What have you learned through your handbag addiction?

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#346
I bought my first premier brand bag recently. It was a gift to myself for losing forty pounds. I bought a proenza schouler ps11. It is a beautiful bag but I recently sold it and earned 1k back. I basically lost $800. And I consider it a big hit. But I sold it bc I didn't evaluate my lifestyle thoughtfully enough before purchase and found myself not using it much. I found it too heavy, too structured, not big enough for my needs, it squeaked a lot when I walked, and the hardware scratched my kids twice when it accidentally hit them in the face :(.


I recently purchased a large givenchy pandora and it is perfect for my lifestyle. Large, light, has a shoulder option, unstructured, slouchy, low maintenance. My next purchase is going to be a bale ciaga classic city in black. It is light, has a shoulder option, is slouchy, unstructured. I believe that both bags will suit my lifestyle as a casual working mom very well. I consider both discreet and simple enough to serve me well for years to come without looking horribly dated.

And while I hang out on these forums quite a bit and drool over everyone's bags, I know that after I buy my city, I am on a bag ban for years. I feel bad about selling and ultimately losing money on my practically new ps11; dh wasn't thrilled either!

So I basically learned to look long and hard at my casual lifestyle, budget, and priorities. What that means is I'll have my two premier bags and that's basically it for a long, long time. I will likely supplement with a couple of contemporary ones here and there to fill in the holes.
 
#347
That when I finally own that must have Holy Grail bag I'm only content for a month or so before I find another "OMG that is my absolute HG bag" .... sigh [emoji29]
 
#349
biribiri said:
after a crazy spate of buying and selling, four things that i must have in a bag stand out clearly:

1. lightweight - i tend to carry loads. have switched from leather to good quality nylon of late
2. durable - i hate to baby my bags and won't shelter them in case of rainfall, which is very frequent where i live
3. easy to get in and out of - zippers, compartments placed strategically for easy access
4. overly obvious logos - once had a prada tote and find myself covering the logo for reasons unknown. i prefer to let the bag's design and quality speak for itself.
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I did the same, wore my Pradas with the logo facing in and then eventually sold them both. For some reason a blingy logo nameplate bugs me more than a monogram pattern throughout a bag that's part of the overall design of the purse
 
#351
What I've learnt so far:

1) In terms of collecting material things, handbags at least have longevity. Since becoming a mom, my dress size, my ring size and even my shoe size has changed. I no longer collect clothes, jewelry and shoes.

2) Tastes can change. I used to like bold, loud prints, and now I prefer monochrome. i used to carry big totes, and now i prefer small crossbodies.

3) It takes trial and error to figure out what you want. I think the collecting and purging mentality that I see here is natural (to a degree) because it's hard to know what really works with you and your lifestyle until you have tried it. Which is why...

4) Preowned bags are awesome. If you love it, you feel great about your find. If you don't love it, it's easier to let go, compared to bags you bought at retail. I also don't mind buying a bag in less than excellent shape as an experiment, and then buying a new one if I love the design.

5) I prefer multiple ways to wear a bag. Preferably there should be a crossbody strap.
 
#352
I have learned that bags really don't give me that much pleasure. I recently starting riding motorcycles and the realization that spending a few thousand on a motorcycle is way more rewarding than a new purse. It's something that gives me a great deal of happiness. I guess it's more about the experience than the material possession. That being said, I still find myself weak for bags, but getting a new one isn't really all that fulfilling.
 
#353
soramillay said:
What I've learnt so far:



1) In terms of collecting material things, handbags at least have longevity. Since becoming a mom, my dress size, my ring size and even my shoe size has changed. I no longer collect clothes, jewelry and shoes.



2) Tastes can change. I used to like bold, loud prints, and now I prefer monochrome. i used to carry big totes, and now i prefer small crossbodies.



3) It takes trial and error to figure out what you want. I think the collecting and purging mentality that I see here is natural (to a degree) because it's hard to know what really works with you and your lifestyle until you have tried it. Which is why...



4) Preowned bags are awesome. If you love it, you feel great about your find. If you don't love it, it's easier to let go, compared to bags you bought at retail. I also don't mind buying a bag in less than excellent shape as an experiment, and then buying a new one if I love the design.



