I think that this is excellent advice - I am doing the same. IMO one's bag collection should mirror one's lifestyle. I don't go to a lot of formal events, so I don't invest in formal handbags. (I do love to look at them, though - but I am rarely tempted to buy, since I know that they will just sit on the shelf!)
Ever purged your collection in pursuit of one bag? How did it go?
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I think that this is excellent advice - I am doing the same. IMO one's bag collection should mirror one's lifestyle. I don't go to a lot of formal events, so I don't invest in formal handbags. (I do love to look at them, though - but I am rarely tempted to buy, since I know that they will just sit on the shelf!)
Yep!! You are soooo right!!
I have my eye on two contenders now -
Let's just see if I can get the one I really want!!!
It's a brick red or poppy medium Chloe Paraty vs. the Bal Tomato 07 Day.
I am def. leaning towards the Chloe. I saw both colors and was floored, and have always loved the Paraty. Now I just have to save some more and wait to find one.
Sorry to hear about your heater Lo! I know what a pain it is whenever home repair expenses come up... I have a leak in the roof and I have to contact the HOA to have them look at it... once that's done, then I have to repair the water damage in the corner, yikes! it only rains for a short time once a year in LA but it's enough that I have to get it fixed ASAP. not to mention all the other stuff that is on my home to-do list. ugh...
I use to own a patent red betty, and even though i loved it, i found it a bit too chunky to use. i like bags that are easy to get in and out of, and that was a bit difficult. I have a venetia as well, and I'd have to say the same about that. it's not as clunky but def a satchel for me, and doesn't look great when the belt is undone.
There's a perfect red bag out there... luckily, it sounds like you're still deciding which one so you've got some time. the water heater sounds like a priority to me!
eta.. just saw the above post. um.... that's a difficult choice, both look fabulous!! I guess weight would be the issue here.... the day is so light and convenient. if you don't want another hobo, then go for the paraty in brick red. that sounds tdf!
I use to own a patent red betty, and even though i loved it, i found it a bit too chunky to use. i like bags that are easy to get in and out of, and that was a bit difficult. I have a venetia as well, and I'd have to say the same about that. it's not as clunky but def a satchel for me, and doesn't look great when the belt is undone.
There's a perfect red bag out there... luckily, it sounds like you're still deciding which one so you've got some time. the water heater sounds like a priority to me!
eta.. just saw the above post. um.... that's a difficult choice, both look fabulous!! I guess weight would be the issue here.... the day is so light and convenient. if you don't want another hobo, then go for the paraty in brick red. that sounds tdf!
Yep!! You are soooo right!!
I have my eye on two contenders now -
Let's just see if I can get the one I really want!!!
It's a brick red or poppy medium Chloe Paraty vs. the Bal Tomato 07 Day.
I am def. leaning towards the Chloe. I saw both colors and was floored, and have always loved the Paraty. Now I just have to save some more and wait to find one.
I don't want to sound negative but one thought about the Chloe Paraty...I used to have a black one and although I loved the thick leather, style, etc. I ended up consigning it 6 months later because the straps drove me nuts! Those oval shaped hardware pieces at the handles are forever getting turned wrong and stuck and I'd have to stop ever so often and straighten them out in the course of the day, for the bag to hang right.
You might want to try this bag on a bit first when/if you choose this one. That said, when I consigned my Paraty I ended up getting $45 more than I paid for it in the first place ... sooo I definately enjoyed it, it just wasnt a keeper for me...
I love reading this thread. I'm currently trying to work up the courage to consign/sell some of the bags I no longer use or have never used. I find I get really mad at myself when I look at bags I rarely use, and wonder what I was thinking when I bought them in the first place. I've wasted a lot of money and feel very stupid because of it.
I suppose the one good thing that's come out of this is that I now know what I really want. My bags must have a zippered or fold over top, can't be too slouchy unless they're a hobo, and must be a small to medium size (mini bags just look ridiculous on me). I also really hate break away zippers.
I have to admit I'm not looking for bags that will last me any more than a few years - I'm 25, and I find my style is still changing pretty frequently. While I do think I'll have, say, my Speedy, forever, I highly doubt the same is true for my signature Coach bags (although I do think they're a lot of fun right now!) I think at this stage in my life and career (currently a grad student, expect to graduate in 2013), I should be looking for bags that are reasonably priced (so around the $300 mark). I should also have a mix of trendy and more professional bags - I have to admit, I feel kind of embarrassed wearing logo'd items to school, as they don't seem as professional to me (all the undergrads have logo'd everything here... it's a bit ridiculous!).
I suppose the one good thing that's come out of this is that I now know what I really want. My bags must have a zippered or fold over top, can't be too slouchy unless they're a hobo, and must be a small to medium size (mini bags just look ridiculous on me). I also really hate break away zippers.
I have to admit I'm not looking for bags that will last me any more than a few years - I'm 25, and I find my style is still changing pretty frequently. While I do think I'll have, say, my Speedy, forever, I highly doubt the same is true for my signature Coach bags (although I do think they're a lot of fun right now!) I think at this stage in my life and career (currently a grad student, expect to graduate in 2013), I should be looking for bags that are reasonably priced (so around the $300 mark). I should also have a mix of trendy and more professional bags - I have to admit, I feel kind of embarrassed wearing logo'd items to school, as they don't seem as professional to me (all the undergrads have logo'd everything here... it's a bit ridiculous!).
