How many bags do we really need?

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

#76
I think, for me, is the distinction in the constant pursuit and search of the next bag without getting to fully enjoy the last one you just bought. I can't go down to only 2 bags but I am happiest when I am in the single digits. I have come to the conclusion, however, that I can keep one or two that are not everyday bags but for my own enjoyment and for certain occasions. They still get carried but only in certain circumstances. I have always loved handbags so it doesn't seem practical for me to go completely cold turkey. However, I am far more careful than I used to be and threads like this really help in that process!
 
#79
Kyung Hwa said:
Just wanted to add...

I currently own 3 and am thinking possibly adding one more and I think I will be quite happy with my little collection. Of course the 4th won't just be "any" bag... :graucho:
Click to expand...

Agreed - I have 4 that are big enough for daily use and 4 pochettes/wristlets (way more little ones than I need, but they are all too cute to give away) and I can't justify buying more until some of these wear out or until I save enough for an LV (and convince DH I can safely carry it without a guard dog!)
 
#80
Jane*Bond said:
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:

  1. Large Shoulder-Carry Work Bag;
  2. Medium Shoulder-Carry Everyday Bag for all essentials of a long day;
  3. Small Shoulder-Carry Everyday Bag for all essentials of a short day or a casual evening out;
  4. Clutch for cocktail parties, black-tie events and weddings;
  5. 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);
  6. Gym Bag/Overnight Bag (can be one bag that serves both functions);
  7. Beach Bag.
That said, I have way, way more than 7 bags, but I love them all and won't sell or part with any of them. I have, however, maxed out on closet space, so I won't be buying anymore unless I clear out room for more.
Click to expand...


That's a nice line-up of "need" bags. Oh, and you are one of the very, very, very few that I'm come across that actually do not plan to part or with or sell any of your bags. I'm extremely impressed. I buy bags with the full intention of keeping them too, but because of tactile disappointments IRL and design similarities that I did not see before in my collection, I want to sell and/or gift 7 of my 35.


I agree that we do not really need bags apart from one durable bag or two that are sized appropriately to carry from a few things to everything that we would need to carry to a particular event so that our stuff isn't exposed in our hands and arms and vulnerable to getting lost or stolen. Plus, durability that's reasonably priced would reduce waste and cost per wear.

Personally, I don't pay any attention to weather seasons, trends, and classics, popularity, etc. when purchasing and wearing bags. I currently have 35. If I were to make a list of bags that I need that's above one or two sizes fits all...

it would be:

1.) Overnight/weekender bag- This would be used for usually local getaways and is much more of an indoor, private bag. It is made of mainly uncoated canvas with patent accents. It is also a "sit-down bag" than "carry-on bag", meaning once I'm done carrying the bag from point A to point B, I will set aside indoors where I can fully access it to get things that are apart from what I carry in an everyday bag. These things are like food, clothes, and bath essentials.

2.) Travel bag- This is different from the overnight/weekender bag in that it is usually used for getaways that involve mass transit like airports and is involved in outdoors and public traveling. It is all-over patented. It can be used in sporty outdoor trips too, where there is a lot of grime, water, mud, etc. When it is for traveling purposes like these, it's more of a "sit-down bag" when reaching the destination. But, it can be doubled as an everyday bag as well (after getting cleaned up if needed of course).

3.) A sporty messenger bag- This is a carry-on bag that I used to carry essentials that I'm going to frequently reach for throughout the day, i.e. sunscreen, map, water, etc. so I'll continuously wear it at the destination and traveling to it. This often for outdoorsy type of events, even like an amusement park. Often used in conjunction with the travel bag.

4.) A clutch with a wristlet and shoulder/messenger strap- A design that's cool for semi-formals or the most casual for when I can just carry a few, basic things. I'd wear to formals too, which I never go to, but others may argue that it's a little inappropriate which is not a problem.

5.) Everyday large (but not extra large) bag. This is for relatively few, basic things to some of my hobbies, school, and/or work. I don't mind having very much extra space and baggage if I just need/want to carry few, basic things so I do not need to switch to a medium everyday bag personally.

