Well-loved bag = chic

[UpUpnAway]

Hi! Just thought I'd share an observation I've made (and it's totally my own opinion!) and wanted to see if you felt similarly or differently.

But I think it is very chic to really USE a nice handbag and to even, dare I say, be carefree about it. In essence, it's the idea that the woman wears the bag, not the other way around. There's no fuss about it; the bag is truly used (hopefully not abused!) and bares the marks of a life lived.

For example, I've noticed this week alone:

--A couple of LV Speedy bags with gorgeous patina. Even the darkened handles looked nice to me. The bags looked so soft and used.

--a Chanel jumbo caviar single flap classic flap. The single flap was discontinued years ago but this woman's bag was clearly well-used and loved.

--i know a woman who carries the same black birkin pretty much every time I've seen her in the past several years. It might possibly be her only birkin. I've noticed she just throws it around and its developed a nice slouch to it even.


I have a very small bag collection (black balenciaga Classic city, LV Speedyb25 in mono, m/l Chanel black cf, large givenchy Pandora in black, black proenza schouler ps1 pouch, navy Longchamp pliage in large) that totals 7 in all. I'm very content and these seven bags have me covered completely for all occasions. They are all regularly used and bring me delight each day. Plus, now I must think about doing some serious socking away for multiple college tuitions.

I guess this is all to say that I LOVE the look of a well-used bag over a bag in pristine condition. Just wanted to share my thoughts with other bag lovers!

 

[remainsilly]

I have smaller bag collection, also.
Easier to use--fewer choices.

Most of my recent photos, tpf posts, are same bags restyled in new ways.
Changing outfit/accessories. Adding guitar strap. Etc.
Is fun for me.
To keep inventing, playing.

Of course, the leather wears.
And my scarves may have little snags--as we wrestle with sunglasses & velcro raincoat collars.
I set bags on grass & floors. They go out in the rain.
Dogs snuffle them.
Are part of my life. And age with me.

This is why instagram feels freakish to me--
people pose with new bags.
They do not move. Perhaps they still breathe.
Then pose with another new bag, next week.
Urm, how is this useful & helpful?
How does this show bag style WORKS for daily life?
A lot of stuff confuses me.

 

[sunshinesash]

Preach, girlfriend!

I still remember the day a really classy young lady walked on the subway with her gorgeously patina'ed, absolutely adored LV Totally and I just about swooned. I have always adored the deep golden patina that comes with use and wear on LVs.

I also love a bag with slouch, and the more love you give, the better the slouch! Leather conditioner is a bag's best friend when it needs a 'bag lift' after lots of love.

I think there is a much deeper connection to the bag when you have been through the ringer with it, and actually LIVED with it. My most cherished bag is my most used....a burberry nylon tote, which was my absolute work-horse all throughout university. That bag did it all! Although I stopped using her for a while, in place of newer acquisitions, I've recently pulled her out again to rekindle my romance w/her. She still looks great, albeit well adored, but the quality speaks for itself...used daily and held everything from wine to groceries to text books to laptops, and there is no tattering, holes, or obvious wear. Incredible, really.

 

[Evia]

Love seeing a well used well loved bag, whatever make it is. I think they look great and develop character with use. Fussing with plastic covers and agonising about marks is not for me life's too short, and I'd rather just use my bags than stress about them!

 

[floodette]

I have a very small bag collection (black balenciaga Classic city, LV Speedyb25 in mono, m/l Chanel black cf, large givenchy Pandora in black, black proenza schouler ps1 pouch, navy Longchamp pliage in large) that totals 7 in all.
!

what is the 7th bag?

congrats on such a complete and balanced collection! i also like to see patina and marks on leather. it gives the bag life.

 

[UpUpnAway]

I guess I should learn how to count! I only have six nice bags then. I have a cheap faux leather bag I use to carry extra shoes and lunch and other necessities for work but I'm not going to count that one.

So I love my six very much! And all are black or navy to go with everything (my wardrobe is extremely neutral in color as well). I go back and forth about adding a second speedyb25 except in damier ebene. But it doesn't seem particularly necessary bc, as I said, I am pretty content with what I have. And, yah, college tuitions!

 

[sdkitty]

Hi! Just thought I'd share an observation I've made (and it's totally my own opinion!) and wanted to see if you felt similarly or differently.

But I think it is very chic to really USE a nice handbag and to even, dare I say, be carefree about it. In essence, it's the idea that the woman wears the bag, not the other way around. There's no fuss about it; the bag is truly used (hopefully not abused!) and bares the marks of a life lived.

For example, I've noticed this week alone:

--A couple of LV Speedy bags with gorgeous patina. Even the darkened handles looked nice to me. The bags looked so soft and used.

--a Chanel jumbo caviar single flap classic flap. The single flap was discontinued years ago but this woman's bag was clearly well-used and loved.

--i know a woman who carries the same black birkin pretty much every time I've seen her in the past several years. It might possibly be her only birkin. I've noticed she just throws it around and its developed a nice slouch to it even.


