@bagsandbeach, this is not going to be helpful, but I’ve learned that I enjoy the journey. Everything from falling in love with a brand to collecting pieces and even letting go of those items when I’m ready to get absorbed by a new brand. For me, there aren’t any real shortcuts….just a journey. At least that’s been my experience so far…
Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......
- Thread starter diane278
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Loved reading this thread. I personally don't have an already-traveled-journey to share, since I'm new to luxury bag buying.
What's interesting is, before I got on this "journey", I had literally one basic bag which I would use always, even if it didn't go well with my outfit. A bag was an accessory with a function and not really more than that for me. I would annually buy a bag because they would get worn out within a year's use. Money was not an issue, exposure was (I live in India, luxury stores have opened up in past few years).
Until, I bought a small Gucci bag from their outlet in La Vallee Village near Paris - it was blasphemous, of course, to spend so much money on a bag, but I convinced myself it would be the only one and that it wasn't even full price. This was in 2017 and that bag is still as good as new inspite of me using it so much.
And now, I am trying to build a functional, small bag closet - previously a foreign concept to me.
Trying to build my bag closet from ground up, posted about it here - https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/building-a-functional-curated-small-collection.1044580/
Would love suggestions from you lovely ladies, and what you have learned in your experiences, so I can avoid those mistakes early on.
Know yourself - and stick with that. I don't 'do' flap bags. I let a friend talk me into one; and a second one I told myself, 'There's an exception to every rule. This is the exception. This one will work.' Nope... Both were mistakes.
If you aren't sure if a style, material, or size will work for you, test it cheap. I wanted a circle bag. Got a 50% off Rebecca Minkoff, rather than a new/full price Ferragamo. Circle bags aren't really for me. Glad I didn't spend Ferragamo level money to learn that.
If you're a church goer, evening bags make excellent church bags - and lets me justify the price of evening bags, which I couldn't otherwise since I'd almost never use them if I didn't carry them to church.
Please be kind to yourself. Mistakes will be made. That's human nature. And it's ok, as long as we learn from them. And your wise to learn from others' mistakes.
I couldn't agree more with this outlook!
Letting go of bags that I have fallen out of love with to make room for new treasures is part of the process. My challenge is that in most cases I want to have options for the bags I truly love (usually different colors, sometimes different sizes). Fortunately the "true love" category is currently only 2 models so I'm not feeling to fetish-y.... (and these for the most part have real staying power in my closet).
Great point, although I'm not a church-goer, or even a lover of the more popular in NYC version of church (BRUNCH)...... I need to find a church/brunch alternate!!!
I have the same outlook on bags
If it can go to brunch or a museum, sans phone, I'm good to go.Sometimes you know what works and sometimes you don't. If I'm not sure of myself I buy a Zara dupe. If it's not my cup of tea, off it goes. If I love everything but the hardware then I know the model or colour works for me. Because Zara is so on trend they always got what I need.
Don't get hung up on classics. They are classics for a reason but that reason does not have to allign with your taste.
Don't think that a bag will be the end all be all. Over the years taste changes and I suggest to be mindfull of that. Find out what your shopping and spending strategy is and if you're more prone to buyers regret or skippers remorse. You know your taste but if you know how and why you buy, it's easier to know what to do if you're not sure.
I hope this helps and happy bag buying from now on
Museums have always worked for me as a church substitute - until about a year and a half ago, that is.
Well, I did it - I got down to five luxury bags. And here's the kicker: I have achieved Purse Peace. I realize that this feeling will be fleeting, but it is so satisfying right now, in this particular moment. I want to stretch out and stew in it for at least a day or two before the urge to hunt for the next one returns.
I let go of my beloved green Alaïa (which I hadn't worn since the Baroque Era), and while it was painful, I know that it wasn't doing anyone any good just sitting in my closet. It's a beauty, but poorly-shaped for my needs, and I almost always reached past it in favor of something that was easier to wear. I replaced it with another Alaïa, a crossbody that can double as a clutch, should the need for one ever arise.
I'm really happy with what I've done. I may yet find ways to tweak my collection further, but for today, I think I'll just sit in my closet and marvel over all the extra space.
I let go of my beloved green Alaïa (which I hadn't worn since the Baroque Era), and while it was painful, I know that it wasn't doing anyone any good just sitting in my closet. It's a beauty, but poorly-shaped for my needs, and I almost always reached past it in favor of something that was easier to wear. I replaced it with another Alaïa, a crossbody that can double as a clutch, should the need for one ever arise.
I'm really happy with what I've done. I may yet find ways to tweak my collection further, but for today, I think I'll just sit in my closet and marvel over all the extra space.
Congratulation! That’s quite an accomplishment!
I can’t get to 5!
I’ve got to 10, with a wishlist about the same length
Just got new credit card so think collection will grow to 12
unless they actually wear out I love them too much to get to 5- Well done!!!
