How do you *you* decide if/when it's time to get rid of a bag?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#31
When bag becomes irritating.

This covers fairly new bags, driving me insane during use & not fulfilling purpose.
Or older bags, with irreparable damage & displeasurable style.

Also applies to "dream" bags, mostly bought on sale & for questionable fantasy occasions. Which never happen. And won't.

I donate, rather than resell. Feel confident about purges, when done.
Agree with others that decisions may take time. To separate emotions/memories from object, to un-make it my own. ;)
However, some decisions crystallize rapidly, after shaking a fist @ bag for "not acting right." Again.
 
#34
I recently got rid of two different bags for two different reasons based on one event:

I keep my non-designer bags sorted by type (clutch, tote, shoulder bag) in canvas bins on a shelf above my clothes. A few weeks ago, I was packing for a trip and wanted a plain black clutch with silver hardware or no visible hardware to match a black and silver dress I was wearing.

But after going through my clutches, the only one that fit the bill was several years old and showing a little wear. I packed it but couldn't bring myself to actually wear it to the event as it just didn't look as nice as I would have wanted. (I stuck my credit cards in my husband's wallet and just went without a phone!)

When I got home, I immediately put the bag aside to be donated and was inspired to start clearing out my collection--after all, if I had so many bags and none fit my needs, it was clearly time! Imagine my surprise when I found, in the wrong bin, a black evening clutch with a silver clasp.

I'd forgotten I owned it. This sounds kind of silly, but I donated that one too. If I couldn't love it enough to even know I had it, I clearly wasn't ever going to get good use out of it.
 
#38
I recently did a huge closet clean out in an attempt to decrease the amount of clothing, shoes, and accessories that I own and to eliminate closet clutter. When I went though my handbags (I probably had around 15 - 20 or more), I looked at them by:

1. Color - When I went through my closet I realized that I gravitated toward certain colors (neutrals like black, white, gray, beige, and navy) so my wardrobe is mostly in that color scheme save for a few pieces that I wear outside those colors. I'm the same way with handbags. Since I prefer neutrals, if they weren't black, beige, or brown, I didn't keep them. I got rid of navy because I find it difficult to match different shades and white because it dirties so easily.

2. Function - I don't need multiples in the same color. For example, I had at least 3 small black formal bags and I ended up selling them all except my black Chanel WOC.

3. Style - If it didn't fit my style, I got rid of it. I didn't want to hold on to something in the hopes that maybe someday I would wear it.

4. Last Wear - If I hadn't used it in a year, I got rid of it.

5. Quality - By evaluating how worn it was or how it was wearing, I was able to get rid of my "contemporary designer" bags because they weren't wearing as well as some of my more "premier designer" bags. I was also able to evaluate whether or not I thought a bag was going to get worse and wear poorly to make a determination as to whether or not to sell it now and cut my losses.

By the time I was done and used some of the money from selling to fill gaps in my handbag collection, I had (and still have) only 7 bags that I constantly wear and rotate. The best part is that I don't miss any of the bags I got rid of. There are now only two bags on my long-term wish list are a black leather tote and a classic black Chanel (but that won't be for awhile) aside from also maybe eventually replacing my damier ebene Neverfull, which has seen better days.
 
#39
I've been telling myself to clear my bag rack to get more space for future bags in my wishlist but hasn't been able to do so. Hopefully by Oct I can make up my mind or have the strength to get rid of unused bags....to let go despite sentimental value attached to some bags [emoji25]. I'm targeting at least 10 bags.

They will mostly be bags I don't use for a long time for good reasons:

Weight: I hardly take out all heavy bags.

Awkward to carry:
- too long as handheld yet too short on shoulder.
- shoulder strap that doesn't stay on.

Too tiny:
- any bag that's can't fit 2 set of keys, lipstick, lip balm, tissue, card holder.

Fell out of love [emoji174] - Chanel

I don't have any bag that's too worn off, otherwise that would b a very good reason to get rid!
 
#41
ladysarah said:
:bump: bumping this as I am having a wardrobe detox. If anything doesn't get used for over 18 months it's probably superfluous... Do you think?
Click to expand...


Agree. Going through this now with clothes and bags. I donated a ton of clothes that don't get much rotation. I have started working on capsule collections for each season, with a few pieces that can work across seasons. For bags, I realize that my preference has shifted toward smaller bags (crossbody or slightly lager). Last week I pulled out all of my bags and put each one on my shoulder. The ones I still loved went back in the closet. The others will be sold.
 
#42
ladysarah said:
:bump: bumping this as I am having a wardrobe detox. If anything doesn't get used for over 18 months it's probably superfluous... Do you think?
Click to expand...

18 months is really generous for a bag! i rotate my bags weekly, so if i keep avoiding a bag and it's been maybe 9 months to a year... i sell it or donate it.

i generally know it's time to let a bag go when i see a better option/replacement in the stores or online. i personally don't think a handbag is meant to be forever since styles change and lifestyles change (a chanel flap being a rare exception)
 
#43
My criteria has gotten pretty simple. I keep a list of my bags and each day give a tick mark to which one I used. If I haven't used a bag at least 4 times in a year, I seriously consider whether or not I need it. 90% of the time I end up selling it. Even if I think I "love" it, I really didn't because I didn't wear it. LOL!

This has really helped because I buy more carefully - I stopped buying any bag I don't think I can use at least 4 times in a year. And I actively rotate my bags so I enjoy all of them more. 👍😄
 
#44
ladysarah said:
:bump: bumping this as I am having a wardrobe detox. If anything doesn't get used for over 18 months it's probably superfluous... Do you think?
Click to expand...
Completely agree. Other than special occasion items such as evening gowns, etc should get some use in that time. The "detox" can be hard. I did it and had to be merciless. But I'm much happier on the other end. 😊 Good luck!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top