What is the best way to downsize? And do you downsize at all?

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#16
Been downsizing myself as well. I purchased a purse closet which fits my current collection. Now before a new bag comes, I have to eliminate one first....no spare room. It actually has helped me to think hard whether I need a new bag or have the room for it.
I usually sell on some FB groups and if it doesn't sell I just keep it.
 
#17
I *try* (emphasis on try) to prevent needing to cull. I set myself up with categories (black, brown, red, metallic, blue, gray, etc) and only 2 per category (to cover gold & silver hw, or impractical materials like suede). In order to bring home something new, it either has to fill a new category (ya, they're easy to invent), or I have to like it better than what I already have. If I like it better than what I already have, the old choice goes back if not used or goes on ebay if used.
I'm also very strict with myself; anything I have not cut tags and used in 2 weeks goes back; no exceptions. I'm almost old, and I've yet to regret returning anything I haven't used within 2 weeks of purchase.
Hand made bags & sg's from the French Market, Pike Place Market, local markets, etc are excused & don't count.
 
#19
No downsizing for me. If I have a purse that fits a certain niche, I don't buy another to replace it.

The exception is small black leather bags with silver hardware, since those will get used up fastest and since it's hard for me to find ones that I like.

Most of my bags are small, so I think of them as an outfit accessory like a scarf or necklace. My medium to large workhorse bags are a much smaller collection that I don't feel a need to grow.

I have ten year old bags that look like new and that I still love.
 
#20
I'm beginning to realize that getting rid of a few things I don't use much isn't going to make much of a difference. It still looks I own a small purse store! Actually I think I have more inventory than a small store!
 
#21
I've decided that if I haven't used the bag in a long time & never reach for it, it's gotta go. I give my sister first dibs (She gets them for free:D), next I sell to coworkers, then ebay. I do best with ebay. I tried the Facebook "garage sale" groups, but people don't want to pay more than $25 for a purse. No way dude.

I'm going to try following the "one in, one out" rule.
 
#22
I've been downsizing a lot lately, pretty much everything I own is going through the process. Makeup, nail polish, shoes, clothes...and purses.

But honestly, between the way Coach has treated me and others (forgive and forget? more like resent and remember), the downgrade in quality (I only started buying during Legacy and I can see/feel the downgrade in quality since then), and really figuring out what my personal style is (alternative), I just don't need all the Coach bags I have. At this point I'd rather have one Alexander Wang bag for three Coaches, because I know I'll use the AW more. Sad, but true.

So here's how I downsize - it applies to purses, shoes, clothes, etc.

First, I figure out what things I have a strong, positive emotional connection to, even if I don't use them a lot. Mini Tanner Army? Never ever gonna give you up, ba dada da etc. They don't quite fit my style, but remove the tassels and tags and they add a nice pop of color and I have all the colors. Great running errands bag. And I loved completing my little army so they stay. A few other bags also have protected status. If you know you'll miss it, or if it makes you smile, put it in the safe pile.

Then, I figure out what bags I have a negative emotional connection to. The two big bags I used during the cross-country trip with my ex that also don't quite fit my new aesthetic? Two strikes, you're out.

Then I simply look at use. Who hasn't gone out in while? Why? Are they seasonal bags or do I simply not reach for them? Do they fit my new aesthetic? Are they uncomfortable? I write these bags down and then, a few months later, see who still hasn't been used. Some surprising bags - like Ultraviolet Molly and Mint Candace, two of my loves - have ended up on this list.

Then I look at the regret factor. What are the chances I will regret letting this bag go in the future? For Black Cherry Candace, Black/Blue Colorblock Candace, Gray Quartz Phoebe, and Black and Blush Haley, yeah, I think one day I will wish I had them back. So they live in dustbags on top of my closet. But Mint Candace, Oak/Blue Haley, Black MFF Duffle, Coral and Tan Haleys, and a few others - not so much. They've gone on to better homes.

Slightly off topic, but I just want to mention every person who's bought a bag from me on ebay has been an absolute dream. When I list bags I say it's from my personal collection, and I think that clues fellow bag lovers in. They have all been so sweet, paid promptly, and sent me super excited messages when the bags come in. I really feel like I'm rehoming instead of selling, which is nice since I am not even close to breaking even on these bags.

My little Coach obsession was an expensive lesson to learn, and honestly if Coach hadn't had been so crappy I probably wouldn't have started downsizing at all. I still have too many purses, but I'm working on it. It's a process, not a purge.
 