I've found that when I finally bite the bullet and purge the stuff, I no longer feel the guilt because I no longer have the "visual trigger" of looking at the stuff I'm not using. If the bags aren't there, you can't look at them and berate yourself anymore. Plus you recoup a little of the money.
It's great that you've figured out what you need at this stage of your life. I hate breakaway zippers, too (and I didn't know that's what they're called until I read your post). It's like you have to use two hands to deal with those zippers.
This is great insight. You'll have a rubric to use to narrow down the choices.
I know what you mean about logo'd bags. I'm 20 years older than you, but I'm also in graduate school, and all the undergrads carry logo bags. I try to strike a balance between looking professiona and having a functional bag. Sometimes I have to trot out the gigantic Le Pliage tote, but I got custom striped ones which I think helps make them look less like a kid's bag. At my school the undergrads don't use Le Pliage (probably because it has no visible logos).
This happens to me often and is exactly why I don't buy on impulse ......unless it's an amazing deal. I have to still be in love with a bag for longer than 2-3 weeks (lol) before I buy it. Really, after about 1 week i'll think, "I'm so glad I didn't spend money on _____" (whatever bag I was obsessing over).
I just sold my entire collection of bags and accessories so I could completely rebuild my collection. I liked but was not in love with anything I previously owned and almost all of it never got used so it selling it was not difficult. Currently I have one beautiful Prada and just ordered my second. I have two requirements for my future purchases. 1. I must love it. and 2. I must use it. I really bothers me when I own a bag that goes unloved. So far it has been quite a liberating and fun experience. I'm hope having a better understanding of what works for me will help me make smarter choices this go around. 
Thanks doreenjoy for introducing me to this tread.
Thanks doreenjoy for introducing me to this tread.
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What's really weird at my school is that in addition to all the Coach and LV, there are also a ton of le pliage bags! I see at least 7-8 every day I'm at school. I can't do big bags on my shoulder, so I tend to just use my backpack and a Coach swingpack. Not professional at all but it saves my back!
If I'm walking further than the parking lot, I have to do a backpack, too. It looks very strange to see a woman my age with a backpack! I found one from Ellington Leather that's black, nylon, and flat in profile, so it doesn't look like I'm about to climb a mountain.
I'm continuing to purge, with a few more things out the door hopefully this weekend! I still haven't been cured of the gathering when there is little to no need...lipglosses seem to be the thing for me at the moment...but I do have to say, bringing in that new bag has been very difficult for me...even in the worst of temptations I haven't gotten cc happy and got to the last screen before I got religion!
Keep it coming ladies!
Keep it coming ladies!
I really love this thread!
Okay I have 3 RM's for sale (already sold 4--not really sad at all, more relieved than anything) and am seriously trying hard not to get sucked back into it--if you've ever had the RM bug, you will probably understand what I mean. At any rate, I have made peace with selling my remaining bags and in my mind, they are considered gone/sold. I have a RM special order coming in the next 4 weeks but again, although I love the style, it does not work for me--straps don't fit over my shoulder!! So off it will go to someone who will appreciate it. Really, what was I thinking?!
With my sales, I have bought a LV neverfull (damier ebene) and a Burberry nova check tote. I am a bit self conscious about the logos but for work I need durable bags. You see, I am a detective and often put my gun in my purse for various reasons and don't want to ruin a nice leather bag. So these bags really work for me and I couldn't be happier about having them. For me it is such a relief to have worry free bags--I would/did really stress out about carrying nice leather bags to work and it took all the fun out of carrying the bag, if you know what I mean.
Thanks to this thread, I know exactly what works for me and I also know exactly what tempts me but does not work for me whatsoever. Recognizing you have a problem is the first step...haha!
Okay I have 3 RM's for sale (already sold 4--not really sad at all, more relieved than anything) and am seriously trying hard not to get sucked back into it--if you've ever had the RM bug, you will probably understand what I mean. At any rate, I have made peace with selling my remaining bags and in my mind, they are considered gone/sold. I have a RM special order coming in the next 4 weeks but again, although I love the style, it does not work for me--straps don't fit over my shoulder!! So off it will go to someone who will appreciate it. Really, what was I thinking?!
With my sales, I have bought a LV neverfull (damier ebene) and a Burberry nova check tote. I am a bit self conscious about the logos but for work I need durable bags. You see, I am a detective and often put my gun in my purse for various reasons and don't want to ruin a nice leather bag. So these bags really work for me and I couldn't be happier about having them. For me it is such a relief to have worry free bags--I would/did really stress out about carrying nice leather bags to work and it took all the fun out of carrying the bag, if you know what I mean.
Thanks to this thread, I know exactly what works for me and I also know exactly what tempts me but does not work for me whatsoever. Recognizing you have a problem is the first step...haha!
I think 7 bags is really great number. It gives you enough variety so you don't get bored but it isn't overwhelming. I also think I'm getting better at buying for my lifestyle. I may have more casual bags but I only have a couple of dressier styles for work functions because my lifestyle is mostly casual. I feel like my everyday life is more varied so sometimes I need a small crossbody, sometimes a larger one, sometimes a hobo, sometimes a hobo with a zipper. And most of my bags are pretty inexpensive, banger bags.