Has anyone ever sold all of their Hermes and regretted it?

[hclubfan]

Since 2008, I’ve collected more Hermes bags, scarves, shawls, fashion jewelry and shoes than I truly needed or wanted. I got swept up in the process, if you will.

Now I’m 62 and have completely changed my life from that of a woman who works, lives in a big city, and had two kids living at home, to a woman who spends the better part of the year up at our new farm in the middle of nowhere.

The majority of my bags and scarves have been snoozing in a closet for years. The only ones I use are the more under-the-radar ones in my collection. Neither of our daughters has expressed any interest in them. They too live different lifestyles. Which brings me to a question that I toy with regularly…do I sell it all with the hopes that these things get used and loved by others, or do I hang on to some in case I—or my daughters—change their minds? Has anyone sold their entire collection and never looked back?

 

[Love Of My Life]

Think many of us have "edited" our collections to a certain degree as our lifestyles have changed
& with that so do our needs for what now fits into our lifestyle. For me, it's a much more casual vibe
I have always enjoyed my Kelly bags as well as my shawls, but do find I don't wear
them as often as I should. Several of these shawls, particularly the cashmere with leather fringes,
will likely not be made again, so I am keeping those.
I also purchased a Lindy & a Bolide which I am enjoying immensely & seem to hit the spot in terms
of my needs at the moment. Traveled to Paris with my Lindy & it was perfect!
There likely will always be someone who will want a Hermes bag, scarf, shawl, fashion jewelry,
shoes & of course the RTW from years ago is very beautiful.
So maybe go through your items & be more objective as they may need to wake up from the
snooze they have been having & perhaps take on a different meaning now
In spite of your girls not wanting them now , have they expressed any interest in any of the items
that you have?
For me on a personal note, I truly enjoy knowing that some of my H items as well as others came from
family members. I treasure that, JMO
Good luck making your decision

 

[papertiger]

Since 2008, I’ve collected more Hermes bags, scarves, shawls, fashion jewelry and shoes than I truly needed or wanted. I got swept up in the process, if you will.

Now I’m 62 and have completely changed my life from that of a woman who works, lives in a big city, and had two kids living at home, to a woman who spends the better part of the year up at our new farm in the middle of nowhere.

The majority of my bags and scarves have been snoozing in a closet for years. The only ones I use are the more under-the-radar ones in my collection. Neither of our daughters has expressed any interest in them. They too live different lifestyles. Which brings me to a question that I toy with regularly…do I sell it all with the hopes that these things get used and loved by others, or do I hang on to some in case I—or my daughters—change their minds? Has anyone sold their entire collection and never looked back?

We have had some members that have had a clear out.

If the thought of doing one sale after another with all the work that entails fills you with dread, you can hand over the reins to someone else. I just did a designer archive sale (no H) in partnership with a charity which went well. It was lovely to see people walk out of the boutique dressed head-to-toe in my clothes.

Maybe, keep a couple of your favourite things and either do the same (as above) or ask a big auction house or high-fashion vintage store to come and advise on estimates or send them pics. You may get more with an auction house or traditional consignment but you'll have to wait for your money. some high-end stores will buy from you, but you may get considerably less.

 

[hclubfan]

Think many of us have "edited" our collections to a certain degree as our lifestyles have changed
& with that so do our needs for what now fits into our lifestyle. For me, it's a much more casual vibe
I have always enjoyed my Kelly bags as well as my shawls, but do find I don't wear
them as often as I should. Several of these shawls, particularly the cashmere with leather fringes,
will likely not be made again, so I am keeping those.
I also purchased a Lindy & a Bolide which I am enjoying immensely & seem to hit the spot in terms
of my needs at the moment. Traveled to Paris with my Lindy & it was perfect!
There likely will always be someone who will want a Hermes bag, scarf, shawl, fashion jewelry,
shoes & of course the RTW from years ago is very beautiful.
So maybe go through your items & be more objective as they may need to wake up from the
snooze they have been having & perhaps take on a different meaning now
In spite of your girls not wanting them now , have they expressed any interest in any of the items
that you have?
For me on a personal note, I truly enjoy knowing that some of my H items as well as others came from
family members. I treasure that, JMO
Good luck making your decision

Thank you for your response, and I love how you shared your thoughts on having items passed down to you. I did inherit all of my mother’s H scarves. I will never part with those because of those memories.

Our daughters are in their late twenties and early thirties. Both still single, without children. Both lead busy work and social lives at this point. Neither is at all materialistic, unless plants and dog toys can be considered materialistic! I know that may change, but I honestly can’t see them ever wanting any of my bags that are recognizably Hermes. It’s Uniqlo for them these days!

