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

[indiaink]

Love the pup! She’s cute. Sorry about the donation but you released to a good cause and those bags are going to be loved, not stupid you had them and enjoyed them and now it’s release time. I’ve heard that admitting to the addiction is the first step.
My DH and I are doing our version of Swedish Death Cleaning, the whole house is in the chopping block, fortunately it’s a small house. I love your excel inventory idea, you can see from my photo list I just don’t have that many bags, I got rid of a ton last year about this same time. I live pretty close to FP so most get traded in for credit. My friend who takes care of our dogs when we leave town is the other beneficiary of discarded bags. I think three or four more bags are going to be traded in. I would really like a medium Nero Cabat, Barolo Lauren, and possibly a small or medium convertible tote in saffron, I think I would be done at that point but only time will tell. Dog pictures to follow

I love Fashionphile. I would be toast if I lived as close as you do. You looked at two of 'my' bags the last visit -

Thanks for the better idea of 'not stupid' - I don't feel like bashing my head into a brick wall now, as much. Yes, they will be loved by new people. I felt SO bad when the guy just flung the paper sacks of my stuff into the bins like they were nothing. Gah!!! DUDE, I wanted to say, WATCH IT! Precious stuff in those bags!

Here is the snow puppy photo. It was a Christmas card for a few years.... This was such an accidental photo you have no idea...

 

[diane278]

Interesting thread. I don’t know how your all doing it. I have well above the target and wouldn’t know how to separate myself from them. I do know of about 5 I could do away with but that’s out of an awfully high number of bags that I have. I’m going to keep an eye on this thread for inspiration. I’m not saying I won’t get more bags, I’m saying I need inspiration getting rid of some lol.

If I were in your position, I’d start with that 5 that you feel will be easy. Take those out and let them go. That’s five you will no longer have to deal with. It’s a start. I’m hitting lots of places where I get stuck for awhile. But I just keep crawling along. I think about a saying I once heard. How do you eat an elephant?......the answer: One bite at a time.

Personally, I think doing this exercise now could make it easier to let go of some bags. There are people who will be doing their Christmas shopping at charity stores and I’d love it if one of them could get one of my designer bags for $1....or some other nominal amount.

 

[diane278]

Love the pup! She’s cute. Sorry about the donation but you released to a good cause and those bags are going to be loved, not stupid you had them and enjoyed them and now it’s release time. I’ve heard that admitting to the addiction is the first step.
My DH and I are doing our version of Swedish Death Cleaning, the whole house is in the chopping block, fortunately it’s a small house. I love your excel inventory idea, you can see from my photo list I just don’t have that many bags, I got rid of a ton last year about this same time. I live pretty close to FP so most get traded in for credit. My friend who takes care of our dogs when we leave town is the other beneficiary of discarded bags. I think three or four more bags are going to be traded in. I would really like a medium Nero Cabat, Barolo Lauren, and possibly a small or medium convertible tote in saffron, I think I would be done at that point but only time will tell. Dog pictures to follow

I read about Swedish Death Cleaning about a year ago and think it’s a great idea. My house is also small, but it seems to hold more than I can imagine.

 

[Bag peace]

Personally, I think doing this exercise now could make it easier to let go of some bags. There are people who will be doing their Christmas shopping at charity stores and I’d love it if one of them could get one of my designer bags for $1....or some other nominal amount.

I've just dropped 3 bags at a charity store for this very reason. Christmas can get so expensive for people and if someone in a tight financial situation can get a surprise treat at a great price, it makes all the difference.
Similarly, I've heard of a family living in my area where both parents have lost their jobs in the past month, so I'm going through my clothes today and pulling out anything NWT or close enough to gift them. Thinking I'll leave it as an anonymous care package at their door rather than risk embarrassing them by handing it over directly.
This is one of the easiest ways to let things go. We can make a big impact on others and it is so much more fulfilling than holding onto material objects.

 

[diane278]

I've just dropped 3 bags at a charity store for this very reason. Christmas can get so expensive for people and if someone in a tight financial situation can get a surprise treat at a great price, it makes all the difference.
Similarly, I've heard of a family living in my area where both parents have lost their jobs in the past month, so I'm going through my clothes today and pulling out anything NWT or close enough to gift them. Thinking I'll leave it as an anonymous care package at their door rather than risk embarrassing them by handing it over directly.
This is one of the easiest ways to let things go. We can make a big impact on others and it is so much more fulfilling than holding onto material objects.

Great plan with the clothing!

 

[GoStanford]

My DH and I are doing our version of Swedish Death Cleaning, the whole house is in the chopping block, fortunately it’s a small house.

This is an excellent book. I used to browse over lots of books on clutter, organization, etc. but I found that after reading Marie Kondo's books, everything else was the same old, same old. However, the Swedish Death Cleaning book by Margareta Magnusson fit a different niche, I thought, and I've read it twice.

