I’m finding this thread extremely interesting. I’m 68, and my attitude towards “things” is much different than it was when I was younger. I started with LV in 1975. I was 25 at the time. I bought as much as I could. LV wasn’t well-known back then. In my mid-30’s I stopped carrying it and stuck it all in a closet (mostly bags, but some luggage). Twenty years later, LV was well-known and just taking up room, so I contacted a dealer and sold it all as a package. I actually sold it for more than I paid for it. It was a matter of lucky timing. That won’t happen with my Bottega Veneta bags. But I don’t see bags as an investment. I just see them as something that provides me with some pleasure. I use them without babying them. At my age, I doubt that I’ll enter into another round of collecting....
Closet Clearing and Guilt
- Thread starter girlfriday17
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I love hearing from ladies in an older age group, because it puts things in perspective for younger collectors.
I always read women say "I will have this bag for the rest of my life!" "I will NEVER sell my LV!!" but the truth is that as we age we need so much less and do end up letting things go.
I'm that way with bags too. I've donated a lot of nice clothing that I'm not wearing anymore. But I can't do it with bags. I've given some to my sister. Some have sold. Others haven't sold for even a halfway decent price so I hold them.
I think I got this mindset from all the talk on TPF about selling bags. I would never have thought of this on my own. Not blaming others and I guess ten years ago selling bags was different than now.
One of my concerns is falling down the rabbit hole of never updating my style. A couple of years ago, I was wearing mostly boho tunics from Johnny Was. Then I decided to move towards a simpler, more modern look and changed to mostly Eileen Fisher clothing. That’s where I am now. It’s easy to get stuck in a look that once worked well. I’m from the era of matching shoes and bags. It took me awhile to venture out of that. I would feel “undone” with non-matching accessories. But I kept looking around me, and online, and realized that “unmatched” could work for me.I love hearing from ladies in an older age group, because it puts things in perspective for younger collectors.
I'm the same exact way!! I got a quote from some online Consignment stores and couldn't believe some of the lowball quotes for an amazing quality YSL lizard clutch. I have several bags (Balenciaga, LV, YSL, Prada) that would get next to nothing so I also hold onto them. I keep telling myself to use them as beater bags but I end up reaching for my nicer designer bags. I am wondering if I should just get $100 for the bag or give it to my sister-in-law instead.
Hi there! U know what I have sold a Tods leather bag for $100! Yes, it hurt plenty and I changed my mind about listing it 2-3 times. But eventually when I sold it, the pain went away because I claimed back my closet space! And that is worth way more than $100! Now I have a second Tods that I want to sell, $100 or $80..I will take it![emoji23] I should add I have no sisters. My SIL is in another continent and my mum does not fancy bags!
For me, my reluctance to give up my bags isn’t about cost (I tend to donate/give away), but about the difficulty I might face replacing them should I have remorse.
There are some pieces I have that are part of my permanent pieces I’ll never sell. There are others that aren’t worn often where I wonder if I ought to recoup the space. They aren’t bags I see often on the second-hand market and if I do, it’s often at close to resale price, so I just keep them, only to be worn rarely.
There are some pieces I have that are part of my permanent pieces I’ll never sell. There are others that aren’t worn often where I wonder if I ought to recoup the space. They aren’t bags I see often on the second-hand market and if I do, it’s often at close to resale price, so I just keep them, only to be worn rarely.
That is so true. When I was younger it was a mystery to me why some women seemed to be stuck in the 1970s but now I can see how it happens. We develop a 'look' we are happy with say in our 30s or 40's and then we refuse to budge. I think. I should replace all my clothes every 7 years tops and I should never buy anything 'for ever', which really only leads to overbuying. I like Eileen Fisher, although not my style, it has a certain timeless appeal.
There’s no such thing as “forever” in fashion. Even if an item comes back in style, little details get changed so items look “fresh”.
However, you can build a wardrobe of classics that last many years.
High dollar bags won’t go for much once the shape is no longer current, and when the economy is good. If you’re trying to sell a heavy black leather back and it’s Spring, for example, no one is going to stop and look.
My rule of thumb for personal style is this: if it’s no longer made or being discontinued, it’s time to find a new style.
This applies to jeans, bags, makeup, anything.
I’m about to turn 54. I love all things 80’s. But I grew out my bangs and became a yoga pants convert this year (much to my grown children’s dismay).
Accept past fashion mistakes and move on. Life’s too short to sweat it!
Okay I have to pose the question...why are the general you being taken advantage of or insulted by a "low ball" offer? You didn't design the bag or construct the bag, you just bought the bag - no one is insulting you personally if they don't want to pay big bucks for your used bag. The bag is just not in high demand.
Totally agree and there is also danger when buying new things to buy too classic. For example you buy a jacket because it won't date but it already looks frumpy, if you get my drift. Please don't get me wrong, I don't go for fast fashion, but is not easy to find good quality reasonably priced.
This is very true. Maybe not frumpy exactly. Plain.
If an item doesn’t make your heart go pitty pat, you won’t reach for it.
I spend a good amount on a winter coat I will wear for several years. Or a pair of black pants that will be worn multiple times a week.
The rest comes from clearance racks at better department stores.
Buy what you love, buy less and wear it out.
I mentally add the cost on to other items. So if I get rid of something that was 2K and I only get 1K for it, I mentally add that 1K loss to another similar item. So, some other bag/dress/shoes just cost me 1K more...
kay I have to pose the question...why are the general you being taken advantage of or insulted by a "low ball" offer? You didn't design the bag or construct the bag, you just bought the bag - no one is insulting you personally if they don't want to pay big bucks for your used bag. The bag is just not in high demand.[/QUOTE
If someone robbed you would you feel better if they shove $5 in your pocket? People only wanting to pay about 10 % of what something is worth IS insulting. I would rather donate in that case.[/QUOTE]
If someone robbed you would you feel better if they shove $5 in your pocket? People only wanting to pay about 10 % of what something is worth IS insulting. I would rather donate in that case.[/QUOTE]
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What would you consider an acceptable price iesay you bought a bag for 500 and you used it for 2 years. The bag is now 5 years old what would you pay for it, if you were buying it?
I guess there may be time wasters...
That totally baffled me. Would you mind elaborating?