I do think that they are edited. I tried asking myself which I’d choose to take if I had to evacuate because of a fire and I couldn’t come up with an answer. (That’s my usual litmus test.) I do have one that I question as I don’t seem to use it except as a fallback when I just don’t care which bag I grab. I think I have at least another year or two of Clutch Love in me....maybe more.
Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......
- Thread starter diane278
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I'm new in this thread (read the whole thing). Before I comment anything else, I had to say something about your Nuvolato BV Lido tote. I literally gasped when I saw the corner of the bag and then my mouth fell open when I saw the whole thing. That leather looks so yummy!
She is one GORGEOUS bag 
So I do what any bagaholic does - runs to see if she can still buy it... - nope, 
Although considering I'm in this thread, I suppose that's a good thing, LOL! But if you ever feel the need to purge that one, I know someone that can assist you with that 
So like I said, I read this whole thread last night. I've been feeling like I have too many bags for a while. At one time I was up to 50 something. I have no idea how I stored all of those. I'm not sure how many I have now. I typically don't count clutches because those are more like an SLG to me. I have a number of different brands from Zara to Gucci, LV etc. I think I have in the neighborhood of 20? Maybe I'll count sometime today.
Someone mentioned that too many choices can result in not making a choice. I think that has a lot to do with why my bags don't get rotated more. I had stopped buying bags for quite a while but recently have bought a few. I have a couple I still haven't used yet but can't return.
Maybe someone can help me with some of my downsizing issues:
Anyway, thank you for reading my long post. Any input would be appreciated.
Someone mentioned that too many choices can result in not making a choice. I think that has a lot to do with why my bags don't get rotated more. I had stopped buying bags for quite a while but recently have bought a few. I have a couple I still haven't used yet but can't return.
Maybe someone can help me with some of my downsizing issues:
- I don't use for some reason (size, not right for the occasion, wrong season) but I'm afraid I'll regret if I get rid of.
- Some are too beautiful to get rid of but I don't use. For example, I have a Gucci Flora satchel bag that has the most gorgeous print. It's like art really. At the time I was into larger bags but now I'm not. If I think about it she was too big then but the smaller one seemed too small. Anyway, I've hardly used. 3 times?
- I can't get past the huge monetary loss if I get rid of the bag but I have done it. Matter of fact, I just returned 2 bags that don't work for me and the return shipping was insane. But it was better than 2 bags sitting on a shelf. I have also sold for a big loss. I figure some money back is better than nothing but it seems harder now that my collection is getting smaller.
- I don't have anyone that I would gift them to and the thought of these rolling around in the Goodwill bins makes me
Anyway, thank you for reading my long post. Any input would be appreciated.
I have the same issues! I end up hanging on to bags that I wouldn't get enough money for if I were to sell. The only people I can gift bags to are my daughters and they already have enough from me, plus they would only want the bags I wouldn't want to give up.So like I said, I read this whole thread last night. I've been feeling like I have too many bags for a while. At one time I was up to 50 something. I have no idea how I stored all of those. I'm not sure how many I have now. I typically don't count clutches because those are more like an SLG to me. I have a number of different brands from Zara to Gucci, LV etc. I think I have in the neighborhood of 20? Maybe I'll count sometime today.
Someone mentioned that too many choices can result in not making a choice. I think that has a lot to do with why my bags don't get rotated more. I had stopped buying bags for quite a while but recently have bought a few. I have a couple I still haven't used yet but can't return.
Maybe someone can help me with some of my downsizing issues:
These are just some of the thoughts I have right now. I'm not sure where to start. Part of me wants to go back to the day of one bag but part of me doesn't. And to answer someone else's question - yes, you can wear out a bag. I have one (it's my under the radar bag because I fear judgement from some with the amount of money I spend on bags) that I've used so much that the glazing on the straps is gone. The rest of the bag is perfect. Go figure
- I don't use for some reason (size, not right for the occasion, wrong season) but I'm afraid I'll regret if I get rid of.
- Some are too beautiful to get rid of but I don't use. For example, I have a Gucci Flora satchel bag that has the most gorgeous print. It's like art really. At the time I was into larger bags but now I'm not. If I think about it she was too big then but the smaller one seemed too small. Anyway, I've hardly used. 3 times?
- I can't get past the huge monetary loss if I get rid of the bag but I have done it. Matter of fact, I just returned 2 bags that don't work for me and the return shipping was insane. But it was better than 2 bags sitting on a shelf. I have also sold for a big loss. I figure some money back is better than nothing but it seems harder now that my collection is getting smaller.
