Please help me DOWNSIZE my collection!

[mary79]

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.

This is wondeful advice, thank you! Never thought it would be so difficult...

Sometimes I wonder if I should consider how much I might get for the bags I sell, but I now think your method is much better.

 

[mary79]

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!

This is very helpful - thank you! Lots to think about but I've decided to strike while the iron is hot and make some big decisions TODAY (as it was already a process getting to this point!)

 

[slsk]

I'm not sure I have much advice other than to JUST DO IT.

We sound very similar - I love a good bargain, so I have bought things I didn't need. I also have come to the realization that while I have two careers, I'm pretty much a casual person and any bag I have has to work casually, slung over the shoulder, running to the soccer fields after work, etc.

I have recently downsized to 10-ish bags. I say 10-ish because I have a number of clutches that aren't in daily rotation and are now in a small box, my nylon Longchamps and Herve Chapeliers are foldable and don't take up much room. So all of those count as like, one, right? LOL

It's much better to get rid of things you don't need and feel excited about the things you have - and new things to come!

But, my $.02, just reading your list, I think you should get rid of everything in your 2nd list and anything in your 1st list that's too heavy or you don't wear. I may gently suggest that you might pick your Marc Jacobs over your Michael Kors because you prefer a more "distinguished" brand. I've come to that realization myself lately (while I was downsizing!), that I just really like and use my premium designer goods more. They make me feel good, they dress up my "casualness" and I don't have to apologize for it.

 

[slsk]

Oh - and to add - NEVER consider the $$ value of the bags when you're trying to decide if you're getting rid of them. It blocks your true estimation of its worth TO YOU. Don't keep something because you could get a lot of money for it - or because you won't. I just donated several bags to charity - I didn't want to deal with the hassle of ebay (where the market stinks for the brands I gave away anyway) and I'd rather take a tax deduction. I feel so free without those unused things in my closet.

 

[mary79]

Oh - and to add - NEVER consider the $$ value of the bags when you're trying to decide if you're getting rid of them. It blocks your true estimation of its worth TO YOU. Don't keep something because you could get a lot of money for it - or because you won't. I just donated several bags to charity - I didn't want to deal with the hassle of ebay (where the market stinks for the brands I gave away anyway) and I'd rather take a tax deduction. I feel so free without those unused things in my closet.

This is excellent advice. I just took this picture of 2 bags with very similar uses... I love the large Alexa more, but was thinking of selling it and keeping the Tillie because the Alexa is new and I would get more for it... but I will now reconsider!

 

[mary79]

The bottom picture is of the bags I have definitely decided to sell... I need to add more bags to this photo, but it's a start.

Thanks everyone for great advice

 

[mary79]

Hmmmm, should I keep the large Oak Lexy (gorgeous! and I love Alexas - they suit my lifestyle so well) or the Tillie? I suppose I just answered my own question, but I could probably get double the money for the Alexa than the Tillie... urgh.

 

[vink]

This is wondeful advice, thank you! Never thought it would be so difficult...

Sometimes I wonder if I should consider how much I might get for the bags I sell, but I now think your method is much better.

Don't think about how much you'll get. If you keep it, you get nothing, plus you have the piles of bags you won't use to make your house clutter and yourself overwhelm. What's good out of that?

If you get rid of it, you get the space back, you feel lighter, your house is free of clutter, and you may even get some money back. Just cut it loose and look on the bright side.

 

[vink]

I'm not sure I have much advice other than to JUST DO IT.

We sound very similar - I love a good bargain, so I have bought things I didn't need. I also have come to the realization that while I have two careers, I'm pretty much a casual person and any bag I have has to work casually, slung over the shoulder, running to the soccer fields after work, etc.

I have recently downsized to 10-ish bags. I say 10-ish because I have a number of clutches that aren't in daily rotation and are now in a small box, my nylon Longchamps and Herve Chapeliers are foldable and don't take up much room. So all of those count as like, one, right? LOL

It's much better to get rid of things you don't need and feel excited about the things you have - and new things to come!

But, my $.02, just reading your list, I think you should get rid of everything in your 2nd list and anything in your 1st list that's too heavy or you don't wear. I may gently suggest that you might pick your Marc Jacobs over your Michael Kors because you prefer a more "distinguished" brand. I've come to that realization myself lately (while I was downsizing!), that I just really like and use my premium designer goods more. They make me feel good, they dress up my "casualness" and I don't have to apologize for it.

Oh - and to add - NEVER consider the $$ value of the bags when you're trying to decide if you're getting rid of them. It blocks your true estimation of its worth TO YOU. Don't keep something because you could get a lot of money for it - or because you won't. I just donated several bags to charity - I didn't want to deal with the hassle of ebay (where the market stinks for the brands I gave away anyway) and I'd rather take a tax deduction. I feel so free without those unused things in my closet.

These are good advices. I'd second these.

 

[mary79]

Don't think about how much you'll get. If you keep it, you get nothing, plus you have the piles of bags you won't use to make your house clutter and yourself overwhelm. What's good out of that?

If you get rid of it, you get the space back, you feel lighter, your house is free of clutter, and you may even get some money back. Just cut it loose and look on the bright side.

This is EXACTLY the push I needed ! Thank you both so much !

 

[vink]

Hmmmm, should I keep the large Oak Lexy (gorgeous! and I love Alexas - they suit my lifestyle so well) or the Tillie? I suppose I just answered my own question, but I could probably get double the money for the Alexa than the Tillie... urgh.

Sell the Tillie. You won't want to get it again.

Sell the Alexa, you will be left with the Tillie that you don't love as much, besides, chances are you may want to buy another Alexa again. At the end, it'll only cost you more.

Are you sure you want to get the money now only to pay more later?

 

[dcooney4]

These are good advices. I'd second these.

I will add a third vote to what was said and add what Bake said earlier.

 

[dcooney4]

Sell the Tillie. You won't want to get it again.

Sell the Alexa, you will be left with the Tillie that you don't love as much, besides, chances are you may want to buy another Alexa again. At the end, it'll only cost you more.

Are you sure you want to get the money now only to pay more later?

I was just about to say the same thing.

 

[dcooney4]

Start by getting rid of the ones your sure you want to get rid of. Then each batch you sell it gets easier to get rid of stuff. Last year I got rid of tons of bags. Some I was so worried about selling in the first round, but by the third round of sales I thought to myself why did I not get rid of it already. My problem is I bought to many new ones again.

 

[solange]

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)

You love the Petticoat Alexa. Don't get rid of it, at least not now, or you may regret it for who knows how long. As vink said, use it and see how things go. The bag is meant to be used and enjoyed, not stored, not sold off. It's good to love a bag to death. And a small enough collection means you will wear these bags to death. It's a good and fulfilling set of investments.