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

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#661
sandysandiego said:
I have been feeling the same about my purchases, much more selective. I have way too many bags and am trying to reduce my "collection" which is a bizarre way to describe ones handbags! That is an entirely different topic which should be a thread! The impact of tPF on our lives!!! I remember a few years ago when I stumbled upon tPF I thought it hilarious that all of these women were so fascinated by their bags:D Fast forward, and here I am with close to 40 bags and half of them quite expensive:blushing:

Back to the topic - I really have been trying to whittle my down my handbag collection and plan to limit myself to buying 1 bag this year. I am not there yet, but that is my goal! I have sold 14 bags since Lo started this thread and have ordered a few bags that are more useful for me. I also have 4 listed and am trying to decide which bags are next! I have entirely organized my closet (I have claimed a small bedroom as my closet) and now I am very aware of what I have.

I wish I could get to where you are Lo-down to a small number of well-thought out bags. That is probably why you are feeling more pressure or reluctance to buy - you know that you need to make your 3 (I still think 5) bags work for you!
Click to expand...

Hi Sandy,
Your post made me laugh. And I'm laughing because I'm relating. I remember before I stumbled upon the PF my handbag of choice was a backpack for graduate school and now look at me! LOL

I'm happy to hear about your organizing. I've been doing much of the same lately. What a liberating experience it is! It's amazing for awhile I was in buy mode but now I"m in the total reverse. I"m now either selling or gifting my handbags that no longer work for me rather then just have them sit in my closet collecting dust in their dust bags.;)

Last month I purged several bags just for my one bottega veneta. And surprisingly it felt wonderful. Just goes to show you that quality is really what matters not quantity. Last year I wouldn't have necessarily agreed with that statement but boy do I now.
 
Last edited:
#662
i know what you mean Lo, and i'm sure it's even harder for you since you're trying to keep your number lower!

of course it doesn't help that i keep changing my mind about what's on my wishlist!
 
#663
A few years ago, when I got into high-end designer bags, I thought that quantity was important. I was buying LV, YSL, Miu Miu and Chanel. Now, my life has changed and I am attempting to sell some of my bags (with the emphasis on "attempting") because I never use them anymore and they aren't practical for my lifestyle.

Ironically, now I'm starting to feel drawn to some mid-range designers like RM (just bought my first one - the neon pink mini mini, and am eyeing the MAB) and I am loving the AW Rocco (brass or black studs?). I've also been wanting a simple black medium Givenchy Nightingale for a long time and a Prada Fairy, but those aren't urgent considering they are still around the $2K mark.

Of course, I have my little base collection that I can't part with - 2 Chanel flaps, an LV Mahina XL, an LV Nimbus PM, an LV neo cabby and a Miu Miu Nappa Charm. I don't think I will sell those anytime soon but all the other things I have acquired I don't think I would miss if I sold them.

I've also learned that I don't have an UHG - my criteria for a perfect bag keeps changing.
 
#664
^I've been doing the same and it's been fun. I think I'm more willing to try different colors and styles with the lesser expensive bags, whereas with more expensive bags I have to really love it for more than a day before I buy it. And it depends on the styles, too. Right now I'm just kinda bored with the brands I usually love. But, either way, I don't keep more than about 5 or 6 bags at a time.
 
#665
sandysandiego, I think you're doing great with carefully and selectively selling bags. Slow and steady makes the whole process painless.

I'm crazy about purging, I try to find one thing to get rid of every day. Yesterday I got rid of a few empty jewelry boxes that were taking up space in a drawer. I love seeing newly empty spaces...it's kind of odd when I see that in writing, but it's true.

I'm definitely more selective about purchases since adopting my "less is more" philosophy. For example, I have been debating a metallic Ferragamo bag (it would be the 4th bag in my very small collection) but today I decided it wasn't quite right (the silver was a little too flat for my taste). So, I left it behind. Back in the old days I'd have tried to make it work. Now I hope for a better color next season in the same model. I think my next bag will be a Ferragamo...I think they're underrated and some of their new designs are fab.
 
#666
Thank you Lovebags and Doreenjoy! Getting rid of clutter and purging can be fun! Yesterday in deciding what to wear I put on a top and decided that I never wear and into the donation box it went! I

Doreenjoy - I agree that Ferragamo is underrated and I like that it is not so prevalent.
 
#667
Sandy,

it sounds like you've done a great job selling and purging. It feels good, doesn't it? I just sold two bags that weren't working for me and was lucky to almost break even. I'm also one of those people who love getting rid of stuff. Clutter makes me nuts. My goal in scaling down is just to make sure I choose what goes with my lifestyle. I love satchels but they don't work for me.
 
#668
i'm also at a stage of life where i move every 1-2 years, so it's not in my best interest to have a lot of "stuff." of course, even when i am more permanently in a place in the future, i hope that i'm still purging, etc., because that's when there's a danger for me to accumulate more.

i've been trying to think out future purchases and how they will fit in to my life. for example, i really want a bayswater, but i don't think it's a practical every day bag for me at this point. however, when i go back to school in about a year and a half, i think i'll get a lot of use out of it, so i think i will get one, but hold off for a year or so.
 
