Never say never my dear. Just take a temporary vacation from it, lol.
Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......
- Thread starter diane278
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hi everyone! i've been on a bag curating journey the past 5 years and just discovered this thread! i would love anyone's thoughts on my current bag collection (see photos and list of names below) and opinions on potential redundancies. i generally have 15-20 bags at any given point, but i currently have 19 and was thinking that i might want to get rid of 2 to 4 bags, but i can't make up my mind! i think the issue is that i usually figure out how much i love a bag by carrying it, but i have hardly left the house other than for groceries or to go hiking the past year...sigh.
during normal times, i work in a corporate office, hence the need for totes like my vintage LV sac plat and telfar medium tote, but otherwise, i am short at 5'2" and my style is generally casual/sporty so i get the most use out of crossbody bags. the bags i have used the least are the two hobo-styles in my collection and the medium-sized shoulder bags like the givenchy small nightingale, but maybe that will change once we start going out again? i like having a range of neutral-ish colors and i only have one of each color other than dark brown or black, so those are the primary suspects!
thank you in advance
)
totes
1. LV sac plat
2. stella mccartney small logo tote
3. telfar medium tote in tan
hobos
4. givenchy nightingale medium black (old version)
5. LV delightful pm
shoulder bags
6. givenchy nightingale small black (new version)
7. mansur gavriel elegant bag
8. vintage croc leather shoulder bag (my mom got this in the 70s and we share it now)
9. LV speedy 25 bandouliere
10. givenchy mini antigona mastic
crossbody
11. coach court bag brown
12. LV double zip reverse mono
13. prada 2005 re-edition cammello
14. telfar small tote in cream
15. mansur gavriel double zip crossbody bordo
16. celine small trio in navy
17. prada mini envelope crossbody
18. givenchy mini mystic storm grey
19. amelie pichard mini abag in fluo yellow
during normal times, i work in a corporate office, hence the need for totes like my vintage LV sac plat and telfar medium tote, but otherwise, i am short at 5'2" and my style is generally casual/sporty so i get the most use out of crossbody bags. the bags i have used the least are the two hobo-styles in my collection and the medium-sized shoulder bags like the givenchy small nightingale, but maybe that will change once we start going out again? i like having a range of neutral-ish colors and i only have one of each color other than dark brown or black, so those are the primary suspects!
thank you in advance
)totes
1. LV sac plat
2. stella mccartney small logo tote
3. telfar medium tote in tan
hobos
4. givenchy nightingale medium black (old version)
5. LV delightful pm
shoulder bags
6. givenchy nightingale small black (new version)
7. mansur gavriel elegant bag
8. vintage croc leather shoulder bag (my mom got this in the 70s and we share it now
)9. LV speedy 25 bandouliere
10. givenchy mini antigona mastic
crossbody
11. coach court bag brown
12. LV double zip reverse mono
13. prada 2005 re-edition cammello
14. telfar small tote in cream
15. mansur gavriel double zip crossbody bordo
16. celine small trio in navy
17. prada mini envelope crossbody
18. givenchy mini mystic storm grey
19. amelie pichard mini abag in fluo yellow
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@tokyobike I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the bags in your collection. All I can suggest is that perhaps you might wait until you can assess your bags in more normal times. For myself, I remove the bags I’m considering let go of and put them in a place where I don’t see them. if I don’t miss them, I then let them go. If I miss them, I have to reconsider. but others have posted their ways of assessing also. if you don’t find an example that works for you, perhaps you can use different elements of several posts and make a system that will work for you.
It might be easy for me to say what to keep and get rid of, because I'm not attached to them, but why not go the emotional route? I always sort things per category. You already did that, but now physically do it again. It's so cheese but use the Marie Kong method. Does it spark joy? Do I like how this feels? Do I like to use the bag? You said that you mostly get a feel for that as you use the bag. Why not find ways to use them. Skip the favorites because you should know who those are. Take the rest out for a walk in the park or to the grocery store. If you do that for a week or a month you could still feel how the bag works.hi everyone! i've been on a bag curating journey the past 5 years and just discovered this thread! i would love anyone's thoughts on my current bag collection (see photos and list of names below) and opinions on potential redundancies. i generally have 15-20 bags at any given point, but i currently have 19 and was thinking that i might want to get rid of 2 to 4 bags, but i can't make up my mind! i think the issue is that i usually figure out how much i love a bag by carrying it, but i have hardly left the house other than for groceries or to go hiking the past year...sigh.
