If you had to start collecting all over again, what would you do differently?

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#31
I inherited a love of bags from my grandmother - starting with Target and World Market purchases. There was a (regrettable) period of Vera Bradley bag collecting that taught me a lot about owning multiples, resale value and the need for multiple colors/patterns.

My lifestyle is far more minimalist now. If you find yourself loving bags these are some of the best tips I have from a lifetime of purchases:
1. Make a List: I have a running list on my phone of bags I'd like - this helps me see which ones I really do want based on how long they stay on the list. I don't impulse purchase. I don't sale impulse purchase. I window shop and wait.
2. Test Run: Bring everything you intend to fit in that bag and see if you still like it prior to purchasing (weight distribution, comfort, appearance when full, etc)
3. Follow Sample & Private Sales: Sometimes you get lucky and your list bags end up on sale - double win!
 
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#32
stick to basic, boring colors only. highly useable and resellable and don't show wear/dirt...
don't waste money on low-end designers b/c there is no value in them once they are used/out of style...
soft leather bags only ...
stay away from very small or mini-bags, they don't suit my frame or lifestyle, and they don't fit a darn thing!...
 
#34
1) don't spend any money on sales item if it's not exactly what are you looking for. No matter how big discount is on the bag, it's got nothing to do with you.

2) don't make decision in a rush. Do a lot of research about it, bag review, reveal etc to see cons and pros.

3) chill down when you have a bag crush, I say at least three months, obsession does fade, taste does change quicker than you think.

4) buy classic and the one you love, not because it looks great and everybody likes it, it may not suits you at all, it may goes out of trend right after few years. Unless this is the lifestyle you are enjoying in.
 
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#35
1. Think longer about a new purchase, no impulse shopping.
2. Buy only things that I truly, truly like. Buy the best cry once, settle for less cry forever....
3. Just because something is on sale for a really, really good price, doesn't mean I actually need/want it.
4. Quality is more important than quantity ;).
 
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#37
Even if it took a little more time to assemble the money I would buy "New" rather than "Previously Loved". I think that a woman's handbag is part of her life and should grow and evolve with her owner...but that didn't happen so...
 
#38
Nothing. I knew precisely what I wanted and stuck to it, so no regrets. My wishes seemed impossible to pull off, but somehow I did in a year's time with no debt ... and now I have a complete capsule collection I'm totally in love with and use every day.

What were my wishes? Aside from wanting one Chanel and one LV, each bag had to be:
1) under $1000, the lower the better
2) a style that defied trends
3) the rarer the better
4) nice color that was easy to match with my wardrobe and not too loud. No repeats of colors already in my collection so there would be a good variety.
5) handheld
6) vintage/preloved for highest quality
7) pristine condition

And this is what I ended up with: (front row L to R) 2012 pink Coach Kristin (already had), 2005 etoupe Chanel hobo with large tassel, 2006 khaki LV Josephine PM, (back row) 1993 black Coach Madison (Italian line) Copley, 1994 tomato red Coach Sonoma (Italian line) satchel and 1986 British Tan Coach Madison satchel made in NYC.

May not be much compared to TPF standards, but they're mine.

IMAG0209.jpg
 
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#39
I would not buy less expensive bags as a "back-up" to premier designer bags. Complete waste of $$$. They all just sat in the closet brand new or used just once... ugh! I've sold some but still have a few left.
 
#40
Blackpatent said:
Even if it took a little more time to assemble the money I would buy "New" rather than "Previously Loved". I think that a woman's handbag is part of her life and should grow and evolve with her owner...but that didn't happen so...
Click to expand...

I think I learned this the hard way too. I enjoy "breaking in" a bag and carrying it until I get sick of it. Used/pre-loved bags turned me off as soon as I bought them. I always tried to find something wrong with them.

However, I do have a bag that belongs to my mom, which I enjoy carrying during special occasions. I think if she gave me more purses, I would not be opposed to carrying them, though. Free bags aren't the same as buying used!
 
#41
1. Familiarize yourself with the sales of the brands you like
2. Make a list of the types of bags you want, DO NOT just go on "love" because your collection will get huge and out of control
3. become familiar with all of the bags before you buy, don't base your decision based on what's in store, look online, in larger stores, and even resale websites, so many times I've purchased a bag I love, and later found a better color, or material [python] that I like, but didn't know existed at the time I purchased mine, then I end up purchasing the same bag in several different colors [guilty]
 
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#45
Sneedonist, my mother didn't really appreciate a good handbag. If I had inherited something like that I would certainly hang onto it and pass it on as an inheritance.
 
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