I will look at my items with a fresh eye for sure. But I can practically hear my black Kelly screaming “let me out of here” from behind the closed closet doors! She deserves better than that.

 

[hclubfan]

We have had some members that have had a clear out.

If the thought of doing one sale after another with all the work that entails fills you with dread, you can hand over the reins to someone else. I just did a designer archive sale (no H) in partnership with a charity which went well. It was lovely to see people walk out of the boutique dressed head-to-toe in my clothes.

Maybe, keep a couple of your favourite things and either do the same (as above) or ask a big auction house or high-fashion vintage store to come and advise on estimates or send them pics. You may get more with an auction house or traditional consignment but you'll have to wait for your money. some high-end stores will buy from you, but you may get considerably less.

I love the idea of a sale with proceeds going to charity!! Thank you for that suggestion. Cancer is something that has hit home for so many in our family. If I could pull something together in time for October, I would love to donate to our local cancer hospital. Wonderful idea❤️

I have thought about going the consignment route. We have some good ones in Canada. But they take such a large percentage of the sale in fees. I’ve sold other brands via consignment before, but nothing with a value above $4,000.

The one H bag I sold privately was my 35cm So Black Birkin. I sold it because I got it from my husband for my 50th birthday, took it to show it to my mother when she was in hospice care, and she died a couple of days later. Every time I looked at that bag it took me back to that moment. So it was very easy to let that one go, and my husband understood.

 

[umamanikam]

I too am in my 60 s,have curated mybags and my daughter too is not interested in my bags ,few of my niece's love mybags so I plan to give them and keep a select few .

 

[papertiger]

I love the idea of a sale with proceeds going to charity!! Thank you for that suggestion. Cancer is something that has hit home for so many in our family. If I could pull something together in time for October, I would love to donate to our local cancer hospital. Wonderful idea❤️

I have thought about going the consignment route. We have some good ones in Canada. But they take such a large percentage of the sale in fees. I’ve sold other brands via consignment before, but nothing with a value above $4,000.

The one H bag I sold privately was my 35cm So Black Birkin. I sold it because I got it from my husband for my 50th birthday, took it to show it to my mother when she was in hospice care, and she died a couple of days later. Every time I looked at that bag it took me back to that moment. So it was very easy to let that one go, and my husband understood.

I am so sorry about your mother. Totally understandable you let that one go.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Thank you for your response, and I love how you shared your thoughts on having items passed down to you. I did inherit all of my mother’s H scarves. I will never part with those because of those memories.

Our daughters are in their late twenties and early thirties. Both still single, without children. Both lead busy work and social lives at this point. Neither is at all materialistic, unless plants and dog toys can be considered materialistic! I know that may change, but I honestly can’t see them ever wanting any of my bags that are recognizably Hermes. It’s Uniqlo for them these days!

I will look at my items with a fresh eye for sure. But I can practically hear my black Kelly screaming “let me out of here” from behind the closed closet doors! She deserves better than that.

Your black Kelly will likely be screaming "keep me" from your closet door because it is such a classic.
Don't know what size or leather it is, but I can tell you that for many if it is "box" you should have
no problem consigning it to an auction house or selling privately, JMO, I'm a big lover of box so I'm
thinking many would consider that a nice treasure to own.
In spite of your girls having a different lifestyle than perhaps you did when you started acquiring your
Hermes, there is nothing like having that memory whether that bag gets used or not, JMO again
A Kelly is still a Kelly at the end of the day, just saying
I still treasure & visualize family members carrying them & knowing that they felt so chic..
My late grandmother always carried a beautiful handkerchief in her handbag & I still do that to
this day.. it makes me cherish a time long gone when ladies had beautiful accessories in their bags
Your scarves & other items would be lovely for a charity. Auction houses many times will group these
items into a lot & a price may not be realized that perhaps you would be happy with.
A charity going to a cause that is near & dear to you makes sense & is a feel good at the end of the day
After reading your post about your mother & your Birkin, understand that completely as those
emotions/memories become front & center
I'd explore some options & I think the right one will cross your path.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

my gut feeling is to let go of everything you dont have a sentimental attachment to and split the proceeds between a Charity of your choice and the rest to your daughters to spend on something they will love and treasure.
perhaps retain one bag a forever bag that you may wear that works with your current lifestyle.
good luck whatever choice you make will be the right one for you I'm sure.

