Official bottega veneta chat thread - thread #4

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#3,061
septembersiren said:
Since I "retired" I have down sized my possessions to fit into my bedroom and 5 storage totes
I have definitely stuck to
"If I buy something new I get rid of something old"
I still have a lot of shoes that I could not part with
I have a pair of gray flannel heels from Bonwit Teller Dept store that I can not part with. These days my uniform in winter is either sweats or jeans. I have 1 pair of jeans for "dress" and then 2 pair of knock around jeans
I only have 6 handbags which for me is a lot
The thing I have in abundance and can't seem to stop the growth are my rubber duckies
I don't buy them any more but do receive them as gifts
It is funny that the older I got the less I need
Click to expand...
I think six handbags is a great number. Let's be honest, how many do we really need, right?
A tote, a clutch, a shoulder bag, a smaller bag, a large one... I look at mine and sometimes wonder if I should get rid of all of them and just have 1 Cabat, 1 Roma, 1 Campana, 1 Turnlock Clutch, 1 Rete Tote, 1 Crossbody-style bag. Do I really need so many different styles and all the colours? No.
Good for you for keeping it minimal

Mousse said:
I'll check it out. I'm in wardrobe trouble. My Nordies Rack is one of 4 stores in the country that are testing high end designer clothing. I just bought an amazing St. John long jacket that is so me. I'll post a picture tomorrow. I am going to the office for some work meetings.
Click to expand...
Pics please! Big fan of St. John. Was it a Topper that you bought? I just made a removable fox collar for my purple wool St. John coat and it looks very chic (IMO). When I was at The Rack in downtown Seattle last July they had just had a bunch of stuff come in from the full price Nordstrom and OMG, they had so much great stuff. You Americans are really spoiled as far as discounted retail goes. So jelz.

grietje said:
I have to admit there are times that I don't much like it. It's typically cold, visibility is poor, and especially in large lake/ocean swimming you've got swells to contend with. The whole creature business is also unnerving. I may have written about this before but 'something' brushed against my thigh when I was doing an ocean swim in the SF Bay. And I dislike swimming through kelp forests for the creatures that lurk. I suppose that's why I do fairly well when I compete--I just wanna get out of there!
That said, when it's pretty, it's like swimming in the skies. The sun's rays pierce through blue water and there's such a feeling of freedom. Our trip to Greece will be in July. I believe we're swimming between 2-5 miles a day and will have an escort boat and kayaks so it's going to be a pretty nice set up!
Click to expand...
I remember that story. I think I would literally sh!t my Speedo if something large brushed up against me. Even a tuna. They are big, ugly and mean looking. I love the ocean and grew up with it in my backyard having grown up in the Vancouver area, but more than just frolicking in it, is too much for me. I feel I'm at a disadvantage not being able to breathe under water. I'll take on a bear though. Well okay, not on purpose but I've had so many close calls with bears and only once feared for my life. I feel like the odds are better on land. :laugh:
We're gonna need to see pics of your trip, mkay?

septembersiren said:
I have a St John outlet near me
At one point I had applied for a job there
They make you wear their clothes and their employees discount is not that great their sales goals extremely high
Not worth the stress
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I am glad there is not an outlet near me. I have wondered if they will open one at the Seattle Premium Outlets. I hope so but I kinda don't hope so.
Makes sense about the sales goals. That explains all the messages from my enabler about how I have to have something. It's the last one, it's in my size, it was a big seller this season, I don't want to miss out on this sale... Man, she's good but then again she knows I'm a total sucker.
 
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#3,062
V0N1B2 said:
... Let's be honest, how many do we really need, right?
A tote, a clutch, a shoulder bag, a smaller bag, a large one... I look at mine and sometimes wonder if I should get rid of all of them and just have 1 Cabat, 1 Roma, 1 Campana, 1 Turnlock Clutch, 1 Rete Tote, 1 Crossbody-style bag...
Click to expand...

I grapple with this often. More due to my minimalist nature and a little OCD. Right now I have 12 and I've marked on my spreadsheet what could go to make a paired down (8) and minimal (3) set of bags. The minimal is: Karung Cabat, Nero Bella and Nero Disco. And what I think about is 'well, if I've identified what could go, should it just go then?' What stops me is the fact is that I like having options. I don't need a ton of them but right now I have a choice. After a fair amount of turnover over the past 5 years, I'm really slowing down. I am fortunately learning from my experiences!
 
