Ever purged your collection in pursuit of one bag? How did it go?

[babybel]

I'm happy to report that I continue to sell off some bags that I decided just didn't make the cut in terms of how often I would use them. My problem was that I would end up with several of the same general style which was really unnecessary. But, unlike people some in this thread who are selling mutliples of a bag to buy a higher priced/quality/special bag, I find myself sort of going in the other direction--discovering that a couple of Longchamp bags are really what I enjoy carrying most days. Is that odd?

When I'm finished, I will have just a couple of my beloved BE bags, a couple of great Coach leather bags (two that were gifts from Mom) and a couple of Longchamp. I still have a few bang around/haul stuff bags but that will be it. I feel like I'm at the point where I realize I don't really need too many bags period. My lifestyle is pretty casual and for work/dress up times, the few I have fit the bill perfectly.

I'm scaling down but I feel like I'm also lightening up (from leather to Longchamp). Maybe I'm doing this backwards but it feels right to me.

That does not sound odd to me at all! I find that out of all my bags, the ones I reach for the most are my Longchamp pliage and my Longchamp planetes. Maybe it's because NYC has been rainy on and off as well.

Not to mention, when I use my Longchamps I don't feel like I have to baby them at all. I'm very protective of my leather bags

This thread is very inspirational. I too have amassed a sizable collection of mid-range bags. Very recently, after falling head over heels for a Bal, I've taken a second look at my closet and decided to purge to get that Bal.

I've been lucky enough to sell two very quickly on bonz and I have 3 or 4 more to list. I think I should start a bag journal to keep track of just how many times I use a bag. That would determine which ones to let go next

 

[canadianstudies]

mini update - I've sent three bags to a local consignment store. I'm not overly concerned with what I get for them, I just really needed to get them out of the house. I still have 6 LVs, 5 Coaches and 1 Roots bag.

It's now been just over a year since my last handbag purchase, though I am (slowly) saving up for a Bottega Veneta hobo. I will also likely pick up a longchamp, a small wallet and maybe a small clutch. I'm not in any rush, which is great - when I first joined tpf, I was buying luxury bags almost every month. Thank goodness that phase is over!

 

[runner22]

Whew submitted a low bid for the Balenciaga that I was craving and was outbid. It went for a super low price but I don't really "need" it right now. I'm not entirely sold on Balenciagas anyway because the leather seems so fragile. I will just continue to sell my bags and accessories and search for that perfect bag!

 

[runner22]

Congratulations, Doreen! Sounds like you feel pretty secure in letting those H scarves go. I hope they fetch nice prices for you.

I'm happy to report that I continue to sell off some bags that I decided just didn't make the cut in terms of how often I would use them. My problem was that I would end up with several of the same general style which was really unnecessary. But, unlike people some in this thread who are selling mutliples of a bag to buy a higher priced/quality/special bag, I find myself sort of going in the other direction--discovering that a couple of Longchamp bags are really what I enjoy carrying most days. Is that odd?

When I'm finished, I will have just a couple of my beloved BE bags, a couple of great Coach leather bags (two that were gifts from Mom) and a couple of Longchamp. I still have a few bang around/haul stuff bags but that will be it. I feel like I'm at the point where I realize I don't really need too many bags period. My lifestyle is pretty casual and for work/dress up times, the few I have fit the bill perfectly.

I'm scaling down but I feel like I'm also lightening up (from leather to Longchamp). Maybe I'm doing this backwards but it feels right to me.

I don't think that's weird at all! In fact, I've been thinking about Longchamp as well lately.

 

[ehemelay]

Ha ha! Your moving experience brings back memories. It's only been about 10 years but I think that I moved nearly every semester during grad school and I remember the frustration of carting books around from apartment to apartment - and they were usually walk-ups!! I still haven't been able to let go of all my old textbooks (art books are so heavy), and I continue to grow my general literature collection.

This year, I made the decision to redecorate instead of buying a new loft - partly because I just can't face the hassle of moving right now. Hopefully the new look will keep me content for a few years.

And I can also relate to your recent "editing" experience. Sometimes less is more, and I think that I've found a good balance between variety and simplicity. (I do hope, though, that you get that Sang Day!!)

i've sold on the bay before, but not recently. i think i will try to sell clothes there soon, but besides that, going to stick with bonz for now. both moves should happen in july so if by late may/early june i still have some hanging around, i'll probably move them then.

i have SO many books - 100 was only a fraction they are just so heavy to keep moving. i hate moving every 1-2 years, but it certainly helps keep my stuff to a minimum.

 

[Loquita]

Count me in among the many who are LOVING the ease, comfort, and durability of Longchamp lately. I think that you are not moving backwards, but rather FORWARD, TM - in that you are discovering what works best for you! This is fantastic.