 

[A bottle of Red]

First of all, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother.
I live in a very small town with a very casual stahm lifestyle and I have decided to use my bags anywhere, whether that's to Costco or Walmart etc. and yes they go in the shopping wagon as well, lol. My reasoning is, if I just wait for a special occasion to use them, or a fancy dinner out, they will sit unused forever.
( the one exception is my snakeskin Bvlgari bag it's too delicate)
So my question to you is, can you use your Hermes collection in your day to day life, and would you be happy to do so?

 

[hclubfan]

I too am in my 60 s,have curated mybags and my daughter too is not interested in my bags ,few of my niece's love mybags so I plan to give them and keep a select few .

I’m sure your nieces will appreciate and cherish those gifts. ❤️

 

[hclubfan]

I am so sorry about your mother. Totally understandable you let that one go.

Thank you papertiger. ❤️

 

[hclubfan]

Your black Kelly will likely be screaming "keep me" from your closet door because it is such a classic.
Don't know what size or leather it is, but I can tell you that for many if it is "box" you should have
no problem consigning it to an auction house or selling privately, JMO, I'm a big lover of box so I'm
thinking many would consider that a nice treasure to own.
In spite of your girls having a different lifestyle than perhaps you did when you started acquiring your
Hermes, there is nothing like having that memory whether that bag gets used or not, JMO again
A Kelly is still a Kelly at the end of the day, just saying
I still treasure & visualize family members carrying them & knowing that they felt so chic..
My late grandmother always carried a beautiful handkerchief in her handbag & I still do that to
this day.. it makes me cherish a time long gone when ladies had beautiful accessories in their bags
Your scarves & other items would be lovely for a charity. Auction houses many times will group these
items into a lot & a price may not be realized that perhaps you would be happy with.
A charity going to a cause that is near & dear to you makes sense & is a feel good at the end of the day
After reading your post about your mother & your Birkin, understand that completely as those
emotions/memories become front & center
I'd explore some options & I think the right one will cross your path.

Thank you for such a thoughtful response I laughed out loud over the line about my Kelly screaming “keep me”! It’s epsom, not box (unfortunately). But yes, definitely a classic. I don’t think I’ve used it more than 5-6 times in all the years I’ve had it. But your message has me thinking about other ways to part with it, in a manner that will make someone else very happy. I have nephews who are starting to get married, and a sister-in-law I adore. So thanks for helping me look at other options.

And I have an embarrassing number of scarves and shawls. Just ridiculous. So I love the idea of letting some of them go to an auction for charity. I’ll keep someone my girls, and will also hold on to my mother’s scarves so the girls can have those one day. She had some amazing jacquards that are tough to find these days.

In the meantime, perhaps I’ll take that Kelly for one last spin!

 

[hclubfan]

my gut feeling is to let go of everything you dont have a sentimental attachment to and split the proceeds between a Charity of your choice and the rest to your daughters to spend on something they will love and treasure.
perhaps retain one bag a forever bag that you may wear that works with your current lifestyle.
good luck whatever choice you make will be the right one for you I'm sure.

I love the idea of giving some of the proceeds from any sales to my daughters. One of them just bought her first house and is feeling the financial pinch. That would make me very happy to help them out. And as for a charity, I have a front runner in mind. Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[hclubfan]

First of all, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother.
I live in a very small town with a very casual stahm lifestyle and I have decided to use my bags anywhere, whether that's to Costco or Walmart etc. and yes they go in the shopping wagon as well, lol. My reasoning is, if I just wait for a special occasion to use them, or a fancy dinner out, they will sit unused forever.
( the one exception is my snakeskin Bvlgari bag it's too delicate)
So my question to you is, can you use your Hermes collection in your day to day life, and would you be happy to do so?

It’s wonderful that you use your bags in your day to day life, regardless of where you’re going. I get saving the snakeskin for special occasions!

While our primary residence is in Toronto, we spend a ton of time at our new farm, tucked in the middle of a forest in the middle of nowhere. We adore it here. Our neighbours are dairy farms, corn fields and apple orchards. We have two dogs whom we take on long walks every day. The dogs are messy little guys who love nothing more than to jump up on me with their muddy paws….definitely not conducive to my H bags)!

Most of my bags scream Hermes, or at the very least they look like very expensive bags. They just seem out of place at the farm. I’m comfortable using my two Halzans because they’re likely to go unnoticed and are more casual, but my Birkin, Kellys, Evelynes etc not-so-subtly scream “look at me”. Many of them are quite colourful too, which adds to my discomfort. My most used bag right now is a black nylon sling bag by The Row. Casual, functional, and completely under-the-radar.