Handbag epiphany - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Handbag epiphany

Louise

Veteran

I love handbags and have had lots of lovely ones over the years but I could never understand why I rarely swapped them out. I would fill one and use it for weeks till I got bored then switch to another one and occasionally I'd swap for a smaller bag for nights out. Many lovely bags have gone to the charity shop through lack of use.
Don't ask me how or why but I came to the conclusion recently that while they were lovely I had too much choice so I decided to limit the choice to one bag per occasion bought cheaply then wear them to death for Spring/ Summer then bin them and replace. So over the past couple of months I added

Stone shoulder bag- work. Already owned from Next a couple of years ago.
Mint hobo- Casual (weekends and school holidays). £12 BHS
White cutout clutch- evenings out. £7.99 New Look
White cutout tote- for when only a tote will do (shopping, work with my lunch in, tea bags etc) £19.99 H&M
It's here my plan went a little awry as I fell in love with the coral cross body but I figured there will always be times when I need to be hands free?£12.99 New Look
There's also a small grey grab bag wrapped up ready for my birthday that I fell in love with so mum got for me.

So far it's working brilliantly, casual bag is switched in on Friday evening and work bag on Sunday evening. The clutch has come out to play for nights out and the tote has schlepped my stuff to and from work and gone out shopping and because they're all fairly neutral they work with whatever I'm wearing; I'm enjoying the variety of a different bag every few days.

What's your bag strategy? X

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Louise

AJ

Veteran

Wow, all of those look like FAB choices!! That sounds like an excellent strategy, Louise!

I have lots of bags and swap them out whenever the mood strikes. I like your idea of giving each bag a certain capsule category. I think I will break my down to certain activities and see how many I have in each. I'm probably due for a bag purge anyways. Thanks for the idea!

deb

Veteran

I love bags so I switch my all of the time. I get too bored with using just one and I am very picky about the feel so naturally the bags that feel good are more expensive. Y have a nice collection now and I can see it will be very useful for you.

Kathleen

(website)

I always loved to carry different bags but dreaded switching them out. Then I discovered Miche. Interchangeable handbags where you just change the outside and the handles.

Now my wardrobe is more versatile and convenient. It has been a lifesaver!
http://http//mypursemyway.com/

Now I obsess over shoes lol!

Anonymous

Those make a nice collection. I store my bags with basics like a comb, pen and packet of tissues in each. I then just have to transfer a billfold, keys, phone and sunglasses to be ready to go. I use a crossbody or satchel most days, but a clutch for going out and large tote for shopping. When I change out my wardrobe about 6 times a year, I also chsnge out several of my bags, especially colors to go with that season's clothing. My metallic silver/pewter are used all year.

Anonymous

This is a wonderful strategy. Unfortunately, I could never adapt it because I love bags just too much.

I want a variety of bags (everything from gym bags to purses to briefcases to clutches). I don't use all of them evenly, but I use them sufficiently to warrant keeping them.

unfrumped

Veteran

This is a great concept. I have done a little like it, but not so organized as you.
The main idea is that it's too much trouble for me to switch during week.
But, I have time Sat morning and before church.
Your idea is timely because it reminds me that maximizing bag fun is to pick a limited number of " weekend" bags that
are most likely to jazz up my jeans( Sat) or church outfits.

Louise

Veteran

AJ if I can keep up with this strategy I may look at adding further bags with an occasion thereby having a couple to choose from.

Deb I'd love to be like you and switch them out outfit specifically alas my fantasy life.

Kathleen those miche bags are wonderful

Joy what a great idea to store basics in each bag

Sterling usually I'm obsessed with variety I daren't tell you how many scarves I've got but I use them all. I wonder if storage is perhaps my problem? My scarves are hung on the wardrobe door so it's no trouble to grab a different one everyday whereas my bags are stored in boxes which inevitably become a dumping ground for other stuff so to get to the bags is a mammoth undertaking!!

Unfrumped great idea, it's perhaps better to have more weekend bags as there's more time to switch them x

Summer

Veteran

This is a great strategy, Louise. I apply this to my dressy items, which I seldom wear. I hate the thought of expensive items languishing in my wardrobe.

