What is your ideal understated luxury bag collection?

[ItsPurseonal]

So interesting that everyone has different definitions of "understated."

IMO, understated is not synonymous with unrecognizable - bags can be both understated and unrecognizable to the general "non-bag-obsessed" public, but I don't think the two terms mean the same thing.

I think of understated as being the opposite of loud, where loud = bags that would call attention if there was no such thing as a "designer." So, I think Birkin, Kellys, and some Chanel bags are understated (but potentially recognizable, if you "know"). [While I'm at it I'll throw an unpopular opinion out there that I actually don't think the above mentioned bags are as recognizable as they're made out to be here on TPF. Sure, some areas of some cities might be saturated with them, but I would venture a guess that the average person would not be able to pick a Kelly out of a lineup of designer bags.]

Back to topic... as I stated in my post, I don't really think of my blue Artois as "understated" in the sense that it doesn't draw attention. But, since someone previously mentioned Goyard I figured I might as well include mine because it's a favorite

 

[Sparkletastic]

Love the Whitney in particular here, and it is definitely one of those handbags where, if you know, you know! Do you enjoy it?

I absolutely love it. It’s my work tote and despite being dragged through airports for a few years pre Covid, it looks brand new. The only drawback is that it’s a little bit heavy.

 

[ItsPurseonal]

Beautiful selection! The Chanel reissue is my favorite Chanel purse, how did you come to choose it?

I already had a classic flap that I love (jumbo size), but found that it was a tad too big and heavy to be versatile enough to wear to a variety of events. And I fell in love with the distressed calf, so I decided to get a reissue. Very glad I did!

 

[poleneinblack]

Celine Box Bag/Triomphe Bag in black
Chanel 2.55 in black
Hermes Birkin or Kelly in Black
Polene handbags in black

But most likely I would stick to what I have now, unlimited budget or not, because I have mostly Polene and Polene is very understated and classy looking!

 

[coffee2go]

All of my bags are quite understated Here are my top 3: Celine micro belt bag, Valextra Triennale medium, Valextra Iside small. Actually Old Celine and Valextra are the epitome of understated luxury bags for me. So I would save I already have my ideal understated bag collection

And a few honorable mentions from my collection:
- 2 Alaia bags: Cecile bag and bucket bag
- Maxmara Whitney small bag
- Lanvin hobo bag
- 2 Celine bags in taupe: Phantom Cabas and Folded Cabas
- YSL shopping tote

 

[coffee2go]

Hello ladies! I’m currently reselling almost my entire designer bag collection to make way for fewer, better quality and understated bags. I’m going to basically end up with four core bags which I think meet most of my day to day lifestyle needs:
1. Celine nano luggage in souris for every day
2. Miu Miu Madras Confidential black leather medium tote (small, discreet logo on one side) for my corporate job when I have meetings. Love this bag so much.
3. Ferragamo gancini quilted pochette with gold chain for evening occasions
4. Tod’s moccasino tan tote top handle medium tote bag for day to day work (they don’t make this model any more, but it’s just the best quality understated bag!

I’ll be selling my Burberry banner bag, a Gucci Marmont red tote, and several others that are too loud and flashy for my current lifestyle. However, I’m still considering new bags, like the Hermes Picotin or Delvaux Pin Daily, for eevryday wear. It would be nice over time to edit further and end up with a few, perfect all time bags.

It got me thinking. If you could start over and only have four core bags for your current lifestyle and which are understated luxury, (no budget, this is hypothetical), what would they be?

I actually wonder what have impacted you to start looking more at more understated bags?

 

[Hearts_arrows]

All of my bags are quite understated Here are my top 3: Celine micro belt bag, Valextra Triennale medium, Valextra Iside small. Actually Old Celine and Valextra are the epitome of understated luxury bags for me. So I would save I already have my ideal understated bag collection

And a few honorable mentions from my collection:
- 2 Alaia bags: Cecile bag and bucket bag
- Maxmara Whitney small bag
- Lanvin hobo bag
- 2 Celine bags in taupe: Phantom Cabas and Folded Cabas
- YSL shopping tote

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I love your picks, but that Whitney is to die for!

 

[Hearts_arrows]

I actually wonder what have impacted you to start looking more at more understated bags?

Hi there! It was because two years ago during lockdown, I agonised over which bag to buy next, ended up picking an LV damier Ebene speedy 25 bandouliere, and after I wore it a few weeks absolutely got to despise how it felt on me - a classic case of post-bag regret. I wanted one because lots of people had them, and I thought with this canvas it would be practical since I don’t like to baby bags. I just hated it, I can’t explain it, even though I put a lot of effort into picking it.

I already resold it, but it was a lesson to me because I was forced to realise that although practical considerations are important, I don’t like to have something easy to recognise or with big logos, it makes me self conscious - yet I adore high quality, great leather, craftmanship. I simply love handbags and accessories. I also had many brightly coloured designer bags that I struggled to match with outfits - I would literally have to pick an outfit ao it would complement the bag. I then decided to look at these characteristics, and look at other factors, design, universality, my lifestyle, etc.

