags and am not sure if they're the same. Usually, bags don't need more than a quick wipe with a soft cloth and, sometimes, I use a bit of Blackrock to refresh the very worn ones.
What you use may also depend on the type of leather...exotics have their own cleaning/conditioning products.

 

[DME]

@880, @Sparkletastic, @Bag peace and @Purses & Perfumes (hopefully I didn’t miss anyone): Thank you so much for the congrats about DD. We are all very is excited!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

@Joeli7, I have used Apple brand conditioner and cleaner a long time ago but it was on an older bag. I haven’t used any products on my current collection. It’s best to test a teeny bit on the base or some inconspicuous area of the bag just to make sure the product doesn’t react negatively with the leather. In general I prefer to just wipe with a soft cloth. Some people also like collonil brand but I have never tried it. I would be hesitant to use a product made for furniture on my bags since I wonder if the products for furniture are designed to be stronger.

@Sparkletastic: Agree, I don’t like the idea of an artificial base in a bag either especially since it would be a makeshift affair and not sure how effective it would be. The best option is to donate or sell. Zippers right under the armpit are a complete no no for me too!

 

[papertiger]

Can I ask about cleaning and moisturising bags? I'm doing this today for my 20 year old Natuzzi leather sofa, it's been a while... can I use the furniture product for bags or should I look for special bag maintenance products?

Each type of leather needs researching eg, saddle leather completely different treatment to stamped leather. Some products contain oil, some lanolin, some only water and some a combination. Getting oil on an unfinished leather may stain it permanently, whilst some may blister or darken with any moisture.

Just think about your own skin. Cleanse, feed, protect.

Clean the bags before moisturising. Start with gentle brushing. Use a leather cleaner if need be (as directed) for the correct type of leather.

When you're ready to feed use a moisturiser without wax (often included in furniture polish). Stamped leather is sealed so don't, just brush and polish.

If need be protect. Not with designer bags though, it's very easy to ruin a bag. Ask whichever brand what their advice is. Just leave till absolutely dry and brush again (which will protect better than any commercial 'hairspray' or wax).

 

[Joeli7]

Thank you so much @papertiger, @Purses & Perfumes , @Bag peace - I found the product care section on the Tod's website. That was my first more expensive bag, 20-odd years ago, so I've kept it even though I rarely use it.

 

[More bags]

Happy New Year!

It’s fantastic being part of this community - to learn from each other, to be inspired by each other’s stories, and to hold ourselves accountable within a deep network of support. ❤️

@papertiger Thanks for kicking off the 2025 thread. Sending positive thoughts to you and your husband for improved health.

@lill_canele the dress looks spectacular on you - great choice.

@missie1 good luck on selling one of your red bags, however if you love all of them, do you need to drop one?

@Vintage Leather congratulations on your outstanding 2024 stats and new job.

@cecchetti best wishes to you and your mom on her health, and being comfortable and pain free.

@SakuraSakura good to see you here!

@Claudia Herzog congratulations on the 2024 bag usage tracking!

@dcooney4 I hope your wrist/arm is on the mend.

@momasaurus great goals!

@renee_nyc I love your repurposed gown to skirt, it looks great on you!

@Kiradris welcome to the thread - it’s a fabulous group!

@Sparkletastic congratulations on your resilience, wishing you all the best as you advance on your health/fitness goals.

@DME great goals, and congratulations to your DD on college early admission! You must be so proud - way to go mama!

@Bag peace wishing you good health and a great start to 2025!

@cowgirlsboots we love admiring your beautiful creative projects!

@880 happy new year! I hope your home projects are going well.

@Joeli7 welcome, and thanks for the great tips

@Purses & Perfumes Happy New Year

@A bottle of Red and good wishes for a great 2025 to you, too!