My beat up bags include a Frye Deborah (already sold in distressed leather), Chapelier 925N (corners poking out), and a pretty worn LV Noe GM. I would never bring my LV Noe into the LV boutique -- it would be embarrassing, LOL.
The Beater Bag / Carefree Bag Conundrum
- Thread starter Sparkletastic
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I don't really beat up my bags but if it's a rainy day I may take out one that's older and not popular for resale. Most recently I took Botkier Jackie out for a rainy day and I've been carrying her for a week. It's nice lambskin, seems impervious to rain and a very fuctional bag.
I don't have any 'beater' bags, but most of them are carefree. Right now I'm using a 10 year old Botkier that still looks great. I don't mind a few scratches here and there, but if something were to happen to it which made it unusable I would really miss it and try to replace it.
I think I would get rid of a bag that looked too beat up.
I think I would get rid of a bag that looked too beat up.
Um...no. If I should separate my bags out that way, none of them would get used! I'd bring these anywhere.
I count every bag in my collection and I just categorize them as "flashy" and "casual". I wear all of them, but don't bring the flashy ones to area where I don't want to fall prey. I keep all of them looking nice since I like my bags to be in good condition, although I have to say I don't pamper them. And I just put all of them together in my closet. 
What a great thread! It's really interesting seeing everyone's perspectives on this.
I would say my Neverfulls are my carefree/beater bags, although that wasn't specifically why I purchased them. My DE Neverfull has been used a ton and I have no problem taking it to hockey games and putting it on the floor at arenas (and I get that I'm in a small minority that does this). It's basically indestructible. I'm definitely not careful with it and it still looks great! My GM Mono Neverfull I use for traveling and shove it under the seat on the plane, pack it full of tons of crap and don't stress about it.
I've learned that the LV canvas is SUPER durable and will hold up to a lot more than we think! I definitely would NOT be bringing my leather bags to games and putting them on stadium floors, but the LV's have been perfect for just about all situations.
I would say my Neverfulls are my carefree/beater bags, although that wasn't specifically why I purchased them. My DE Neverfull has been used a ton and I have no problem taking it to hockey games and putting it on the floor at arenas (and I get that I'm in a small minority that does this). It's basically indestructible. I'm definitely not careful with it and it still looks great! My GM Mono Neverfull I use for traveling and shove it under the seat on the plane, pack it full of tons of crap and don't stress about it.
I've learned that the LV canvas is SUPER durable and will hold up to a lot more than we think! I definitely would NOT be bringing my leather bags to games and putting them on stadium floors, but the LV's have been perfect for just about all situations.
I suppose my Longchamp tote would be considered my 'beater' bag, but it didn't start off that way. It used to be the nicest bag in my collection when I was still in college. It took me quite a bit of saving and debating before buying it. I still count it as part of my collection but I haven't carried it in a very long time. I still keep it around though, just in case. I own nicer bags now, but almost all of my bags are pretty carefree. I don't like switching my bags up just because of a particular situation or because of the bad weather. I try to buy bags that I can use in every situation.
I have a gold metallic Michael Kors crossbody I love, and several really nice vintage Coach bags that I will use when we're going places and I don't want to "worry" about my bag.
I will say I take really good care of all of my bags though so a drink being spilled on one would still annoy/upset me no matter the bag.
I will say I take really good care of all of my bags though so a drink being spilled on one would still annoy/upset me no matter the bag.
I absolutely love the vibe of a totally carefree bag, and I can honestly say that every single bag in my collection was purchased with the intention of using it that way.
That said, when comparing all my bags to each other, it's apparent that Balenciaga leather is more delicate, and LV is recognizable, and Chanel is a little stuffy, so . . . for truly, TRULY rugged situations, I do have a plain leather FEED tote, a few Longchamps, a big,
fun fabric tote, and a vintage LV Saumur 35 (which is a big messenger bag). These are bags that I love, from an asthetic point of view, just as much as all my others, but they're all either indestructible, easy to replace, and/or the kind of bags that actually look BETTER the more worn & beat up they get. So those are my "beaters," and I absolutely do count them in my collection. I don't keep any "meh" bags around - like you, if I'm going to carry a bag, I'm going to love it. Fortunately, my asthetic includes both low-key and more worn-in bags. I've never felt comfortable being too pristine and fussy-looking anyway.
