How many bags do we really need?

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#46
I'm really enjoying reading all these posts.

Lo - great to see you here.

Contessa - A big thank you for creating this thread. Love it! It's so nice to see a balance on the PF.

And to answer the question I"m thinking 6 bags or less would make a fine collection. And always allowing a little extra room in the closet for a fun splurge when you see one in your travels that grabs your attention!
 
#47
Reading these posts have given me a lot to think about too.
I still feel that common sense should prevail in our decision making.
However, there are times when guilt and ethics have to step in to
keep us in check.
 
#48
I know it's crazy having all these bags & still want more esp when you're here on TPF a lot. I myself is guilty w/ this addiction that's why I try to sell 1 when I have the urge to get a new one. But hey! we only live once, I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, no kids yet, no debts, I rotate & enjoy every bag I got, is that wrong?
 
#49
^^ I don't think there's anything wrong with having a lot of bags if you rotate and love them! It becomes a problem when you never use them, feel guilty about spending all that money, and all they do is stress you out (which is definitely the case for some people, unforutunately)
 
#50
I set myself a space allowance for bags. That space is full. That keeps me in check, and when I see one I don't use, I list it. I think a lot of bags you use and enjoy is a perfectly fine thing if you don't have financial issues or stress issues from them, as CS says above^^^
 
#51
That is not wrong at all. It's fun! I am the one who posted," buy what you like...wear it whenever you want." I was lucky to find good deals over the years and I never felt guilty or wrong either. Sometimes I do get teased, but everyone in my family has fun too, helping me pick out bags. But truthfully, I have wondered in the past about things that were brought up in this thread. It got me thinking about the philosophical side of this discussion as well as the practical points. I appreciate everyones' thoughts and values. Thanks!
 
#52
NemoAndChula said:
Would you be happy eating only one kind of food or wearing the same shirt all the time. People like variety in their lives. Nothing wrong with that. Buy what you like...wear it whenever you want.
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Martini in hand......YOU made a point NemoAndChula! How can I argue?

For that reason, my cats eat gourmet & their food gets rotated often. :D

But why was I happy with one bag not so long ago? And almost reluctant to part with what I have now? And the future??

So many gorgeous handbags on the horizon.......so little time!
 
#53
I agree that you should buy what you like, even if it means having "a lot." If you're using your bags regularly, you're getting your money's worth.

I have three bags right now, and all I want to complete my collection is a simple evening clutch (still looking around for one) and an Hermes Kelly. Then I'll be set for life!
 
#56
Handbags are not about NEED, and neither are high heels, hair products, most technology, the cars we drive, etc. Most of what we buy is not about need. So why ask this about the handbag portion of your life and not every other portion? Will your next vehicle be strictly about what is necessary and not about what is pleasant? Will your next trip to the grocer include no treats or special items? Will you view shoes the same way and keep yourself to only 2 or 3 pairs?

My point is that almost everyone has their "thing". Some people like handbags, some people collect antique glass, some people love certain breeds of animals, some people are into photography. It is rare that someone asks, "How many cameras do you really need?" or "How many antiques in a collection do you really need?" because the answer really is "None." None of those things are necessary, and neither are handbags. We buy them because we enjoy them and we take pleasure in their differences in style, construction and feel. But they are a legitimate "thing" just like anyone else's collections or pleasures.
 
#58
HauteMama said:
Handbags are not about NEED, and neither are high heels, hair products, most technology, the cars we drive, etc. Most of what we buy is not about need. So why ask this about the handbag portion of your life and not every other portion? Will your next vehicle be strictly about what is necessary and not about what is pleasant? Will your next trip to the grocer include no treats or special items? Will you view shoes the same way and keep yourself to only 2 or 3 pairs?

My point is that almost everyone has their "thing". Some people like handbags, some people collect antique glass, some people love certain breeds of animals, some people are into photography. It is rare that someone asks, "How many cameras do you really need?" or "How many antiques in a collection do you really need?" because the answer really is "None." None of those things are necessary, and neither are handbags. We buy them because we enjoy them and we take pleasure in their differences in style, construction and feel. But they are a legitimate "thing" just like anyone else's collections or pleasures.
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HauteMama, you raise some good points.

So, are you saying that handbags are to be considered luxury indulgences like anything else? And therefore, it's not about needing as much as having that which gives us pleasure in life?
 
#59
I LOVE what I'm hearing! Even when I only had one bag and not too many shirts to wear, I was thrilled with what I had and wore them with grace and style. My Mother showed me at a very young age what Givenchy was all about. She also showed me the samples that her students turned out at the Fashion Industries school in New York. But she made sure that I learned how to be happy with a $5.00 bag from a discount store too. Everything I have read here today makes perfect sense and I am so happy that I found TPF. Better late than never.
 
#60
Love NYC said:
I don't think there is the perfect number. I just set my priorities, bills paid and money in savings - after that, it's all fun money!
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I agree with this statement about there not being a strict amount.

Next year perhaps the number of handbags I own will increase or even decrease. I don't have any set handbag rules perse only general guidelines I do like to try and follow. For instance, 1 in/2 out OR if I haven't worn a bag within 6 months then that tells me something about whether to sell.

For me it's more about the handbag joy I receive!
 
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