Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......

[diane278]

This thread is meant to be the Love Child of the Minimalist Closet Thread https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/show-us-your-minimalist-closet.867625/ which was revived by @doloresmia in July of 2018.

As part of that journey, I am now venturing into condensing my bag collection. @Rami00 has written an inspiring article on this topic: https://www.********.com/no-more-than-10-bags/

While I’m inspired, I doubt that I’ll achieve a total maximum of ten bags. Anyone out there interested in exploring this area of minimalism? My goal is to figure out my number and hold the line there....not an easy task.

 

[bagnut1]

I love the idea of having a number - and one that has just a hair over a single digit! But for me 10 is too few. Do I need more than 10? No. Do I use more than 10 in any given season? Probably not. But 10 feels a bit like that pair of jeans that I am thisclose to fitting into again.

Another problem is my tendency towards multiples. It makes dressing so much easier to have a basic, interchangeable foundation over which I layer. Bags to me are as important as jewelry because they are larger and also utilitarian. When I find a bag that just works I "need" to have more than one color/size. I am now realizing that my collection has zero "singles," and I am wondering how that is even possible? It should be easy, perhaps, to let go of one of the underutilized colors or sizes. But which ones????

I am very interested in seeing how you approach culling your beautiful collection.

 

[diane278]

I, too, lean towards multiples in styles I really like. I think this is the most egregious example of multiples I used to have.....I’m now down down to three of these and planning on letting at least one more go....possibly two (if I can get to that place). At the time, I felt this was a good way to cover my basic color needs. Now I think I was delusional.

I’m letting go of the Fume (beige) at the left end and keeping the Barolo in the middle and the Nero next to it. I think this photo was taken in 2018 and I had already let go of four at that time. I recently removed two more.

 

[Aerdem]

I am forever editing my possessions, including (and especially) my bags. I tend to think of it as curating these special little artifacts. When I have “too many” nothing feels as worthy, so I prefer to narrow it down to the most beautiful/interesting/etc.

At this moment I have 18, which (for me) is less about the number, and more about the feeling I get. Do I feel each holds it’s special place and purpose? I do. It takes a lot for me to be interested in a new bag, and even more to decide to purchase. I always ask myself, “Would this piece add something absolutely incredible to my collection?” It needs to be extraordinary to elicit a “yes”.

Perhaps my collection does not fall under a “minimal”, but my natural process lends itself to being extremely particular about what is noteworthy enough to enter.

 

[diane278]

I am forever editing my possessions, including (and especially) my bags. I tend to think of it as curating these special little artifacts. When I have “too many” nothing feels as worthy, so I prefer to narrow it down to the most beautiful/interesting/etc.
At this moment I have 18, which (for me) is less about the number, and more about the feeling I get. Do I feel each holds it’s special place and purpose? I do. It takes a lot for me to be interested in a new bag, and even more to decide to purchase. I always ask myself, “Would this piece add something absolutely incredible to my collection?” It needs to be extraordinary to elicit a “yes”.
Perhaps my collection does not fall under a “minimal”, but my natural process lends itself to being extremely particular about what is noteworthy enough to enter.

I love your process for finding the right mix for you. I think any number that works for you is your perfect minimum.

I tend to be quick to let go but then, quick to add new ones. I’m looking for the ways others avoid that merry-go-round. I think your process can help me slow down. And I love that you have a number of clutches as I’m also a clutch lover....

 

[Rami00]

Thank you @diane278 for starting this thread
This is right up my alley! I can’t wait to see how everyone has been building their collections and their rationale. I am down to 6 bags and have a vacancy for one or two more. Honestly, I am sitting at a very sweet spot right now. It took so much planning and determination, trust me adding more is so much easier than downsizing. I have spent by fair share of time in the “bag” dating world, been adventurous, bought the IT bags, tried to make few work where it should have been other way around so basically, been there done that and finally found the happily ever after..hmm close enough. It came to a point that I didn’t need the multiples, I love B30 and I had three in my closet which quickly translated to “same bag different color” for me. No offence to anyone, I am just sharing how I built my tiny collection. I have invested in all the special pieces that I absolutely love, instead of accumulating. Not to mention, everyone is different so is the number that works for everyone. Some people attend way more social events so multiple clutches make sense etc. etc. I will take pic of my collection to post here. There is no competition in my collection right now, everyone has their special spot.
-B30 SO chèvre rouge casaque with rose pourpre interior with brushed palladium hardware
-B25 mimosa matte alligator
-Mini Kelly braise shiny alligator
-Jige argile
-Chanel reissue black/distressed leather
-Chanel mini blue/silver sequins

 

[Aerdem]

I love your process for finding the right mix for you. I think any number that works for you is your perfect minimum.

I tend to be quick to let go but then, quick to add new ones. I’m looking for the ways others avoid that merry-go-round. I think your process can help me slow down. And I love that you have a number of clutches as I’m also a clutch lover....

Well, thank you. And we are indeed clutch kindred spirits, I’m always admiring yours!