during normal times, i work in a corporate office, hence the need for totes like my vintage LV sac plat and telfar medium tote, but otherwise, i am short at 5'2" and my style is generally casual/sporty so i get the most use out of crossbody bags. the bags i have used the least are the two hobo-styles in my collection and the medium-sized shoulder bags like the givenchy small nightingale, but maybe that will change once we start going out again? i like having a range of neutral-ish colors and i only have one of each color other than dark brown or black, so those are the primary suspects!
thank you in advance
totes
1. LV sac plat
2. stella mccartney small logo tote
3. telfar medium tote in tan
hobos
4. givenchy nightingale medium black (old version)
5. LV delightful pm
shoulder bags
6. givenchy nightingale small black (new version)
7. mansur gavriel elegant bag
8. vintage croc leather shoulder bag (my mom got this in the 70s and we share it now
9. LV speedy 25 bandouliere
10. givenchy mini antigona mastic
crossbody
11. coach court bag brown
12. LV double zip reverse mono
13. prada 2005 re-edition cammello
14. telfar small tote in cream
15. mansur gavriel double zip crossbody bordo
16. celine small trio in navy
17. prada mini envelope crossbody
18. givenchy mini mystic storm grey
19. amelie pichard mini abag in fluo yellow
View attachment 4964399
You already have the bags so enough outfits and times to go with. But if something happened and you would have no bags left, would you buy them again? Did you outgrew them? Does the bag feel outdated? Granted that your bags are pretty classic but sometimes, if we own things for a long time, they either mean more or less to us.
Why didn't you used the hobos? Are you going to miss them when they are gone? Would you replace them? Would you replace them by the same or another bag? If you think about replacing them, does that tire or excite you? You wonder about the Nightingale. If you own the bag, there will always be a time when you will wear it just because you already own the bag. That's why culling your collection is so hard. You once paid good money for it and you don't need to get rid of anything. Can you remember how much you wore it when everything was normal? And how would you feel if you would not have this bag? Just take the time to find out how you feel about each bag because I think it's a waste to just reason bags away. I got rid of enough bags in my life but the ones that I reasoned away, I loved but hadn't worn them in over a year, those are the bags I regret letting go off.
Please don't forget that it might feel that you have to many bags, but you don't have to get rid of them. Take your time and just enjoy the process.
January has been a good month for my journey to an edited bag closet. I donated 5 bags to victims of domestic violence, and bought 2 bags. So a total reduction of 3 bags, with 2 bags replaced by bags I like better. Both bags we're also great deals. One 25 % off, and the other 1/3 of its original price! 
The second bag was purchased this morning, and pending final decision on if I keep or return it. It's a brand, style, and size I know works for me. But it's a holographic finish, which are crazy hard to photograph, so have to see it in person.
I feel I made good progress on my journey so far in 2021. After all, editors don't just remove things, they sometimes add or make improvements.
How is everyone else's 2021 journey going?
The second bag was purchased this morning, and pending final decision on if I keep or return it. It's a brand, style, and size I know works for me. But it's a holographic finish, which are crazy hard to photograph, so have to see it in person.
I feel I made good progress on my journey so far in 2021. After all, editors don't just remove things, they sometimes add or make improvements.
How is everyone else's 2021 journey going?
hi everyone! i've been on a bag curating journey the past 5 years and just discovered this thread! i would love anyone's thoughts on my current bag collection (see photos and list of names below) and opinions on potential redundancies. i generally have 15-20 bags at any given point, but i currently have 19 and was thinking that i might want to get rid of 2 to 4 bags, but i can't make up my mind! i think the issue is that i usually figure out how much i love a bag by carrying it, but i have hardly left the house other than for groceries or to go hiking the past year...sigh.
during normal times, i work in a corporate office, hence the need for totes like my vintage LV sac plat and telfar medium tote, but otherwise, i am short at 5'2" and my style is generally casual/sporty so i get the most use out of crossbody bags. the bags i have used the least are the two hobo-styles in my collection and the medium-sized shoulder bags like the givenchy small nightingale, but maybe that will change once we start going out again? i like having a range of neutral-ish colors and i only have one of each color other than dark brown or black, so those are the primary suspects!