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#3,063
grietje said:
I grapple with this often. More due to my minimalist nature and a little OCD. Right now I have 12 and I've marked on my spreadsheet what could go to make a paired down (8) and minimal (3) set of bags. The minimal is: Karung Cabat, Nero Bella and Nero Disco. And what I think about is 'well, if I've identified what could go, should it just go then?' What stops me is the fact is that I like having options. I don't need a ton of them but right now I have a choice. After a fair amount of turnover over the past 5 years, I'm really slowing down. I am fortunately learning from my experiences!
Click to expand...
I feel the same, I like choice. It's like when you go to that new hip must-see restaurant in town and the menu is boring. There are five things on it and none of them appeal to you.
My problem is that as much as I love BV, there are other brands/designers that I love as well. There are Gucci, Dior and Tod's bags that I'm in love with and need in my collection. (Tho I hate the word collection because it makes it sound like they are kept in a locked glass cabinet to be viewed with admiration and not used). I like classics so I tend to buy less of the "bag of the moment" or seasonal colours and that helps keep me in check.
 
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#3,064
V0N1B2 said:
I think six handbags is a great number. Let's be honest, how many do we really need, right?
A tote, a clutch, a shoulder bag, a smaller bag, a large one... I look at mine and sometimes wonder if I should get rid of all of them and just have 1 Cabat, 1 Roma, 1 Campana, 1 Turnlock Clutch, 1 Rete Tote, 1 Crossbody-style bag. Do I really need so many different styles and all the colours? No.
Good for you for keeping it minimal


Pics please! Big fan of St. John. Was it a Topper that you bought? I just made a removable fox collar for my purple wool St. John coat and it looks very chic (IMO). When I was at The Rack in downtown Seattle last July they had just had a bunch of stuff come in from the full price Nordstrom and OMG, they had so much great stuff. You Americans are really spoiled as far as discounted retail goes. So jelz.


I remember that story. I think I would literally sh!t my Speedo if something large brushed up against me. Even a tuna. They are big, ugly and mean looking. I love the ocean and grew up with it in my backyard having grown up in the Vancouver area, but more than just frolicking in it, is too much for me. I feel I'm at a disadvantage not being able to breathe under water. I'll take on a bear though. Well okay, not on purpose but I've had so many close calls with bears and only once feared for my life. I feel like the odds are better on land. :laugh:
We're gonna need to see pics of your trip, mkay?


I am glad there is not an outlet near me. I have wondered if they will open one at the Seattle Premium Outlets. I hope so but I kinda don't hope so.
Makes sense about the sales goals. That explains all the messages from my enabler about how I have to have something. It's the last one, it's in my size, it was a big seller this season, I don't want to miss out on this sale... Man, she's good but then again she knows I'm a total sucker.
Click to expand...

I have 3 BV
A cocker
Large belly
Medium Veneta
A canvas shoulder bag that I love to travel with ( lots of pockets)
A clutch
A faux mink bag that I have only used once but it is so funky I just love it

Clothes are Old Navy rock star jeans in various washes ( I like dark wash but buy dark and stone washed and end up wearing the lighter ones to work)
Tops are mainly tee shirts
I am a no brand name girl now but my favorite tee shirts are in descending order
Jones New York
J Crew
Eddie Bauer

Then work tees are wal mart lol

I hardly ever need to get dressed anymore but I did retain 3 of my business suits
1 Tahari
1 Jones New York
1 Calvin Klein
Couple cashmere sweaters for winter

1 pair uggs
1 pair of uggs knock offs for work
3 pair BV shoes
And that is about all I own now ( not mentioning the 20 pair of heels in the closet that I don't wear but can't get rid of)

Retiring and getting fluffier has certainly curtailed my clothes/ shoes addiction
They are only things now
 
#3,065
grietje said:
I grapple with this often. More due to my minimalist nature and a little OCD. Right now I have 12 and I've marked on my spreadsheet what could go to make a paired down (8) and minimal (3) set of bags. The minimal is: Karung Cabat, Nero Bella and Nero Disco. And what I think about is 'well, if I've identified what could go, should it just go then?' What stops me is the fact is that I like having options. I don't need a ton of them but right now I have a choice. After a fair amount of turnover over the past 5 years, I'm really slowing down. I am fortunately learning from my experiences!
Click to expand...

