How do you know which bag is more "you" than the other?

[Dearest girl]

I just wonder what factor do you girls use to determine which bag u prefer to the other . Suppose if you like two bags equally, one is very beautiful and elegant when carrying , but you can't put many stuffs in it. Another is the bag you can use as everyday bag. Now if you have to invest in one of these style more , would you go for the beautiful and elegant one or go for the everyday bag one ?

 

[srslyjk]

I don't splurge on purses very often, so even though I want my collection to grow, I'm at the stage where practically must come first. An everyday purse that works with the majority of my wardrobe would get my vote, since I'd know I'd get more uses out of it. The elegant bag that I love but won't get as many chances to use would be great as a gift or gift to myself following something special, like a bonus or promotion or something. That would make it even more special.

 

[papertiger]

Try them on

I see lots of bags that are totally gorgeous, but it's really me admiring the bag. Seeing them IRL, checking them in the mirror with a typical outfit, seeing the interiors, how it's laid out, feeling the leather/skin/material and inspecting how it's made... I always know which one is just for admiring and which screams ME/PT

Elegant or everyday? Depends on where the hole in my wardrobe is

 

[newmommy_va]

Hmmm... you just know... iykwim. :giggles:

Okay... in all seriousness...

Your scenario speaks to impractical vs practical considerations. Not unlike the "imaginary lifestyle" thread in the Wardrobe subforum... some tpfers are hard core realists. They buy what they need. On the other hand... other tpfers buy what they like... regardless of the impractical vs practical implications.

As for how you know that a bag is you...

It's often the case, that we don't know if a bag is us, until we try it on and wear it for a time. For the way that we imagine ourselves, with our bags... may not be the reality, of how we are with those bags, irl.

We may be drawn to a bag... that irl, doesn't work with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Alternatively... we may poo-poo a bag... that irl, works beautifully with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Not to mention... we grow into some bags... and grow out of others.

Bags are a reflection of our personalities and our senses of style. Moreover, our lives move in and out of a variety of different social situations... so what's us is fluid. The "me" running to a convenience store, carries a different bag than the "me" at a corporate function with my husband. Even though I will wear a different bag to both venues... both bags will still be me.

I just wonder what factor do you girls use to determine which bag u prefer to the other . Suppose if you like two bags equally, one is very beautiful and elegant when carrying , but you can't put many stuffs in it. Another is the bag you can use as everyday bag. Now if you have to invest in one of these style more , would you go for the beautiful and elegant one or go for the everyday bag one ?

 

[JennyErin]

Hmmm... you just know... iykwim. :giggles:

Okay... in all seriousness...

Your scenario speaks to impractical vs practical considerations. Not unlike the "imaginary lifestyle" thread in the Wardrobe subforum... some tpfers are hard core realists. They buy what they need. On the other hand... other tpfers buy what they like... regardless of the impractical vs practical implications.

As for how you know that a bag is you...

It's often the case, that we don't know if a bag is us, until we try it on and wear it for a time. For the way that we imagine ourselves, with our bags... may not be the reality, of how we are with those bags, irl.

We may be drawn to a bag... that irl, doesn't work with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Alternatively... we may poo-poo a bag... that irl, works beautifully with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Not to mention... we grow into some bags... and grow out of others.

Bags are a reflection of our personalities and our senses of style. Moreover, our lives move in and out of a variety of different social situations... so what's us is fluid. The "me" running to a convenience store, carries a different bag than the "me" at a corporate function with my husband. Even though I will wear a different bag to both venues... both bags will still be me.

Awesome words of wisdom! +1 to that

 

[Jesssh]

I tend not to go with beautiful and elegant bags because they don't go with "me". But I won't carry an ugly bag or a big boring bag just for function. I'll pull out a paper shopping bag before I do that.

Usually bags with a lot of detail are too fancy for me. OTOH, a Bal City looks good on me for some reason. I just haven't forked over the $$$$ for one.

My style is either casual or professional. Sometimes I can find bags that are combinations of both. Usually they are simple and structured. Most often they are some hue of brown or blue. I guess those colors go best with my skin/hair/eyes and wardrobe.

I do prefer small bags, unless I need to carry a lot, then I'll usually pick a tote that I can put a small bag into.

 

[Silversun]

Hmmm... you just know... iykwim. :giggles:

Okay... in all seriousness...

Your scenario speaks to impractical vs practical considerations. Not unlike the "imaginary lifestyle" thread in the Wardrobe subforum... some tpfers are hard core realists. They buy what they need. On the other hand... other tpfers buy what they like... regardless of the impractical vs practical implications.

As for how you know that a bag is you...

It's often the case, that we don't know if a bag is us, until we try it on and wear it for a time. For the way that we imagine ourselves, with our bags... may not be the reality, of how we are with those bags, irl.

We may be drawn to a bag... that irl, doesn't work with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Alternatively... we may poo-poo a bag... that irl, works beautifully with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Not to mention... we grow into some bags... and grow out of others.

