Please help me DOWNSIZE my collection!

[bakeacookie]

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:

That is gorgeous!

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.

+1 !!

You've already spent the money. You have to come to terms you won't get much of it back. It's a lesson we all have to learn when creating big collections, it's crazy how people think of handbags as "investments" and that you can recoup "all" your money you spent.

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.

Definitely think about what you'll gain if you let go of the bags you don't like to use. Less clutter, more space, a refined collection of handbags that work perfectly in your life.

But go at your own pace. We have culled our collections, so we know the path. You have to go down the path yourself to avoid any regrets.

 

[LVmyotherbaby]

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.

This!

 

[vintagefinds]

I noticed that a lot of bags you are keeping you describe as "it's lovely, but...". The only true test of whether to keep a bag is how much you use it. If it's beautiful but heavy or impractical, it should go, unless you have the space and will to keep storing it.

It seems you like satchels that are not too heavy and come with long shoulder straps. You might consider selling off even more than you planned to buy and replace them with bags you know you'll love, like a new PS1.

 

[mary79]

Everyone who has replied is so SPOT ON I begin to think you have psychic abilities!

Due to all the excellent advice received here, I have indeed decided to move on even more bags than I originally planned (even those I will not achieve much money for). It will be so liberating to have fewer bags, keep only the ones I love, and use them much more often Plus of course this makes space for more bag purchases in the future.

It's silly but I cannot tell you how happy and FREE I feel

I have contacted consignment sellers to ask if there are any bags they might help me sell. The rest I will give away to family, friends, and charity. (All the bags are still perfectly usable!).

 

[mary79]

I never though I would do it, but have decided on my current collection of bags. Thanks everyone for all your help! I am keeping:

Mulberry gold lily (for parties and dressy occasions)
Mulberry OS Alexa in Oak (will store this one away as it is brand new and save her for a Christmas or birthday present for myself)
Mulberry OS Alexa Petticoat (not in photo)
Mulberry Black Alexa (great winter bag I use loads)
Mulberry oak alexa postman's lock (use loads)
Mulberry Darwin Roxanne
Mulberry Oak Bays (for work events)

Balenciaga Gris Poivre Part-time
Alexander Wang Petrol Rockie
Chloe Paddington Capsule (my first designer bag - can't bear to lose her!)
Stella Fallabella
Marc by Marc Jacobs blue summer bag (until she gets worn; then replace for something else light and colourful)

As you can see Mulberry was my first love and only now am I turning to other brands.

I wanted to get down to 10, but 12 isn't bad for a first effort

Thank you all so much again!

 

[mary79]

And these are the bags I am letting go:

1. Mulberry OS Tillie
2. Mulberry pink roxanne
3. Givenchy pandora large (purple)
4. Mulberry Denin tillie
5. MK tan satchel (don't know name)
6. Mulberry darwin Phoebe
7. LV medium Neverfull
8. Paul Smith Men's carryall bag (bought as a computer bag for me)
9. PS1 large Peacock
10. Mulberry Oak Leopard Alexa
11. MK tangerine trio
12. RM Mini Mac

12 staying and 12 out! I have downsized to half

 

[PewPew]

Wonderful work! Best of luck with the sales, & I hope you enjoy becoming reacquainted with your favorites!

 

[bakeacookie]

Great job!!! That's amazing!

Good luck with your sales!

 

[reckfly]

That's so great! I can feel how happy and relieved you are that almost all your bags in your manageable collection will be well-loved and used now!

 

[soramillay]

You did a fantastic job! I think you made the right choices! Your Alexa Petticoat is really beautiful. How about you build a capsule wardrobe around it? That will encourage you to wear it more when you have outfits that look perfect with it.

Also while you have 12, two are really for special occasions (Bays for work events, Lily for party events), so that leaves you with 10 bags for daily use

 

[mary79]

You did a fantastic job! I think you made the right choices! Your Alexa Petticoat is really beautiful. How about you build a capsule wardrobe around it? That will encourage you to wear it more when you have outfits that look perfect with it.

Also while you have 12, two are really for special occasions (Bays for work events, Lily for party events), so that leaves you with 10 bags for daily use

I love purseforum logic!

 

[msd_bags]

Congrats on finally being able to make a decision!! Sometimes non-bag afficionados do not understand our struggles to manage our bag collection.

Btw, I agree with Vink. If you sell something just because it will fetch a better resale price but it is something you really like a lot, the likelihood is high that you will still get a similar one in the future.

Coming from a country where resale market for bags is not as active as in some countries (returns are not even encouraged in stores; one can exchange only (for certain reasons only like quality issue and not because one doesn't like a purchase afterall) and not get refunded), personally when I buy, resale prices are not a consideration. I buy if I like the bags very much. Getting back something for them later on is some sort of a bonus. But of course, this is just me, and coming from a mindset molded by our country's trade environment.

Again, I'm really happy for you being able to come to a decision to downsize!!

 

[mary79]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and support! Due to the excellent feedback on this thread, I have learnt not to worry about resale value when thinking what bags to move on. I have had a good hard think about the bags I really love AND use (for me they must meet both these requirements since I am not a collector and have limited space for bags), and move all the others on, regardless of their resale value.

Due to the advice to condition my PS1, I have fallen in love with her again (even though she is faded and worn) and decided to keep her for now. As someone pointed out, lightweight satchels with a long strap are the bags I most use.