5) I prefer multiple ways to wear a bag. Preferably there should be a crossbody strap.
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Amen to number one!!! At least a pretty purse will always fit!!! [emoji6]
 
#355
LVk8 said:
I did the same, wore my Pradas with the logo facing in and then eventually sold them both. For some reason a blingy logo nameplate bugs me more than a monogram pattern throughout a bag that's part of the overall design of the purse
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That's really interesting ! I would have thought that the monogram pattern would make you feel more self conscious than the Prada. Is it because the Monogram bag feels more casual?
 
#356
Rani said:
That's really interesting ! I would have thought that the monogram pattern would make you feel more self conscious than the Prada. Is it because the Monogram bag feels more casual?
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That probably has something to do with it! Although arguably my Pradas were casual too since they were nylon. Either way I always felt like the logo was super loud whereas my LV monogram or Guccissima purses feel like no big deal since it's just part of the bag's pattern.
 
#357
imum said:
That when I finally own that must have Holy Grail bag I'm only content for a month or so before I find another "OMG that is my absolute HG bag" .... sigh [emoji29]
Click to expand...

YES! YES!!! YES!!!!!! 😃😃😃

I LOVE handbags! So when I get a "HG", styles change, my favorite brands launch the new season's lines, a blogger highlights something new... And my mad lust finds a new handbag (or two or three or twelve) to target.

My handbag collection will never be static. I don't know that I could ever have a bag for life. Even my Chanel's (investment bags? HA!) aren't safe from the capricious nature of my changing handbag tastes. I turnover bags constantly.

So my main lesson is buy with resale in mind. There will be another bag I hunger for just around the bend. And the bag I love today will be enjoyed for a while and then sold to fund my next love.

CHAAAAAAARRRRGGGGEEE!!!!!
 
#358
soramillay said:
What I've learnt so far:

1) In terms of collecting material things, handbags at least have longevity. Since becoming a mom, my dress size, my ring size and even my shoe size has changed. I no longer collect clothes, jewelry and shoes.

2) Tastes can change. I used to like bold, loud prints, and now I prefer monochrome. i used to carry big totes, and now i prefer small crossbodies.

3) It takes trial and error to figure out what you want. I think the collecting and purging mentality that I see here is natural (to a degree) because it's hard to know what really works with you and your lifestyle until you have tried it. Which is why...

4) Preowned bags are awesome. If you love it, you feel great about your find. If you don't love it, it's easier to let go, compared to bags you bought at retail. I also don't mind buying a bag in less than excellent shape as an experiment, and then buying a new one if I love the design.

5) I prefer multiple ways to wear a bag. Preferably there should be a crossbody strap.
Click to expand...

I agree, especially with 1 and 2. I can't collect something I wear because bodies change so frequently. I used to collect shoes, now I have had foot surgery so half of them I can't wear again. My bags are forever though. Also, taste does change as I have discovered. I used to be into Coach only, because they looked young and cute. Never would even look at the MK section,...... now I have 12 MK bags..... :-D and am also looking to sell a bunch of my Coach bags.

Also, I've learned that upgrading is iminenent when you collect. So I've already snatched up a few pre-loved LV in conjunction with my MK bags, they make a more mature closet. :)
 
#360
soramillay said:
What I've learnt so far:

1) In terms of collecting material things, handbags at least have longevity. Since becoming a mom, my dress size, my ring size and even my shoe size has changed. I no longer collect clothes, jewelry and shoes.

2) Tastes can change. I used to like bold, loud prints, and now I prefer monochrome. i used to carry big totes, and now i prefer small crossbodies.

3) It takes trial and error to figure out what you want. I think the collecting and purging mentality that I see here is natural (to a degree) because it's hard to know what really works with you and your lifestyle until you have tried it. Which is why...

4) Preowned bags are awesome. If you love it, you feel great about your find. If you don't love it, it's easier to let go, compared to bags you bought at retail. I also don't mind buying a bag in less than excellent shape as an experiment, and then buying a new one if I love the design.

5) I prefer multiple ways to wear a bag. Preferably there should be a crossbody strap.
Click to expand...

+1

Ring size, shoe size, and dress size has all changed which is why I'm prone to investing in bags (and jewelry such as necklaces etc) nowadays.
 
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