How many bags do we really need?

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#136
michaelhoffman said:
I think a female requires two bags at the max. One for the daily use. As the daily use bags don't fit on the special occasion, so they must have an extra for weddings, holidays, parties and other special events.
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One extra for special occasions is NOT enough. Or would you go to a spring-summer first communion or confirmation or wedding (when most of these happen) with a black clutch - or, inversely, sport a light pink or beige clutch at a funeral?

So, at the very least, even a minimalist needs:

- 1 all-weather bag for work;
- 1 casual shopping/weekend/diaper/beach tote kind of bag, which can double up as travel bag;
- 1 spring/summer light special occasion small bag or clutch (weddings, etc);
- 1 black autumn/winter special occasion small bag or clutch (funerals, evening galas, gallery openings, etc);
- 1 lightweight, sturdy backpack for short trips, sightseeing, extra shopping, to keep in the car with extra blankets, a torch, a map, a spare cell phone battery, water and high-calorie meal bars (if you live in an area affected by snowstorms).
- Luggage pieces, as needed.
 
#138
I've functioned with 1 daily bag & 1 evening bag.
I've functioned eating daily noodle soup, with 1 pea & 1 chunk of carrot floating on top.
Both filled basic needs.
But, I prefer adding more color & spice to daily life when possible.

It's a process of learning balance between excess & lack.
Of adapting to life's ongoing changes & learning from mistakes/success.
My answer to this thread's question is, "Enough." And that's an individual's journey to discover.
I do own more than 2 bags, now. ;)

Hope this makes sense & helps.
 
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#141
Fimpagebag said:
We need as many bags it takes until we're no longer tempted. For some it's only one or two bags. For others, dozens. So ultimately there is no right (or wrong) answer.
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LOL..

Yeah, i kinda agree.. i mean i went basically two years using one.. yes, i said ONE but then was finding my new winter coat, the pockets did not hold my gloves well. So said i need something else...

Then some days my arms/elbows hurt, quite frankly i cannot carry certain purses some days so added another...

oh well. I am learning i want and need different types sometimes.. you won't fall over purses entering my house and the kids are fed so no big deal. :p
 
#142
Here's my personal list for a well-curated collection:

WORK
Fine leather tote or briefcase style in each of my following neutrals:
Black
Gray
Brown-gray
(Maybe one in a fun color like royal blue, purple, or bright red, to keep from getting bored)

EVENING
Wristlet in silver (works year-round)

SUPER-CASUAL
Straw tote for summer's hottest days when leather just seems obscene
Nylon tote for rainy days/travel with crossbody strap a la Le Pliage Neo, probably in navy or gray (year-round neutral)

EVERY DAY
Leather bags with shoulder/crossbody options in all my neutrals (black, gray, brown-gray) plus navy

For fun and to keep from feeling constrained, a variety of styles in my wardrobe accent colors: purples, blues, teals/turquoises, perhaps a green or a pink if I got a wild hair. *Maybe* a creamy white for spring

So…10 bags in neutral colors to cover all the bases, plus a few more for variety, inspiration, and fun. No more than 20 bags total.

HOWEVER, if there were a gun to my head…

…I would say I could GET BY with one very smart-casual bag in dark gray for work and every day, plus the wristlet and the Pliage.

So three bags minimum, really? :lawl: Thoughts?
 
#143
I think it depends on the woman's lifestyle, what kind of job she has, if she has kids or not, how many social functions she attents and how often etc. There isn't one answer to this question.

Personally, I have 25 bags which I know it's a lot but a) they're not all designer and b) amongst those that are, only a few are premier designer. Most of them are from affordable brands such as Tous, Moschino, Michael Kors and DKNY. It's not like I have 25 super expensive bags. I use most of them, but I have to admit that the day bags get way more use. I have lots of clutches (included in the total of 25 bags), most of them were gifts or hand-me-downs from my mom and I only use one or two on a regular basis. I wish I could use them all but I don't have many parties to attend and even if I go to one I usually carry a smaller shoulder bag.

My ideal collection would be:

a) a 35cm Hermes Kelly in black with GHW.
b) a Chanel Jumbo in black with GHW.
c) a classic Chanel 2.55 in beige or red with GHW.
d) an Hermes Medor clutch in black or red.
e) a white bag for the summer months only (the Chanel GST would be perfect, with GHW ofcourse!).

