Guilty of not using high end handbags after acquiring them!

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#46
I don't know if this helps at all but I used to buy bags for my imaginary life rather than my real life. Once I figured that out, after many bad buys and then selling things i didn't use, my choices were better. I now ask myself, "will I carry it tomorrow? Where will I use it?" and this has kept me (mostly) out of trouble. I am a sucker for a gorgeous handheld satchel but I can't pull it off in real life. I need messenger styles, totes and small clutches.

It sounds like you have some gorgeous bags and I'm sorry you aren't able to enjoy them. I can understand that a bag like the SC speedy is such an investment that it would make you nervous to carry it. Maybe getting a damier speedy instead would be better and let you enjoy it. The purpose is to carry it, enjoy it and get on with daily life.

And broken in bags are more interesting. They've been places and have stories to tell...
 
#47
TejasMama said:
I don't know if this helps at all but I used to buy bags for my imaginary life rather than my real life. Once I figured that out, after many bad buys and then selling things i didn't use, my choices were better. I now ask myself, "will I carry it tomorrow? Where will I use it?" and this has kept me (mostly) out of trouble. I am a sucker for a gorgeous handheld satchel but I can't pull it off in real life. I need messenger styles, totes and small clutches.

It sounds like you have some gorgeous bags and I'm sorry you aren't able to enjoy them. I can understand that a bag like the SC speedy is such an investment that it would make you nervous to carry it. Maybe getting a damier speedy instead would be better and let you enjoy it. The purpose is to carry it, enjoy it and get on with daily life.

And broken in bags are more interesting. They've been places and have stories to tell...
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Your post totally resonates with me. :smile1: Every time I have bought a bag I regret, it is because I am buying it for my imaginary, ultra glamorous, ultra fashionable, ultra fun life. :p My real life requires me to budget my handbag purchases, use a shoulder strap, carry my bag in the rain sometimes, and have time when my bags and fun are not necessarily related. :D

When I moved from nyc to Michigan, I started buying less expensive, more everyday brands like Coach. Although I still love all my premier designer bags. (I still use my balenciagas all the time), I have acknowledged that my life is more casual and down to earth now and I want my accessories to reflect my reality not my fantasies. :D
 
#48
So glad to see I'm not the only one with purses not being used! Though mine are nowhere near as pricey as the ones many of you have.

One of my problems, other than the continual purchasing and hoarding of bags, is that as much as I love the Brahmin bags, there just seems to be something about them that makes me afraid the bag won't hold up. I know I have seen one or two pre-owned bags on ebay where the coloring on the handles has worn off.

Sometimes I prefer to buy the older bags because at least I know those have held up well.


Originally Posted by Vitta
It's interesting how often we talk about handbags' brands (prestige) and prices (means), but almost never about their direct purpose: practical use to carry things. Handbags are meant to be used for different occasions: daytime, evening, work, travel, special events, etc. So, if we try to match up our own individual "stress price point" to the purpose of how we plan to use the handbag, then there shouldn't be any guilt (paid too much) or fear of ruining it (inappropriate use). I think the same logic can be applied to collecting, because every collection has a different purpose (wardrobe, display, investment, inventory, research, etc.)
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/\ So true! I keep gravitating to big bags but don't have anything to put in them. Plus, I think one reason I don't wear/carry some of my bags... I keep buying bags that are more for women who dress really nice, whereas I tend to wear "around the house" clothes.
 