I’ve got to 10, with a wishlist about the same length
Just got new credit card so think collection will grow to 12
unless they actually wear out I love them too much to get to 5- Well done!!!
It's only at five *for now*.
I couldn’t be at 5 at all!
waiting to see how your collection grows xx
I’m not really sure exactly how many I currently have. I just recently unpacked from my move and have only been using 4 Hermès bags and one BV. I need to take a count and I’m planning on offering my faux granddaughter a chance to choose one or two from my closet. She used to prefer the BV bags but only one of them remains and I’m not sure it will be on the chopping block of choices. I had no trouble getting by with three bags for the several months during my move. What I don’t want to do is let go of several and then turn around and buy several more…as has been my history. 
I’m not really sure exactly how many I currently have. I just recently unpacked from my move and have only been using 4 Hermès bags and one BV. I need to take a count and I’m planning on offering my faux granddaughter a chance to choose one or two from my closet. She used to prefer the BV bags but only one of them remains and I’m not sure it will be on the chopping block of choices. I had no trouble getting by with three bags for the several months during my move. What I don’t want to do is let go of several and then turn around and buy several more…as has been my history.
as you only have one BV left, and you are using it, can’t you just not make it one shes offered!Even if she does prefer them.
I only have 10(possibly after Friday 11 bags) bUt with a wishlist that would double that..
I’ve just given a bag not from my collection to my gorgeous niece as she starts university.
she idolises me and I’ve decided in future her birthday present will be shopped from my collection so that I can buy a new one-but I would choose,i wouldn’t let her run off with my JimmyChoo navy crocodile bag, however much I love her!
offer her bags you don’t mind losing !xxx
I’ve always set limits by placing the bags I’m not attached to on a separate shelf. Now that my move is complete, the BV will likely go back into hibernation...and that’s what I’m trying to eliminate. My goal is to only have bags that I use on a regular basis. It does seem that every decade or so, my bag tastes/needs change. Last time, she chose a cervo loop and a few nodinis.
We go out to lunch and then we go into my closet. I’m hoping that she’ll begin to consider some of my Hermès bags….on the other hand, I’m glad that she’s not as wrapped up in bags as I am. If she actually indicates that she likes a specific style (a Evie perhaps) I’d get her one (Within some limits). We’ll see what happens….
Maybe today I’ll take them all out and assess this crazy hobby of mine.
I’ve always set limits by placing the bags I’m not attached to on a separate shelf. Now that my move is complete, the BV will likely go back into hibernation...and that’s what I’m trying to eliminate. My goal is to only have bags that I use on a regular basis. It does seem that every decade or so, my bag tastes/needs change. Last time, she chose a cervo loop and a few nodinis.
We go out to lunch and then we go into my closet. I’m hoping that she’ll begin to consider some of my Hermès bags….on the other hand, I’m glad that she’s not as wrapped up in bags as I am. If she actually indicates that she likes a specific style (a Evie perhaps) I’d get her one (Within some limits). We’ll see what happens….
Maybe today I’ll take them all out and assess this crazy hobby of mine.
what an amazing Aunt you are!
my late Aunt was the same with me!
I’ve always loved luxury, and remember my first handbag ever-bought in Spain on holiday when I was 13, and when I worked I always only bought the best.
my tastes haven’t changed-but just as my career was taking off and I’d been headhunted for my dream job in Geneva, Switzerland , the glandular fever I couldn’t shake off developed into severe CFIDS, fibromyalgia , osteoporosis , ulcerative colitis and much more, I had a rich partner , but he’s much older and although we got engaged and he spoilt me and loved clothes shopping, now he’s ill and we never married…I can afford my beautiful pedigree cats and to keep myself in some degree of luxury, I do spoil Ceri, but not to the degree you spoil your niece-by the time I have enough high luxury to be able to part with it, it’llbe my great niece.
Ceri will love the red studded leather bag I’ve bought her, she loved the ring I bought for her 18th(I have a diamond ring bought for her 21st already), but her 19th and 20th birthdays will be shopped from my own collection, but my navy Jimmy Choo real crocodile would have to be really worn for me to part with it.
I have a wishlist of 10 bags but don’t really want 20 bags, so if I give Ceri one(she loves and treasures everything from the giant Parisian doll I bought her when she was born and still has) every birthday that’s not jewellery I can buy a new one, I don’t believe anybody totally has no wish list..
but if I asked her to choose, she’s unspoilt enough to let me help her choose.
she gets my bags in my will, but I’d like to be around for another 50 years, despite my health, so plenty of time for new bags for us both.
my sister uses a rucksack (!), so I’ll get her a designer one for her birthday next year..
you’re a wonderful aunt and I hope it’s appreciated like me niece ❤️❤️❤️