It’s hard to believe that December is nearly upon us, but a walk down Madison Avenue, with its stores all lined with Christmas lights and pine, will certainly remind you. We are, in fact, reaching the final month of 2024. As the year winds down, like many of us, I’ve begun to look ahead at where I’d like to be at this time next year, but before I do that, I’ve been reflecting on what’s happened so far this year.
Here at PurseBlog, year-end reflections are not all that serious, so I won’t ask you how many books you read, the miles you ran, or how that Duolingo subscription is going (but I should be asking myself, SMH). The end of the year can feel stressful, and I’m not here to add to it and ask you about those resolutions.
Instead, we’re here to discuss those handbag resolutions we all set late last year for 2024.
My big plan for the year was to spend less on bags and diversify my designer collection with other items. In years past, with every bonus or tax return, my big end-of-year spend would be a new bag. As my collection grows and I’ve reached a point of feeling at peace with my bags, I want to add other designer pieces to my wardrobe, and that’s precisely what I’ve done.
A Rare Vintage Find
This has also meant shopping my own closet, and this year, I was particularly good at rotating my bags more. I opted to use 3 to 4 for a few weeks at a time and then swap them out for new ones.
I revisited my love for logos this summer, taking out one of my oldest bags. This inspired me to incorporate some of my other logo bags into the rotation, including the Gucci Luce Shoulder Bag I was gifted earlier this year. As much as I loved it at first carry, I didn’t foresee it being a bag I’d use as often as I have. It’s virtually season-less, and I’ve used it many times throughout the year.
I did make one exciting bag purchase this year: my Tom Ford-era Gucci Chain Mini Bag. Tom Ford’s Gucci pieces remain some of the most coveted items on the vintage market, and I have been eager to add one to my rotation. Truthfully, it’s not a day bag, so I haven’t used it that much, but it’s a special night-out bag that I’ll always have in my closet.
This year, I have no regrets over how I’ve viewed collecting. While I have a running list (always) of bags I’d like to buy, I’ve been more calculated than ever with my decision-making.
What handbag goals and milestones did you reach this year?
I haven’t bought a single bag since the beginning of the year! However, I bought a brand new house. 😝 I have found it very freeing to slow down fashion and luxury purchases. I have so many great pieces in my closet that nothing is a “need.” I still like to read about bags though—thank you PurseBlog and others.
Congrats on the new house, Fabuleux!
I sold my much-loved bags and am so happy to know they’re now adored by their new owners.
I also stayed true to my goal of supporting indie brands that craft one-of-a-kind bags. Along the way, I saved a lot of money and avoided buying from big brands.
I need to slow down…sell a ton…and enjoy what I have. I want to have favorites that I’ve broken in again and loved for years. I can’t believe I used to treat myself to one bag for fall/winter and one for spring/summer. Now I just consume. So part of my resolutions include staying away from the stores!
100% me too!!
My resolution…to place as much importance on function as on fashion. I have a few bags in my closet that I love aesthetically but they are just too small. Every time I take something out and then put it back, it’s an exercise in spatial relations. I have to rearrange everything to get the item in and close the bag. No more.
My resolution is to spend way less! After getting to $7k per bag, I’ve been put off by the price increases. Now I’m eyeing Tory Burch EW Eleanor – looks like a Celine Triomphe which I’ve liked for a long time. Alas, I have come to the realisation that a $7k or $700 bag doesn’t make much difference to my happiness. Who knew?? Haha
I bought a few preloved bags for a fraction of the retail price. They were mostly rare and exotic pieces. With the crazy price increase, I no longer crave spending money on new bags. In 2025, I will continue to shop in the preloved market.
My resolution is to not spend more than 3K for a handbag.
No more bags for me this year! Hopefully a Chanel camera or classic mini in black next year.
I have an ongoing resolution to not get into debt over handbags and have been able to stick to it. In two weeks I’m picking up a really hard to get bag that costs 4k (the brand didn’t have a single one left in all of France and the one I’m getting is the last available in Switzerland/Germany/Austria). To keep to our budget, we’ve canceled a short break at a luxury hotel that would have cost about the same.
My second resolution is new bag in = existing bag out. That’s harder to stick to. And since I just bought the Le Tanneur Emilie bag last week in Paris, I have to jettison not one but two bags. I don’t re-sell, can’t deal with the palaver, so will first offer them to my friends — if no takers, they go to charity.
I bought polene un nano in the beginning of the year and nothing else since. Want to stay on my low buy and use what I have.
I added Kelly 25 Bag to my collection this year and very happy about it. I was thinking long enough until the prices increased tremendously, so I decided its about time. I received the long expected message from Hermes in October when I was in a business trip overseas, and could barely await until I return home. Its a beautiful bag and I can wear it on different occasions than my Birkin.
I wanted to purchase bags that have been on my wishlist for years. I got three-Givenchy Antigona and Pandora and a Chloe Faye Day. I threw in a couple of Coach bags. I keep my list at 5. I’m hoping for a pair of Chanel aviators. I have my eye on a Tiffany necklace. For handbags, I am still wanting a Lady Dior. I would like another Burberry small Banner bag but in pink. I’m even looking at a Picotin.
i just want the CHANEL classic in white … and some microbags like the heart on a belt chain
Get a kelly 25. That’s it. Don’t want any other bags next year. Don’t need them and not willing to spend money on them at the moment.