i agree w/other posters that it is definitely an addiction. we don't really 'need' more than one. i have gotten 3 new ones this year, adding up to 5 total that I plan on rotating throughout the year. i have given many handbags away to family members so i don't feel too bad about getting so many, but i do need to slow down and stop for a while.
How many bags do we really need?
- Thread starter Contessa
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Good info here... Thanks all for posting. I feel the need to reevaluate my inventory which is currrently more than I use. Some bags are just sitting in my closet (impulse buys). I like the idea to declutter my collection so that I can enjoy bags that I own. Also like the idea of buy one/sell one. Now I just need to make it happen. Step 1: Reevaluate my inventory
It depends on the individual. You needs as many bags as you want or feel you need. If it is one then it should be one, but if you can never have enough bags like me, then so be it. I don't think there is just the one answer that will make every single person happy.
Hello All, This is my first post and i am pleased to join this fantastic forum/blog site.
I feel when it comes to handbags, your always going to have more then 1. There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on the person i guess. Some enjoy having a collection of bags and some prefer to have one and use that one until it is knackered before purchasing another one.
I feel when it comes to handbags, your always going to have more then 1. There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on the person i guess. Some enjoy having a collection of bags and some prefer to have one and use that one until it is knackered before purchasing another one.
Agreed.
I think of my bags, shoes, clothes, etc. as my grown-up toys. They fulfill a want in my life rather than a need. Do I really need another bag? No. Do I want another bag? Always. Ask any little girl why she loves to play with dolls and the answer, more often than not, will be the accessories. That certainly was the case with me. Now that I am grown-up, I have become the doll and my bags are there to accessorize my life.
I agree with others. You need as many as you think you need and you enjoy.
I'm getting pretty tired of the new 'simplicity' pare-down movement. It's kind of a reverse-obsession--"How much can I get away with not having?" vs. "How much can I fit in my closet?".
It's still an obsession with stuff. Personally, I'm enjoying what I have and trying to quit obsessing over anything I own (or don't). The obsession is the problem--not the stuff.
I'm getting pretty tired of the new 'simplicity' pare-down movement. It's kind of a reverse-obsession--"How much can I get away with not having?" vs. "How much can I fit in my closet?".
It's still an obsession with stuff. Personally, I'm enjoying what I have and trying to quit obsessing over anything I own (or don't). The obsession is the problem--not the stuff.
You make some interesting points, but I would have to say that for me personally I find that I actually obsess a lot less over handbags and all things handbag-related when I own fewer bags. I have largely fallen out of the habit of thinking so much about "the next bag," just as at one point I gradually grew accustomed to spending lots of time planning my next purchase.
How do we separate the obsession from the "stuff," though? (I am honestly not trying to be provocative when I ask this - I am just curious to hear more about what you mean).
I think it's timely...given the state of the economy and many people are re-evaluating their possessions overall. I guess I would rather be "obsessed" with having less instead of the other extreme...going broke due to impulse purchases and the "WANT IT NEED IT" mentality.
Interesting posts! I've always only owned only a few bags, however, my hang up has always been checking out bags if you will. IOW, I walk the streets of Manhattan and check out every bag every woman is wearing or go into a boutique or department store and scan every bag that's in the store as well as every bag every woman is wearing. How nuts is that?? 
If I bought every single bag I admired, I would probably own about 20 bags but I guess due to frugality, I will not permit myself. I need the balance of mortgage, cars, three kids, food, clothes, shoes, etc. I do know how to separate the difference between "need" and "want" however, my brother taught me when I first got married, that if I really really want something to use the word "need"! So, happy shopping everyone (within moderation 
)
If I bought every single bag I admired, I would probably own about 20 bags but I guess due to frugality, I will not permit myself. I need the balance of mortgage, cars, three kids, food, clothes, shoes, etc. I do know how to separate the difference between "need" and "want" however, my brother taught me when I first got married, that if I really really want something to use the word "need"! So, happy shopping everyone (within moderation )
Chacha--you are correct in that as long as you enjoy them, the number irrelevant. Each person's personality is different, and I know that I prefer a few that I really enjoy and appreciate vs. a lot that are pretty but never get used. Others are different. I've always been a person who isn't into too much of anything--with three kids,we are contantly battling clutter as it is--so I prefer not to add to it.