#669
I'm a little crazy about nesting - When I am in a space, I want to see it "just right" and do my level best to fill it. But then, when I leave the space, I sell almost everything.

Now, I'm going through what I own, and ask myself, "Will I still want this when I am in my late-40s?" (I'm in my early 30s now)
If the answer is no, then I'm letting it go.

I've cut my bags down, and now I'm on to shoes and sunnies. I'm determined to cut back to what I love instead of what seemed like a good idea at the time.

No sales on Bonanzle - but I wasn't planning on trying evilbay until April/May anyways - if it hasn't sold by May, then I'll try the bay...
 
#670
jellybebe said:
A few years ago, when I got into high-end designer bags, I thought that quantity was important. I was buying LV, YSL, Miu Miu and Chanel. Now, my life has changed and I am attempting to sell some of my bags (with the emphasis on "attempting") because I never use them anymore and they aren't practical for my lifestyle.

Ironically, now I'm starting to feel drawn to some mid-range designers like RM (just bought my first one - the neon pink mini mini, and am eyeing the MAB) and I am loving the AW Rocco (brass or black studs?). I've also been wanting a simple black medium Givenchy Nightingale for a long time and a Prada Fairy, but those aren't urgent considering they are still around the $2K mark.

Of course, I have my little base collection that I can't part with - 2 Chanel flaps, an LV Mahina XL, an LV Nimbus PM, an LV neo cabby and a Miu Miu Nappa Charm. I don't think I will sell those anytime soon but all the other things I have acquired I don't think I would miss if I sold them.

I've also learned that I don't have an UHG - my criteria for a perfect bag keeps changing.
Click to expand...


I am also drawn to some mid range bags. Including RM but I have yet to take the plunge. I lately have not been wanting to spend a ton on bags since I have purged, but I also have to be careful and not end up with too many eps. if they are less expensive (spend less buy more is what I am afraid of). I have a bid on an LV right now too. It is a little more used, but a killer deal. I am not in a hurry to buy bags, but it is hard to pass up a deal.
 
#671
Vintage Leather said:
I'm a little crazy about nesting - When I am in a space, I want to see it "just right" and do my level best to fill it. But then, when I leave the space, I sell almost everything.

Now, I'm going through what I own, and ask myself, "Will I still want this when I am in my late-40s?" (I'm in my early 30s now)
If the answer is no, then I'm letting it go.

I've cut my bags down, and now I'm on to shoes and sunnies. I'm determined to cut back to what I love instead of what seemed like a good idea at the time.

No sales on Bonanzle - but I wasn't planning on trying evilbay until April/May anyways - if it hasn't sold by May, then I'll try the bay...
Click to expand...


That's great. The question I've been asking is "Will I wear this when I'm 80?" Guess I'm a little older....;)
 
#672
Ok. Lo I won the sologne. Guess I am not too afraid to buy bags LOL. It was only 107 plus shipping for an LV. Heres to hoping it is authentic. It is pretty dark so I am really hoping it is. I just need to start saving so that I could buy my HG. I have never done that. I am bad at saving.
 
#673
I think that different stages of our life call for different accessories, and a different range of accessories. The number of handbags you believe you "need" is usually a relationship to what stage you are in life:

When you first start buying your own clothing and accessories (HS through your 20s), you want items that will make you stand out and blend in. More casual than professional

Then, when you are established/establishing yourself in a career, you start having a duality in your wardrobe - half is for the workplace to look competent and intelligent. The other half of your wardrobe is designed to attract the sex you are interested in - and make your competitors jealous. You are everyone to everything.

When you feel secure on that front (and establishing security seems to go all over the map from the mid-30s to the mid 50s to never) you start dressing to feel and look attractive. You dress for yourself, and emphasize your own style.

Then, after retirement or a retrenchment in life, you realize that looking pretty is a boatload of work, you're tired, and you just want to have fun. You realize that the only person who really cares is you - so you dress in clothing that is comfortable, and seems to be fun.
 
#674
^^^ This is true. Since I purged my collection I have learned a lot about me. I realized as much as love the large bags I NEED something smaller. I am no longer in the diaper bag stage. What I really NEED are crossbody bags so that I can chase after my active kiddos.
 
#675
fashion_mom1 said:
Ok. Lo I won the sologne. Guess I am not too afraid to buy bags LOL. It was only 107 plus shipping for an LV. Heres to hoping it is authentic. It is pretty dark so I am really hoping it is. I just need to start saving so that I could buy my HG. I have never done that. I am bad at saving.
Click to expand...

Congrats!!! What a steal!!! I am dying to see it as well - and in my mind there's nothing like a great pre-loved bag. :smile1:

And Sandy, I am so excited for you!!! You have sold a TON!!! :yahoo: Once you get started pruning the closet, it gets a lot easier, doesn't it? I am like doreen in this sense - every single day I find more stuff to sell, donate, or repurpose. Yesterday I hit the consignment store again with more clothes. All of my clothing and shoes now fit in a small coat closet (with plenty of room to spare) plus a medium-sized bureau. I would like to cut it down even more.

I am down to 2 more bags to sell and 1 more small leather good. :D

And I am very close to buying one of three red bags this coming week, but I would be interested in hearing your opinions. I will start a poll thread here in a second...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top