- I don't have anyone that I would gift them to and the thought of these rolling around in the Goodwill bins makes me
Anyway, thank you for reading my long post. Any input would be appreciated.
I think it helps to track usage. I tracked usage all last year. There weren't a lot of surprises but it made me more aware of what bags weren't getting carried much.
I used to have a problem with not using my smaller bags but I downsized my wallet so now I carry them more.
I don't know if my opinion will be helpful, but I'll share in the hopes that you get some idea of how I personally deal with these choices. Perhaps as more of us talk, you'll find a system that works for you.Maybe someone can help me with some of my downsizing issues:
- I don't use for some reason (size, not right for the occasion, wrong season) but I'm afraid I'll regret if I get rid of.
- Some are too beautiful to get rid of but I don't use. For example, I have a Gucci Flora satchel bag that has the most gorgeous print. It's like art really. At the time I was into larger bags but now I'm not. If I think about it she was too big then but the smaller one seemed too small. Anyway, I've hardly used. 3 times?
- I can't get past the huge monetary loss if I get rid of the bag but I have done it. Matter of fact, I just returned 2 bags that don't work for me and the return shipping was insane. But it was better than 2 bags sitting on a shelf. I have also sold for a big loss. I figure some money back is better than nothing but it seems harder now that my collection is getting smaller.
- I don't have anyone that I would gift them to and the thought of these rolling around in the Goodwill bins makes me
The most important thing to remember is that it is a personal journey and there's no right or wrong way to edit, only the way that brings you personal peace.
In relation to the points I've quoted:
1/2- For bags I don't use frequently, I ask myself if they serve a specific function that can justify keeping them. For eg- my beater bag for when I'm volunteering (anything else would be inappropriate in a shelter), no-brand bag for when I'm travelling, the one bag I can rely on when it's pouring down rain. Bags like those are not used regularly but they are necessary in my life because my other bags cannot serve these very specific functions. They get kept in spite of infrequent use.
The remainder are the ones I downsize from. If the bag size is not functional for my life, if it is too heavy, if I don't feel like it's my style, then I do not try to make it work no matter how much I like the way it looks. I just release it knowing that someone else will love it and it will be perfect for them.
Bags are meant to be functional and to tote your stuff around. We get caught up in the beauty of them but, at their core, their purpose is to function. If they do not function for you, let them go to someone who can make them work and trust that you've uplifted someone else and improved their situation with your generosity. This will bring you more joy than looking at that bag on your shelf and feeling frustrated or guilty that you're not utilizing it.
I've said this somewhere up thread, we can appreciate beautiful things without needing to own them. And we can be grateful to have owned them for a season of our lives without needing to carry them into the next season.
Having said all that, with regards to your Gucci satchel, is it possible to have it reworked into something else? I know a friend of mine once had a cobbler turn her tote bag (that had been damaged in one section) into a pair of shoes. He used the bag's printed leather as the front/ top of the mules, and used his own materials for the rest of the shoes. And he even made her a key chain from the remaining scraps of leather.
If there's a way to repurpose it, then that would be ideal. Or else, let it be the one display item that you enjoy as a piece of art. Having a single bag like that is not an issue in my mind. It's when you have a plethora of them that it becomes a weighty load.
3- I have had to move a lot in my life and I have let go of a lot of expensive things in my time due to those moves. Letting go of sentimental and/or expensive items is hard, particularly when you adore those items. But I personally have made it easier on myself by reminding myself of this:
The money is already spent. Having an item that represents that money in my space doesn't bring the money back.
So, if you can recoup even a bit of your loss from consignment/ reselling directly, please do that. Some money in your account is better than nothing. It's not a loss then, it's a gain (however partial, it is still actual money).
If that's not a viable option, then it's still okay to gift your bags and consider the money lost a charitable donation of sorts, because that money is long gone anyway and that bag unused on the shelf isn't bringing it back.
Sometimes we spend our money incorrectly. That happens to everyone. It's okay. More money can always be earned, and the peace of mind of letting go of dead weight is far more valuable than the $ amount you spent on that item to begin with.
4- Goodwill may not be a good option, but there are other ways to donate. For instance, I gifted several bags to coworkers who admired them. My mother has gifted her things to her nurses and even janitorial staff in various hospitals and clinics she has worked in. Those people would not have been able to purchase items of that quality in their financial position, so they really appreciated the bags and used them with joy (obviously I'm not suggesting you gift an Hermes or Chanel as that would make the recipient uncomfortable, but you could do this for lesser known/ no-name bags that you don't love because the recipients likely will adore them). Another user on tpf whom I PM with has done exactly the same with her unwanted bags this past year.