All of you doing the major cleanouts are giving me a lot of food for thought. Sorry, I tried to edit this to delete the original smiley faces from the quote to save space, but something happened with the formatting.

 

[Aerdem]

I've just dropped 3 bags at a charity store for this very reason. Christmas can get so expensive for people and if someone in a tight financial situation can get a surprise treat at a great price, it makes all the difference.
Similarly, I've heard of a family living in my area where both parents have lost their jobs in the past month, so I'm going through my clothes today and pulling out anything NWT or close enough to gift them. Thinking I'll leave it as an anonymous care package at their door rather than risk embarrassing them by handing it over directly.
This is one of the easiest ways to let things go. We can make a big impact on others and it is so much more fulfilling than holding onto material objects.

I am so with both of you on donating to charity shops. It’s a win-win-win. You simplify your surroundings, someone finds an absolute treasure, and the item gets a new life. It doesn’t get any better.

 

[misstrine85]

I love this thread.

I have just edited my bags, and am down to a much smaller amount (will post pic and list later).

I am very bad at impulsshopping bags secondhand when they are very cheap. Two of such purchases have been sitting in my closet only used 1 and 2 times. One of the bags (a Botkier) were deeply admirered by one of my (now former) colleagues. She never spends a lot of money on herself and she has never had anything higher end than highstreet brands. So I texted her yesterday to see if she still likes the bag, and if so, that I’d love to give it to her. She was so happy ❤️

The other bag - a Rika Star Bag - I only wore once to a party. One of my friends told my boyfriend that she loved it, and he told me, thinking I would be happy to get the compliment. I just knew that I wanted to give her the bag right then. We are not very close (our boyfriends are friends), but now I have thought about it since june, and I finally asked her yesterday. She was also very happy. She also does not spend that much money on herself ❤️

And I am happy that two beautiful bags will come to homes wjere they will be used and loved ❤️

 

[Nibb]

I love Fashionphile. I would be toast if I lived as close as you do. You looked at two of 'my' bags the last visit -

Thanks for the better idea of 'not stupid' - I don't feel like bashing my head into a brick wall now, as much. Yes, they will be loved by new people. I felt SO bad when the guy just flung the paper sacks of my stuff into the bins like they were nothing. Gah!!! DUDE, I wanted to say, WATCH IT! Precious stuff in those bags!

Here is the snow puppy photo. It was a Christmas card for a few years.... This was such an accidental photo you have no idea...

View attachment 4593701

That pup in the snow!

I’m sorry about the guy flinging your donations around, it’s pretty insensitive, but your stuff will be someone’s loved treasure.
All the bags I looked at were in very good to excellent condition except for the large Nuvolato Veneta, the bag was clean no visible damage, but in my opinion it looked a bit dull and faded. I’m sure it could be revived.
Here’s two of my pack. The black pup is 17 years old.

 

[Nibb]

This is an excellent book. I used to browse over lots of books on clutter, organization, etc. but I found that after reading Marie Kondo's books, everything else was the same old, same old. However, the Swedish Death Cleaning book by Margareta Magnusson fit a different niche, I thought, and I've read it twice.

All of you doing the major cleanouts are giving me a lot of food for thought. Sorry, I tried to edit this to delete the original smiley faces from the quote to save space, but something happened with the formatting.

I have not read the book, just did an internet search when I heard the term. Love the concept, plus I really don’t want my relatives going through my stuff, I would much rather do it myself. Trying to get my DH onboard has been a bit difficult, he likes to save things because we might need them someday, we have met in the middle on this.

 

[southernbelle43]

I like all of the above posts but in the interest of time will answer once. First I would like to thank Diane for starting this thread. Her idea to physically remove the “suspect” ones to another place is so simple, but so effective. I mentioned earlier that I went to my closet and with no hesitancy pulled out six bags. I have not brought any of them back nor have I missed them. I sold two a couple of weeks ago and am mailing two or three today to my nieces. I sold another one last night. Two more are being gifted to my daughter when she comes home for the holidays.
The ones I have left make my heart sing. Thank you Diane for helping me get going!

 

[diane278]

I like all of the above posts but in the interest of time will answer once. First I would like to thank Diane for starting this thread. Her idea to physically remove the “suspect” ones to another place is so simple, but so effective. I mentioned earlier that I went to my closet and with no hesitancy pulled out six bags. I have not brought any of them back nor have I missed them. I sold two a couple of weeks ago and am mailing two or three today to my nieces. I sold another one last night. Two more are being gifted to my daughter when she comes home for the holidays.
The ones I have left make my heart sing. Thank you Diane for helping me get going!

