Reasons for keeping an item in your collection
- Thread starter Antigone
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Think there's a difference between having a wardrobe of bags which one uses constantly and a collection. I have a collection of certain designers and whether or not I used them often makes no difference to me-I'm a collector, they are there in my closet whenever I want them. Many prefer a wardrobe of bags to a collection-so to each her own!
Very well stated. I think most people don't get this distinction. And the rush to downsize the number of bags "just because" ignores the fact that some people collect bags as others do cars, crystal, or baseball cards. Simply because they enjoy owning them. And they may or may not use them.
I'm on the opposite end of a bag collector. I have a "collection" or set or wardrobe or whatever we want to call it of bags and only keep ones that I use regularly. I can't stand having bags I don't use because it feels like waste to me. A good deal wouldn't be a good deal because it would be wasted money to me. My bags are functional fashion. I'm not a true collector.
But, I need variety. So a capsule "collection" would drive me to drink. I wouldn't ever downsize like that. LOL!
So I think it's a matter of how you view your bags: collection, functional fashion, fun toys, necessary evils, other...?
Actually I dunno. Since the time of Nicole Richie, I lusted after Balenciaga. But aside from that, I was never a bag person. I was, and still am, a shoe girl.
Then last year, I bought my first Balenciaga, and I just couldn't stop! This was October last year so pretty recent.
Fast forward to now, I honestly can't think of any other bag I'm lusting after. And well, I feel as if I won't regret letting go of most of the bags I have copped. However, I'm just worried if I let go, I will have seller's remorse.
Oh, and I am always in a backpack, a small Fossil crossbody, or my trusty hoodie with pockets that can honestly hold my phone, my wallet, and a coke can. lol
I’m like @Sparkletastic in that I only want bags I will use, which means not a huge collection, but also want enough to give me some variety so I don’t get bored.
For me, there’s also the balance of form vs. function. Not every bag I own makes my heart sing, but I do LIKE them all and the ones I don’t swoon for tend to be super-functional and work well for me. I also have a couple of bags that do make me swoon that get worn very rarely, but they do get used and I love them, so they don’t get sold. It’s a rare bag that has both high functionality and the swoon factor!
The question of getting a great deal doesn’t usually apply to me since I tend to love brands that never or rarely go on sale. I’ve also tried to train myself to always ask myself if I’d still like an item if it wasn’t on sale. If I wouldn’t want it at full price, I don’t think I’ll love it on sale, after the rush of the bargain wears off.
When I do decide to sell, it’s usually because some aspect of the bag no longer works for me, or my style has outgrown it, or I’ve upgraded to a bag that is similar but somehow better, making the older one redundant. And even then, I sometimes hang on to an older bag, “Just in case.” I do fear seller's remorse, but really, between online consignment stores and Ebay, very few decisions are irrevocable. You can almost always find a bag you either missed the first time around or regret selling.
If you are considering selling a bunch of bags, I’d recommend doing it slowly. Sell one or two, pause and see how you feel. You can always decide to keep the rest of the selling doesn’t feel right.
For me, there’s also the balance of form vs. function. Not every bag I own makes my heart sing, but I do LIKE them all and the ones I don’t swoon for tend to be super-functional and work well for me. I also have a couple of bags that do make me swoon that get worn very rarely, but they do get used and I love them, so they don’t get sold. It’s a rare bag that has both high functionality and the swoon factor!
The question of getting a great deal doesn’t usually apply to me since I tend to love brands that never or rarely go on sale. I’ve also tried to train myself to always ask myself if I’d still like an item if it wasn’t on sale. If I wouldn’t want it at full price, I don’t think I’ll love it on sale, after the rush of the bargain wears off.
When I do decide to sell, it’s usually because some aspect of the bag no longer works for me, or my style has outgrown it, or I’ve upgraded to a bag that is similar but somehow better, making the older one redundant. And even then, I sometimes hang on to an older bag, “Just in case.” I do fear seller's remorse, but really, between online consignment stores and Ebay, very few decisions are irrevocable. You can almost always find a bag you either missed the first time around or regret selling.
If you are considering selling a bunch of bags, I’d recommend doing it slowly. Sell one or two, pause and see how you feel. You can always decide to keep the rest of the selling doesn’t feel right.
Maybe get rid of your least favorite and see how you feel after that.
I guess my answer to this is how well it serves me.
I don't feel I need to LOVE all of my bags, but I need to like them a lot, and they need to serve the purpose I bought them for.
For a bag I used every day, it would need to be love, though--that would be part of its purpose to me.
On the other hand, I have an infrequently used bag I would really like to part with, but I don't already own anything that could take its place. All of the replacements I've considered are $$$$ I can't justify when I have a bag that works well enough. I'll probably get to a tipping point where it's worth it to sell, but not yet.