I think your new collection is lovely, and you will be able to swap them out after a season or two without guilt - perfect solution.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I keep the same bag for work but I change it seasonally. I don't spend much money on it because it gets shoved in a filing cabinet all day and needs to be something that no one would want to steal.

I switch out my bag on the weekend when I'm going to be out and about and don't mind spending a little more on dressy/stylish bags for those occasions.

ellenh

That's a great strategy-- I'll keep it in mind to maybe try myself. I recently got a cross body bag for travel and I have been really enjoying it-- feels a little sporty, and not too fussy.

Kathleen

(website)

Agreed, bags are difficult to store and then access. They take up quite a bit of room!
I don't have a lot of closet space in my house so I have invaded my boys' closets and still there is not enough space.
I want to start taking pictures of everything and create a pinterest board to organize them. I often forget what I have when deciding on an outfit.

Thanks Louise, glad you like Miche. When I found them online 2 years ago, it brought a tear to my eye lol!

Anonymous

I'm a bit like you Louise. I tend to keep reaching for the same bag over and over again and then get fed up and swap. I also have wasted bags and money not using some at all. I love your little collection. The cut-out design tote is great.

Staysfit

Veteran

While my bag collection is moderate, I still change my bags seasonally and to match my outfit. I have a purse liner/organizer that holds all the items I carry - cell phone, wallet, sunglasses, pens, lip stick, car keys, hand cream, etc. it pulls out easily and slips right into any other bag I want to use so switching is as easy as grabbing the new bag, pulling out the insert, dropping it into the new bag and off I go. It keeps my bags clean also. Some of my bags have an outside pocket for the cell phone, it's a feature I appreciate and look for so I often keep the phone out of the liner.

If I'm using a very small bag, I pull the necessary items from the liner, but I only have bags big enough to hold my keys, cell phone, wallet and sunglasses. That's the bare minimum.

Aziraphale

Veteran

What a great idea! Glad you found a strategy that works. It's so frustrating when you have a bunch of lovely things that you feel you don't get any use from.

My bag strategy is called pockets.

Louise

Veteran

Summer I've got a couple of expensive dressy bags (not included here) which languish and cause guilt.

Karie I'm thinking I may go for a seasonal change too or (bi seasonal Spring/ Summer & (Autumn/ Winter).

Ellenh cross body bags are fab, so freeing.

Diane I hate wasted bags/ money but I hate throwing things out too

Staysfit I've got a liner knocking about somewhere, at the moment I've got things in little pouches.

Azriaphale I'd love to able to stride out the door with just my keys, phone and purse (wallet) but I can't travel light you never know when I might need deodorant, plasters, hand cream.......

Aziraphale

Veteran

I do carry a backpack to school...

Louise

Veteran

With the amount of stuff I could carry if I allow myself to get carried away I'd need a backpack everyday x

Aziraphale

Veteran

I remember what that was like -- when I had young kids! Maybe that's why I'm so keen to avoid having anything to carry now if i can possibly help it!

Sometimes I do carry a handbag in the summer, when I don't have a jacket. It can especially be a problem if I'm wearing a skirt, because those tend not to have back pockets like jeans do.

Louise

Veteran

I can't even claim it's because I have kids!! X

Laurie

I love handbags and have about 20 of them. I change it out every evening to compliment the following day's outfit.

lyn67

Veteran

Perhaps I should adopt your strategy heads up, Louise. Love them all.
I cannot really afford the variety I crave for in the expensive brands still, nowadays I feel myself pushed more and more to only own (even if it'll be the only one of) these, I'll admit with my head down - for the status quo... Then, even at this very moment I do have one great quality leather bag purchased last fall which I have never worn as it's probably too stiff for my liking and my style these days...I'm so pissed..:-((.

Louise

Veteran

Laurie I wish I could be that organised to set out outfit and bag the night before.
Lyn67 I've kinda given up on expensive bags for the same reason, I don't feel so bad if a £20 bag doesn't work out x