My pleasure! Having spent a number of years here, the tpf has provided me with tons of information and enabling of Olympic proportions...not to mention comrades in arms! Last night I tackled the section of my closet I use for bag storage. I made some progress but I know there’s going to be more eliminations coming.
My closet is outfitted with a 20 year old California Closets system so there’s limited options when it comes to rearranging the sections. (I put a glass framed watercolor in the closet and failed to consider the reflection of the lighting but am too lazy to take a new photo. I also left the dumping shelf on the bottom right so I wouldn’t cut off the shelf on the right.)

Here’s a closeup of the slide-on dividers I found on Amazon last week that really got me to my current finish line. Because I have mostly clutches, it’s a challenge to keep them upright, which is my preferred placement, especially with my limited shelf room.
So....I’m currently at 15. I haven’t made a list, but my next step is to take photos of my bags to carry on my phone as a reminder that I have more than enough right now.
There’s always the possibility I’ll add something new, but if I do, I’ll remove something else....at least that’s my plan. Thanks @Rami00 for the inspiration. And I love having this group to return to for support. As a matter-of-fact, I think I’ll be removing one more in the very near future....I’m looking at you, small mist clutch. You deserve more love.

 

[bagnut1]

DH and I have been on the "fewer, better things" journey for a few years now. (We have the better part perfected, fewer has been somewhat slower going )

We recently downsized houses and I have been successful at managing my closet space. Ruthless clothes edit every spring/fall, and no more bags than will fit on the designated shelves. I'm using @diane278 "closet for departing bags" to stage them for consignment (which seems to be successful because I have forgotten what's in there, LOL.)

But I'm still at over 20 right now which just seems like way too many (and I have only one slot left on those shelves). I am plotting a "take everything out" afternoon after the holiday madness is over to stare down what else can go. I would love to be able to get to 10 or fewer but that may not be possible. I do realize that some styles that I have been a bit hoard-y about just don't get used because they don't really fit my lifestyle. I may have to do a major purge. (Also I have an experimental model coming in soon which might upend a lot of my current thinking.)

I wish I were one of those women who could rely on one or two bags every single day and be content.

 

[southernbelle43]

My pleasure! Having spent a number of years here, the tpf has provided me with tons of information and enabling of Olympic proportions...not to mention comrades in arms! Last night I tackled the section of my closet I use for bag storage. I made some progress but I know there’s going to be more eliminations coming.
My closet is outfitted with a 20 year old California Closets system so there’s limited options when it comes to rearranging the sections. (I put a glass framed watercolor in the closet and failed to consider the reflection of the lighting but am too lazy to take a new photo. I also left the dumping shelf on the bottom right so I wouldn’t cut off the shelf on the right.)
View attachment 4594049
Here’s a closeup of the slide-on dividers I found on Amazon last week that really got me to my current finish line. Because I have mostly clutches, it’s a challenge to keep them upright, which is my preferred placement, especially with my limited shelf room. View attachment 4594086
So....I’m currently at 15. I haven’t made a list, but my next step is to take photos of my bags to carry on my phone as a reminder that I have more than enough right now.
There’s always the possibility I’ll add something new, but if I do, I’ll remove something else....at least that’s my plan. Thanks @Rami00 for the inspiration. And I love having this group to return to for support. As a matter-of-fact, I think I’ll be removing one more in the very near future....I’m looking at you, small mist clutch. You deserve more love.

That is a stellar closet, complete with fine art. You are amazing!!!

 

[bagnut1]

My pleasure! Having spent a number of years here, the tpf has provided me with tons of information and enabling of Olympic proportions...not to mention comrades in arms! Last night I tackled the section of my closet I use for bag storage. I made some progress but I know there’s going to be more eliminations coming.
My closet is outfitted with a 20 year old California Closets system so there’s limited options when it comes to rearranging the sections. (I put a glass framed watercolor in the closet and failed to consider the reflection of the lighting but am too lazy to take a new photo. I also left the dumping shelf on the bottom right so I wouldn’t cut off the shelf on the right.)
View attachment 4594049
Here’s a closeup of the slide-on dividers I found on Amazon last week that really got me to my current finish line. Because I have mostly clutches, it’s a challenge to keep them upright, which is my preferred placement, especially with my limited shelf room. View attachment 4594086
So....I’m currently at 15. I haven’t made a list, but my next step is to take photos of my bags to carry on my phone as a reminder that I have more than enough right now.
There’s always the possibility I’ll add something new, but if I do, I’ll remove something else....at least that’s my plan. Thanks @Rami00 for the inspiration. And I love having this group to return to for support. As a matter-of-fact, I think I’ll be removing one more in the very near future....I’m looking at you, small mist clutch. You deserve more love.

Omg beautiful and inspiring! And I love how you integrate art into every area of your home.