Now, I am going to be very, very frugal with my bags, so if one is too worn and torn to be acceptable by policy in a business formal workplace or something, then I will have a separate work bag...

6.) Work bag. For files, media, etc. that's work-related as well as everyday basics. Would only be saved for the workplace so that it lasts longer for that purpose and I don't have to buy another bag. Once it gets worn and torn too much for work, it becomes an everyday bag in addition to the current one.

7.) Laptop bag. A must for my oh-so-precious laptop and/or netbook. There are those extra pockets for other media and/or papers.

8.) Lunch bag. This is if I happen to not be able to fit my lunch in my work bag because the job required a heavy load.
 
#81
TejasMama said:
I think, for me, is the distinction in the constant pursuit and search of the next bag without getting to fully enjoy the last one you just bought. I can't go down to only 2 bags but I am happiest when I am in the single digits. I have come to the conclusion, however, that I can keep one or two that are not everyday bags but for my own enjoyment and for certain occasions. They still get carried but only in certain circumstances. I have always loved handbags so it doesn't seem practical for me to go completely cold turkey. However, I am far more careful than I used to be and threads like this really help in that process!
Click to expand...


Great thread. I haven't posted here in a while but this is how I feel! I'm trying to be good by avoiding the Purse Forum like the plague-lol! It's working!! My last big splurge was in early March when I used my tax return to purchase a 2006 NWT chocolate Chloe Paddington on the *bay for a steal. It is just one of those bags I've obsessed over ever since they came out in '05. I was so happy to finally have one of my dream bags in my possession....I thought, I'm going to use this bag EVERY DAY. I used it for one day-right after getting it. I wondered...was it the thrill of the 'chase'? It sat up on my shelf and suddenly I was starting to have buyers remorse. Turns out it wasn't buyers remorse...3 days ago I switched to my Paddy and it really hit me that I truly do LOVE this bag and want to fully enjoy it without the pursuit of the next bag. I wondered what was wrong with me??? I think seeing it sitting on the shelf not being used is what makes the buyers remorse sink in. I realized that I just want to use and enjoy every bag that I have. I don't think I could have just one bag, but I certainly don't want more than 9 (no double digits for me either!). I currenly have 6 bags that I'm keeping and selling 3 that I won't miss. The fewer the better IMO. Single digits is the way to go!! :D
 
#82
TejasMama said:
I think, for me, is the distinction in the constant pursuit and search of the next bag without getting to fully enjoy the last one you just bought. I can't go down to only 2 bags but I am happiest when I am in the single digits. I have come to the conclusion, however, that I can keep one or two that are not everyday bags but for my own enjoyment and for certain occasions. They still get carried but only in certain circumstances. I have always loved handbags so it doesn't seem practical for me to go completely cold turkey. However, I am far more careful than I used to be and threads like this really help in that process!
Click to expand...

You are totally right Tejas. As my grandma-guru told me, "It's hard to enjoy the meal you're eating when you haven't finished chewing the last one"...basically, enjoy where you are and what you have now.
 
#83
After having over 20 bags at one time, I found 10 to be a more manageable number. I sold off a lot a few years ago and have since tried to keep it down. I like to switch bags but not every week.

There is that feeling of always wanting something new. I see photos on the pf and I get a bag on the brain. If I wait 2 weeks, a lot of the time, I stop thinking about it.
 
#86
Answering in terms of a basic wardrobe need and not an overall philosophical minimalist lifestyle need, for me personally it would be:

1. Black-toned everyday bag (black, gray, navy, etc)
2. Brown-toned everyday bag (brown, tan, white, yellow, green, etc.)
3. Work tote
4. Small messenger/crossbody/swingpack
5. Evening clutch

So FIVE is my bare minimum. I'm not counting utilitarian things like laptop bags, gym bags, luggage, beach bags, etc. Those items I buy only for function, not style. Of course, using the same bag every day would get stale after a while. The mind craves variety.



*Please don't show my husband my answer to this thread. He might try to hold me to it.
 
#87
I'm curing my addiction and trying to get under 5 classics that I really love! But other than that I don't need any of them. The thrill that I used to get while "on the prowl" for newbies has dramatically faded. My lust list keeps dwindling. YAY, me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top