Apart from the Chanel 2.55 (in black) I don't own any of the above bags! I just wish I did! :p
 
#144
Though it's true we don't need any leather bags, I would say that realistically having some is practical. I can deal with only having a small, medium and large bag (3) but I'd be a bit sad. I'm more comfortable about 8 bags:

- small everyday crossbody
- small formal crossbody
- medium crossbody
- medium tote
- large tote or cotton grocery tote
- nice bag that I don't wear every day
- briefcase bag
- impractical crazy/pop of color bag

Right now I have 19 and could pare down to 12. After that I'm not sure it's worth my time to think too hard about it. None of them are designer and I'm counting my canvas ones so I'm not gonna fret. I'd still like to get a nice brown bag with some interesting hardware and a red bucket bag for color. Maybe a color locked satchel or tote too, but I'm in no hurry.
 
#145
^ Hmmmm... Crossbodies are a must, aren't they? I want to buy myself a medium one because even though some of my large handbags come with a removable strap, I don't think it's practical to carry them like that. However, everytime I'm thinking of buying a crossbody bag, another non -crossbody one gets my attention and I succumb! I'm in no hurry though!
 
#148
I have 14 bags and am happy being on ban island, as there isn't anything I feel like I have to have at this moment. Honestly, if I had to part with more bags, I could do so without much fuss. But these are what I consider to be my "forever" bags, those that I could not bear to be without:

1. Black Hermès Lindy 26 - my everyday black bag.
2. Fuchsia Chanel Rectangle Mini - this little beauty makes my heart sing!!!
3. All 3 of my Hermès Picotin PMs (orange, gold, red) - they are my cute babies and I would love to have more!!!
4. Black/black Chanel Boy WOC - perfect hands free crossbody that doesn't even feel like it's there.
5. Cassis Hermès Garden Party TPM - my tote that I am so in love with, I could not part with her!!!

It's not to say that I don't love the other bags I have that are not listed above (because I do!) but I seem to use them less overall than my top 5 above:

1. Blue Tiffany & Co. Metropolitan - I love the Tiffany blue color and the crossbody function of this bag, but I seem to carry her mostly when I wear black and white.
2. Cornflower Balenciaga First & White Balenciaga First - I recently rediscovered my love for these bags after not carrying them for a year because I was distracted by my new purchases, but I should definitely carry them more as they're so light, comfy and carefree!
3. Rouge H Hermès Bolide 31 - I got her without a strap, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal because I could carry her as a handbag or in the crook of my arm. Unfortunately, her handles are not that comfortable on my arm after a while, unlike my Picotin and Garden Party. But I am ordering a shoulder strap for her, so I'm hoping to use her more in the future!
4. White vintage Chanel Kelly - I don't use her, but I'm working on it! But in the meantime, I really do love admiring her in my closet...really!
5. My two motorcycle bags, a black Bottega Veneta mini fringe and a black Brighton pouch with a bling/studded heart - these are what I carry on motorcycle rides and they're small enough to fit in my saddlebag with other stuff.

I guess the Boy WOC could also be used a motorcycle bag. So I guess my essential bags are:

1. Everyday bag, shoulder/handbag (Lindy)
2. Pop of color shoulder/crossbody (Mini)
3. Casual handbags (Picotin)
4. Wallet on chain (Boy WOC)
5. Tote (Garden Party)
 
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#150
Reviving this thread as I'm trying to downsize my collection to only keep the bags I love and use, and sell all the others.

I'm trying to get down to:

4 small crossbody bags:
Metallic mushroom lily (mulberry)
Green mini Taylor (mulberry)
Blue MBMJ
Red (bimba e Lola)

6 casual medium sized bags:
Black Alexa (mulberry)
Pinky mink Alexa (mulberry)
Oak Alexa camera bag (mulberry)
Denim tillie (mulberry)
Dark blue Falabella (Stella McCartney)
Brown Paddington capsule (Chloe)

4 large bags
Oak Bayswater (mulberry)
Roxanne (mulberry)
Tricolour Celine luggage
Large silver leather tote (John Lewis)

This means I must be ruthless and sell all the others, but I will be happier with just these. From then on I will be strict about following a one in one out policy!

What is your ideal collection?
 
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