How long do you keep your bags?

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

Sparkletastic

Sparkletastic

O.G.
Jun 18, 2012
11,368
42,807
#1
I just overhauled my handbag collection - selling almost all of them and rebuilding a new bag wardrobe. This was long overdue as I had many bags I no longer wore or even still liked. I just didn't "notice" them clogging up my closet shelves.

That made me wonder - how long do other people keep their bags? Do you get rid of your bags each year to keep up with trends? Do you keep them until you come across a replacement that you like better? Till they fall apart? Forever?

What is your usual habit and what are your signals that you need to retire a bag - not just to a back corner of your closet but out of your collection?
 
#2
Generally until it wears out or the zipper breaks or whatever (if it's not expensive enough to be worth repairing). Example I had a $250 purse that the stitching on the zipper unravelled after a few months and paid $30 to get that fixed and it was good for several years (not constant use) after that - but if I'd only paid $50 for it to begin with I would have just thrown it out rather than spend $30 to fix it.

If I really don't use a purse (bad choice that doesn't end up working well for my needs) for at least a year and don't think I ever will want to use it then I give it to a charity we have here that outfits poor/welfare women to enter the workforce.

The price ranges I normally buy ($250-$300 'contemporary' designers or <$100 non-designer ones) aren't worth the trouble of reselling because I'd get so little, and the one 'premier' one (LV) I have I would never let go of.
 
#3
To long! I have so many I would never wear again. One in particular that was worth some cash but my husband got it for me and he would hate to see me sell it. It's not worth as much now. It's not as trendy and is childish, I think. I'm sure there is someone out there that would still love it [emoji6]
 
#4
I recently got interested in designer/quality bags and have been buying and reselling quite often the last two years. :shame: I've been getting styles I'm interested in on the second hand market and it's taken me about 1-6 months to figure out if it's a keeper. :thinkin: As I'm getting closer to figure out what I like and which bags suit my lifestyle, I have held on to a few classic styles that I'm hoping to keep for years. :love:
 
#6
I moved 2 mths ago, and this time it was a good spot to take a good, critical look at my wardrobe and accessories. I moved in with le BF and I just HAD to get rid of stuff!
I sold and donated a lot of clothes, bags and costume jewelry. Many bags I'd had for a long time had to find a new home - they were from my PU bag days whereas I now prefer leather and high quality canvas. The oldest ones were from late 90's.

I now have bags that I won't be giving up for a long time. I think some of them will be with me until the day the are too worn and banged up to be used anymore...although a couple of bags I am probably going to sell to fund new purchases. Those will be bags that have good resale value and I haven't carried in a long time. It's a shame to think they aren't getting carried enough.

If a bag is timeless, good quality and I really like it, I don't see why it wouldn't have a place in my life for all time - that'd be great, to have a bag that's been with me for all my life!
 
#7
I keep it until I feel like I want to throw it out, then, I throw it out or give it away. Whatever, just get rid of it. But I have to "feel" that I want to so it, otherwise, it won't work for me. I keep some of my bags for more than 10 years.
 
#8
Until they become too damaged. Or if found too annoying during use.
Or, if my activities have changed to eliminate need for bag/design.

I don't think, "This bag must last forever to be worth it."--but, it better be sturdy & not over-priced junk.
Won't cycle through bags to follow what others dictate as, "popular," either.
I do buy more costly bags from companies with good repair services, which fix/stock parts for designs long-term.

All in all, I feel bags come & go when time is right.
So, I let them.
 
#9
Penelope G said:
I recently got interested in designer/quality bags and have been buying and reselling quite often the last two years. :shame: I've been getting styles I'm interested in on the second hand market and it's taken me about 1-6 months to figure out if it's a keeper. :thinkin: As I'm getting closer to figure out what I like and which bags suit my lifestyle, I have held on to a few classic styles that I'm hoping to keep for years. :love:
Click to expand...

You and I have been doing the same thing over the past couple of years. When I decided to overhaul my collection, it took a few misses for me to figure out what I love. Now I'm really happy with the bags I have.

I'm glad you are also finding bags you love!!
 
#10
I'm surprised that we all seem to keep our bags for quite a while. I would have thought that a lot of people would change their bags more often based on changing styles. Especially since I can always find a like new preowned bag that's only one or two years old. Somebody has to be buying and selling quickly. lol!
 
#11
I used to be really bad at impulse shopping and just buy whatever bag i saw without giving much thought to it. And when i was doing that i'd keep bags for maybe 6months max. Now, i am much more selective of the types of bags i want in my collection. I would much rather have a classic Chanel for years than a trendy Celine or Givenchy for 6 months.
 
#12
Usually a really long time. I've carried my current one over 4 years, and it's big sister 2 years prior to that. I am only now on the hunt for a smaller, lighter bag because I need to be "lighter" due to where I work. I spent a girls weekend wandering Chicago and my bag, while less full than normal, just killed my neck. I carried it crossbody and I was just in agony within an hour. That was my confirmation it was time.
 
#13
I started collecting luxury brand bags a couple of years ago and spend a LONG time researching each purchase I make- I want to make sure each bag fulfils a specific need in my 'bag wardrobe'.

I try to only buy what I consider classics, so that they won't go out of style. I haven't had them for long in comparison to other people on here so it's hard to say how long I'll keep my bags, but at the moment all of them are in it for the long run. Maybe it's because each purchase involved deep deliberation that I feel an attachment to them, but I can't see myself getting rid of any of my bags ever!
 
#14
Besides a few classic staples (neutral grab-and-go purse, professional black bag, and my favorite J.Crew Edies that're no longer in stores), I like to switch up my look often and have no pursonal (har har, there's a pun) attachment to each.

For fun and trendy designer brands, I mostly buy pre-owned, and then sell them when I feel like I'm ready to move on (a few months to years in). I recoup most of the cost and keep a rotation of fun bags! It does require me to consider the popularity of the bag and whether i can easily resell it later (LVs always keep their value).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top