have you set a limit on the number of bags you will own?

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isabellam

O.G.
Feb 16, 2009
1,598
49
#1
I have mostly been the "more is more!!" type, but lately, I'm seriously thinking about limiting myself to 10-15 bags, and then going forward, follow a one-out-one-in policy.

If you are someone who does something similar, please help me out. Talk me into it. Tell me how wonderful and zen-like you feel about your handbags. I need some inspiration and motivation.
 
#2
Hi Isabellam,

I don't have a hard and fast rule on how many bags I have but I like to keep my numbers fairly small--like 10 or so total with a few extra tucked away for certain occasions. I've gone through another eBay sellathon of about 8 bags and am much much happier where I am now.

I would LOVE to be one of those people who has three bags and is totally content, but I find that I need a few extra to keep things interesting but not so many that I lose track. Almost all neutral colors with the exception of a couple and they have to be comfortable. If I haven't reached for it in half a year, I sell it. My criteria is, "Would I want to carry this bag tomorrow?" and if I have an excuse "too heavy, uncomfortable, etc," it ends up getting sold.

I've also gravitated towards smaller bags and messengers now that my kids are older and I use my Longchamp totes for all the other stuff I need to carry (scarves, water bottles, journals, etc).

I have my bags out where I can easily see them. I don't like clutter or tons of stuff squirreled away where I forget. I have a decent sized walk in closet but I like white space and room to breathe, so that helps. I would always feel stress when I had too many bags. It made me anxious for some reason.

I also found that if I had fewer bags, I really appreciated and enjoyed them more. When I was buying bags due to sales, etc., it didn't feel special. My goal for next year is 2 total, including one for my birthday at the end of the year. I think I appreciate things more when I have just a few styles that I really love.

Hope that helps!
 
#3
isabellam said:
I have mostly been the "more is more!!" type, but lately, I'm seriously thinking about limiting myself to 10-15 bags, and then going forward, follow a one-out-one-in policy.

If you are someone who does something similar, please help me out. Talk me into it. Tell me how wonderful and zen-like you feel about your handbags. I need some inspiration and motivation.
Click to expand...
At my max I had 26 bags comprised of high end, mid range and no-name bags. It was fun to have all the variety but in truth I found myself reaching for the same bags over and over. I loathe clutter so over time the amount got to be a nuisance. Then I made a conscious choice to only buy fabulous things. Fabulous doesn't necessarily mean expensive but things I felt fabulous in and using. I'm down to 9 bags and it's great. I've got things that are really pretty and well made and, well, fabulous!

I would say downsize if it really suits you. But if you're fighting it or it feels like a battle, I would listen to that voice. It might not be the right time.
 
#4
grietje said:
At my max I had 26 bags comprised of high end, mid range and no-name bags. It was fun to have all the variety but in truth I found myself reaching for the same bags over and over. I loathe clutter so over time the amount got to be a nuisance. Then I made a conscious choice to only buy fabulous things. Fabulous doesn't necessarily mean expensive but things I felt fabulous in and using. I'm down to 9 bags and it's great. I've got things that are really pretty and well made and, well, fabulous!

I would say downsize if it really suits you. But if you're fighting it or it feels like a battle, I would listen to that voice. It might not be the right time.
Click to expand...

I am also like you in that I abhor clutter. I clean out drawers and get rid of stuff as way to relieve stress, so I don't get too attached to too many things. Handbags are my main vice--accessories and such--so I try to keep those manageable. I'm pretty good about donating clothes, shoes and other items on a regular basis so maybe that's something that helps me with bags. I just feel out of balance with too much.

Even now, I have a couple of Belen Echandia bags that I love but don't carry too often anymore but I worry about selling them because I know I'll never find them again. So, the struggle continues...:smile1:
 
#5
Great question, OP!

I am down to 17 bags (12 premiere designer and 5 non-premiere). I have vowed to only add about 3 more premiere designer bags to my collection because I can't honestly use the bags enough given my lifestyle. Plus, I don't want to be inundated with bags where I feel like I have to justify my use vs. price ratio (something that bothers me, personally).

I enjoy seeing the large collections of others but am sure that can't be the case for me. Right now, I think my collection could stand to add 1-2 more chanel pieces (preferably vintage though I like the boy bags and could be tempted in the future) and probably a birkin or two but not until all my kids are away in college likely lol!
 
#7
I only want two or three more. I already know their names and I'll get two of them next year. MK navy saffiano tote, a MK black Selma with grommets or fuchsia, and a LV neverfull. I just want a variety of purses. I'll have tan, black, green, red, blue, and pink. I need to switch things up everyday and I think 8 to 10 is the max.
 
#8
My rule is 10-15 bags. Right now I have 6 designer and 4 contemporary. I've culled a huge collection - sold over 40 and given at least 30 to charity and family. I love bags and I'm not ashamed of it.

However, after deciding to put my moneys worth into designer bags, I needed to cull the rest because I want to use the bags I paid so much for and use them well. In this case less is more.

I don't feel overwhelmed and my collection is streamlined. I look in my cupboard and I know what I have, and it's easier to switch day-to-day. And when you realize you're not using a bag as you ought to be, it's easier to sell and move on.
 
#9
TejasMama said:
Hi Isabellam,

I don't have a hard and fast rule on how many bags I have but I like to keep my numbers fairly small--like 10 or so total with a few extra tucked away for certain occasions. I've gone through another eBay sellathon of about 8 bags and am much much happier where I am now.