#23
I basically have a couple of drawers and have made a rule they have to fit in there. So if I get new ones and it isn't fitting, something has to go. But I also follow something similar to the above post--I evaluate which ones I am okay with giving up. I will sell to a friend that buys some of my bags, or on occasion I have given them to my sister or a friend as a gift, or I occasionally just donate if I don't have another way to give up the bag. It makes me enjoy my bags more if I don't let it get to be too much, and it allows me to get new bags occasionally if I am okay with giving up some old.
 
#24
Jadis4742 said:
I've been downsizing a lot lately, pretty much everything I own is going through the process. Makeup, nail polish, shoes, clothes...and purses.

But honestly, between the way Coach has treated me and others (forgive and forget? more like resent and remember), the downgrade in quality (I only started buying during Legacy and I can see/feel the downgrade in quality since then), and really figuring out what my personal style is (alternative), I just don't need all the Coach bags I have. At this point I'd rather have one Alexander Wang bag for three Coaches, because I know I'll use the AW more. Sad, but true.

So here's how I downsize - it applies to purses, shoes, clothes, etc.

First, I figure out what things I have a strong, positive emotional connection to, even if I don't use them a lot. Mini Tanner Army? Never ever gonna give you up, ba dada da etc. They don't quite fit my style, but remove the tassels and tags and they add a nice pop of color and I have all the colors. Great running errands bag. And I loved completing my little army so they stay. A few other bags also have protected status. If you know you'll miss it, or if it makes you smile, put it in the safe pile.

Then, I figure out what bags I have a negative emotional connection to. The two big bags I used during the cross-country trip with my ex that also don't quite fit my new aesthetic? Two strikes, you're out.

Then I simply look at use. Who hasn't gone out in while? Why? Are they seasonal bags or do I simply not reach for them? Do they fit my new aesthetic? Are they uncomfortable? I write these bags down and then, a few months later, see who still hasn't been used. Some surprising bags - like Ultraviolet Molly and Mint Candace, two of my loves - have ended up on this list.

Then I look at the regret factor. What are the chances I will regret letting this bag go in the future? For Black Cherry Candace, Black/Blue Colorblock Candace, Gray Quartz Phoebe, and Black and Blush Haley, yeah, I think one day I will wish I had them back. So they live in dustbags on top of my closet. But Mint Candace, Oak/Blue Haley, Black MFF Duffle, Coral and Tan Haleys, and a few others - not so much. They've gone on to better homes.

It's a process, not a purge.
Click to expand...

This is what I've been doing too. The older I get, the less I need and am content to keep only what really speaks to me...and what I'll use and wear. It's liberating.
 
#25
Sarah03 said:
I've decided that if I haven't used the bag in a long time & never reach for it, it's gotta go. I give my sister first dibs (She gets them for free:D), next I sell to coworkers, then ebay. I do best with ebay. I tried the Facebook "garage sale" groups, but people don't want to pay more than $25 for a purse. No way dude.

I'm going to try following the "one in, one out" rule.
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No no no facebook "yard sale" type groups. Yuck. Those are filled with fakes. You need Coach (or designer) specific buy/sell groups where the admins police what's listed and no fakes are allowed.
 
#26
Canderson22 said:
No no no facebook "yard sale" type groups. Yuck. Those are filled with fakes. You need Coach (or designer) specific buy/sell groups where the admins police what's listed and no fakes are allowed.
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Oh my gosh, no wonder no one will buy my bags! Lol. I didn't know purse selling groups existed. Thanks for the info.
 
#28
I'm trying to sell a few bags as well on ebay, only a few watchers but no takers. I'm not sure if its just the season of people not buying or my prices are too high. Right now I have about 30 bags. But I want to lower that number to about 25. And when it seems like I want new bags so frequently, I decide to sell the ones that I don't use as much or just don't love as much. I also think that as I buy bags, I am learning which ones work for me. So sometimes I go through my list of bags and ask myself, what was I thinking?!
 
#29
pbnjam said:
I'm trying to sell a few bags as well on ebay, only a few watchers but no takers. I'm not sure if its just the season of people not buying or my prices are too high. Right now I have about 30 bags. But I want to lower that number to about 25. And when it seems like I want new bags so frequently, I decide to sell the ones that I don't use as much or just don't love as much. I also think that as I buy bags, I am learning which ones work for me. So sometimes I go through my list of bags and ask myself, what was I thinking?!
Click to expand...
The possibility of having to sell bags is keeping me from buying more.
 
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