Since the above post, I made one or two new purchases, which I will post on here once they arrive

 

[coffee2go]

Hello ladies! I’m currently reselling almost my entire designer bag collection to make way for fewer, better quality and understated bags. I’m going to basically end up with four core bags which I think meet most of my day to day lifestyle needs:
1. Celine nano luggage in souris for every day
2. Miu Miu Madras Confidential black leather medium tote (small, discreet logo on one side) for my corporate job when I have meetings. Love this bag so much.
3. Ferragamo gancini quilted pochette with gold chain for evening occasions
4. Tod’s moccasino tan tote top handle medium tote bag for day to day work (they don’t make this model any more, but it’s just the best quality understated bag!

I’ll be selling my Burberry banner bag, a Gucci Marmont red tote, and several others that are too loud and flashy for my current lifestyle. However, I’m still considering new bags, like the Hermes Picotin or Delvaux Pin Daily, for eevryday wear. It would be nice over time to edit further and end up with a few, perfect all time bags.

It got me thinking. If you could start over and only have four core bags for your current lifestyle and which are understated luxury, (no budget, this is hypothetical), what would they be?

Tod’s and Ferragamo are great options! I feel they don’t get enough credit for their bags, but they have so many great designs!

 

[coffee2go]

Hi there! It was because two years ago during lockdown, I agonised over which bag to buy next, ended up picking an LV damier Ebene speedy 25 bandouliere, and after I wore it a few weeks absolutely got to despise how it felt on me - a classic case of post-bag regret. I wanted one because lots of people had them, and I thought with this canvas it would be practical since I don’t like to baby bags. I just hated it, I can’t explain it, even though I put a lot of effort into picking it.

I already resold it, but it was a lesson to me because I was forced to realise that although practical considerations are important, I don’t like to have something easy to recognise or with big logos, it makes me self conscious - yet I adore high quality, great leather, craftmanship. I simply love handbags and accessories. I also had many brightly coloured designer bags that I struggled to match with outfits - I would literally have to pick an outfit ao it would complement the bag. I then decided to look at these characteristics, and look at other factors, design, universality, my lifestyle, etc.

Since the above post, I made one or two new purchases, which I will post on here once they arrive

Thanks for sharing your experience! This is exactly why I don’t have any LV bags despite trying them a few times in the store, I feel like they would be too loud for me, the only style I could consider is Alma in Epi. As for colors, when you figure out which colors best matches your existing wardrobe aside black, that’s the key! For me dark muted tones like burgundy, deep green, navy blue and so work the best.

 

[Hearts_arrows]

Thanks for sharing your experience! This is exactly why I don’t have any LV bags despite trying them a few times in the store, I feel like they would be too loud for me, the only style I could consider is Alma in Epi. As for colors, when you figure out which colors best matches your existing wardrobe aside black, that’s the key! For me dark muted tones like burgundy, deep green, navy blue and so work the best.

Exactly. Although I will say I am having a very hard time figuring out which colour bag to bring on a beach vacation to Italy this summer. My casual summer outfits are mainly dresses, or nice t-shirts with paperbag shorts - red, blue, etc. So now I have to figure that out too!

 

[serenityneow]

I love this thread. For me, it would be essential that every bag is durable, practical, timeless, and day-to-night. My special occasion/evening bags would be first up on the chopping block.

I’d choose my The Row Hunting Bag 9 (day to night casual), Fendi Anna Selleria (day to night large capacity), Delvaux Tempete (day to night dressy), and Fontana Milano 1915 (day to night professional). The photos are not the colors I’d choose.

 

[Hearts_arrows]

I love this thread. For me, it would be essential that every bag is durable, practical, timeless, and day-to-night. My special occasion/evening bags would be first up on the chopping block.

I’d choose my The Row Hunting Bag 9 (day to night casual), Fendi Anna Selleria (day to night large capacity), Delvaux Tempete (day to night dressy), and Fontana Milano 1915 (day to night professional). The photos are not the colors I’d choose.

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Beautiful! I have never heard of the last brand you mention, I’m going to check it out, super cute.

 

[More bags]

Awesome thought exercise!

• Chanel Reissue 226
• Hermes Bolide 31
• Chanel Reissue Camera Bag
• Delvaux Small Tempete

 

[Swanky]

Was observing responses thinking the same!

Are we considering understated to simply be no / small logos? Because Kellys, Birkins and Chanel classic flaps are some of the most recognizable and status screaming despite their color - even with non handbag enthusiasts.

I’d consider understated bags to be ones in a non patterned neutral-ish color, with no / extremely discreet branding and not in a highly recognizable silhouette.

I don’t think about whether my bags are recognizable so I don’t have many understated (by my above definition) bags in my wardrobe and I couldn’t make a collection out of them. But, here are my three lonely entrants.

Max Mara Whitney Tote
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Fendi By The Way
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Jimmy Choo Raven
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