When the perfect bag isn't perfect for you

[michelle217]

Have been musing today about what to do about this Tale of Two Bags.

First, we have my glorious, beautiful, perfect Louis Vuitton Sofia Coppola PM in Jasper, purchased from a local LV boutique early last year. I've used it perhaps 4 times. It is stunning. But something about the shape and the size keeps me from it becoming a go-to.

Then we have a bag I've currently bought and am deciding about whether or not to keep: the Loewe Puzzle bag, medium, in dark red pebbled leather. This is a gorgeous bag too...perhaps not at the same level of glory (or price) of the SC, but it's easy to use, a nice pop of color, and I can see myself reaching for it way more than the SC. They both serve the exact same purpose in my "bag wardrobe," however the SC is dressier.

I can't keep both. And losing money on the SC hurts to think about. I keep thinking that "maybe someday" I'll come to appreciate the bag and it will make my heart sing in the way it doesn't right now. But the Loewe does make my heart sing right now.

Anyway, I'm not really asking for opinions on which to keep since I know what I need to do -- sell SC and keep Loewe (probably!! Or maybe I'll be crazy and keep both!) -- But more to see if anyone else has had this experience with a bag that's absolutely perfect in theory, but not in usage. If so, what bag and what about it makes it less than perfect for you?

 

[19flowers]

Both are beautiful bags. I had the same SC - in fact, I've had 6 SCs and have none now. I love SC but it doesn't work for me. The strap drives me crazy. I lost money on all of mine but it was a big lesson learned - sell it and move on!

 

[Kylacove]

What is wrong with the strap that it drives you crazy? The bag looks functional in the picture.

 

[catsinthebag]

I love the SC bag, and seriously considered it at one point, but the strap didn’t work for me either. It’s too short to go cross-body, and unlike a lot of bags being made now, it’s not easily detachable so I can pop another strap on. For as much thought and craftsmanship as they put into this bag, I find the strap to be almost intentionally annoying. Like the designer is saying, This is the strap that comes with the bag, and we’re going to make it impossible for you to ruin my vision by using another strap! I know that sounds silly, but that’s the way I ended up feeling about the SC.

For me, most of the bags that were supposed to be perfect but didn’t turn out that way are usually not perfect for some functional rather than style reason. The two bags I think of as perfect stylistically (the Hermes Kelly and the Chanel Reissue — IMO these styles can do everything from jeans to cocktail attire) are often too small for me to use everyday. Larger bags that will fit everything are either heavy or don’t have a long enough strap drop (or the straps are uncomfortable, etc.).

Years of buying bags and selling the mistakes have made me really picky, so I buy less now. But I also think it’s more useful to think of a bag as perfect for a certain occasion rather than perfect in a more general sense. I wish there was a bag that was perfect for everything, but then I’d probably get bored and want to switch into something else anyway!

 

[19flowers]

What is wrong with the strap that it drives you crazy? The bag looks functional in the picture.[/QUOTE
The strap twists around on the side rings and I would have to straighten the strap every time I picked up the bag - very frustrating - not a good strap design, but it is a lovely bag.

 

[Kylacove]

I hate when little irritations ruin what should be a perfect bag. From trial and error I've determined dimensions, strap configuration, number and types of pockets work best for me for everyday bags. Even then some flaw like your strap twisting can make a bag frustrating to use.

 

[sneedonist]

I obsessed with the Alexander wang Rocco bag for a long time, bought it, loved it, but never wanted to carry it. I refused to believe that the bag was too heavy, as many complain about. I eventually caved and sold the bag. So I agree with Catsinthebag that the bag has some functional rather than stylistic drawback.

 

[peachylv]

I do not have either of those bags, but I have bags in those two colors. I carry my brighter red bag way more than my darker one. The darker one is seasonal to me. I find that I like neutrals in fall and winter and color or neutrals in spring/summer. However, I make an exception with my brighter red bag in fall/winter. If you had to keep only one, the Loewe puzzle would be my recommendation.

 

[DZK]

Yes, I definitely have experience with this in my own way - the bags I actually bought (then sold) were entry level luxury, not high end - but the reason I've never even dreamed of buying a higher end luxury bag is because they would all be like this for me - just not suited to my needs. I still appreciate them just as much, but I just know they wouldn't suit my lifestyle or wardrobe, and I prefer to keep bags that really suit me that way and I always want to grab.

 

[Minty Tea]

There are quite a few "perfect" bags that didn't work for me. I used to think that I can make it work, providing many reasons why I should keep it but in the end I just have to bite the bullet and face the facts. The bag doesn't work for me and I will probably suffer a loss selling it.

I'm older now, I'm at a point in my life where function and comfort takes precedence over being on-trend. I think it's a shame that the fashion world has made us question our own style with all these top 10 lists or In/Out lists every season. While it's fun the read the lists, I don't follow them blindly.

PS. I used to think the the SC was the perfect bag as well. I had the speedy many years ago but I preferred leather and I wanted a strap for it as well . So when LV came out with it, I was really excited. Turned out it wasn't what I had hoped. The strap was short and the thick leather made it heavy. Soon after that I decided that LV wasn't going to come out with what I wanted so I looked to other brands.

So glad I did as I absolutely adore the LC cuir. Light, removable strap, soft leather, comes in different colours - perfect for travels.