Does a very good deal translate into being able to sell and recoup costs or even make a profit? If so, I'd probably do that if it's not working for you.
I don't feel I need to LOVE all of my bags, but I need to like them a lot, and they need to serve the purpose I bought them for.
For a bag I used every day, it would need to be love, though--that would be part of its purpose to me.
On the other hand, I have an infrequently used bag I would really like to part with, but I don't already own anything that could take its place. All of the replacements I've considered are $$$$ I can't justify when I have a bag that works well enough. I'll probably get to a tipping point where it's worth it to sell, but not yet.
Does a very good deal translate into being able to sell and recoup costs or even make a profit? If so, I'd probably do that if it's not working for you.
Sometimes, even years later, one realizes a particular bag works with an outfit or event they are going to, and it’s nice to find it in one’s closet, especially after prices have gone up exponentially!
I grow tired of things, so even bags that made my heart sing 5 yrs ago may not make the cut now because my tastes change. There are some that I'll never part with, but they are a small number. I used to purchase bags because of the great deal, now I purchase based on if I love it and will I actually use it.
Well said catsinthebag. I have a huge stock of bags in my closet from years of impulsive bag purchases. Some are some very expensive bespoke bags that I "had to have" at the moment. I haven't sold anything yet because I am just lazy. I would love to sell off a huge bulk of my stash, but I can't seem to get motivated to begin the process of selling on eBay and I don't really know of other reputable places to sell (would be open to suggestions). I have kept many of the bags because it's punch to the gut to think about selling a bag for a fraction of what I paid for it. I guess I have to get over that. I do hold on to some for "just in case" and then there are the times that I pull a bag out of the closet and think "Oh, hi, I remember you...." and I carry the bag again, hoping to feel the same love for it that I did when I bought it and it's just not there!
So, perhaps, I should start slow and see how that goes. It has been YEARS (perhaps a decade +) since I have sold anything on eBay. Ugh....rip the band-aid off and just do it!!
I keep it if I enjoy wearing it. Otherwise I get rid of it right away. I'm so glad I saw this. There are some great posts tonight that are keeping me from buying a bag that I have been wanting, but it's not the color I want. The color is fine, but I already have another bag in that color, and it's not a color I wear often. The price is right, but the color is not. I will pass. Thank you!!!!
I used to have one black leather bag that was functional and I liked and one black dressier bag that was tiny and only used to dress up.
I didn't love it but didn't want to invest in another since I rarely needed it. Recently I've started a colorful collection and it's hard to stop! Having a black bag was easy, but I love color so I added it with other things. Now I find that having colorful bags is fun and makes me feel so much more stylish. (I'm learning!) Before I learned my happy bag style, I got a (thankfully used and inexpensive) gorgeous buttery leather bag in my favorite color, but I learned that huge bags that puddle to the floor are not fun for me! After wearing it for a weekend and loathing the experience, I gave it away without hesitation. Now, if I feel like the bag adds to my look, makes me smile, in addition to functioning for me it's a keeper. If I feel "meh" about it then someone that loves it should take a turn to enjoy it, and I can wear my happy bags more. Plus, if you don't keep the unloved bags, you have room for things you love, even if that's just space to see the loved bags. ETA: I replaced that one boring dressy bag with a couple options I actually look forward to using! So much more fun!
I used to have one black leather bag that was functional and I liked and one black dressier bag that was tiny and only used to dress up.
I didn't love it but didn't want to invest in another since I rarely needed it. Recently I've started a colorful collection and it's hard to stop! Having a black bag was easy, but I love color so I added it with other things. Now I find that having colorful bags is fun and makes me feel so much more stylish. (I'm learning!) Before I learned my happy bag style, I got a (thankfully used and inexpensive) gorgeous buttery leather bag in my favorite color, but I learned that huge bags that puddle to the floor are not fun for me! After wearing it for a weekend and loathing the experience, I gave it away without hesitation. Now, if I feel like the bag adds to my look, makes me smile, in addition to functioning for me it's a keeper. If I feel "meh" about it then someone that loves it should take a turn to enjoy it, and I can wear my happy bags more. Plus, if you don't keep the unloved bags, you have room for things you love, even if that's just space to see the loved bags. ETA: I replaced that one boring dressy bag with a couple options I actually look forward to using! So much more fun!
I only have one bag I own just because. It's my very vintage bag from the 1950's that was made by a bag company in my home town. All bags besides that serve a purpose.
I used to do this, but not anymore. I wasn't using them. Just yesterday I gave my sister 10 bags to sell, it was just too much. If I think a friend or family member will like it, I will buy it for them. I only keep what I love and use now.