I would like to get another Longchamp myself sometime soon (a cross-body) - I am now at 4 bags, and enjoy every single one of them without hesitation. I am still waiting for one to arrive for Canada, which will make 5. At that point I will still want to get a cross-body and then don't foresee a need to buy anything else. (Which feels fantastic, by the way).

PS: thedseer, I took the time to count once and I moved 2-4 times a YEAR during a five year period of my life.
The hassle of doing that was what first motivated me to declutter...moving a lot makes you realize just how little we truly need.

 

[doreenjoy]

Congratulations, Doreen! Sounds like you feel pretty secure in letting those H scarves go. I hope they fetch nice prices for you.

Thank you! I have so many scarves, I blush to think about it. Even after my purge, I'll have about 50. BUT I wear a different scarf every day, so it's not TOO outrageous. After I do this first purge, I might want to get rid of more. It worked that way with bags -- the purging became fun.

But, unlike people some in this thread who are selling mutliples of a bag to buy a higher priced/quality/special bag, I find myself sort of going in the other direction--discovering that a couple of Longchamp bags are really what I enjoy carrying most days. Is that odd?

When I'm finished, I will have just a couple of my beloved BE bags, a couple of great Coach leather bags (two that were gifts from Mom) and a couple of Longchamp. I still have a few bang around/haul stuff bags but that will be it. I feel like I'm at the point where I realize I don't really need too many bags period. My lifestyle is pretty casual and for work/dress up times, the few I have fit the bill perfectly.

I'm scaling down but I feel like I'm also lightening up (from leather to Longchamp). Maybe I'm doing this backwards but it feels right to me.

That makes perfect sense to me, and I don't think you're doing it backwards at all. When I lived in Colorado my lifestyle was much more casual. I'd have felt silly carrying an expensive designer handbag most of the places I went.

The bags we own should suit our lifestyles. Otherwise it's kind of like the bags are expensive museum pieces that sit around our houses and don't get used for their intende purpose.

 

[Shopaholicmania]

Hey ladies,

where to you gals normally sell the bags to??
Recently i am thinking of selling some of my bags too but not really to fund another bag. Some r either bought impulsively or now that i don't really use them.

I think the phase of me owning more premier bags is gradually fading away...is this a good sign??

 

[doreenjoy]

I've done FeeBay as well as a consignment place called Yoogi's Closet. If I had a brand that Yoogi's buys (they only resell selected brands) I'd use them again to save the hassle of dealing with FeeBay.

Some folks have had good luck on Bonanzle, but I haven't tried them out myself yet.

 

[viewwing]

Whew submitted a low bid for the Balenciaga that I was craving and was outbid. It went for a super low price but I don't really "need" it right now. I'm not entirely sold on Balenciagas anyway because the leather seems so fragile. I will just continue to sell my bags and accessories and search for that perfect bag!

Actually, on the contrary, Balenciaga leather is really hardy. I have a city which I use as my everyday bag. The leather only gets better with time, it gets softer and really durable too. More durable than any other lambskin bags I've seen.

 

[rainrowan]

I am on a Stam-pede ...

Recently sold my Chanel backpack to fund the Marc Jacobs Stam. I think if I were to get another Stam down the road... which seems likely -- I'd have to sell off at least 6 bags from my current collection to fund a pre-owned MJ.

Wish I could make a faster turnaround with these purges but some of my bags are the underdogs of their brand and my tastes run a little different from the mainstream!

 

[kitcat]

I'm just popping in to say hello and a big THANK YOU for all who has posted in this thread. The stories and people here have been such a huge inspiration for myself. Keep it up everyone! You're doing great!

 

[pickle]

I'd love to start over with my bags. I am unhappy with 99% of them. I get sick of bags fast. I think I should be one of those who has 1 bag at a time, wear it out and then get a new one. Otherwise, I would just keep buying them.

I am considering giving away a some of which I have. I really should get rid of them all, so I can get 1 really nice bag. Part of me wants a high end luxury bag, and part of me wants a Longchamp Planetes (black). I don't know... But I won't allow myself more than 1, because I don't want to fall into the "keep buying" trap again.... I have to keep this addiction thing under control.

I need to do same with my wallets... just need 1, not 20 (that i never use)

 

[Janinevs]

Loquita, did you ever show us your new purchases, specifically the Bal Sanguine?

 

[thedseer]

^yes, would love to see, Lo!

I’m trying out a use it or lose it thing starting this week. Yesterday, I used a bag that I had spent months and months tracking down, and then had never used – how silly is that? Used it and loved it!

I’m not sure that, at this time, I can get my number down to 5 or 6 or even 7 – it’ll probably be more like 9-11 for a while. One bag, for example, I tried to list twice, and pulled it both times because I had second thoughts. I just don’t want to regret selling anything. But at the same time, I want to make sure that I actually use all of my bags.

So I’m going to focus on selling my last few bags (they’re all listed now!) and using and enjoying the ones I do have (and selling them if I don’t use them!).