If coworkers and friends aren't an option, I always like to donate to places like Dress for Success. Or if you know someone whose kids are just graduating university and will be starting their job hunting, gift their kids a suitable bag for interviews. Giving someone a professional leg-up is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
The flip side of this coin- I gave my friend's grandmother one of my most expensive bags that I had only used twice. I noticed her looking at it when I was visiting, and on her 90th birthday a couple of months later, I had cleaned and conditioned the bag, put it the original packaging and gifted it to her.
She had never owned a really nice bag in her own life, and I explained to her that I picked it up for myself and used it twice, but would be much happier and truly honoured if she would accept it as a gesture of my love for her. She lived to be 93 and used my bag everyday in those 3 years- mind you, she rarely went out at that stage, but she sat it beside her when she had visitors and used it when she did go out. She was overjoyed with owning it and, I hope, touched that I gave her something I loved. I never regretted letting go of that bag, in spite of how much I had initially longed to own it, it went to a much more deserving person. It's one of the happiest memories I have.
My point being that there are different avenues for donations that we may not even realize because we're used to donating to specific charity shops.
This post is much longer than intended- as so many of mine end up being. Sorry! I hope it helps a little. I'll just reiterate that the process of editing is a personal journey, so please note that this has been my approach but it may not resonate with other people.
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@jblended....Holy moly, sister! While I was typing out my feeble one paragraph response, you covered it all! 
@Freak4Coach, As someone who’s still grappling with the bag surplus issue, I don’t think I have any real answers about where to start. I started with the removal of bags I thought would be the easiest to let go of. I needed a shot of success to get me going. I did it in stages and it worked for me. As I posted recently, I’ve been feeling somewhat stuck recently, but I think I’m making progress emotionally.
@Freak4Coach, As someone who’s still grappling with the bag surplus issue, I don’t think I have any real answers about where to start. I started with the removal of bags I thought would be the easiest to let go of. I needed a shot of success to get me going. I did it in stages and it worked for me. As I posted recently, I’ve been feeling somewhat stuck recently, but I think I’m making progress emotionally.
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Excellent post. Sage advice.I don't know if my opinion will be helpful, but I'll share in the hopes that you get some idea of how I personally deal with these choices. Perhaps as more of us talk, you'll find a system that works for you.
The most important thing to remember is that it is a personal journey and there's no right or wrong way to edit, only the way that brings you personal peace.
In relation to the points I've quoted:
1/2- For bags I don't use frequently, I ask myself if they serve a specific function that can justify keeping them. For eg- my beater bag for when I'm volunteering (anything else would be inappropriate in a shelter), no-brand bag for when I'm travelling, the one bag I can rely on when it's pouring down rain. Bags like those are not used regularly but they are necessary in my life because my other bags cannot serve these very specific functions. They get kept in spite of infrequent use.
The remainder are the ones I downsize from. If the bag size is not functional for my life, if it is too heavy, if I don't feel like it's my style, then I do not try to make it work no matter how much I like the way it looks. I just release it knowing that someone else will love it and it will be perfect for them.
Bags are meant to be functional and to tote your stuff around. We get caught up in the beauty of them but, at their core, their purpose is to function. If they do not function for you, let them go to someone who can make them work and trust that you've uplifted someone else and improved their situation with your generosity. This will bring you more joy than looking at that bag on your shelf and feeling frustrated or guilty that you're not utilizing it.
I've said this somewhere up thread, we can appreciate beautiful things without needing to own them. And we can be grateful to have owned them for a season of our lives without needing to carry them into the next season.
Having said all that, with regards to your Gucci satchel, is it possible to have it reworked into something else? I know a friend of mine once had a cobbler turn her tote bag (that had been damaged in one section) into a pair of shoes. He used the bag's printed leather as the front/ top of the mules, and used his own materials for the rest of the shoes. And he even made her a key chain from the remaining scraps of leather.
If there's a way to repurpose it, then that would be ideal. Or else, let it be the one display item that you enjoy as a piece of art. Having a single bag like that is not an issue in my mind. It's when you have a plethora of them that it becomes a weighty load.
3- I have had to move a lot in my life and I have let go of a lot of expensive things in my time due to those moves. Letting go of sentimental and/or expensive items is hard, particularly when you adore those items. But I personally have made it easier on myself by reminding myself of this:
The money is already spent. Having an item that represents that money in my space doesn't bring the money back.
So, if you can recoup even a bit of your loss from consignment/ reselling directly, please do that. Some money in your account is better than nothing. It's not a loss then, it's a gain (however partial, it is still actual money).
If that's not a viable option, then it's still okay to gift your bags and consider the money lost a charitable donation of sorts, because that money is long gone anyway and that bag unused on the shelf isn't bringing it back.
