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

[lovebags2]

Hi Lo,

Happy New Year!!

I'm with you on the way most BE's wear (except black crash). I've worn several of my BE's only a couple times and like you mentioned they'd have scratches and scuffs all over. And I didn't want to hear anymore this was all considered "normal".

I've sold most of my BE's by now (except just a couple) to help pursue my Bottega Veneta cravings these days. I"m thrilled with this line and the customer service is nothing short of amazing!

I'd rather pay a higher price to receive the craftmanship and quality I"m looking for combined with the customer service. I don't mind if I handbag shop a little less often during the year either. I prefer that actually since it gives me a chance to see what I really want/need and helps me appreciate the process more.

These days I definetely have fewer handbags in my collection but they are a much higher quality.

Oops to answer your original posted question. Yes, I did sell several of my BE's to make room for just one BV maxi nero and that was the best handbag decision I ever made!

 

[lovebags2]

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.

OMG - did someone say a maxi ebano veneta? Oh My!!!

 

[redskater]

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.

funny you should say that. Many years ago, there were ladies in Dallas that had cabinets made for their Sharifs. I don't actually have the room for them, but I do still use them occasionaly, just not as often as others. I probably am one of those collectors that does like to have a shelf full of bags that I can go to for different occassions, and like I said, 15 bags would be a very comfortable #. That's still a lot of purging for me. I really want to get there, my goal is 5 this year and 5 the next.

Now clothes and shoes, I could get rid of and never look back. That might be next on my list.

 

[thedseer]

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.

very, very true - handbag needs (and even moreso, brands) are very personal, depending on personal preference as well as lifestyle. i really like satchels, for example, but i totally agree that my fun color bag would be red (and if i have two, mustard). but i just love seeing/hearing what everyone else thinks. and i think it is helpful for me in deciding what is necessary and what i can clear out.

right now what i've actually been using regularly out of my 10ish bags is a black satchel, a larger red satchel that i use for trips, a mustard hobo, and a grey crossbody.

if i could start from scratch and only buy 4, are these the four "types" i would buy? probably not. so i'm trying to think about what i would get if i started over, and what i have the most need for...

 

[Charmed05]

funny you should say that. Many years ago, there were ladies in Dallas that had cabinets made for their Sharifs. I don't actually have the room for them, but I do still use them occasionaly, just not as often as others. I probably am one of those collectors that does like to have a shelf full of bags that I can go to for different occassions, and like I said, 15 bags would be a very comfortable #. That's still a lot of purging for me. I really want to get there, my goal is 5 this year and 5 the next.

Now clothes and shoes, I could get rid of and never look back. That might be next on my list.

Good luck redskater! You have a beautiful collection and we'll need a thread of your own to let us know what you kept.

 

[TejasMama]

I have a question for you ladies regarding color. I carried only brown or black bags until just a couple of years ago when I discovered BE's dark grey and then RMs wine and lapis leathers. I love these so much that it is hard for me to go completey back to only neutral bags. Any tips on this? I don't have a lot of bags but I have more than 5. Can I be mindful and still love color?

 

[NewPurse]

I have had bags in my closet from past Christmas's and birthdays. I recently sold about 5 of them in order to get my new bag (I just purchased it on Friday) I really was not looking to buy any one bag in particular, but when I went into the coach shop, I really fell in love with the one I bought.

 

[thedseer]

Tejas - right now (or maybe ever), i don't think i can get down to 3-5. ideally, maybe 7ish (not including evening bags). for me though, i think i'm just going to select more wisely, and this includes color. i love blues, for example, but never reach for blue bags. i've found that the colors that work best for my wardrobe are darker reds and mustard. they go with so many of my outfits that they are almost like a neutral for me. they are fun, but i can get a lot of mileage out of them too.

 

[RaeBelle]

TejasMama, I think everyone needs to find their perfect number of handbags. For you it may not be 5.

 

[TejasMama]

Thanks Rae and Thedseer,

I think my number may be a little higher because I need different sizes for different trips and I really do love a few colorful bags.

Here is my priority list:

1. Black shoulder bag
2. Brown shoulder bag
3. Black satchel
4. 2 hobo styles
5. Grey LM midi--- good work to play style
6. 2 crossbody bags ( one is bad weather bag)
7. 1 or 2 colorful styles
8. MAMM for errands.

I don't use clutches and my totes are just generic bags.

 

[thedseer]

Tejas - i think your list is very similar to mine. i'm still thinking mine through and going through my collection. will probably try to sell 3+ bags over the next few weeks and also think about my purchasing goals/ideal list.

right now, also thinking about some goal bags, with bayswater, ysl easy (patent?), bv knot, and bv cervo in particular catching my attention....

 

[TropicalGal]

My purging criteria now is going to be: if it's heavy, it's out. Sadly, I will say goodbye to possibly two wonderful bags: Oak Bayswater, and BE TME Midi in black pebble. They are both heavy with NOTHING in them.

When I bought these bags, heaviness was not a criteria for me. But suddenly I have gotten enraged at carrying around these weights with me. Especially with all the nice, light bags out there.

 

[doreenjoy]

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.

I'm pretty brutal about this. I get rid of unwanted gifts. IMO accepting a gift isn't an obligation to keep it forever. I might wear the bag once in front of the person, then get rid of it...but I'm just as likely to re-gift it, or just plain get rid of it.

I used to watch a lot of de-cluttering shows and I no longer feel the need to hang onto possessions out of guilt.

 

[Loquita]

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!!

This looks like a fantastic list!! And I am DYING to see your new Easy w/ Zippers...that's my fave out of all of the "decorated" Easys!!! It's just edgy enough, and will look great for years. Wonderful choice!

 

[Loquita]

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.

dcooney4, Thanks for posting here!

I would definitely follow doreen's wonderful advice re: the gifts you don't want, and also give back the bag to your aunt. Gifts are supposed to make you feel better, not worse. Get rid of some of that guilt (and free up the extra space, lol).

And I really like your idea of only using a set space for your bags - it's a really effective way of keeping your collection under control. I do the same thing, and it truly works.