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

[kroquet]

I've cut my bags down and am really happy with what I have, except for a Tod's that will be coming my way. None of my bags have any weight issues.
I gave my Bayswater to my DD as it was just too heavy. Still love the bag, though.
I love my big bags and sometime in a year or so, I would like to add an ebano Maxi Veneta, but then one will have to go. One in and one out, from now on.


Doreenjoy is a wise woman and has never steered me wrong! She gives the best and most thoughtful bag advice.

 

[doreenjoy]

^^^ ugh, close to 25, but there are a few that I will never sell. They are vintage Sharifs, that have spectacular leather, I pull them out every once in awhile and they look like little works of art. Still relevant and classic. I have given a couple to my mil but I wouldn't sell. The rest is up for grabs!

Can you maybe display them in a cabinet, like art? Or would that look strange? I think it's a shame that you don't get to enjoy them more.

 

[Loquita]

Lo, what is the bag in your avatar?

I really liked your explanation of how you arrived at being able to purge your collection. It's all about doing the math, and looking at what's not getting used. Also, to get off the cycle of buying. Buying is exhausting!

It's a Mulberry Alexa (their new forthcoming design...it's a cross between the Bays and their briefcase and comes with a cross-body strap!!) It's the over-sized version (also comes in medium) in black with snakeskin trim.

I have heard that the snakeskin is embossed, but also that it's real. I don't know what the answer, but I LOVE this bag!! I am considering two colors. I've always wanted a Bays, but stayed away because I wasn't sure about the shoulder drop. The Alexa's strap is just what I was looking for.

 

[Loquita]

Bag heaviness is a big issue for me too and I daren't go there tbh.

Anyway, one thing I've noticed recently is that looking at the most 'classic' and time-defying bags, they mostly appear to be either small or medium....

CB and TG, I agree about the issue of bag heaviness, as well as not going too big (or too small). I am getting the most use out of mid-sized bags, and I suspect that they will age the best in the long-term.

 

[doreenjoy]

I love this thread because I think it really helps bring us back to mindfulness when we see so many great styles. I think DoreenJoy has mastered the art of enjoying looking at many styles but only needing to own a couple. I envy her... I don't have a lot of bags but I'd love to really pare things down and simplify a bit more--maybe send 3 or so bags off...and then REMAIN content with what remains.

Tejasmama - we would all love to get to that place that Doreenjoy has gotten And our husbands even more so

Awww, to both of you kind ladies. I do get a lot of gratification from window shopping and browsing online. I compare it to when I go to a museum -- I can enjoy the art but I don't have to bring it all home with me.

I'm glad Lo started this thread because it's helping me stick to my decision to have a smaller collection of bags that I wear a lot.

I've cut my bags down and am really happy with what I have, except for a Tod's that will be coming my way. None of my bags have any weight issues.

Doreenjoy is a wise woman and has never steered me wrong! She gives the best and most thoughtful bag advice.

Aww, to you too, kroquet.

I hear you on the Bayswater....I've had to resist the Mulberrys and Balenciagas because I find them too heavy. Ferragamo and BV fit the bill for me when it comes to lightweight bags.

 

[Loquita]

I only keep 4-5 bags at a time and mainly use one daily for work. However, I think it makes a difference if some people are collectors or not. My mom holds on to everything and I'm the complete opposite. Unless something has sentimental value or I actually use it, it's out the door. I go through my closet twice a year and if I've not used it or reached for in the last 6 months to a year I sell or give away, including clothes, bags, belts, etc. I am a minimalist, and don't like clutter or items collecting dust. I also don't change out my bags daily, but for those that do then purging would be a little tougher......or impossible. Some people like different color bags to match their outfits daily so again not sure purging would work. My boss for instance wears a different bag everyday depending on what clothes she's wearing so she would not be comfortable with just a few bags.

If it's just sitting not ever being used I say pass it on to someone that will love it, and you probably won't regret it.

Ah!! Another minimalist!! I love it!!

You makes some great points here - purging isn't for everyone, and some people truly love to collect (and that's wonderful -- to each her/his own).

I come from a family of "collectors" who tend not to throw much away, so I think that my mindset is a reaction to that, tbh. I am also allergic to dust, so I think that is a factor as well (sounds crazy...but I quite literally can't have a lot of things in my house collecting dust, as Charmed says...it gives me an asthma attack!!!)

 

[doreenjoy]

out of curiosity - and i know a few people have answered this already - what few bags can you see yourself getting down to if your purge - the essentials/MUST HAVES - or what have you gotten down to if you've already purged? brands/styles/colors/whatever

I think it depends on what your personal preference is (e.g. hobo or satchel? Hand-held or shoulder bag?). Personally, my tolerance for a crook-of-the-arm satchel is about 10 seconds.

My list is:

2 big shoulder bags (both are hobos)
2 smaller shoulder bags (1 structured)
2 clutches (I use clutches a lot)
1 tote (I have more than one because I use cheapie nylon Longchamp Le Pliage totes)

I still have to pick up one of the smaller shoulder bags. I keep thinking I should have a metallic in my collection, but I'm not sure I'd feel entirely comfortable with one or be happy with how the color wears. So that one's still on my list.

