Once upon a time, I was obsessed with owning as many designer bags as possible. I avoided selling any of my bags, regardless of whether I had reached a point of being over them or not. Each year, as I picked up one or two new bags, my collection grew bigger and bigger until it eventually peaked well into the double digits.
Sure, it was a rush to feel like I could actually call my ownership of handbags a collection, but neglecting to sell bags I no longer used—or had fallen out of love with—was foolish and, not to mention, financially unsound. I was sitting on a lot of money that could have been saved for a rainy day or put toward something I would truly love (and actually use).
Thankfully, my attitude has shifted toward prioritizing quality over quantity—meaning bags I genuinely love. If something no longer brings me joy or gives me that unmistakable butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling, I know it’s time to part ways with it.
To Sell or to Trade
Over the last few months, I’ve reached for my Bottega Veneta Cassette less and less. While I still like the bag and love its bold silver color, I’ve lately preferred shoulder bags over crossbody styles, and I simply don’t use it nearly as much as I should.
That said, I’ve begun to toy with the idea of selling it—or possibly trading it. I’ve used Rebag’s trade service in the past (I used it to buy this bag!), and Fashionphile also offers a higher return if you opt for store credit instead of a direct payout.
Out With the Old, In With the New
I like the idea of following the one in, one out rule, and though I’ve definitely acquired more than I’ve parted ways with this year, my collection still sits at a comfortable 20 bags.
Collecting, by definition, involves systematically seeking and acquiring items of a particular kind as a hobby, but I do think it can become excessive at a certain point—which has me revisiting the one in, one out rule once again.
Still, I question it. If the whole point of a collection is to acquire more items, does the one in, one out rule really make sense?
In many cases, yes—and while I could easily sell the Bottega Veneta Cassette, doing so would leave a gap in my collection when it comes to a good silver bag, making this a perfect example of when the one in, one out rule applies.
While this isn’t necessarily a rule I’ve followed religiously, I’m starting to reach a point where it feels close to necessary. Eventually, if I were to own, say, 30 or more handbags, this rule might become non-negotiable for me.
What do you think?
How often do you regret that you sold a certain bag is a better question. Pieces that went “out of style” are back again and at much higher prices. Sometimes it makes more sense to hang onto valuable high end bags than it does to sell them. My husband has often said if you sell that and want another you’ll pay triple or more for a new version. And he’s right, it would cost a tremendous amount more.
I sold a Chanel jumbo flap MANY years ago, that I paid $1500 for — now what is it, over 10K? Yeah, I regret selling it big time.
I think it keeps me in the consumption loop. I’ve decided that the next time I sell one, I am keeping the money for 3 months before I do anything with it. One in one out isn’t reducing my clutter.
I do believe in purging items that aren’t being used. I struggle with selling when knowing that I am only going to be paid a few hundred dollars for a bag. I try to reason with myself that a few hundred for this bag and a few hundred for that bag can be turned into one bag that I really want and feel that I would use at this point in my life. But the struggle is real I think for many of us.
Wholeheartedly agree. I have a few bags I’d like to let go of but know I will lose money. I dont necessarily need the cash but would just like a fair price. I reallly wish there was a platform whereby you could just ‘swop’ with others who were in the same position, but I’m guessing it would need an intermediary factor.
Yes!
Since the prices for designer bags went through the roof, I’ve been buying mostly second hand. But I also find myself mercilessly negotiating prices down. On the other hand, I would like to sell my bags at a fair price, which unfortunately I don’t manage to do often enough. Since then my collection has continued to grow… I stopped counting at 100…
I never regret selling my Gucci disco. It just wasn’t my style & I saw it all over the streets. Glad I go the cash. I was thinking about selling my Balenciaga City but glad I didn’t because I ended up using it again.
I’d like to sell a few bags but as others have said I’m worried I won’t get a fair price. I’m also suspicious of many of the resellers as I’ve heard some scare stories over the years! Unsure of what to do!! I like Maxine’s idea of swapping them. 🙂
I went through a onetime purge where I sold a bunch of bags — everything from Longchamp to Coach to Chloe — and I regret it constantly. I didn’t get a great price for anything and all those bags came back in. Going forward, I have no plans to sell bags ever again. It will encourage me to buy less of them.
Kaitlin, love the outfit you’re wearing in the picture with the Bottega Veneta Cassette!!