 

[Aerdem]

Thank you @diane278 for starting this thread
This is right up my alley! I can’t wait to see how everyone has been building their collections and their rationale. I am down to 6 bags and have a vacancy for one or two more. Honestly, I am sitting at a very sweet spot right now. It took so much planning and determination, trust me adding more is so much easier than downsizing. I have spent by fair share of time in the “bag” dating world, been adventurous, bought the IT bags, tried to make few work where it should have been other way around so basically, been there done that and finally found the happily ever after..hmm close enough. It came to a point that I didn’t need the multiples, I love B30 and I had three in my closet which quickly translated to “same bag different color” for me. No offence to anyone, I am just sharing how I built my tiny collection. I have invested in all the special pieces that I absolutely love, instead of accumulating. Not to mention, everyone is different so is the number that works for everyone. Some people attend way more social events so multiple clutches make sense etc. etc. I will take pic of my collection to post here. There is no competition in my collection right now, everyone has their special spot.
-B30 SO chèvre rouge casaque with rose pourpre interior with brushed palladium hardware
-B25 mimosa matte alligator
-Mini Kelly braise shiny alligator
-Jige argile
-Chanel reissue black/distressed leather
-Chanel mini blue/silver sequins

Sounds like such a special group of bags, looking forward to your photo!

 

[diane278]

Thank you @diane278 for starting this thread
This is right up my alley! I can’t wait to see how everyone has been building their collections and their rationale. I am down to 6 bags and have a vacancy for one or two more. Honestly, I am sitting at a very sweet spot right now. It took so much planning and determination, trust me adding more is so much easier than downsizing. I have spent by fair share of time in the “bag” dating world, been adventurous, bought the IT bags, tried to make few work where it should have been other way around so basically, been there done that and finally found the happily ever after..hmm close enough. It came to a point that I didn’t need the multiples, I love B30 and I had three in my closet which quickly translated to “same bag different color” for me. No offence to anyone, I am just sharing how I built my tiny collection. I have invested in all the special pieces that I absolutely love, instead of accumulating. Not to mention, everyone is different so is the number that works for everyone. Some people attend way more social events so multiple clutches make sense etc. etc. I will take pic of my collection to post here. There is no competition in my collection right now, everyone has their special spot.
-B30 SO chèvre rouge casaque with rose pourpre interior with brushed palladium hardware
-B25 mimosa matte alligator
-Mini Kelly braise shiny alligator
-Jige argile
-Chanel reissue black/distressed leather
-Chanel mini blue/silver sequins

I’d love to see what your collection looks like as a “group”. (I’m a visual learner.) I don’t regret my “over collecting” days, as it’s part of my learning curve and it’s provided a lot of fun. I really enjoy a process, as much as I enjoy the results. Its very impressive that you know so well what works for you....

 

[diane278]

Well, thank you. And we are indeed clutch kindred spirits, I’m always admiring yours!

I’ve been a clutch girl for awhile and I think it’s going to last awhile longer. I haven’t checked, but I’m pretty sure that at least half of my bags are clutches. I’m loving your collection of Knots.....it’s a style that’s not represented in my collection.....

 

[Rami00]

I’d love to see what your collection looks like as a “group”. (I’m a visual learner.) I don’t regret my “over collecting” days, as it’s part of my learning curve and it’s provided a lot of fun. I really enjoy a process, as much as I enjoy the results. Its very impressive that you know so well what works for you....

I absolutely agree with you on the learning curve that's why I mentioned the "bag dating world" we all have to go through the process to find out what works for us. Something that looks so effortless chic on someone would probably not be the case for me.

 

[Rami00]

Sounds like such a special group of bags, looking forward to your photo!

I will take a pic this weekend for sure! I am loving your bottega clutches, do you have a favorite?

 

[ladysarah]

I, too, lean towards multiples in styles I really like. I think this is the most egregious example of multiples I used to have.....I’m now down down to three of these and planning on letting at least one more go....possibly two (if I can get to that place). At the time, I felt this was a good way to cover my basic color needs. Now I think I was delusional.
View attachment 4572396
I’m letting go of the Fume (beige) at the left end and keeping the Barolo in the middle and the Nero next to it. I think this photo was taken in 2018 and I had already let go of four at that time. I recently removed two more.

Too pretty for words...

 

[Aerdem]

I will take a pic this weekend for sure! I am loving your bottega clutches, do you have a favorite?

Thank you! I really don’t have a favorite, but if I could only keep one (in the spirit of this thread ) I think I would chose the origami knot because it’s limited edition. As well as being formal enough for black tie.. and looks chic for a daytime brunch. IF I had to choose

 

[Aerdem]

I’ve been a clutch girl for awhile and I think it’s going to last awhile longer. I haven’t checked, but I’m pretty sure that at least half of my bags are clutches. I’m loving your collection of Knots.....it’s a style that’s not represented in my collection.....

Thank you, knots are a very definite style- and I love them. Your clutches (Laurens and pouches) have such an effortlessness about them... epitome of chic.