thank you in advance
totes
1. LV sac plat
2. stella mccartney small logo tote
3. telfar medium tote in tan
hobos
4. givenchy nightingale medium black (old version)
5. LV delightful pm
shoulder bags
6. givenchy nightingale small black (new version)
7. mansur gavriel elegant bag
8. vintage croc leather shoulder bag (my mom got this in the 70s and we share it now
9. LV speedy 25 bandouliere
10. givenchy mini antigona mastic
crossbody
11. coach court bag brown
12. LV double zip reverse mono
13. prada 2005 re-edition cammello
14. telfar small tote in cream
15. mansur gavriel double zip crossbody bordo
16. celine small trio in navy
17. prada mini envelope crossbody
18. givenchy mini mystic storm grey
19. amelie pichard mini abag in fluo yellow
View attachment 4964399
I also just discovered this thread and will probably post mine in a few but wanted to respond since you were so thorough in your post and with all the pics!
In general, I cannot really say it better than @Egel did. I myself keep or release bags based on some logical criteria (is it uncomfortable, is it hard to get in and out of, etc), but it’s mostly about whether it sparks joy and I get excited about wearing it.
For your collection, I can see getting rid of at least one of the hobos since you’re not wearing them as much. But that’s biased, because hobos are my least favorite shape. Also, yeah it might be hard to accurately assess what you will wear a lot while COVID is still limiting and altering our normal activities.
I’d probably also think hard about getting rid of the Givenchy antigonia... but again I’m biased as I just never thought this bag would be easy to get in and out of, so I never purchased it.
Good luck and share what you decide!
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January has been a good month for my journey to an edited bag closet. I donated 5 bags to victims of domestic violence, and bought 2 bags. So a total reduction of 3 bags, with 2 bags replaced by bags I like better. Both bags we're also great deals. One 25 % off, and the other 1/3 of its original price!
The second bag was purchased this morning, and pending final decision on if I keep or return it. It's a brand, style, and size I know works for me. But it's a holographic finish, which are crazy hard to photograph, so have to see it in person.
I feel I made good progress on my journey so far in 2021. After all, editors don't just remove things, they sometimes add or make improvements.
How is everyone else's 2021 journey going?
Love it! I also reduced my collection by 3 this month, although I did not do as well as you on getting deals on new bags. Looking forward to seeing your holographic bag!
I agree that editing can involve adding and making improvements! Essentially that’s where I’m at with my bag journey. I know I’m not ‘done’ but I do think I’m getting better at deciding what will actually work for me vs what I should just save an IG picture of and archive in the ‘bag porn’ photo album.
You did an excellent job this month! I'm also at that point, and it feels like a good place to be. I got rid of three of the five because they just don't work for me. Loved the look/concept, but they just weren't right for me. But I figure just learning that counts as a win, since it can help me not make the same mistakes in future purchases. I love your idea of a 'bag porn' photo album!
I have such albums (though not that fun name) for jewelry and shoes, and now will be adding one for bags!Today was a snowy day so it was a good opportunity to get all my bags out and go thru my wardrobe to figure out what I still like wearing and what should go to good will.
First up is the fall/winter bags. I don’t necessarily only wear these during those seasons, but thematically I think they fit there the most.
Next is the season-less / neutrals. I realize the black and brown from above are also neutrals but these bags fit a particular palette together.
I... have a lot of taupe bags.
Lastly, the spring/summer / brightly colored bags. Not as many in this category which surprised me when I got them all out. In my head somehow I thought of myself as a person who likes colorful bags.
All told, looks like it is 28 bags. I would say my collection is getting closer to what I would consider a good edit (for me), but I have accepted the fact that I am not done, and may not be for several years.
On the one hand, I want more color and am short on some. I don’t have a single blue, purple, or red bag. Not that I need all those of course. I do have a blue bag I will be getting next weekend.
Having tried on a bunch of these today with my wardrobe, I’ve identified a few that it may be time to let go of:
- Straw circle bag. It’s cheap (and cheaply made) and the strap got dirty really quickly.
- Proenza Schouler brown chain wallet. Chain has always been uncomfortable, and there’s nothing I pair it with that can’t be served by the camel Proenza Schouler ps11 or the Celine ‘big bag’.
