What have you learned through your handbag addiction?
- Thread starter JudieH
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My new learnings. Spend more on the colors and styles you will wear regardless of whether or not they are "basics", "coveted", "on trend" or "holy grail".
I rarely wear my most expensive bag - black Chanel Jumbo flap because it feels a bit "much". I always wear my Prada red, black and pink bags (different styles) because the streamlined aesthetic fits me and how I'm dressing now.
Know yourself.
I rarely wear my most expensive bag - black Chanel Jumbo flap because it feels a bit "much". I always wear my Prada red, black and pink bags (different styles) because the streamlined aesthetic fits me and how I'm dressing now.
Know yourself.
I've learned that I'm never satisfied. There is always a new bag I "need" to have. I get bored with my existing bags. What I really need is to find a cure for this crazy addiction! 
I have learned that if I see a bag that I like I CANNOT get it outta my mind until I get it!
Also, I consider them my babies and when they see me in the store they have that look on their face....can u please take me home!!!!
I'm addicted!
Also, I consider them my babies and when they see me in the store they have that look on their face....can u please take me home!!!!
I'm addicted!
I learned that I need to step back and reflect on what I really need, do I really need another tote in that color? That size? Etc.
I have recently been though the difficult (and a little traumatic!) process of downsizing my collection to HALF its size: I decided to sell 10 bags and keep 10. You can see my thread about it here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/handbags-and-purses/please-help-me-downsize-my-collection-920804.html
In the process, I learnt:
- I should not buy bags I don't love 100% just because they are preloved "bargains" or in the sale for an irresistible price. In this way I ended up with bags in colours and sizes I do not love (green Rockie, large Pandora instead of medium). And this means I don't love or use them enough.
- I must love AND use a bag for it to have a place in my collection. It is not enough to love a bag but be scared of using her, or "saving" her for special occasions. It is not enough to use bags I don't love but don't care if I beat up.
- I don't have the time, energy or patience to baby my bags or clean / moisturise them regularly. Therefore for me delicate leathers and colours are out.
- resale value should never be a consideration when buying or selling. I will now only buy what I love and use. Anything I don't love and use must go.
- I don't need more than 10 bags in my collection. Any more and I feel guilty, overwhelmed, and don't use them enough.
http://forum.purseblog.com/handbags-and-purses/please-help-me-downsize-my-collection-920804.html
In the process, I learnt:
- I should not buy bags I don't love 100% just because they are preloved "bargains" or in the sale for an irresistible price. In this way I ended up with bags in colours and sizes I do not love (green Rockie, large Pandora instead of medium). And this means I don't love or use them enough.
- I must love AND use a bag for it to have a place in my collection. It is not enough to love a bag but be scared of using her, or "saving" her for special occasions. It is not enough to use bags I don't love but don't care if I beat up.
- I don't have the time, energy or patience to baby my bags or clean / moisturise them regularly. Therefore for me delicate leathers and colours are out.
- resale value should never be a consideration when buying or selling. I will now only buy what I love and use. Anything I don't love and use must go.
- I don't need more than 10 bags in my collection. Any more and I feel guilty, overwhelmed, and don't use them enough.
Funny you mentioned 10 bags, as that is the golden number I aim for. It gets a little overwhelming otherwise.
I no longer love huge oversized bags. Lesson learned? If I want to buy a few bags at once, I should have buy variety of sizes. Lifestyle changes....my need has changed. I should have join TPF much earlier to learn from other's mistake, to hear pro n cons etc.
It has to be a shoulder bag.
I hate bags with flap openings, I like zippers to close it.
It has to be easy to get into.
I like long better than deep bags. I want to open it and have things side by side not things on too of each other.
It has to be really soft leather, it could be perfect in every other way but if I don't like the feel of the leather, forget it.
I don't like brightly colored bags as much as I thought I did.
It has to have a small pocket for keys and lip stick, either inside or outside.
I like zippers on the outside of the bag, but pockets not so much.
I don't like a lot of hardware. Actually I don't like it at all but I like studs.
I will probably always look for the perfect bag even though I have one because I get bored easily.
Most people will not underßtand my handbag addiction/obsession and some people actually don't care what they carry. More for me.
I hate bags with flap openings, I like zippers to close it.
It has to be easy to get into.
I like long better than deep bags. I want to open it and have things side by side not things on too of each other.
It has to be really soft leather, it could be perfect in every other way but if I don't like the feel of the leather, forget it.
I don't like brightly colored bags as much as I thought I did.
It has to have a small pocket for keys and lip stick, either inside or outside.
I like zippers on the outside of the bag, but pockets not so much.
I don't like a lot of hardware. Actually I don't like it at all but I like studs.
I will probably always look for the perfect bag even though I have one because I get bored easily.
Most people will not underßtand my handbag addiction/obsession and some people actually don't care what they carry. More for me.
I agree- and am familiar with the research (I' a scientist). However, for me, using a bag I love *is* an experience-- and having a much-loved bag is more about the experience of having and using it than it is about obtaining it. This wouldn't be true for everyone (and may not be true for anyone) - but bags are the one "thing" in my life that absolutely satisfy in the realm of experience.
Either that or I am a champion rationalized.
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.
Two choices that will serve you well and bring you joy for many years!
Thank you! They really do bring so much joy when I use them haha. I'm so glad there's a community on here who can totally relate
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