Please help me DOWNSIZE my collection!

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M

mary79

O.G.
Jun 17, 2011
790
71
#1
I have been insipired by several threads about downsizing, and really need your help!

I currently have too many bags, and they take up too much space in my home. I purchased them, new or preloved (some just because they were bargains!), over the past few years. Over this time I have developed a better sense of what bags "work" for me and which I use the most.

I'd love to sell a few to save up for a bag I will use more, such as perhaps a classic black Bal. But money is not the primary consideration. The real problem I feel overwhelmed with so many bags and end up not using them enough... I also keep them for "sentimental" rather than practical reasons (because they were bargains, or I wouldn't get much selling them, etc.)Plus some are beginning to look old and worn.

I have now taken the step of deciding I NEED to de-clutter and get my collection down to about 10 bags that I will love and use. Can you help me?
 
#2
I need bags to suit every occasion (a larger bag to fit my laptop for work, a small bag for parties, etc.) but have realised my lifestyle is mainly casual and
mostly use lightweight bags, medium sized, that can be carried with a long strap so I am "hands free". I also enjoy colour and tan bags, because I don't wear black very often.

So you have an idea, the bags I have carried most often during the past year are my black Mulberry Alexa, oak Alexa Postman's lock, and my blue Marc by Marc Jacobs (which I carried all summer long! - 3 compartments, lightweight and a nice pop of colour).

I will now photograph and briefly describe my bags in the hope you can help me!
 
#3
These are the bags I initially think to keep:

1. Part-time Bal (lovely bag I do not use enough)
2. Mulberry sparkle diamond Lily (perfect bag for parties, weddings, etc. Goes with every "dressy" outfit)
3. Stella Fallabella (again do not use enough. Heavy but probably good for parties?)
4. Alexander Wang Rockie (love the colour. Don't use enough: heavy).
5. Mulberry Alexa postman's lock (perfect size, lightweight)
6. Mulberry Black Alexa (use her loads in winter. hassle free)
7. Givenchy Pandora (HUGE size that I think was discontinued! Was a bargain but again I don't use her much)
8. Blue Marc by Marc Jacobs (used this bag all summer)
9. Tangerine MK by Michael Kors (similar to MJ but used seldom)
10. LV neverfull (my beach bag; also good for travel)
11. Mulberry bayswater (good for rare work occasions when I want to look more polished. Fits A4 pad and my laptop)
 

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#5
Tbh, if you don't carry the heavy ones, I'd start with letting go of those first. You should be comfortable carrying a bag, not have any discomfort.

For the ones that are big and heavy, why did you buy in the first place? If they were the bargains, they aren't much of a bargain if you can't carry them.

Then the MK, which you said is similar to the MJ but not used, why not? Why do you pick up the MJ but not the MK? Something about it doesn't make you wanna carry it, can it go too?

If you have to force yourself to use a bag, it isn't fun. Hopefully you can figure out which to keep and which not to keep! That's always the hardest part.
 
#6
bakeacookie said:
Tbh, if you don't carry the heavy ones, I'd start with letting go of those first. You should be comfortable carrying a bag, not have any discomfort.

For the ones that are big and heavy, why did you buy in the first place? If they were the bargains, they aren't much of a bargain if you can't carry them.

Then the MK, which you said is similar to the MJ but not used, why not? Why do you pick up the MJ but not the MK? Something about it doesn't make you wanna carry it, can it go too?

If you have to force yourself to use a bag, it isn't fun. Hopefully you can figure out which to keep and which not to keep! That's always the hardest part.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your ideas... you are right that it is silly to keep heavy bags if I don't use them... I think I will only keep the Oak Bays for special work days!

You have convinced me to get rid of the tangerine MK... I think the colour is not right for me. One day I will replace it with a RED bag :)
 
#7
These are the bags I am more UNDECIDED on (but think I should really let these go, or at least most of them!)

1. pink Mulberry roxanne (thought this would be lovely for summer but no long strap and I guess I don't use pink much)
2. Darwin Ginger Roxanne (love this bag but don't use it much. SOB!)
3. Chloe Paddington Capsule (weighs a ton)
4. Proenza PS1 large (I used it loads but it is now very worn and dry)
5. Mulberry OL alexa (love the idea of this but bought preloved and leather is worn and dry!)
6. Mulberry Phoebe (lovely to look at but never use her)
7. Michael MK bag: thought top would fold over but doesn't, so looks odd when I carry her. annoys me)
8. Mulberry large tillie (nice but fulfils same function as my Oak Bays and the Bays is more classic for work)
9. Mulberry denin tillie (lightweight, used loads in summer for past few years, now looks old and worn)
10. RM pink (too girlie and pink for me)
11. Celine (super heavy and no long strap) - one day I'd love to replace this with a Trapeze or Mini Belt :)
 

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#8
In ADDITION to these, I also have 2 large Mulberry Alexas (the Alexa style is perfect for me but I prefer the regular size):

1. Oak (brand new, in storage: bought in the last sale before they changed the type of leather because I love the original soft slouchy leather)
2. Petticoat with rose gold hardware (almost new; hardly used but my most beautiful bag and I would hate to lose her)
 
#9
PHEW! That's all my bags! I'd love to get down to only 10 bags or so, and put the rest in consignment or give them away to friends, families or charities. If I raise enough money I'd love to buy a Celine Trapeze or Mini Belt which I am sure I would use LOTS :)

Thank you for looking and any advice much appreciated! It has already been a big step for me to make this decision to cull so many bags.
 
#10
Definitely get rid of the bag that annoys you. Also, the ones you don't like to carry because of color, I'd let go too.

The ones you don't carry without the strap, can you get a strap? But it sounds like they're heavy so you have to determine if you'd carry them anyway.

The worn ones, why not get leather moisturizer and revitalize them? Get them cleaned and wearable before you decide on them. Or if you don't want to do that, then you should let them go as they won't be worn.


Good luck deciding! You've at least gotten them all out and did an initial assessment. I think you know some definitely need to go, so that's a great first step!
 
#11
mary79 said:
In ADDITION to these, I also have 2 large Mulberry Alexas (the Alexa style is perfect for me but I prefer the regular size):

1. Oak (brand new, in storage: bought in the last sale before they changed the type of leather because I love the original soft slouchy leather)
2. Petticoat with rose gold hardware (almost new; hardly used but my most beautiful bag and I would hate to lose her)
Click to expand...


Ooh, pics of your most beautiful bag please!
 
#14
Well, I'm also trying to downsize my bag collection. :) This is what I do. :)

I look at each of my bag and ask myself if I still love it. If the answer is no, I get rid of it.

If I think I won't use it, I get rid of it.

If I have some pieces that's on the fence, I put it in a cupboard for a couple of months. If I don't miss it, get rid of it.

For the pieces that I miss it, but still don't use it, I keep it for longer until I don't feel like I need it anymore. Then, I get rid of it.

I'm doing it slow, but it's kind of hard for me to just simply pick some of and get rid of all the rest. This is what work for me at the moment. :)
 
#15
mary79 said:
She looks even lovelier in the sun... but she's so pretty I am often scared of using her...



Isn't it SILLY how we can get over our bags?! :lolots:
Click to expand...


She's so pretty. Use her. Take her out on a date. Date her for a couple of time then you'll know if you want to keep her for a long term. ;)
 
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