Sometimes we spend our money incorrectly. That happens to everyone. It's okay. More money can always be earned, and the peace of mind of letting go of dead weight is far more valuable than the $ amount you spent on that item to begin with.
4- Goodwill may not be a good option, but there are other ways to donate. For instance, I gifted several bags to coworkers who admired them. My mother has gifted her things to her nurses and even janitorial staff in various hospitals and clinics she has worked in. Those people would not have been able to purchase items of that quality in their financial position, so they really appreciated the bags and used them with joy (obviously I'm not suggesting you gift an Hermes or Chanel as that would make the recipient uncomfortable, but you could do this for lesser known/ no-name bags that you don't love because the recipients likely will adore them). Another user on tpf whom I PM with has done exactly the same with her unwanted bags this past year.
If coworkers and friends aren't an option, I always like to donate to places like Dress for Success. Or if you know someone whose kids are just graduating university and will be starting their job hunting, gift their kids a suitable bag for interviews. Giving someone a professional leg-up is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
The flip side of this coin- I gave my friend's grandmother one of my most expensive bags that I had only used twice. I noticed her looking at it when I was visiting, and on her 90th birthday a couple of months later, I had cleaned and conditioned the bag, put it the original packaging and gifted it to her.
She had never owned a really nice bag in her own life, and I explained to her that I picked it up for myself and used it twice, but would be much happier and truly honoured if she would accept it as a gesture of my love for her. She lived to be 93 and used my bag everyday in those 3 years- mind you, she rarely went out at that stage, but she sat it beside her when she had visitors and used it when she did go out. She was overjoyed with owning it and, I hope, touched that I gave her something I loved. I never regretted letting go of that bag, in spite of how much I had initially longed to own it, it went to a much more deserving person. It's one of the happiest memories I have.
My point being that there are different avenues for donations that we may not even realize because we're used to donating to specific charity shops.
This post is much longer than intended- as so many of mine end up being. Sorry! I hope it helps a little. I'll just reiterate that the process of editing is a personal journey, so please note that this has been my approach but it may not resonate with other people.
I don't know if my opinion will be helpful, but I'll share in the hopes that you get some idea of how I personally deal with these choices. Perhaps as more of us talk, you'll find a system that works for you.
The most important thing to remember is that it is a personal journey and there's no right or wrong way to edit, only the way that brings you personal peace.
In relation to the points I've quoted:
1/2- For bags I don't use frequently, I ask myself if they serve a specific function that can justify keeping them. For eg- my beater bag for when I'm volunteering (anything else would be inappropriate in a shelter), no-brand bag for when I'm travelling, the one bag I can rely on when it's pouring down rain. Bags like those are not used regularly but they are necessary in my life because my other bags cannot serve these very specific functions. They get kept in spite of infrequent use.
The remainder are the ones I downsize from. If the bag size is not functional for my life, if it is too heavy, if I don't feel like it's my style, then I do not try to make it work no matter how much I like the way it looks. I just release it knowing that someone else will love it and it will be perfect for them.
Bags are meant to be functional and to tote your stuff around. We get caught up in the beauty of them but, at their core, their purpose is to function. If they do not function for you, let them go to someone who can make them work and trust that you've uplifted someone else and improved their situation with your generosity. This will bring you more joy than looking at that bag on your shelf and feeling frustrated or guilty that you're not utilizing it.
I've said this somewhere up thread, we can appreciate beautiful things without needing to own them. And we can be grateful to have owned them for a season of our lives without needing to carry them into the next season.
Having said all that, with regards to your Gucci satchel, is it possible to have it reworked into something else? I know a friend of mine once had a cobbler turn her tote bag (that had been damaged in one section) into a pair of shoes. He used the bag's printed leather as the front/ top of the mules, and used his own materials for the rest of the shoes. And he even made her a key chain from the remaining scraps of leather.
If there's a way to repurpose it, then that would be ideal. Or else, let it be the one display item that you enjoy as a piece of art. Having a single bag like that is not an issue in my mind. It's when you have a plethora of them that it becomes a weighty load.
3- I have had to move a lot in my life and I have let go of a lot of expensive things in my time due to those moves. Letting go of sentimental and/or expensive items is hard, particularly when you adore those items. But I personally have made it easier on myself by reminding myself of this:
The money is already spent. Having an item that represents that money in my space doesn't bring the money back.
So, if you can recoup even a bit of your loss from consignment/ reselling directly, please do that. Some money in your account is better than nothing. It's not a loss then, it's a gain (however partial, it is still actual money).
