Let's talk about handbag mistakes!

[totally]

It could be a particular bag, or just a certain bag feature. I'll go first!

1. Heavy bags: I've realized that I need my bags to be under 3 pounds or else I won't carry it. It'll get even heavier with belongings inside and cause shoulder/arm pain! This is especially important for totes, which is probably why the Longchamp Le Pliage is so popular.
2. Too small bags, e.g. super mini bags/WOCs: The Gucci Super Mini bags and various luxury WOCs seem like good value at first, because they're a lot cheaper than the actual handbags. But on the occasion you need more than a phone, card holder, keys and lipstick, they're not that practical. I still love and use my WOCs, but I wouldn't recommend them as a first designer "bag" for that reason.
3. Strap material: The super mini bags/WOCs with a full metal chain strap can be really uncomfortable for me. These days I ensure my bags have a leather portion in the strap.
4. White bags and SLGs: I ruined one white bag with colour transfer and that was enough for me...I went to multiple cobblers trying to see if I could get it out but no luck

What are some other handbag "lessons learned"?

 

[A bottle of Red]

All of the above!
I will add- totes without pockets gets annoying
And do not store your bags in a closet with a huge sunny window. The leather will get ruined - sticky or yellowed (ask me how i know sigh)

 

[papertiger]

Now you mention it - but these are many years ago:

Shoulder bags that don't stay on the shoulder

Metallic bags that don't stay metallic.

Studded bags that don't stay studded

Light suede bags coz they don't stay light (sold one, gave one, stuck with another)

Pastels for day bags. (I make an exception for blush) but the pale green Prada backpack was a mistake

Like @totally heavy bags, but some are worth it (like Chloes and ol' school MJs) and some are not

 

[wimp]

For me it's bags that are too structured. If they stick out too far from my body, I get annoyed and won't end up using them. Also if there's a zipper and it doesn't open wide enough, I find that annoying too.

 

[JenJBS]

Flap bags. I've bought a couple - telling myself there is an exception to every rule, and this bag is the exception - and ended up regretting them and getting rid of them. Maybe there is an exception, but not worth the money and frustration of trying to find it.

 

[A bottle of Red]

For me it's bags that are too structured. If they stick out too far from my body, I get annoyed and won't end up using them. Also if there's a zipper and it doesn't open wide enough, I find that annoying too.

My problem is like you say, very structured bags stick out too far & whack everyone in a 3 ft radius, but i hate squishy saggy bags.

 

[A bottle of Red]

@JenJBS why do you dislike flapbags?

 

[JenJBS]

@JenJBS why do you dislike flapbags?

Just something about the look of them doesn't really appeal me. The couple I did get, it was because I fell in love with the colors - 1 metallic, and 1 purple. Plus, I usually like to be able to just reach right into my purse, not have to fiddle with a flap. My favorite styles are bucket bags and satchels. I never zip my satchel style bags. It's funny though, cause I don't mind opening and closing my BV Pouch or MG Cloud bags. But they are just and easy pull open the magnetic closure, not actually fiddling with anything. I also don't mind the fastening on my AoL trunk bag. But it's not one I carry when I have to get in and out of it more than a couple times. Same for my AoL vanity case bag. I donated my circle bag cause I didn't like zipping and unzipping it all the time.

 

[B.the.attagirl]

Anything that has a buckle closure - I lvoe my LV Theda's look but hate using it for this reason

 

[Christofle]

Heavy bags as noted by another member above. I have a D&G briefcase that feels like it is filled with cement bricks while empty. I have only really used it a dozen times in a 10 year span.

 

[grietje]

I have to watch out for multiple mania. I’m the woman that had seven Balenciaga Day bags, four YSL Easy satchels, and numerous multiples of BV bags. My thought process is ‘I love the style so get one for each season’. But a) the multiple after the first is never as wonderful and b) one day I’m tired of the style and I’ve got a closet full.

I imagine how awesome my collection would had I just stuck to one color in a bag.

 

[mewwwie]

I have a lot, most bags just don't seem to suit my handling...

- Flap bags, I just think they are too much effort to get in and out of compared to a zipper or open top.
- Backpacks for the same reason as flap bags.
- Anything with only a chain strap, just doesn't feel as good as a leather strap to me, and I don't like having it potentially get caught in my hair.
- WOC, too small, don't like flap WOCs especially, and they usually have a chain strap. So this is a triple no for me.
- Anything light colored or made of delicate materials. I try to be very careful with my things but if it's too sensitive then I will find a way to accidentally damage it due to clumsiness and I don't want to worry too much about using a handbag.
- Tote bags are also probably a no for me because every strap seems to fall off my shoulder. So, maybe just shoulder bags in general, and deep totes with no pockets.

So... that is why my only luxury purse right now is a DE speedy b25

 

[A bottle of Red]

Just something about the look of them doesn't really appeal me. The couple I did get, it was because I fell in love with the colors - 1 metallic, and 1 purple. Plus, I usually like to be able to just reach right into my purse, not have to fiddle with a flap. My favorite styles are bucket bags and satchels. I never zip my satchel style bags. It's funny though, cause I don't mind opening and closing my BV Pouch or MG Cloud bags. But they are just and easy pull open the magnetic closure, not actually fiddling with anything. I also don't mind the fastening on my AoL trunk bag. But it's not one I carry when I have to get in and out of it more than a couple times. Same for my AoL vanity case bag. I donated my circle bag cause I didn't like zipping and unzipping it all the time.

Now all i can think of is "you've got mail" (Aol bags)

 

[JenJBS]

Now all i can think of is "you've got mail" (Aol bags)

Aspinal of London.

 

[afroken]

Adding to all of the above, I also don’t like bags with zipper tails showing (an exception would be Balenciagas).