To each her own...I dig the more minimalist lifestyle. I appreciate things more that way. It might drive other people crazy, and that's fine, too. There's room for everyone.
I'm not "obsessed" with anything......minimalism or abundance.
If I was concerned with any "pare-down movement" I wouldn't continue to look....or purchase.
I think you missed the point of my thread.
Let me start over: I'm impressed and I admire those of you (and have posted elsewhere about this) who are clearing out and only using what you really need.
Loquita--my thought was just that the "pare-down" articles can lead to a buy/purge/buy cycle (a cycle Mrs. ShoeGal mentioned earlier) where (it seems to me) a person throws everything out but still focuses/obsesses on something outside themselves (that you can buy) to bring happiness--like the "perfect bag" (Birkin, etc) or "perfect car" (fill in blank) or whatever. That's what I meant by obsessing--it still seems to be about the stuff. But as you mentioned, it's easier not to obsess over or think about stuff when there is less stuff to obsess over.
Anyway, "obsess" is too strong a term and I take it back. Let's say "totally focused".
I think my answer to your original post, Contessa, is that we might need one bag each. Sadly. And possibly not even that as the wristlet challenge may prove (although I already flunked out of that challenge).
Even though I love all my bags (10), I'm reaching the point of just wanting to dump everything in one and be done. So, clearly I'm being motivated by the "simplicity" movement and these interesting threads, as well.
Loquita--my thought was just that the "pare-down" articles can lead to a buy/purge/buy cycle (a cycle Mrs. ShoeGal mentioned earlier) where (it seems to me) a person throws everything out but still focuses/obsesses on something outside themselves (that you can buy) to bring happiness--like the "perfect bag" (Birkin, etc) or "perfect car" (fill in blank) or whatever. That's what I meant by obsessing--it still seems to be about the stuff. But as you mentioned, it's easier not to obsess over or think about stuff when there is less stuff to obsess over.
Anyway, "obsess" is too strong a term and I take it back. Let's say "totally focused".
I think my answer to your original post, Contessa, is that we might need one bag each. Sadly. And possibly not even that as the wristlet challenge may prove (although I already flunked out of that challenge).
Even though I love all my bags (10), I'm reaching the point of just wanting to dump everything in one and be done. So, clearly I'm being motivated by the "simplicity" movement and these interesting threads, as well.
I love this thread! Technically, we don't need any bags - we can simply carry our belongings in a grocery bag or a department store shopping bag. But, as we live in polite society where being put together matters (at least a little bit), that is not practical. I think everyone's need depends on their lifestyle. Years ago, I only needed 2 bags: a school bag and a not-school bag. When I started working, I needed a work bag and a going out bag. Now, as my lifestyle has changed and the things I do and places I go to has increased, I find a "need" more.
Assuming everything is in a neutral go-with-everything color and is appropriate for all weather scenarios (bright sun, pouring rain and everything in between), my needs are as follows:
Assuming everything is in a neutral go-with-everything color and is appropriate for all weather scenarios (bright sun, pouring rain and everything in between), my needs are as follows:
- Large Shoulder-Carry Work Bag;
- Medium Shoulder-Carry Everyday Bag for all essentials of a long day;
- Small Shoulder-Carry Everyday Bag for all essentials of a short day or a casual evening out;
- Clutch for cocktail parties, black-tie events and weddings;
- Cross-body bag for sporting events, museum trips and grocery shopping (I could just use one of the every-day bags if I had to, but having a cross-body for these occasions is just easier and I don't like cross-body bags enough to substitute them for one of the everyday bags);
- Gym Bag/Overnight Bag (can be one bag that serves both functions);
- Beach Bag.