Bags are a reflection of our personalities and our senses of style. Moreover, our lives move in and out of a variety of different social situations... so what's us is fluid. The "me" running to a convenience store, carries a different bag than the "me" at a corporate function with my husband. Even though I will wear a different bag to both venues... both bags will still be me.

Great post!

 

[monkyjib]

Whatever you feel more comfortable wearing and the practicality of it. Ask yourself, if the bag is so elegant and beautiful, would you feel comfortable wearing it or would you feel the bag is wearing you? Great bags should enhance your style, rather than overwhelming it..if that makes sense!

 

[duodavesgirl]

Hmmm... you just know... iykwim. :giggles:

Okay... in all seriousness...

Your scenario speaks to impractical vs practical considerations. Not unlike the "imaginary lifestyle" thread in the Wardrobe subforum... some tpfers are hard core realists. They buy what they need. On the other hand... other tpfers buy what they like... regardless of the impractical vs practical implications.

As for how you know that a bag is you...

It's often the case, that we don't know if a bag is us, until we try it on and wear it for a time. For the way that we imagine ourselves, with our bags... may not be the reality, of how we are with those bags, irl.

We may be drawn to a bag... that irl, doesn't work with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Alternatively... we may poo-poo a bag... that irl, works beautifully with our aesthetic, our proportions, our lifestyle, our needs, etc. Not to mention... we grow into some bags... and grow out of others.

Bags are a reflection of our personalities and our senses of style. Moreover, our lives move in and out of a variety of different social situations... so what's us is fluid. The "me" running to a convenience store, carries a different bag than the "me" at a corporate function with my husband. Even though I will wear a different bag to both venues... both bags will still be me.

Well said.

 

[squarewithflare]

I go with whatever makes me happy in the moment. If I already have enough elegant bags or everyday bags in that color then I will choose what is beautiful and what freshens up my collection. You don't want to end up with too many of the same style or color ways. I like mixing it up

 

[LVk8]

Trial & error over the years has led me to three basic styles:

1. Crossbody
2. Tote
3. Clutch/large wristlet

For me, they're the easiest/most functional/allow me the use of two hands. I have two gorgeous top handle bags as well (one can be worn on the shoulder, the other in the crook of the elbow) but admittedly I use them less than the others.

With that said, I've also pared down my "purse wardrobe" to my absolute favorites over the years. I have blacks, neutrals, fun pops of color & prints. I have bags I can wear everyday and bags I can wear for fancy occasions - some even work dressed up or dressed down. And I LoVe (even the non-LVs) them all to pieces!

But yeah I've kissed a lot of purse-frogs over the years before figuring out what styles works best for me. Kind of like with cars - sometimes you have to take a purse out for a test drive before you figure out whether it works for you or not!

 

[Spoiledlttleldy]

A bag with form and function, preferably in brighter colors (I'm color-deficient/color blind) is "me" all the way. It has to be attractive enough for me to enjoy carrying it while functional enough to handle my day to day needs.

 

[Emily1830]

Wow this really speaks to me because I have been at both ends of the spectrum. I have my beautiful fantasy bags that rarely get used (case in point: a taupe handheld snakeskin
BV bag that sits in my closet) and ones that get used more. I am trying now to buy bags that actually can get used, but since I only use designer bags on the weekends I do find myself not using them as much as I would like. But there is no way I can bring my Chanel flaps to work, but I will make sure to use them as much as possible on the weekends.

Actually this very issue has prevented me from buying a Lady Dior. I keep fantasizing about it but then I wonder if I will get use out of it.

 

[poohbag]

I think it depends on how I feel and what I'm looking to add to my collection at the time. A beautiful, elegant purse can be practical too but I know not all my bags are practical. I certainly won't buy a bag that I'm not drawn to just because it's practical lol. Sometimes, my heart wins and I'll get something knowing it will not get used as often but I just have to have it! Other times, the sensible me takes over and convinces me to pick an alternative-for example a safer color, a larger capacity, etc. or just not buy and wait for the right bag to come along. I think this is what makes the buying experience fun. It is constantly in flux, and there's no set rule for me.

 

[MargaretofAnjou]

Suppose if you like two bags equally

Have you tried them on in person? When I'm indecisive, it's usually before I've seen the bags in real life. In my experience, I'll prefer one over the other. If you like both equally, neither bag might be for you. When something calls to you, you know. Maybe you only think you like them equally, but is it really so?

I've been infatuated with a bag or dress, but there's often a hesistation. Now I've learned the hesistation means it's more than likely not for me (unless it wasn't financially feasible at the time, which is another matter). Once I started buying only what I absolutely love -- and what looked good on me -- I stopped having buyer's remorse. There have been times when I intended to buy a more practical bag, and instead bought a special occasion one; the reverse has happened too.

Even if you only buy once or a year or every six months or so, it's better to wait for what you love and must have, as opposed to something you like. You can fill the gap of practical or elegant bag later.