LV lover here! How do you all decide when it’s time to let go of a bag? I have a smaller but lovely collection of LV canvas handbags and slgs that I love to look at but just don’t wear regularly. I have an Alma bb in DE that I admire on my shelf but only wear two to three times a year because it doesn’t fit my everyday lifestyle. I’ve been contemplating selling it to purchase a Speedy b 25 instead. What do you all think? How often should someone be carrying a bag for it to be worth keeping? TIA!
How do you all decide when it’s time to let go of a bag?
- Thread starter lizziepurse
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Great question. I have a closet full of handbags I feel like I never use any of them. Been trying to make an effort to rotate until I've used all but still several I have never used even once and several only used once. So not sure bc for some reason I still like holding on to them and never want to part with any, though would probably make sense to do so. I guess it depends on how you feel about each bag personally and how attached you are. For example, I have a couple bags that I rarely ever use but would never get rid of bc rare/ special to me and others I could probably live without. Also, maybe assess how similar each is to other bags you have in terms of brand or style or size or color. Go with your gut!
I love the approach @diane278 took when she wrote about her Closet for Departing bags. She can correct me if I’m wrong, but I took her approach as a way to move bags that weren’t getting use out of her daily space and she if she missed them before making a decision on whether to keep, or to let go. I’ve done something similar throughout the years (I call it my give-away pile). For anything truly expensive, like an LV bag, I try to use it one last time before selling to see if I’ve changed my mind. In most cases, I can’t even bring myself to put items in it, let alone carry it, which is when I know for sure it’s time to let go.
I don't see my unused bags as waste, they are beautiful,unless I need funds 
I decide by how often I consider the bag but choose to carry a different one instead. For example, I have a graceful MM that I always pass over to use one of my Neverfulls. I haven’t used it in a year. The last time I used it, i couldn’t wait to switch out of it. I’ve recently decided to sell it because I want to use my bags and not just collect them.
For me, if I don't wear it often enough, or find that I don't choose it, then it's time to go. I personally don't believe in keeping bags for collectors items, because they're just too expensive, so if I don't use it often enough, or if I find flaws that keep me from using it, then it goes. I recently sold my precious/unicorn Stephen Sprouse graffiti NF GM that I adored and loved, but guess what? I hadn't used it since January and I found that it was just too big to use everyday. I don't travel enough to justify keeping it, so I ended up selling it back to FP where I originally purchased it. So far, I don't regret it and that was about a month ago.
In the last couple of years, I have been refining my purse collection. Here were some of my requirements that help me decide to let them go.
1. High maintenance or light color bags that gave me stress when I used them and would quickly swap out.
2. Bags I had not used in years (sometimes 3-5 years) and never thought to use
3. Bags I used to use in heavy rotation, but a new bag has taken its place and I wasn't reaching for
4. Bags where my preferences changed or lifestyle changed (Prefer crossbody and hands-free vs hand held)
This week I even decided to let go of a sentimental bag (my first LV). I had not used it in over 10+ years and didn't suit my needs. However, clearing out the space and knowing someone else may love and use it, and I can use the proceeds towards a purse I will use made the decision a little easier. So far, I have no regrets about anything I have sold. However, if there is a shred of doubt, hold on to it a little longer until you are sure.
1. High maintenance or light color bags that gave me stress when I used them and would quickly swap out.
2. Bags I had not used in years (sometimes 3-5 years) and never thought to use
3. Bags I used to use in heavy rotation, but a new bag has taken its place and I wasn't reaching for
4. Bags where my preferences changed or lifestyle changed (Prefer crossbody and hands-free vs hand held)
This week I even decided to let go of a sentimental bag (my first LV). I had not used it in over 10+ years and didn't suit my needs. However, clearing out the space and knowing someone else may love and use it, and I can use the proceeds towards a purse I will use made the decision a little easier. So far, I have no regrets about anything I have sold. However, if there is a shred of doubt, hold on to it a little longer until you are sure.
So thoughtful, I will follow your ideas.
It depends. I have a Monogramouflage Speedy which only comes out of my closet on rare occasions, but I will never sell that bag. I have got rid of other LV bags that I wasn’t using often and have in some instances regretted it. For that reason, I probably won’t let go of any others. I got rid of a DE Sac Plat because I already had another tote in DE and I wish I hadn’t. It was in great shape, with super thick and study canvas, and had the original red microfibre lining. I only sold it because I mostly reached for my other DE tote. Sold an LE Monogram Bequia tote too because I wasn’t using it too much either, but kind of miss that one too. I guess the only one I really don’t miss is the Keepall I sold because it didn’t have a strap, and I replaced it with one that does. Think very carefully before letting anything go, especially if it’s older because you just won’t find the same quality anymore when buying new.
I can't stand to have bags that I don't use, so my criterion is how often I use a bag. I recently sent three canvas LV bags to Fashionphile and I feel good about the decision. However, I do have two bags that I use only for evenings out, and I don't go out often, so those two bags are excused.
My personal rule is : I promised myself years ago I would never re-purchase a bag (style) I've sold. It makes me think 2 or 3x before putting it "on the market". I'm an LV junkie, so 99% of my bags are Vuitton and with these price hikes and prices for all-canvas bags in the ridiculous range (let alone leather!) , It's better for me to have a vast collection that sits rather than seller regrets. Selling a bag because you need the money is a different story altogether though.
You nailed it on the head with this statement !!!
I am a member since 2010. I have lost count on how many bags I have sold and repurchase over and over again. I always have dream to only have 5 bags (mixed brand) which I will use. But until today, I failed….
Now I am more careful on selling and buying because I don’t want regrets and need to repurchase it, but it makes my life harder ! I got more and more bags on my closets and I don’t know how to stop.
Now I am more careful on selling and buying because I don’t want regrets and need to repurchase it, but it makes my life harder ! I got more and more bags on my closets and I don’t know how to stop.
Well, LV bags have appreciated so much in value, so if there is a handbag I don't use, and I am not quite in love with anymore.....then I try to imagine it on someone else. Like a cousin or a niece or a close friend.
I'm not very good at selling bags, so my strategy is to just gift them away, and let the recipient know that they always have the option to sell and have the proceeds go towards something else they really want.
I'm not very good at selling bags, so my strategy is to just gift them away, and let the recipient know that they always have the option to sell and have the proceeds go towards something else they really want.
I was about to sell my first LV, a Marylebone pm in DE, but couldn’t bring myself to do it because the resale price was too low and the older canvas was just too soft and beautiful to give up. I’m going to include it in my rotation for another year and see.