I have a very small bag collection (black balenciaga Classic city, LV Speedyb25 in mono, m/l Chanel black cf, large givenchy Pandora in black, black proenza schouler ps1 pouch, navy Longchamp pliage in large) that totals 7 in all. I'm very content and these seven bags have me covered completely for all occasions. They are all regularly used and bring me delight each day. Plus, now I must think about doing some serious socking away for multiple college tuitions.

I guess this is all to say that I LOVE the look of a well-used bag over a bag in pristine condition. Just wanted to share my thoughts with other bag lovers!

Nice collection you have. Small by PF standards but large to most people. I agree - bags are to be used. I like slouch but have to admit I don't like marks. I mostly stay away from light colored bags partly for this reason.

 

[indiaink]

Love this post! Well-used bag = no fear. NO fear of anything. You're then free to be the really cool woman carrying the really cool bag, not the other way around. I think that some designers have tried to 'make this' freedom happen (Mansur Gavriel, among others) but it comes down to a very personal choice, a personal 'way of being'. Somewhere along the way we've become this world of perfection, and there are really few who can be who they are, no matter how many times a designer tells you that 'marks and wear add to the natural patina', etc etc etc. I have to grin to myself every time I read that on a care tag. I can almost guarantee the new owner won't have the bag long enough to get to that point.

Hi! Just thought I'd share an observation I've made (and it's totally my own opinion!) and wanted to see if you felt similarly or differently.

But I think it is very chic to really USE a nice handbag and to even, dare I say, be carefree about it. In essence, it's the idea that the woman wears the bag, not the other way around. There's no fuss about it; the bag is truly used (hopefully not abused!) and bares the marks of a life lived.

For example, I've noticed this week alone:

--A couple of LV Speedy bags with gorgeous patina. Even the darkened handles looked nice to me. The bags looked so soft and used.

--a Chanel jumbo caviar single flap classic flap. The single flap was discontinued years ago but this woman's bag was clearly well-used and loved.

--i know a woman who carries the same black birkin pretty much every time I've seen her in the past several years. It might possibly be her only birkin. I've noticed she just throws it around and its developed a nice slouch to it even.


I have a very small bag collection (black balenciaga Classic city, LV Speedyb25 in mono, m/l Chanel black cf, large givenchy Pandora in black, black proenza schouler ps1 pouch, navy Longchamp pliage in large) that totals 7 in all. I'm very content and these seven bags have me covered completely for all occasions. They are all regularly used and bring me delight each day. Plus, now I must think about doing some serious socking away for multiple college tuitions.

I guess this is all to say that I LOVE the look of a well-used bag over a bag in pristine condition. Just wanted to share my thoughts with other bag lovers!

 

[eggtartapproved]

Totally agree with you. When I see a well used bag that has beautiful broken in leather and something about it makes you know it's been well loved and used by the owner always makes me smile and then reminds me to get good use out of my bags so one they'll look like that too

 

[DizzyFairy]

Love your thread...

Absolutely well loved bags are quite chic. In fact 99% of my collection are pre owned . I love the "worn in" look for my casual wear (usually bigger size). Good look when wearing some laid back pair of jeans. Some of my bags which fell in this category are vintage Gucci bamboo top handle, vintage Hermes Kelly and a couple more

However for smaller purses, I tend to buy new ones for a more classy elegant look.. my bags include in this category are Chanel reissue WOC and lv porchette

 

[soramillay]

I love seeing well loved bags with beautiful patinas, but draw the line at bags that are used and abused. I regularly see bags on people that looked like they have been trashed: worn to the piping, over stretched, super faded... Poor bags!

 

[Kitties Are Cute]

I agree! People fret too much over a tiny mark or unevenness that no one else even notices. The little imperfections give them character. I've been caught in the rain twice (the only two times it's ever rained substantially in la this year) with my LV pochette metis and I got small water marks on the vachetta handle. First I freaked a little, but quickly got over it. Ain't nobody got time to be worrying about those super minor details!

If you check Pinterest, a lot of the most stylish photos are of used, vintage bags. Not beat up, but lovingly used and lived in. Better like this than in pristine condition and constantly babied. That's no way to enjoy your things or life.

 

[catsinthebag]

Great thread! I also love seeing bags that, while not trashed/abused, look like they have been on a real journey with their owner and have some interesting tales to tell.

To illustrate the point, I thought I'd include a photo of what may be the most famous well-used bag out there, and it's owner ...

 

[Sophie-Rose]

I love a well-used bag!! To me it most definitely is chic to use your bags! But there is a fine line between well-worn and trashed!

 

[Evia]

Great thread! I also love seeing bags that, while not trashed/abused, look like they have been on a real journey with their owner and have some interesting tales to tell.

To illustrate the point, I thought I'd include a photo of what may be the most famous well-used bag out there, and it's owner ...

View attachment 3528622

I love this picture, it's just a bag being a bag, not a Birkin being a "Birkin"