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

[RueMonge]

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.

That is really good advice, and yay for you and your smart downsizing.

I find it’s the mid sized bags that I’m not carrying much this past year. It’s a small cross body for grocery store runs or a larger tote for work. I think I’m not ready to make a decision about the mid sized bags, but I like the idea of deciding what my new normal is. My husband died last year, not covid related, and I’m looking at retiring in a couple of years. I plan to downsize big-time and travel a lot then. Your idea of the new normal and deciding what my preferences and lifestyle are about really speak to me.

 

[swallowtails]

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.

I agree strongly with your sentiments about focusing on the 'now'. Did another closet cleanout during covid, since I'm mostly at home now and decided it was time to do another once-over on my living space and I reflected on how many previous 'bag mistakes' (i.e. types of bags I'd sworn never to get) I had made yet again, because of a sale somewhere, because I saw a new brand/design I just *had* to get but never really stopped to think how I'm going to use it, especially right now, in this time. Totes are personally the most functional bag in my collection right now, I have little to no use for work bags, or smaller crossbodies. I figure when I head back to work, I could carry a tote too, so there's no real need to buy a work bag when that occasion finally comes around.

 

[diane278]

Currently, my collection feels pretty lean. (Eleven bags and a couple of pouches that I don’t count as ‘bags’). Ideally, I’ll get down to two black clutches. We’ll see how that goes.
As for the future...we’ll see how that goes, too...

 

[bagnut1]

Currently, my collection feels pretty lean. (Eleven bags and a couple of pouches that I don’t count as ‘bags’). Ideally, I’ll get down to two black clutches. We’ll see how that goes.
As for the future...we’ll see how that goes, too...

View attachment 4989833

Your bag closet is the picture of elegance and serenity.

 

[IntheOcean]

Currently, my collection feels pretty lean. (Eleven bags and a couple of pouches that I don’t count as ‘bags’). Ideally, I’ll get down to two black clutches. We’ll see how that goes.
As for the future...we’ll see how that goes, too...

View attachment 4989833

Very nicely organized shelves!

 

[More bags]

Currently, my collection feels pretty lean. (Eleven bags and a couple of pouches that I don’t count as ‘bags’). Ideally, I’ll get down to two black clutches. We’ll see how that goes.
As for the future...we’ll see how that goes, too...

View attachment 4989833

A gorgeous example of well curated, much loved pieces - so elegant! What a dream closet @diane278.

 

[Bag peace]

I'm way behind on this thread! I didn't notice I wasn't receiving notifications for it. I'm happy to see the progress that everyone is making.

Currently, my collection feels pretty lean. (Eleven bags and a couple of pouches that I don’t count as ‘bags’). Ideally, I’ll get down to two black clutches. We’ll see how that goes.
As for the future...we’ll see how that goes, too...

You've done an outstanding job! I don't see the round bag you recently added; did that not make the final cut?

I've been slowly releasing my bags, but have made a couple of purchases (and was also gifted 2 bags last Christmas) along the way. My total number is still too high at 36, but just a few moments ago, I figured out my vision for my ideal capsule bag closet.
I'd like to be at 16 bags (double what I said I wanted at the very start of this thread, lol):

• 1 vintage Dior
• 1 Bvlgari
• 5 contemporary bags (kept from my existing collection)
• 7 bespoke bags (either the current ones or new ones added along the way)
• 2 office/travel bags

It's going to take me a while to remove 20+ from my existing collection as I'm no longer doing massive purges but am taking rather a slow approach to culling.
I'd like to get to my core collection in the next 3 years, then eventually be able to afford the first 2 premier bags on my wish list.

 

[southernbelle43]

Currently, my collection feels pretty lean. (Eleven bags and a couple of pouches that I don’t count as ‘bags’). Ideally, I’ll get down to two black clutches. We’ll see how that goes.
As for the future...we’ll see how that goes, too...

View attachment 4989833

Very nice collection. At one point I was down to 14 bags and now I am back up to 20 (19 but one on order from Massaccesi) which is my "do not go beyond, self imposed limit). But my closet has been culled and the ones I have I truly like and use. So I feel good about this. And that Birkin with its custom hardware is AWESOME.

 

[diane278]

I'm way behind on this thread! I didn't notice I wasn't receiving notifications for it. I'm happy to see the progress that everyone is making.


You've done an outstanding job! I don't see the round bag you recently added; did that not make the final cut?