I have been thinking about this for the past month. I'm at 16 but I remember when I was at half this number and thought that I had too many then. I already told Danah that I won't be buying the tote that I loved so much when cruise was introduced, although the price was certainly a part of that decision. Five tote styles are more than adequate. I think my lesson is that I'm too impulsive and when I am forced to wait, I cool off. I need to not only take a break in purchasing but let go of more bags. Facing my bag demons, I have to admit that all last summer I carried either my Peltro cabat or the nuvolato tote. Ocasionally, I used my pillows for quick errands. Because I'm a 'uniform' dresser by nature, in my other BVs I usually use one of the NLG bags as they go with everything in my closet. When I worked, I used more bags and wore more of my clothing. I know what I need to do, I just need to actually do it.
 
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#3,066
septembersiren said:
I have 3 BV
A cocker
Large belly
Medium Veneta
A canvas shoulder bag that I love to travel with ( lots of pockets)
A clutch
A faux mink bag that I have only used once but it is so funky I just love it

Clothes are Old Navy rock star jeans in various washes ( I like dark wash but buy dark and stone washed and end up wearing the lighter ones to work)
Tops are mainly tee shirts
I am a no brand name girl now but my favorite tee shirts are in descending order
Jones New York
J Crew
Eddie Bauer

Then work tees are wal mart lol

I hardly ever need to get dressed anymore but I did retain 3 of my business suits
1 Tahari
1 Jones New York
1 Calvin Klein
Couple cashmere sweaters for winter

1 pair uggs
1 pair of uggs knock offs for work
3 pair BV shoes
And that is about all I own now ( not mentioning the 20 pair of heels in the closet that I don't wear but can't get rid of)

Retiring and getting fluffier has certainly curtailed my clothes/ shoes addiction
They are only things now
Click to expand...

When I posted my response, I saw your list. Gawd, I love this place! The insight I find here, along with the support and suggestions that everyone offers, is so valuable to me.
 
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#3,067
I finally was able to take a photo of the St. John "topper" I picked up at The Rack in Palo Alto. I didn't wear it yesterday because we were getting hammered by rain. I included a close up of the fabric. It's just divine. I'm wearing it next week to a biz meeting in PDX. Pairing it with a Babette gray top and basic black heavy weight leggings. As for BV, either the ottone cabat or argento pillow.
IMG_1483655880.191399.jpgIMG_1483655889.641106.jpg
 
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#3,068
Mousse said:
I finally was able to take a photo of the St. John "topper" I picked up at The Rack in Palo Alto. I didn't wear it yesterday because we were getting hammered by rain. I included a close up of the fabric. It's just divine. I'm wearing it next week to a biz meeting in PDX. Pairing it with a Babette gray top and basic black heavy weight leggings. As for BV, either the ottone cabat or argento pillow.
View attachment 3566097View attachment 3566098
Click to expand...
Gorgeous! Bet it will also look great with creme pants in the warmer weather. St John is so classic!
 
#3,070
Mousse said:
I finally was able to take a photo of the St. John "topper" I picked up at The Rack in Palo Alto. I didn't wear it yesterday because we were getting hammered by rain. I included a close up of the fabric. It's just divine. I'm wearing it next week to a biz meeting in PDX. Pairing it with a Babette gray top and basic black heavy weight leggings. As for BV, either the ottone cabat or argento pillow.
View attachment 3566097View attachment 3566098
Click to expand...
I love it. I would totally wear that!
While I think the Argento Pillow would look good colour-wise, I feel the crossbody strap would detract from the gorgeous fabric of the coat. JMO
I'm wearing this St. John vest today:
IMG_3350.JPG
 
#3,071
V0N1B2 said:
I love it. I would totally wear that!
While I think the Argento Pillow would look good colour-wise, I feel the crossbody strap would detract from the gorgeous fabric of the coat. JMO
I'm wearing this St. John vest today:
View attachment 3566316
Click to expand...

I am going to carry the "Beach Bag" aka the Nero pvc cabat. A perfect design to match. Thanks Diane! I'm traveling with my boss who is a fashionista. She's into Chanel. But she will take an action shot because she adores my love of BV.
 
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#3,075
septembersiren said:
What is your favorite handbag of your entire life

I have 2
In high school I had a John Romain handbag that I loved

I also love my BV cocker even though I never carry it
Click to expand...

That's a hard question. My all time favorite is my Ossidato Rame Cervo Hobo followed by my Ottone Cabat.

As for an oldie but goody, I still have a large tan coach duffle bag from the days when Coach was made in NYC.
 
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