#49
ltbag said:
Your post totally resonates with me. :smile1: Every time I have bought a bag I regret, it is because I am buying it for my imaginary, ultra glamorous, ultra fashionable, ultra fun life. :p My real life requires me to budget my handbag purchases, use a shoulder strap, carry my bag in the rain sometimes, and have time when my bags and fun are not necessarily related. :D

When I moved from nyc to Michigan, I started buying less expensive, more everyday brands like Coach. Although I still love all my premier designer bags. (I still use my balenciagas all the time), I have acknowledged that my life is more casual and down to earth now and I want my accessories to reflect my reality not my fantasies. :D
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Exactly! I am SOOO much better looking, better dressed and more social in my imaginary life.:smile1:
 
#52
Great post. I was just talking about this subject today with my facialist. I have amassed a little collection of Chanel, LV, DVF, Prada...over the years. Due to my lifestyle and for practicality, I did not wear these bags often. I attended school at nights and didn't want to attract attention - didn't want to sit them on the dirty class room floor. I hauled around a laptop to work and school 99% of the time and used one of my cheaper sturdier bags. Now that I'm finished with school I'm forcing myself to use my bags on the weekends. I think its time for me to purge and sell some of my unused bags and invest in lux bag to carry my laptop/ipad, etc.
 
#54
I'm very different about this. I am careful with my bags, but if I have paid a lot of money for one I make sure I use it A LOT. I want to get my money's worth from it and help alleviate some of the guilt for spending so much on a nonessential item. With my less expensive bags I don't feel as much of a need to carry them all of the time because I'm not out as much money (obviously 'expensive' is a relative term). This is why I've stopped buying bags just because they were on sale. What's the point in amassing a bunch of bags that I don't really want to carry. Now I only buy bags that I have thought about for a time and know I really want and will carry even if they cost more.
 
#55
I have a bag for EVERY occasion. I just don't have those occasions very often. I imagine I can carry my small pastel bags to brunch... I rarely go out to brunch, and if I do, it's with my grandmothers. My very 1st designer bag was an 85th Anniversary Gucci (the one in that Ugly Betty episode)... I've probably carried it less than 10 times. Where am I going to carry a giant velvet hobo? My lovely striped patent Louis Vuitton was great for a wedding... I've been to 1 in the past year & a half since I bought the bag. *sigh*

But I'm prepared!!
 
#57
QueenLouis said:
I have a bag for EVERY occasion. I just don't have those occasions very often. I imagine I can carry my small pastel bags to brunch... I rarely go out to brunch, and if I do, it's with my grandmothers. My very 1st designer bag was an 85th Anniversary Gucci (the one in that Ugly Betty episode)... I've probably carried it less than 10 times. Where am I going to carry a giant velvet hobo? My lovely striped patent Louis Vuitton was great for a wedding... I've been to 1 in the past year & a half since I bought the bag. *sigh*

But I'm prepared!!
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lol...great post. Good to be prepared!
 
#59
QueenLouis said:
I have a bag for EVERY occasion. I just don't have those occasions very often. I imagine I can carry my small pastel bags to brunch... I rarely go out to brunch, and if I do, it's with my grandmothers. My very 1st designer bag was an 85th Anniversary Gucci (the one in that Ugly Betty episode)... I've probably carried it less than 10 times. Where am I going to carry a giant velvet hobo? My lovely striped patent Louis Vuitton was great for a wedding... I've been to 1 in the past year & a half since I bought the bag. *sigh*

But I'm prepared!!
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Love this! :D I have bags for all of the parties, formal social occasions, weddings, hot nights on the town, and fashion shows that my imaginary self goes to. :p:cool:
 
#60
Frugalfinds said:
I'm very different about this. I am careful with my bags, but if I have paid a lot of money for one I make sure I use it A LOT. I want to get my money's worth from it and help alleviate some of the guilt for spending so much on a nonessential item. With my less expensive bags I don't feel as much of a need to carry them all of the time because I'm not out as much money (obviously 'expensive' is a relative term). This is why I've stopped buying bags just because they were on sale. What's the point in amassing a bunch of bags that I don't really want to carry. Now I only buy bags that I have thought about for a time and know I really want and will carry even if they cost more.
Click to expand...


^^Love this post! I'm also going to stop buying bags because of a good deal. I don't want to be a 'collector' because I want to rotate them as much as possible (to start using up the cost per wear) and that is my goal!!! :smile1:
 
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