If that's not a viable option, then it's still okay to gift your bags and consider the money lost a charitable donation of sorts, because that money is long gone anyway and that bag unused on the shelf isn't bringing it back.
Sometimes we spend our money incorrectly. That happens to everyone. It's okay. More money can always be earned, and the peace of mind of letting go of dead weight is far more valuable than the $ amount you spent on that item to begin with.
4- Goodwill may not be a good option, but there are other ways to donate. For instance, I gifted several bags to coworkers who admired them. My mother has gifted her things to her nurses and even janitorial staff in various hospitals and clinics she has worked in. Those people would not have been able to purchase items of that quality in their financial position, so they really appreciated the bags and used them with joy (obviously I'm not suggesting you gift an Hermes or Chanel as that would make the recipient uncomfortable, but you could do this for lesser known/ no-name bags that you don't love because the recipients likely will adore them). Another user on tpf whom I PM with has done exactly the same with her unwanted bags this past year.
If coworkers and friends aren't an option, I always like to donate to places like Dress for Success. Or if you know someone whose kids are just graduating university and will be starting their job hunting, gift their kids a suitable bag for interviews. Giving someone a professional leg-up is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
The flip side of this coin- I gave my friend's grandmother one of my most expensive bags that I had only used twice. I noticed her looking at it when I was visiting, and on her 90th birthday a couple of months later, I had cleaned and conditioned the bag, put it the original packaging and gifted it to her.
She had never owned a really nice bag in her own life, and I explained to her that I picked it up for myself and used it twice, but would be much happier and truly honoured if she would accept it as a gesture of my love for her. She lived to be 93 and used my bag everyday in those 3 years- mind you, she rarely went out at that stage, but she sat it beside her when she had visitors and used it when she did go out. She was overjoyed with owning it and, I hope, touched that I gave her something I loved. I never regretted letting go of that bag, in spite of how much I had initially longed to own it, it went to a much more deserving person. It's one of the happiest memories I have.
My point being that there are different avenues for donations that we may not even realize because we're used to donating to specific charity shops.
This post is much longer than intended- as so many of mine end up being. Sorry! I hope it helps a little. I'll just reiterate that the process of editing is a personal journey, so please note that this has been my approach but it may not resonate with other people.
You have no idea how much I needed to hear these words. Thank you for this post. I’m actually printing it out as a reminder for myself.
Beautiful post!I don't know if my opinion will be helpful, but I'll share in the hopes that you get some idea of how I personally deal with these choices. Perhaps as more of us talk, you'll find a system that works for you.
The most important thing to remember is that it is a personal journey and there's no right or wrong way to edit, only the way that brings you personal peace.
In relation to the points I've quoted:
1/2- For bags I don't use frequently, I ask myself if they serve a specific function that can justify keeping them. For eg- my beater bag for when I'm volunteering (anything else would be inappropriate in a shelter), no-brand bag for when I'm travelling, the one bag I can rely on when it's pouring down rain. Bags like those are not used regularly but they are necessary in my life because my other bags cannot serve these very specific functions. They get kept in spite of infrequent use.
The remainder are the ones I downsize from. If the bag size is not functional for my life, if it is too heavy, if I don't feel like it's my style, then I do not try to make it work no matter how much I like the way it looks. I just release it knowing that someone else will love it and it will be perfect for them.
Bags are meant to be functional and to tote your stuff around. We get caught up in the beauty of them but, at their core, their purpose is to function. If they do not function for you, let them go to someone who can make them work and trust that you've uplifted someone else and improved their situation with your generosity. This will bring you more joy than looking at that bag on your shelf and feeling frustrated or guilty that you're not utilizing it.
I've said this somewhere up thread, we can appreciate beautiful things without needing to own them. And we can be grateful to have owned them for a season of our lives without needing to carry them into the next season.
Having said all that, with regards to your Gucci satchel, is it possible to have it reworked into something else? I know a friend of mine once had a cobbler turn her tote bag (that had been damaged in one section) into a pair of shoes. He used the bag's printed leather as the front/ top of the mules, and used his own materials for the rest of the shoes. And he even made her a key chain from the remaining scraps of leather.
If there's a way to repurpose it, then that would be ideal. Or else, let it be the one display item that you enjoy as a piece of art. Having a single bag like that is not an issue in my mind. It's when you have a plethora of them that it becomes a weighty load.
3- I have had to move a lot in my life and I have let go of a lot of expensive things in my time due to those moves. Letting go of sentimental and/or expensive items is hard, particularly when you adore those items. But I personally have made it easier on myself by reminding myself of this:
The money is already spent. Having an item that represents that money in my space doesn't bring the money back.