That said, when comparing all my bags to each other, it's apparent that Balenciaga leather is more delicate, and LV is recognizable, and Chanel is a little stuffy, so . . . for truly, TRULY rugged situations, I do have a plain leather FEED tote, a few Longchamps, a big,
fun fabric tote, and a vintage LV Saumur 35 (which is a big messenger bag). These are bags that I love, from an asthetic point of view, just as much as all my others, but they're all either indestructible, easy to replace, and/or the kind of bags that actually look BETTER the more worn & beat up they get. So those are my "beaters," and I absolutely do count them in my collection. I don't keep any "meh" bags around - like you, if I'm going to carry a bag, I'm going to love it. Fortunately, my asthetic includes both low-key and more worn-in bags. I've never felt comfortable being too pristine and fussy-looking anyway.
I don't know if this relates fully to your question- but I am at the point where I don't want to have to baby my bags, much less change out of them or panic if it rains or snows. It's just not worth the hassle. I have sold a lot of my premium designer bags and have been buying less expensive bags that can be more easily cleaned (MZ Wallace mostly, some Longchamp and a few local designers). I still have a couple of nice ones, but I don't use them too often. At the end of the day, a bag is a tool that helps us carry our things so we can live our life.
Also, I would definitely count "beater" bags in your total count. Maybe don't count the cloth bag you got for being a museum member, but if you bought it then it should count. Just my two cents!
Also, I would definitely count "beater" bags in your total count. Maybe don't count the cloth bag you got for being a museum member, but if you bought it then it should count. Just my two cents!
Here are my go to beater bags. I can stuff them full and put them on the ground and they’re super durable and show no signs of wear. I love these bags for work and will never let them go! 
I actually try to buy all of my bags so that they can be at least semi-beater bags - I am careful with them, but I want them to be able to withstand solid use for a long time, and either be very resistant to damage or to not mind the worn/aged look on it. This is one of my bag requirements....I have just a few "fancy" bags that I preserve for dressier days, but the rest of my bags need to be able to withstand normal use without showing it for a few years at least. Many of my leather bags can be rained on with no ill effects. With the same feelings in mind, I like my bags to be able to carry a lot of stuff, and comfortably. They are all workhorses, in fact, I think of my bag storage area as my stable, lol
So the reason I do this is because when I love something, I want to be able to use it all the time, have it with me often, and for it to last a long time - to be in my life for a long time. For that reason, I absolutely do not just get cheapo disposable bags. I know there are super cute/trendy inexpensive bags you can get - but imho, if they look kind of cheap, then it ruins the whole outfit....and even if it doesn't, then.....it will start showing wear soon enough that I don't find the cost worth it at all - I think as soon as they start showing wear, cheaper bags look shabby, whereas if you choose a classic workhorse leather bag, it can look like it just has more character. That shabby bag will ruin my look/outfit (which isn't so upscale to begin with, so I rely a lot on my bag to pull it all together and elevate it), whereas a quality bag will do the opposite for me. I tried out some lower quality brands just to wear in the rain, but....I just didn't like how they felt, I didn't particularly enjoy having them with me, and I felt I had to really baby them far more than my better bags because I knew they would wear out much more easily and all that money would have been wasted, and I hate a) babying bags and b) wasting money. I ended up donating them to a charity.
So the reason I do this is because when I love something, I want to be able to use it all the time, have it with me often, and for it to last a long time - to be in my life for a long time. For that reason, I absolutely do not just get cheapo disposable bags. I know there are super cute/trendy inexpensive bags you can get - but imho, if they look kind of cheap, then it ruins the whole outfit....and even if it doesn't, then.....it will start showing wear soon enough that I don't find the cost worth it at all - I think as soon as they start showing wear, cheaper bags look shabby, whereas if you choose a classic workhorse leather bag, it can look like it just has more character. That shabby bag will ruin my look/outfit (which isn't so upscale to begin with, so I rely a lot on my bag to pull it all together and elevate it), whereas a quality bag will do the opposite for me. I tried out some lower quality brands just to wear in the rain, but....I just didn't like how they felt, I didn't particularly enjoy having them with me, and I felt I had to really baby them far more than my better bags because I knew they would wear out much more easily and all that money would have been wasted, and I hate a) babying bags and b) wasting money. I ended up donating them to a charity.
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