Surprisingly (for me), I decided to sell my new inside-out Rockie in Dark Mosaic (green) with silver studs. I love the IDEA and LOOK of this bag, but have only used her about 3 times in the past few months, which tells me she really has to go.

Thanks again everyone! It's been a great learning process and I now feel lighter and freer by deciding to move on 10 bags, which is about half of my collection

Plus I have learnt so much about the kinds of bag that most suit my life and style, which will help for bag purchases in the future and stop silly impulse "bargain" buys (how I ended up with so many bags I don't really use).

This also lets me start dreaming about my next purchase, since as a treat I decided to spend any money I make on a new bag or bags But this time I will think long and hard (part of the fun for me) and only buy what really fits my new downsized collection and something I will use lots.

 

[Mayfly285]

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)

Hmm, plenty of food for thought here, Mary!

Straightaway, you're narrowing them down yourself: use a lot = keep, too heavy = sell, seldom use = sell.

So, Lily and both Alexas are keepers, ditto blue MBMJ, LV Neverfull and Bayswater (a useful workhorse). Shift the "heavies": Falabella, Rockie (I once tried one of these - the studs on the base are real killers and pull it out of shape) and the "don't use": Pandora (only a bargain if you actually carry her) and tangerine MK (clearly you're not loving her). Perhaps keep Bal and see if you do use her when your collection has been pruned a bit ; you evidently have more affection for her than MK or Pandora - the latter sounds like an impulse buy to me!

Hope this helps! 😉

Update: I've just read all the later posts and you've had some amazingly good advice which I shall also take on board!! You've decided on a great capsule of bags and I hope you'll get plenty of use out of them, now they feature more prominently in your life. Make sure you carry your gorgeous petticoat Alexa and well done on your downsizing - I'm next, I think! ☺️

 

[mary79]

Hmm, plenty of food for thought here, Mary!

Straightaway, you're narrowing them down yourself: use a lot = keep, too heavy = sell, seldom use = sell.

So, Lily and both Alexas are keepers, ditto blue MBMJ, LV Neverfull and Bayswater (a useful workhorse). Shift the "heavies": Falabella, Rockie (I once tried one of these - the studs on the base are real killers and pull it out of shape) and the "don't use": Pandora (only a bargain if you actually carry her) and tangerine MK (clearly you're not loving her). Perhaps keep Bal and see if you do use her when your collection has been pruned a bit ; you evidently have more affection for her than MK or Pandora - the latter sounds like an impulse buy to me!

Hope this helps! ��

Update: I've just read all the later posts and you've had some amazingly good advice which I shall also take on board!! You've decided on a great capsule of bags and I hope you'll get plenty of use out of them, now they feature more prominently in your life. Make sure you carry your gorgeous petticoat Alexa and well done on your downsizing - I'm next, I think! ☺️

Thank you Mayfly

You're right about my impulse buys needing to go, plus the bags I love but don't carry because I find them awkward or heavy, like the Rockie. I'm parting with bags with similar functions, like the Tillie (because I love the Alexa more). However, I have learnt to keep the bags that make my heart sing, even if they are multiple versions of the same bag (in my case the Alexa).

Interesting process and results... I ended up keeping several Alexas (I wear the regular black and oak camera Lexies to death, and I'm keeping the OS oak and petticoat stored away for now, so they are still "new" and not in rotation at present. When I do use them, in however many years' time, it will be like getting free bags). I'm also keeping the Bays (perfect work bag, as you say), the Lily (perfect for parties), and one Roxy (as a "basher bag": she's in Darwin with watermarks etc. but looks and smells divine and the Darwin leather is something special).

That makes 6 Mulberries (but 2 are stored away and 4 will be used).

I was going to keep the Fallabella, but you have just convinced me to part with her. She looks brand new so should sell well, and is stunning, but I suppose the reason she looks brand new is I never use her due to the weight.

From other brands I have kept:
1. Balenciaga part-time in Gris Poivre - which I'm going to stop worrying about spoiling and enjoy using!
2. MBMJ blue summer cross body - she'll only last another summer because she took quite a beating this summer, travelling with me day and night (even to the beach and across Sicily on holiday). She was cheap so I'll then give her away and replace with another lightweight, colourful summer bag (I love bright blue)
3. Proenza Schouler PS1 - because she spruced up nicely when I conditioned her, following the good advice received on this thread. I've been using her the past few days and loving how practical and stress free she is. Goes with everything I wear and fits loads.
4. Paddington Capsule - because she was my first designer bag, looks amazing and the leather is scruptuous. Gives me a different look than the satchels. This is the only heavy bag I am keeping, and I plan to use her a lot more in future.

So I've made it down to 10 bags, which is even better than I had hoped! Plus the two OS Alexas I am "saving" for the future - so I really have only 8 bags now, which I hope to rotate regularly.

I feel happy to have freed up so much space, and feel much "lighter", if that makes sense. I'm certain I will now use and enjoy my bags much more (rather than use the same one for weeks or months on end). Plus the money I earn from selling bags will go towards new bags in the future, so I won't feel I am really spending anything on the next bag or two (don't you love purseforum logic?!)

Since I now have lovely satchels (the style I wear the most), perhaps a more structured bag like the Celine mini belt...?