Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the quantity of the bags you have?

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#16
I don't feel overwhelmed. Most of my bags are on the small side, and I think of those more as accessories. I only have 2 nice large bags and a few medium sized bags.

I design outfits around the small bags. They don't take up much space, so they blend with the outfit or accent it. Every bag has it's own niche in my wardrobe. If the niche is filled, I don't buy another.

I'm glad I have a lot of bags, because I hate it when I need to replace a bag when one gets worn out. It may take me a couple of years to find one I like for that niche. With a collection, I am not pressured to buy a bag I don't like in a hurry. Most of the bags stay nice, too, because they are not used as frequently.
 
#17
Julija said:
... Sometimes I feel tired of constant rotation.
And at the same time I keep looking on bags and wanting more... Crazy!
Tell me I'm not the only crazy here!;)
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Thanks for posting this. And no, you are not alone...I'm in the process of downsizing my collection; but then I see new bags coming out and saying to myself, "I want that". But like other posters have mentioned, I'm sticking to a set number of bags to keep and trade off (new bag in - old bag out). :smile1:
 
#18
I've downsized my modest bag collection this year for three reasons:

(1) Too lazy to change bags on a regular basis
(2) I bring my yoga stuff with me daily now. Since I prefer carrying one bag only nowadays, I use my Muji canvas back pack to carry my daily essentials plus yoga stuff.
(3) Personal style has changed (prefer black bags now)

Although I haven't been using my LV Beaubourg and my brown Bal Work in the last two years, both bags were special to me since they were my first 2 designer bags. I didn't want to sell them, but yet I didn't want to see them stay in the closet because bags are meant to be used. Thus, I gave my LV to my mom and my Bal to my sis-in-law. It was win-win for everyone! They both love their pre-loved bags, and I know they both went to good homes.

So now my collection consists of 5 bags now (2 Pradas, 2 Givenchys and 1 Bottega) which all serve a practical purpose. Hopefully I can get my hands on a mini black Panda (goatskin), a large black PS1, and an all black Proenza Lunch Bag. :D Practicality over desire to have a lot wins now. LOL.
 
#19
i really like this thread and can TOTALLY relate! buying handbags has become therapy for me, and it really is a maladaptive way to cope. i have a chronic pain condition which makes it very difficult/painful to exercise, so as a result i have gained quite a bit of weight. i used to like clothes shopping, but now i gravitate towards bags because i don't have to "try them on" -- with a bag, one size fits all. i don't feel embarrassed when i buy bags -- like i do when i have to dig through racks for a larger sized pair of jeans. right now i have too many bags, and when i need retail therapy, without a doubt, i will go buy another. it is definitely something i need to work on! i am trying to get healthy and be comfortable with my curvy, full-bodied figure -- i need to have positive self esteem not just a closet full designer purses. i do love bags, and i like the sentimental value most of mine have, but i need to say "enough is enough!" bags can be pretty, but i need to believe that i am beautiful :) it is a process!!
 
#20
I don't have a lot by tPF standards - 1 LV, 2 Coach, 2 LAMB day time bags and 1 Kate Spade and 1 MK evening bags. I was just looking at them recently and realized I haven't used one of the Coach and one of the LAMB for over a year. I do rotate the others from time to time but these two just don't seem to work well for me.Thinking I might give one or both of them to a charity that outfits abused/welfare women for work, so someone gets some use out of them.
 
#22
I have 19 bags now, and I rotate my bags everyday. Sometimes I wish I could use one bag for a week straight but I just feel the need to switch it up everyday. Sometimes I do think it is over whelming and I think with less choice I would use one bag more often. But I also like that I can switch it up so much.
 
#23
Fimpagebag said:
If it's any consolation, I used to feel somewhat overwhelmed as well. But then I realized the problem was "inventory control". I cataloged all my bags by designer and then by size. Next, I set up an Access file that allows me to enter what bags and accessories I plan to use on any given day. It sounds complicated, but once I put it into practice it has simplified my life greatly. I choose my bag and accessories the night before, forcing me to also chose what I'll be wearing the next day. In this way, having over forty bags allows me to consciously enjoy the lovely collection I truly treasure.
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Sounds almost like Cher's closet from Clueless! Jealous of your organization skills :D
 
#24
No but sometimes I do feel that way about my shoe collection. My many pairs of shoes are taking over my closet and many I have not worn in a long time.