So, if you can recoup even a bit of your loss from consignment/ reselling directly, please do that. Some money in your account is better than nothing. It's not a loss then, it's a gain (however partial, it is still actual money).
If that's not a viable option, then it's still okay to gift your bags and consider the money lost a charitable donation of sorts, because that money is long gone anyway and that bag unused on the shelf isn't bringing it back.
Sometimes we spend our money incorrectly. That happens to everyone. It's okay. More money can always be earned, and the peace of mind of letting go of dead weight is far more valuable than the $ amount you spent on that item to begin with.
4- Goodwill may not be a good option, but there are other ways to donate. For instance, I gifted several bags to coworkers who admired them. My mother has gifted her things to her nurses and even janitorial staff in various hospitals and clinics she has worked in. Those people would not have been able to purchase items of that quality in their financial position, so they really appreciated the bags and used them with joy (obviously I'm not suggesting you gift an Hermes or Chanel as that would make the recipient uncomfortable, but you could do this for lesser known/ no-name bags that you don't love because the recipients likely will adore them). Another user on tpf whom I PM with has done exactly the same with her unwanted bags this past year.
If coworkers and friends aren't an option, I always like to donate to places like Dress for Success. Or if you know someone whose kids are just graduating university and will be starting their job hunting, gift their kids a suitable bag for interviews. Giving someone a professional leg-up is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
The flip side of this coin- I gave my friend's grandmother one of my most expensive bags that I had only used twice. I noticed her looking at it when I was visiting, and on her 90th birthday a couple of months later, I had cleaned and conditioned the bag, put it the original packaging and gifted it to her.
She had never owned a really nice bag in her own life, and I explained to her that I picked it up for myself and used it twice, but would be much happier and truly honoured if she would accept it as a gesture of my love for her. She lived to be 93 and used my bag everyday in those 3 years- mind you, she rarely went out at that stage, but she sat it beside her when she had visitors and used it when she did go out. She was overjoyed with owning it and, I hope, touched that I gave her something I loved. I never regretted letting go of that bag, in spite of how much I had initially longed to own it, it went to a much more deserving person. It's one of the happiest memories I have.
My point being that there are different avenues for donations that we may not even realize because we're used to donating to specific charity shops.
This post is much longer than intended- as so many of mine end up being. Sorry! I hope it helps a little. I'll just reiterate that the process of editing is a personal journey, so please note that this has been my approach but it may not resonate with other people.
So like I said, I read this whole thread last night. I've been feeling like I have too many bags for a while. At one time I was up to 50 something. I have no idea how I stored all of those. I'm not sure how many I have now. I typically don't count clutches because those are more like an SLG to me. I have a number of different brands from Zara to Gucci, LV etc. I think I have in the neighborhood of 20? Maybe I'll count sometime today.
Someone mentioned that too many choices can result in not making a choice. I think that has a lot to do with why my bags don't get rotated more. I had stopped buying bags for quite a while but recently have bought a few. I have a couple I still haven't used yet but can't return.
Maybe someone can help me with some of my downsizing issues:
These are just some of the thoughts I have right now. I'm not sure where to start. Part of me wants to go back to the day of one bag but part of me doesn't. And to answer someone else's question - yes, you can wear out a bag. I have one (it's my under the radar bag because I fear judgement from some with the amount of money I spend on bags) that I've used so much that the glazing on the straps is gone. The rest of the bag is perfect. Go figure
- I don't use for some reason (size, not right for the occasion, wrong season) but I'm afraid I'll regret if I get rid of.
- Some are too beautiful to get rid of but I don't use. For example, I have a Gucci Flora satchel bag that has the most gorgeous print. It's like art really. At the time I was into larger bags but now I'm not. If I think about it she was too big then but the smaller one seemed too small. Anyway, I've hardly used. 3 times?
- I can't get past the huge monetary loss if I get rid of the bag but I have done it. Matter of fact, I just returned 2 bags that don't work for me and the return shipping was insane. But it was better than 2 bags sitting on a shelf. I have also sold for a big loss. I figure some money back is better than nothing but it seems harder now that my collection is getting smaller.
- I don't have anyone that I would gift them to and the thought of these rolling around in the Goodwill bins makes me
Anyway, thank you for reading my long post. Any input would be appreciated.
Here's what you do-
Get a box and put the bags you are considering ridding yourself of in it. Put the box away somewhere in which you won't see it everyday (a closet that's not often used, under a bed, etc.) Leave them in there and go about your business for about a month, keeping your bags that are staying in regular rotation/view in your closet.
Now, at the end of that month, pull the box out and ask yourself these questions:
-Did I notice the bag(s) absence?
