As I write this, I’m currently sitting at the kitchen table inside my new apartment. I officially moved in this past weekend, and it’s a pretty big deal considering I’ve never lived by myself or had my own “home.” I’m not too far away from my family and friends, but I’m loving the newfound independence. While it’s somewhat daunting to think about all of the responsibilities that come with keeping up an apartment (or a household in general), it’s exciting to know I can wholly rely on myself.
On a less serious note, I came to another not-so-surprising revelation during my move-in: I have too many bags. Before you roll your eyes, they’re not all high-end designer. Many of them are contemporary, and then there are others where I can’t confidently tell you where they came from. All I know is they are in my closet (or in this case, moving boxes) and taking up valuable space. The tough part is they all represent a special meaning or memory, and I find myself struggling with giving them away or attempting to sell them. Has that ever happened to you?
[sc_ic_ad1]You should know that as I packed up all of my stuff, including my handbag collection, from my mother’s house, I ignored the obvious. It was easier to throw everything into boxes instead of carefully going through each item and deciding if it was worthy of a spot inside my apartment, which, naturally, is significantly smaller than my childhood home.
Now I find myself surrounded by millennial pink plastic boxes, completely overwhelmed with the amount of clothes and bags I own. I haven’t gone through my belongings in so long, and this move is forcing me take a hard look at what I have, what I should keep, and what I should donate. Yes, there’s definitely some Marie Kondo happening over here.
The problem is: So many of my bags bring me joy… not because I wear them all the time, but more so because just glancing at them brings me back to a particular place or time in my life. But ultimately, how much joy will they really bring me if they’re locked away in storage boxes?
[sc_ic_ad2]That brings me to my real question: When is it time to part with a bag? Should it be based on how much wear you currently get out of it? Or should it be determined by the bag’s meaning to you? Then there’s the argument of whether or not said bag will potentially make a comeback, like the Fendi Baguette (aka the it-bag that made waves in the ’90s and is now in the midst of a major resurgence). Yep, imagine having one, selling it, and lusting after a new one all over again, only to find yourself wishing you would have kept the original in the first place.
Maybe the answer is when it comes to high-end designers (Prada, Fendi, LV, Chanel, etc.), it’s best to keep the bag. Unless for some reason you dislike said bag and wish you never purchased it, in which case resale or consign all the way! And unless a contemporary bag holds an exceptional meaning or is insanely practical and cute, maybe it’s okay to let go? Someone help!
P.S. The subhead of this article is totally a Coldplay reference. If you already knew that, consider us BFFs.
I think there are two kinds of bag aficionados: (1) the kind that maintains a ‘rotation’ and (2) the kind that maintains a ‘living showcase’. If you’re the former, it’s time to part with a bag when a new bag is introduced into your ‘rotation’. If you’re the latter, then the question of parting with a bag is one that you’d very rarely consider.
I keep my rotation at 15. I’ve been serious about bags for close to two decades, and that’s the number that I can realistically use. Also, having my living situation change (college, grad school, relationship, moving for work) helps to keeps my rotation from mushrooming.
I was actually hoping this post was about a slightly different “problem”. One of my favorite bags is around 6-7 years old and I’ve used it more than any other bag so even though the quality is great it’s only fair that the bag starts showing signs of use (a lot of signs, of a lot of use). The point is that even though it’s not a classic, the design is still very hot at the moment and, most importantly, I really love it.
I don’t feel like buying the same bag all over again but at the same time mine will not hang on for much longer…what do I do? Suggestions?
there are places that repair bags so they look practically brand new for a fraction of a cost of a whole new bag.
I use ‘the restory’ or handbag clinic.
I live in London so i’m not sure about what alte
rnatives there are for other areas/countries
If you’ve found your thing, why not go with it? You could get a different color or some other detail that makes the new bag different from your old one.
I sell if I have no use for the bag. Before selling I look at how often I’ve used the bag, do I really need it, how I liked using it and do I feel like I want to use it more. I also look at how the bag fits in my collection; if it’s a one off piece (like vintage, a style that isn’t made anymore etc) that I probably won’t be able to track down again it makes me less likely to sell.
I’m pretty cold when it comes to my bags and if a bag has no value in my collection, if I don’t like using it etc it goes.
For me, when I stop feeling absolutely amazing while wearing the bag is when it needs to go. If I’m constantly feeling less than enthusiastic about the leather texture, the strap length, the overall look and feel, the brand, etc., I usually give it a couple more chances and then decide to sell it on. Sometimes I will still end up on the fence and give it a couple more months to decide, but if I’m reaching for other bags instead of that one and not enjoying it when I do wear it, it’s time!
Be careful with what you part with as you may wish you kept it at some point. I’ve owned so many designer bags throughout the years it’s ridiculous. They’re all gone now (thank you eBay), but the one bag I long for is the most basic bag, but it was perfect. The Kate Spade Willa Bag in Storm King. SJP was featured carrying it and I had to have it. It was perfect, especially considering I’m not a Kate Spade fan. I have my eyes peeled for one on eBay. Lot’s of Willa’s, just not one in the pythony Storm King pattern.
Congrats on the new apartment. Living alone is the best!!!!
I’m having this same conversation with myself. We’re moving in about a week, and my purse count right now is…44. Now, a lot of those are inexpensive totes (Longchamp, Herve Chapelier, Vineyard Vines, Women’s March), and I honestly can’t see myself getting rid of any of them. That said, I have as many bags as I have years lived on this earth. I’m good at gifting (and when I do, it’s usually the NWT bags that get to go), but now that I have most of my HGs, I’m wondering if the worn-out ones should go bye bye.
For me it’s very simple. If I don’t love it or need it anymore then it’s time to sell.
Same here! Then I use the $ to buy a new one! 🙂
I hear you! I’m feeling the same way, I have too many bags but I just get myself to sell them—bags like the a checkered Burberry- I know I’ll never wear again, but I never got into selling myself so a) I’m not sure where to start b) I”m afraid I’ll be daunted with thoughts of someone else wearing them or putting together an outfit that can only be perfect with this one