As for bags, my husband limits the amount I can buy, otherwise I would go nuts as I adore handbags. He doesn't limit my shoes lol which accounts for the ridiculous amount in my closet.

On another note I recently sold two bags, one Fendi and another BV, and gave away three others to my mom. There is something liberating about downsizing.
 
#25
yes. I don't have many, maybe five. but two of them are for when I was using a cane and couldn't carry anything, over the shoulder with just essentials. the others are for everyday. when I've suddenly needed a cane it's gotten confusing trying to remember where the small ones are :)
 
#27
couturequeen said:
I found that if the chase was more fun than the bag itself or when I had a bag that I was rarely reaching for, it was time to rethink if I needed it. So I sell/consign anything I don't wear/love. I try not to duplicate on bag colors, and that seems to keep me organized.

I don't know how some tPF-ers wear all of their bags. Like you, I have less than 20, but I am very aware about making sure each bag gets some arm-time.

There's a great thread in the Money Talks section about cleaning out a closet and how to approach it. If variety is what you crave, some do the 1 in 1 out rule. That way you never have a pile of stuff (and can make some of that money back).

You'll feel less overwhelmed once you can declutter. And it will be much quicker to make a "which bag should I wear" decision because there will only be your favorites to choose from.
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Thanks for the link! I need to make use of this thread you've mentioned. My problem is that I have wayyyy too many bags and as a result I rarely wear any of them, de cluttering and keeping the essentials is my next goal. :)
 
#28
RKDubs said:
i really like this thread and can TOTALLY relate! buying handbags has become therapy for me, and it really is a maladaptive way to cope. i have a chronic pain condition which makes it very difficult/painful to exercise, so as a result i have gained quite a bit of weight. i used to like clothes shopping, but now i gravitate towards bags because i don't have to "try them on" -- with a bag, one size fits all. i don't feel embarrassed when i buy bags -- like i do when i have to dig through racks for a larger sized pair of jeans. right now i have too many bags, and when i need retail therapy, without a doubt, i will go buy another. it is definitely something i need to work on! i am trying to get healthy and be comfortable with my curvy, full-bodied figure -- i need to have positive self esteem not just a closet full designer purses. i do love bags, and i like the sentimental value most of mine have, but i need to say "enough is enough!" bags can be pretty, but i need to believe that i am beautiful :) it is a process!!
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I also find that I use shopping as therapy. I love handbags and shoes! I keep some that I never wear just because of sentimental value, but I did just sell 3 bags which I think was progress. I am sorry that you have a chronic pain condition. By your avatar and some of your posts I can tell that you have a great sense of style!
 
#29
Hi girls! Just want to share that I have recently cleaned my closet and sold all of my cheap bags. I did not realize that I had accumulated so much bags over the years. Its a win-win for me because I now have space in my closet for my designer bags plus the money I made helped me buy my newest addition. :) For years I struggled with getting rid of my old stuff but now I realized those that does get used should be sold or given away.

I am now more careful about my purchases. I'm happy not to be the impulsive buyer that I was anymore :)
 
#30
jennytiu said:
Hi girls! Just want to share that I have recently cleaned my closet and sold all of my cheap bags. I did not realize that I had accumulated so much bags over the years. Its a win-win for me because I now have space in my closet for my designer bags plus the money I made helped me buy my newest addition. :) For years I struggled with getting rid of my old stuff but now I realized those that does get used should be sold or given away.

I am now more careful about my purchases. I'm happy not to be the impulsive buyer that I was anymore :)
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Good for you! Seriously. That is an awesome feeling. I "purged" more bags than I can count (or care to remember), and really only regret selling one or two of them....

Then Fall 2013 rolled around and I went on a crazy buying spree again. : /

I love all of my current bags and do not want/plan to sell any, but I need to stop buying. I need to stay away from stores!
 
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