I've been slowly releasing my bags, but have made a couple of purchases (and was also gifted 2 bags last Christmas) along the way. My total number is still too high at 36, but just a few moments ago, I figured out my vision for my ideal capsule bag closet.
I'd like to be at 16 bags (double what I said I wanted at the very start of this thread, lol):

• 1 vintage Dior
• 1 Bvlgari
• 5 contemporary bags (kept from my existing collection)
• 7 bespoke bags (either the current ones or new ones added along the way)
• 2 office/travel bags

It's going to take me a while to remove 20+ from my existing collection as I'm no longer doing massive purges but am taking rather a slow approach to culling.
I'd like to get to my core collection in the next 3 years, then eventually be able to afford the first 2 premier bags on my wish list.

It sounds like you have a plan that will work for you. It wasn’t until I let go of my self-imposed pressure, that I was able to get to where I’m at now. Please keep us in the loop....

No, the round black bag didn’t make it. I have no idea what tanning process they used but it had a scent that seemed to get stronger and that I found terribly unpleasant. I tried several remedies but finally gave up on it.
I’m now preparing to go through my closet and edit my clothing.

 

[bagnut1]

It sounds like you have a plan that will work for you. It wasn’t until I let go of my self-imposed pressure, that I was able to get to where I’m at now. Please keep us in the loop....

No, the round black bag didn’t make it. I have no idea what tanning process they used but it had a scent that seemed to get stronger and that I found terribly unpleasant. I tried several remedies but finally gave up on it.
I’m now preparing to go through my closet and edit my clothing.

Yes there is simply no cure for a stinky bag IME.

 

[Bags & Bunnies]

So glad I found this thread! Am looking for some help here... I've always admired people who have a relatively small luxury handbag collection (10 bags or fewer). I even got close to that magical number at the beginning of the year when I sold 5 bags in my collection. If you're curious which ones, checkout my youtube channel.

Unfortunately I have continued my 2020 binge shopping habits into the new year and already bought 5 new bags. So now I'm revisiting my collection to see where I have redundancies and do a second round of clearouts. So I took out all my luxury bags for a family portrait and also labeled them with my current thoughts. I also labeled the 5 bags that are new to me in 2021. You'll see I'm already regretting the Palm Springs mini.



Ones with yellow STARS are the forever bags in my collection - no way I'm selling these.
1. Chanel Black Coco Handle: Finally got my hands on this one. It's my version of a classic flap
2. Chanel Gabrielle: My chic runway bag. It's so unique yet classic
3. LV Monogram Pochette Accessories: My casual errand crossbody
4. Celine Nano Luggage: My dream bag from my 20s that I finally bought in my 30s
5. Celine Belt Bag: My business appropriate work bag
6. Loewe Puzzle: My work/travel/everything bag

Ones with blue "Sell?" stickers are ones I'm debating whether to let go
7. Chanel Dark Pink Coco Handle: Strap too short for crossbody and WOC is a similar color; maybe I should replace with a Business Affinity in a neutral color
8. Chanel Red Square WOC: If I don't let go of the dark pink CCH, maybe I should sell this red WOC. I really don't need two red color bags
9. Dior Addict Black Flap: Uncomfortable chain, not enough capacity for the size
10. LV Palm Springs Mini: I prefer the pochette accessories and don't like monogram enough to have 2 pieces. Canvas on this made in USA version is not as soft

Ones with yellow "Keep?" stickers are ones I can be talked into letting go... maybe later down the road
11&12. LV Speedy B: I love the style but do I need two?
13. LV Rose Vernis Pochette Accessories: Now that I have the monogram, I'm not reaching for this one. Maybe that will change with the weather warming up
14. Fendi Mini Peekaboo: Surprisingly versatile but very delicate lambskin; it's a love/hate relationship
15. Loewe Elephant: Love this cutie but not a forever piece in my collection
16. D&G Miss Silicy: So pretty and another fun (not forever) bag in my collection

I'd like to sell another 3-6 bags before I add anymore to my collection. Where do you think I should start? And why?

 

[Bag peace]

I'd like to sell another 3-6 bags before I add anymore to my collection. Where do you think I should start? And why?

There are so many different approaches to this. You could remove all the 'Sell?' and 'Keep?' bags and put them in the closet for departing bags for a few months. See if you miss any of them. If not, remove them all and you'll be left with a small core collection of only keepers. This is drastic but sometimes it's the easiest way.