I would LOVE to be one of those people who has three bags and is totally content, but I find that I need a few extra to keep things interesting but not so many that I lose track. Almost all neutral colors with the exception of a couple and they have to be comfortable. If I haven't reached for it in half a year, I sell it. My criteria is, "Would I want to carry this bag tomorrow?" and if I have an excuse "too heavy, uncomfortable, etc," it ends up getting sold.

I've also gravitated towards smaller bags and messengers now that my kids are older and I use my Longchamp totes for all the other stuff I need to carry (scarves, water bottles, journals, etc).

I have my bags out where I can easily see them. I don't like clutter or tons of stuff squirreled away where I forget. I have a decent sized walk in closet but I like white space and room to breathe, so that helps. I would always feel stress when I had too many bags. It made me anxious for some reason.

I also found that if I had fewer bags, I really appreciated and enjoyed them more. When I was buying bags due to sales, etc., it didn't feel special. My goal for next year is 2 total, including one for my birthday at the end of the year. I think I appreciate things more when I have just a few styles that I really love.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
thanks for painting that picture of the closet with the 'white space'. I think I'll hold that image in my mind as I move forward.

I'll be reworking my wardrobe this coming year, and now I'll be sure to leave room for white :tup:
 
#10
grietje said:
At my max I had 26 bags comprised of high end, mid range and no-name bags. It was fun to have all the variety but in truth I found myself reaching for the same bags over and over. I loathe clutter so over time the amount got to be a nuisance. Then I made a conscious choice to only buy fabulous things. Fabulous doesn't necessarily mean expensive but things I felt fabulous in and using. I'm down to 9 bags and it's great. I've got things that are really pretty and well made and, well, fabulous!

I would say downsize if it really suits you. But if you're fighting it or it feels like a battle, I would listen to that voice. It might not be the right time.
Click to expand...
"Only Fabulous" sounds like a wonderful motto. I am officially adopting it here and now!

You mentioned that if I feel conflicted, it might not be time to do the purge. Can you describe how it was that you felt when you knew you were ready to move to a more streamlined handbag collection?
 
#11
Aluxe said:
Great question, OP!

I am down to 17 bags (12 premiere designer and 5 non-premiere). I have vowed to only add about 3 more premiere designer bags to my collection because I can't honestly use the bags enough given my lifestyle. Plus, I don't want to be inundated with bags where I feel like I have to justify my use vs. price ratio (something that bothers me, personally).

I enjoy seeing the large collections of others but am sure that can't be the case for me. Right now, I think my collection could stand to add 1-2 more chanel pieces (preferably vintage though I like the boy bags and could be tempted in the future) and probably a birkin or two but not until all my kids are away in college likely lol!
Click to expand...
I also hate the feeling of 'all those bags going to waste just sitting there!!' I feel an uncomfortable pressure to rotate bags. it will feel great to have an edited, streamlined group of FABULOUS handbags.
 
#12
TejasMama said:
I am also like you in that I abhor clutter. I clean out drawers and get rid of stuff as way to relieve stress.:
Click to expand...

I take out the trash if I'm having a bad day--just to feel clean! A bit OCD I suppose. I regularly go through my drawers and closet and see what can be tossed. I've simplified my wardrobe too. I don't have a walk in closet but I like the airy uncluttered feel and only seeing really nice peices that I enjoy wearing.
 
#13
isabellam said:
Can you describe how it was that you felt when you knew you were ready to move to a more streamlined handbag collection?
Click to expand...

I just realized this is ALOT and I'm not using it. The money thing was a part of it; not "OMG I have spent so much and I can't afford it.". Rather, it was "Oh My! I have pissed a lot of money away and I don't even love this stuff." It was easy to rehome the first 5-6 bags and then it got a bit tricky because I felt like I "should" keep it (HG to others, expensive, was a gift, etc.).

And you know what else triggered a second round? I wore a crap outfit to work.

Sure it was professional and clean and tailored, but the fabric was icky, the fit just OK, and the overall look uninspired. And I decided why would I do that too myself? Why not always wear something you feel beautiful in?

And so I tossed a lot of clothes and have since decided to buy less and ONLY buy things I feel fabulous in. So I just have less. Less clothes, less shoes, less bags. But I feel like a million bucks.
 
#14
grietje said:
I just realized this is ALOT and I'm not using it. The money thing was a part of it; not "OMG I have spent so much and I can't afford it.". Rather, it was "Oh My! I have pissed a lot of money away and I don't even love this stuff." It was easy to rehome the first 5-6 bags and then it got a bit tricky because I felt like I "should" keep it (HG to others, expensive, was a gift, etc.).

And you know what else triggered a second round? I wore a crap outfit to work.

Sure it was professional and clean and tailored, but the fabric was icky, the fit just OK, and the overall look uninspired. And I decided why would I do that too myself? Why not always wear something you feel beautiful in?

And so I tossed a lot of clothes and have since decided to buy less and ONLY buy things I feel fabulous in. So I just have less. Less clothes, less shoes, less bags. But I feel like a million bucks.
Click to expand...

This is a great post.:tup: What a wonderful reminder that it isn't how much we have but how we feel when using it/wearing it that matters. An important distinction but one that we often overlook in our consumer culture.
 
#15
I brought a lot of bags this year because my style in bags has evolved. I want to have about seven to eight well-made bags. Then only add to my collection has my style change or need to replace a purse. For me, I think this rule is wise. I don’t want to have a room full of purses which is so easy to do. :laugh:
 
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