- Proenza Schouler pink/taupe ps11. This one is hard... the bag doesn’t thrill me anymore when I reach for it, and I’ve always found it to be a little boxy given its size. It fills the need for a light pink bag but I suspect I could find something else I love more. It’s been such a perfect match with my Rockstuds that I have felt I couldn’t get rid of it. But I also don’t wear my Rockstuds that much either...
Bags I am planning to add in the next few months:
BV mini Arco
Beige Chanel mini:
Red Polene numero un
I welcome any feedback! Anything my collection is missing, etc.
First up is the fall/winter bags. I don’t necessarily only wear these during those seasons, but thematically I think they fit there the most.
Next is the season-less / neutrals. I realize the black and brown from above are also neutrals but these bags fit a particular palette together.
I... have a lot of taupe bags.
Lastly, the spring/summer / brightly colored bags. Not as many in this category which surprised me when I got them all out. In my head somehow I thought of myself as a person who likes colorful bags.
All told, looks like it is 28 bags. I would say my collection is getting closer to what I would consider a good edit (for me), but I have accepted the fact that I am not done, and may not be for several years.
On the one hand, I want more color and am short on some. I don’t have a single blue, purple, or red bag. Not that I need all those of course. I do have a blue bag I will be getting next weekend.
Having tried on a bunch of these today with my wardrobe, I’ve identified a few that it may be time to let go of:
- Straw circle bag. It’s cheap (and cheaply made) and the strap got dirty really quickly.
- Proenza Schouler brown chain wallet. Chain has always been uncomfortable, and there’s nothing I pair it with that can’t be served by the camel Proenza Schouler ps11 or the Celine ‘big bag’.
- Proenza Schouler pink/taupe ps11. This one is hard... the bag doesn’t thrill me anymore when I reach for it, and I’ve always found it to be a little boxy given its size. It fills the need for a light pink bag but I suspect I could find something else I love more. It’s been such a perfect match with my Rockstuds that I have felt I couldn’t get rid of it. But I also don’t wear my Rockstuds that much either...
Bags I am planning to add in the next few months:
BV mini Arco
Beige Chanel mini:
Red Polene numero un
I welcome any feedback! Anything my collection is missing, etc.
Love that red Polene Numero Un you plan to add!
And I think getting rid of the round straw bag is a great call. 
When I have a bag that matches perfectly with some shoes of mine, or I have the perfect purse charm for it, it makes it much harder to part with the bag even when that bag isn't a favorite. But ultimately I eventually end up getting rid of the bag.
I cringe when I think of your nice bags going to Goodwill. Most likely someone will get them cheap and then resell them for a fortune on ebay.
I like that you have a variety of brands and price points in your collection.
Thanks!
Re: good will - I was trying on some older things in my wardrobe with my bags to see what clothes I should give to good will. The bags will definitely be sold.
I have started planning my seasonal closet switchover (yes it's still snowing but it won't forever!), and I can finally envision more “normal” life after this horrible year, so I decided to let go of bags that I can’t see using more than a few times a year. I skipped the Closet for Outgoing Bags entirely and rehomed more than a third of my collection! What I got rid of:
I feel so much lighter!
- All near-black bags that I also have in black. H near-blacks are gorgeous but actual black gets used the most by far.
- “Fun” designs that only come out when I feel like I need a specifically fun bag (which is almost never - cost per wear turned out to be astronomical). I also have plenty of charms and twillys that can make any bag fun.
- Overly large, “will do everything” bags that didn’t and turned out to be irritating to get in and out of.
- A couple of colors that are gorgeous, but dark/specific, and turned out to be too much work to pair with my wardrobe.
- Duplicate colors across a similar size/type bag - I picked my favorite and kept one of each.
I feel so much lighter!
Wow....I’m impressed! You’re light years ahead of me. This morning, I grabbed my Cuirve BdC clutch in an effort to convince myself that it was a keeper, but I ended up putting it back. I think it’ll work best for me to just sell outright to a reseller site and move on.
Thanks! And you are definitely an inspiration to me! I haven't pared down in a while (and kept buying a bit) but have definitely paid attention to how focused you are on what works for you....
My goal for 2021 is to focus on my "new normal" and what my preferences and lifestyle are about now, not pre-Covid and not where I thought they would be at this point. Just what's really happening this moment.