Or you can do something I'm doing now and take the opposite approach of moving very slowly and removing only one bag at a time. I'm taking each bag that I'm on the fence about individually to test drive it, and am finding this is a great way to assess what will stay or go.
Pick one of the bags you're unsure about and use it for your grocery store trips or daily walks; fill it up and try your best to make it work. If you fall in love with it after using, it's a keeper. If you find more and more issues crop up (you don't love the look, the chain hurts your shoulder, the bag doesn't have enough space, the bag is too heavy, the opening is too fiddly) then you can remove it from your collection.
Do this for each bag, one at a time, so that you're giving each one a fair chance and assessing it as a standalone, not as part of a wider collection. With this approach it's impossible to regret any decision or second-guess yourself because you were methodical, so any bag that is released had a valid reason to be let go.

I'm sure others have better suggestions. I'm excited to see how you approach your editing process so please do share more as you go along.

Edit: I think you could easily remove these two to start because you sound pretty clear that they are not right for you, whereas on the others you don't sound as sure.

9. Dior Addict Black Flap: Uncomfortable chain, not enough capacity for the size
10. LV Palm Springs Mini: I prefer the pochette accessories and don't like monogram enough to have 2 pieces. Canvas on this made in USA version is not as soft

 

[Bags & Bunnies]

There are so many different approaches to this. You could remove all the 'Sell?' and 'Keep?' bags and put them in the closet for departing bags for a few months. See if you miss any of them. If not, remove them all and you'll be left with a small core collection of only keepers. This is drastic but sometimes it's the easiest way.

Or you can do something I'm doing now and take the opposite approach of moving very slowly and removing only one bag at a time. I'm taking each bag that I'm on the fence about individually to test drive it, and am finding this is a great way to assess what will stay or go.
Pick one of the bags you're unsure about and use it for your grocery store trips or daily walks; fill it up and try your best to make it work. If you fall in love with it after using, it's a keeper. If you find more and more issues crop up (you don't love the look, the chain hurts your shoulder, the bag doesn't have enough space, the bag is too heavy, the opening is too fiddly) then you can remove it from your collection.
Do this for each bag, one at a time, so that you're giving each one a fair chance and assessing it as a standalone, not as part of a wider collection. With this approach it's impossible to regret any decision or second-guess yourself because you were methodical, so any bag that is released had a valid reason to be let go.

I'm sure others have better suggestions. I'm excited to see how you approach your editing process so please do share more as you go along.

Edit: I think you could easily remove these two to start because you sound pretty clear that they are not right for you, whereas on the others you don't sound as sure.

Thank you! That’s a excellent idea to test drive the bags on my questionable list and see if I come home loving or hating the bag a little more. Also, thank you for pointing out the two bags that seem like good candidates to start my downsizing. I think I am ready to let the Dior go and need to test drive the LV PSM a couple more times.

You hit the nail on the head - I am definitely guilty of trying to curate a certain look and mix for my overall collection rather than individually assessing each bag. Not sure if that’s the right approach or if it leads to regrets... time will tell.

 

[Bag peace]

That’s a excellent idea to test drive the bags on my questionable list and see if I come home loving or hating the bag a little more

This approach has really been helpful for me this year because the pandemic has changed the way I use my bags (not to mention, the frequency) so I'm trying not to make rash decisions.

I am definitely guilty of trying to curate a certain look and mix for my overall collection rather than individually assessing each bag.

It's great to have an overall direction in mind for the final collection. However, when culling, you have to look at the functionality of the bag. What good is it if it fills a colour/size/leather type in your overall collection, but it is too small or too heavy to use? That's why it can be better to first assess individually how a bag works for your lifestyle, and then look and see how well it fits into the wider collection.
These are only my own learnings from a very long process of trying (and failing) to curate my own bag closet. If you have time to read through this thread, please do. There are so many wonderful suggestions on here and I often re-visit the older posts to get some inspiration for my own editing journey.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

 

[Bags & Bunnies]

This approach has really been helpful for me this year because the pandemic has changed the way I use my bags (not to mention, the frequency) so I'm trying not to make rash decisions.


It's great to have an overall direction in mind for the final collection. However, when culling, you have to look at the functionality of the bag. What good is it if it fills a colour/size/leather type in your overall collection, but it is too small or too heavy to use? That's why it can be better to first assess individually how a bag works for your lifestyle, and then look and see how well it fits into the wider collection.
These are only my own learnings from a very long process of trying (and failing) to curate my own bag closet. If you have time to read through this thread, please do. There are so many wonderful suggestions on here and I often re-visit the older posts to get some inspiration for my own editing journey.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

I'm definitely binge reading this thread today - much better than binge shopping
Your long responses are the best. I love all the stories and lessons you've shared. Will definitely post my decisions once I make them and I am taking your advice to take my time.