-Did it disrupt my daily life in any way that they weren't in rotation, or that they were absent, period?.
-Did I miss the bag(s) in question...more to the point, if you did, would you go out and by another if you had already sold it?
If you can answer 'no' to all of these questions, than you're good to get rid of it. This is they system I use, and it's not failed me yet.
@jblended....Holy moly, sister! While I was typing out my feeble one paragraph response, you covered it all!
@Freak4Coach, As someone who’s still grappling with the bag surplus issue, I don’t think I have any real answers about where to start. I started with the removal of bags I thought would be the easiest to let go of. I needed a shot of success to get me going. I did it in stages and it worked for me. As I posted recently, I’ve been feeling somewhat stuck recently, but I think I’m making progress emotionally.
Thank you for all the ideas! All so appreciated!
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I don't know if my opinion will be helpful, but I'll share in the hopes that you get some idea of how I personally deal with these choices. Perhaps as more of us talk, you'll find a system that works for you.
The most important thing to remember is that it is a personal journey and there's no right or wrong way to edit, only the way that brings you personal peace.
In relation to the points I've quoted:
1/2- For bags I don't use frequently, I ask myself if they serve a specific function that can justify keeping them. For eg- my beater bag for when I'm volunteering (anything else would be inappropriate in a shelter), no-brand bag for when I'm travelling, the one bag I can rely on when it's pouring down rain. Bags like those are not used regularly but they are necessary in my life because my other bags cannot serve these very specific functions. They get kept in spite of infrequent use.
The remainder are the ones I downsize from. If the bag size is not functional for my life, if it is too heavy, if I don't feel like it's my style, then I do not try to make it work no matter how much I like the way it looks. I just release it knowing that someone else will love it and it will be perfect for them.
Bags are meant to be functional and to tote your stuff around. We get caught up in the beauty of them but, at their core, their purpose is to function. If they do not function for you, let them go to someone who can make them work and trust that you've uplifted someone else and improved their situation with your generosity. This will bring you more joy than looking at that bag on your shelf and feeling frustrated or guilty that you're not utilizing it.
I've said this somewhere up thread, we can appreciate beautiful things without needing to own them. And we can be grateful to have owned them for a season of our lives without needing to carry them into the next season.
Having said all that, with regards to your Gucci satchel, is it possible to have it reworked into something else? I know a friend of mine once had a cobbler turn her tote bag (that had been damaged in one section) into a pair of shoes. He used the bag's printed leather as the front/ top of the mules, and used his own materials for the rest of the shoes. And he even made her a key chain from the remaining scraps of leather.
If there's a way to repurpose it, then that would be ideal. Or else, let it be the one display item that you enjoy as a piece of art. Having a single bag like that is not an issue in my mind. It's when you have a plethora of them that it becomes a weighty load.
3- I have had to move a lot in my life and I have let go of a lot of expensive things in my time due to those moves. Letting go of sentimental and/or expensive items is hard, particularly when you adore those items. But I personally have made it easier on myself by reminding myself of this:
The money is already spent. Having an item that represents that money in my space doesn't bring the money back.
So, if you can recoup even a bit of your loss from consignment/ reselling directly, please do that. Some money in your account is better than nothing. It's not a loss then, it's a gain (however partial, it is still actual money).
If that's not a viable option, then it's still okay to gift your bags and consider the money lost a charitable donation of sorts, because that money is long gone anyway and that bag unused on the shelf isn't bringing it back.
Sometimes we spend our money incorrectly. That happens to everyone. It's okay. More money can always be earned, and the peace of mind of letting go of dead weight is far more valuable than the $ amount you spent on that item to begin with.
4- Goodwill may not be a good option, but there are other ways to donate. For instance, I gifted several bags to coworkers who admired them. My mother has gifted her things to her nurses and even janitorial staff in various hospitals and clinics she has worked in. Those people would not have been able to purchase items of that quality in their financial position, so they really appreciated the bags and used them with joy (obviously I'm not suggesting you gift an Hermes or Chanel as that would make the recipient uncomfortable, but you could do this for lesser known/ no-name bags that you don't love because the recipients likely will adore them). Another user on tpf whom I PM with has done exactly the same with her unwanted bags this past year.
If coworkers and friends aren't an option, I always like to donate to places like Dress for Success. Or if you know someone whose kids are just graduating university and will be starting their job hunting, gift their kids a suitable bag for interviews. Giving someone a professional leg-up is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
The flip side of this coin- I gave my friend's grandmother one of my most expensive bags that I had only used twice. I noticed her looking at it when I was visiting, and on her 90th birthday a couple of months later, I had cleaned and conditioned the bag, put it the original packaging and gifted it to her.
