Curating a balanced collection

[Bunny_in_Love]

Hello dear purse connoisseurs,

I’m wondering if my bag collection is optimal, and since most of it is LV I thought why don’t I ask you here.

With every new bag I add I tend to feel more and more guilt that I already have too many. My concept has always been to keep my collection multi purpose without too many repeats, but I hardly use all the bags I own so that made me wonder if that’s still a relevant criteria.

Key items in my collection currently:
1. Daily midsize bags
- Celine Luggage Nano Souris
- LV Pochette Métis Empreinte Noir
- Bottega Teen Jodie in black (not crossbody so not as convenient as the above, but love the design)
- LV Montaigne MM Empreinte Raisin (barely carry this one, is bit too big for a daily bag but doesn’t fit a laptop, while it’s very beautiful to the eye)
2. Dressier small bags (I tend to carry these less now, but all have certain sentimental value and they all kind of cover different outfit styles/color schemes)
- LV NeoNoe Epi green and blue
- LV Alma BB Epi Fuschia
- LV Cherrywood BB black
3. Large tote bags to carry laptop or just lots of stuff
- Anya Hindmarch Neeson Square tote large in brown (love it, but not suitable for rain)
- Loewe Shell Basket Tote large
- Loewe Cushion tote Small in tan leather (don’t really use it, turned out to be a bit smaller than what I mostly need)

Besides the bags I probably need to part ways with (Montaigne and Cushion tote, no matter how hard it is), what are your thoughts?

I haven’t found a similar thread where people would seek advice on their collections - maybe this would work for other members, too. These days many of us want to mindful with their consumption, right?

Thanks a lot

 

[ChampagneandChakras]

Hello dear purse connoisseurs,

I’m wondering if my bag collection is optimal, and since most of it is LV I thought why don’t I ask you here.

With every new bag I add I tend to feel more and more guilt that I already have too many. My concept has always been to keep my collection multi purpose without too many repeats, but I hardly use all the bags I own so that made me wonder if that’s still a relevant criteria.

Key items in my collection currently:
1. Daily midsize bags
- Celine Luggage Nano Souris
- LV Pochette Métis Empreinte Noir
- Bottega Teen Jodie in black (not crossbody so not as convenient as the above, but love the design)
- LV Montaigne MM Empreinte Raisin (barely carry this one, is bit too big for a daily bag but doesn’t fit a laptop, while it’s very beautiful to the eye)
2. Dressier small bags (I tend to carry these less now, but all have certain sentimental value and they all kind of cover different outfit styles/color schemes)
- LV NeoNoe Epi green and blue
- LV Alma BB Epi Fuschia
- LV Cherrywood BB black
3. Large tote bags to carry laptop or just lots of stuff
- Anya Hindmarch Neeson Square tote large in brown (love it, but not suitable for rain)
- Loewe Shell Basket Tote large
- Loewe Cushion tote Small in tan leather (don’t really use it, turned out to be a bit smaller than what I mostly need)

Besides the bags I probably need to part ways with (Montaigne and Cushion tote, no matter how hard it is), what are your thoughts?

I haven’t found a similar thread where people would seek advice on their collections - maybe this would work for other members, too. These days many of us want to mindful with their consumption, right?

Thanks a lot

I think a thread on mindful consumption is a great idea. I don't have any suggestions for your collection, as I'm in the same boat. I do know that lately between the quality issues I've seen with 2 of my returned purchases, my lack of excitement at the constant barrage of new releases and the guilt I've felt at the new purchases I'm taking a mindful pause until the real fall releases, as I want that Atlantis bag.

 

[Jumper]

I actually have a similar concept for my collection too!!

3 large -3 mid-sized -3 small
3 in each category for some variety: casual, dressy, professional, sporty, grab-and-go types, low-key types, fuss-free, pretty/trendy type of bags, etc.

For the large bags, it’s mainly to serve the function of carrying a lot of things, work-laptop.

For mid-sized bags, it’s mainly to fulfill the role of trying to fit my kitchen sink without breaking my shoulders because I’m just not as discipline as some to NOT overload my big bags.

For small bags, it’s mainly because they are light and cute.

 

[Bunny_in_Love]

I think a thread on mindful consumption is a great idea. I don't have any suggestions for your collection, as I'm in the same boat. I do know that lately between the quality issues I've seen with 2 of my returned purchases, my lack of excitement at the constant barrage of new releases and the guilt I've felt at the new purchases I'm taking a mindful pause until the real fall releases, as I want that Atlantis bag.

Really glad that a mindful consumption thread makes sense! Would be great to use the massive forum expertise for this.
Waiting for new collections takes lots of self control, let it be worth it.

Taking more time to reflect on my collection, I’ve actually decided to return my PM and get Small Puzzle instead. Debate about it in fact made me start the thread, as PM turned out to be not as roomy as other bags in that category.
I’m really glad I’ve done that and hope this will make my collection “live” in this setup a bit longer since I really needed a more casual bag to replace the Luggage that starts showing age.

 

[Bunny_in_Love]

I actually have a similar concept for my collection too!!

3 large -3 mid-sized -3 small
3 in each category for some variety: casual, dressy, professional, sporty, grab-and-go types, low-key types, fuss-free, pretty/trendy type of bags, etc.

For the large bags, it’s mainly to serve the function of carrying a lot of things, work-laptop.

For mid-sized bags, it’s mainly to fulfill the role of trying to fit my kitchen sink without breaking my shoulders because I’m just not as discipline as some to NOT overload my big bags.

For small bags, it’s mainly because they are light and cute.

Very thought through approach on your side
Neat concept to have different styles in each category, I think I haven’t been focusing on that much but it does make sense and could save from unnecessary purchases in the long term. Can be hard to focus when you’re just attracted to a bag.

 

[Jumper]

Yes, sentimental bags are the hardest to get rid of. You are attached to the bag because maybe it was a gift from someone special, it was your first real luxury bag, a celebratory bag, etc.

But if one no longer use them, then, it will be sitting there. The thing about older bags, the longer they sit there without airing, without being used, the more likely they will break, grow mold, yellow. Also the designs may be a little outdated and when one was younger, we probably didn’t give much thought about getting the bag, other than it’s so pretty (at that point in time).

So, after a deep purging of my closet 2 years ago, I have decided not to keep so many bags and always trim my collection. There are many “first” bags (first speedy, first job celebration, first anniversary bag, etc). If you keep them all, you must be able to maintain its upkeep. Otherwise, the bags ends up in a sad place - mold, sticky, musty.

From my purging, I realised that the bags I kept after purging are mostly from LVs. Because the conditions are still acceptable - hardware slightly tarnished but no mold and still looks (from far) same as what you see in the store. And, I didn’t know how to care for my bags in the past. Just store them in the closet when I’m not using.