 

[Loquita]

Ok, Loquita You inspired me last night to go through my bags, and see what I could purge. I thought I could get rid of 10 comfortably, and not miss them... and then I chickened out.

So I think I am going to try the "Lo/Doreen" Bag Collection Management Method:
Go through the closet, and hide all the bags I don't carry regularly. Move all those bags I'm marginal on to another area.
If, come May, I haven't hunted down those bags, and tried to wear them... then off they go!

(baby steps. I think the last time I had less then 10 purses, I was 4 years old!)

Thank you for posting this thread!

I love this comment!! You are a true purse lover!!

And I think that the system you have devised sounds fantastic...please keep us posted on how it goes!! (And I have the feeling that you may be ready to let some things go sooner than you think).

 

[Loquita]

I absolutely love this challenge! It is so contrary to most of the influences we get here on tPF! In wait of a new C bag I posted a thread in that subforum and put up 5 possible bags to let go, planning to let one go, to allow for this new bag. Surprisingly, I posted one bag for sale today and sold it within hours and now plan to send out another 1-3 bags to consignment! I really do not like selling higher end bags online myself. So I may be getting rid of 4 bags for 1! Unheard of for me

You go, Sandy!! This is an excellent direction...you know what you like and what works for you, so have faith in your good taste. Congrats!!!

 

[Loquita]

Can you maybe display them in a cabinet, like art? Or would that look strange? I think it's a shame that you don't get to enjoy them more.

Great idea!!! I have seen other PFers put their gorgeous bags on display like this and it's wonderful. A well-made bag is truly a work of art, so why not enjoy it in that capacity?

 

[Loquita]

out of curiosity - and i know a few people have answered this already - what few bags can you see yourself getting down to if your purge - the essentials/MUST HAVES - or what have you gotten down to if you've already purged? brands/styles/colors/whatever

thedseer, I 100% agree with the lists that everyone has provided in response to your question, and would only add a few things:

1. Everyone's personal list of styles is slightly different; for example, I personally don't have a clutch on my list because I rarely if ever use them. If I needed one, I would just purchase a simple Lauren Merkin clutch in black or a metallic when the time came and that's it (or better yet, borrow one).

2. I would really hesitate to recommend any specific brands as "must-haves." That said, certain brands and specific styles within these brands repeatedly come to mind as "classics," and these can be in any price-range. The trick is figuring out which of these styles and brands work for you, and proceeding from there. Examples of higher-end classics would include styles such as the LV Speedy, the Mulberry Bayswater, and the Balenciaga City, while mid-range staples would include the Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag, the Botkier Sasha, and the Kooba Sienna.

But this is always subjective.


My list would look like this:

- 1 black hobo
- 1 cross-body bag in a neutral shade
- 1 indestructible tote in a neutral color that can withstand bad weather
- 1 brightly colored bag (could be a patent, but nothing that is exclusively hand-carried, as those don't work for me. Probably red!)

HTH!! And thanks for your question...it really helps me think about this in clearer terms.

 

[Loquita]

^^The LV Neverfull is really a incredibly practical bag! I had an MM some time ago, got bored and sold it. I tried to order one recently and my SA talked me into something else!?! Needless to say, I have a Neverfull on its way to me as we speak! I am getting the azur but am thinking of getting both as it is too perfect a tote!

I just bought a Mono Neverfull MM and returned it -- not because I didn't love it, but because I need to get another bag first...but you can bet that I will back to buy another one ASAP!!

 

[thithi]

My list would look like this:

- 1 black hobo check
- 1 cross-body bag in a neutral shade
- 1 indestructible tote in a neutral color that can withstand bad weather
- 1 brightly colored bag (could be a patent, but nothing that is exclusively hand-carried, as those don't work for me. Probably red!) maybe on it's way, check?

heheh.... you'll have to update me on the other two!!

ugh.... breaking down mine list would be too hard for me.
I'd have to keep my Gucci Blondie(satchel), MJ Punk Sid(satchel, crossbody), and Burberry Hoxton(hobo).
1 brightly colored bag of some sort, maybe a RM? my Bal Sapphire Day?
1 clutch.
2 wallets.

that sounds like mission impossible to me!!

 

[dcooney4]

I think it might be time to lay out all my bags and see what else I can purge. I enjoy having those few empty spots from the ones I already got rid of. One of my issues is handbags that are given to me ,that I can't get rid of. My wonderful Aunt gave me one of her beautiful leather crossbody bag that is to small for her. I told her it was lovely,but now that I need to wear glasses it's to small for me as well. She said if I find that I don't use it in a year she will take it back. I know have 5 black crossbody bags to store.

 

[dcooney4]

My bags are all stored neatly with only a set amount of space. If i can't fit something ,something else has to go. What are your suggestions to do with gifts that aren't right for you ,but you don't want to hurt peoples feelings. I have a few such things.