She had never owned a really nice bag in her own life, and I explained to her that I picked it up for myself and used it twice, but would be much happier and truly honoured if she would accept it as a gesture of my love for her. She lived to be 93 and used my bag everyday in those 3 years- mind you, she rarely went out at that stage, but she sat it beside her when she had visitors and used it when she did go out. She was overjoyed with owning it and, I hope, touched that I gave her something I loved. I never regretted letting go of that bag, in spite of how much I had initially longed to own it, it went to a much more deserving person. It's one of the happiest memories I have.
My point being that there are different avenues for donations that we may not even realize because we're used to donating to specific charity shops.
This post is much longer than intended- as so many of mine end up being. Sorry! I hope it helps a little. I'll just reiterate that the process of editing is a personal journey, so please note that this has been my approach but it may not resonate with other people.
Thank you for taking the time to write this. It is appreciated more than you know. Like @Cate14, I needed this today. It actually brought me to tears. I had been putting a lot of pressure on myself and this made me realize I don't need to rush it.
The story about your friend's grandmother is so touching. Thank you for sharing it!
I donate my clothing to the local Women's Shelter. I will consider this as an option for the bags. I don't have a local D for S but I might make a trip to the closest one which is a little over an hour away.
2019 was beyond tough for many reasons. Lost my mother in law, my brother and one of my four legged kids. Through the loss of my MIL and brother, we've taken possession of their things and which has increased the stress of the excess. This year is about making my life "lighter", more peaceful. Getting rid of excess and things that do not serve a purpose to me is part of the journey for this year. Thank you for helping to ease my mind and hopefully, make this process easier.
I'm terribly sorry for your losses. I have been there, done that (both people and cats; in fact in 2011 I lost 3 dear friends and a cat all in the space of 4 months) so I understand how devastating this time can be. I hope you find healing.
I use a word of the year each year, to ground me when I am going through tough times. For this year, I've been toying with "Light": to remember to be light when life is heavy, to take things easy, to own fewer material things and lighten my load, but also to brighten up my surroundings, enjoy more sunshine and make sure my words, actions and attitude lighten and uplift everyone I interact with.
So, hearing you say that this is your year to make your life lighter really resonates with me deeply.
Absolutely take your time sorting through your stuff, particularly as you're working through grief and other people's belongings in addition to your own. That is a difficult process in itself. Allow yourself some grace here.
I've found when I'm editing correctly, the process is calming, helps me process my anxiety and allows me to be introspective. But when I'm purging incorrectly and under self-inflicted pressure to just remove lots of stuff, it only adds to my anxiety and creates a feeling of being lost and unsure if I'm making the right decisions. It's a process- one that you embark on at your own pace.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words about my posts. I always feel guilty sharing my opinion, knowing I'm not as experienced or as knowledgeable as the majority of people on here, but I'm repeatedly met with warmth and acceptance which is deeply touching.
Sorry to derail the thread. Bye
I'm terribly sorry for your losses. I have been there, done that (both people and cats; in fact in 2011 I lost 3 dear friends and a cat all in the space of 4 months) so I understand how devastating this time can be. I hope you find healing.
I use a word of the year each year, to ground me when I am going through tough times. For this year, I've been toying with "Light": to remember to be light when life is heavy, to take things easy, to own fewer material things and lighten my load, but also to brighten up my surroundings, enjoy more sunshine and make sure my words, actions and attitude lighten and uplift everyone I interact with.
So, hearing you say that this is your year to make your life lighter really resonates with me deeply.
Absolutely take your time sorting through your stuff, particularly as you're working through grief and other people's belongings in addition to your own. That is a difficult process in itself. Allow yourself some grace here.
I've found when I'm editing correctly, the process is calming, helps me process my anxiety and allows me to be introspective. But when I'm purging incorrectly and under self-inflicted pressure to just remove lots of stuff, it only adds to my anxiety and creates a feeling of being lost and unsure if I'm making the right decisions. It's a process- one that you embark on at your own pace.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words about my posts. I always feel guilty sharing my opinion, knowing I'm not as experienced or as knowledgeable as the majority of people on here, but I'm repeatedly met with warmth and acceptance which is deeply touching.
Sorry to derail the thread. Bye
You’ve never derailed the thread. After all, the title requests that readers “share your edited bag closet journey.” How much easier all this would be if our emotions weren’t part of it. I know mine throw doubts at me as I try to find some “perfect balance” that probably exists only in my imagination. Personally, I need to hear others opinions....after all, if I had all the answers, I wouldn’t be here.
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