How many bags do you have & how do you edit them? - YouLookFab Forum

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How many bags do you have & how do you edit them?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

How do you decide which bags should go? Or which ones to buy for that matter:)

I'm fairly ruthless with clothing that I don't love or wear - but get lost when it comes to bags. I'm talking bags you don't currently use that are still in great condition.

What is the difference between a "classic" bag & one that is dated?

All help appreciated - thank you.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Ajoanna

jenanded

Veteran

A hard one Caro... when you are not inlove, they smell (ok i have a really acute sense of smell but...), falloff your shoulder, cant carry your stuff... and where and how do you keep them all... I loved Angies post of her client who just have has 2 or 3 bags, one of which is her mums... do you recall that one...

Caro in Oz

Veteran

No I did a quick search for an Angie post - I'll have a proper look this time - thanks jenanded.

You realise I'll have to go & smell them all now:)

Deborah

Veteran

Caro, just for you I did a count! I have 27 bags including clutches and casual across body bags. I use all of them...honest! I have some bags that are kind of trendy and some that are IMO quite classic. I cull bags like I do my clothes and I now use the same principles with bag shopping as I do with clothes shopping. The last bag I bought was a spotted structured clutch. I have a bag that works no matter the outfit. I recently moved on some lovely bags that were current, good quality but just not getting any love. I want everything in my closet to be "active".

http://youlookfab.com/2012/06/.....im-jacket/

http://youlookfab.com/2012/07/.....sia-flats/

Anonymous

I have 7 at the mo. 5 of them were actually bought last year and I haven't even used one of my new ones yet. I only had 3 before my purchases and I got rid of one because it was cream faux leather and looked a mucky beige and showed signs of wear. I think there is a great variety in handbag styles around so I find it difficult to be able to tell what's *in* and whats *out*. I am struggling to find a good way to store my bags as they take up a fair bit of closet space. I don't like my bags getting squashed so I stuff them with old carrier bags and they sit on a shelf.

jenanded

Veteran

Caro, i cant copy links on my tablet... search karen in blog and there is the series on Angiesclient Karen... love that series, not only does she look lovelybut she has highly edited handbags and great outfits with everyday items...
And according to my family i have highly sensitive sense of smell... its a curse.... so dont fret!,,

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Caro, great question.

A while ago Angie had a post with her client Karen in which was mentioned that Karen does not have many bags and I was so relieved. Finally, a proof I was not alone in may ways.

I am a fewer-is-better sort of bag lady, I prefer all rounders whenever possible. Initially, in the past this attitude was driven by low budget. Over the years I thought I had to have more bags, those pretty accessories, that I can switch between depending on my mood, to reflect I know my way with bags and style etc. I experimented a bit after joining YLF, but now that I need mostly practical bag(s) I've pondered the other, dressier needs and realized that I prefer one good, quality bag per season and that's it.

In total I have:
1 black crossbody - worn 80% time
1 red clossbody - worn 20% time
1 white crossbody bag - worn in the summer
1 small black crossbody - worn when I need free hands, but stil something to hold money, keys and phone in
1 small red crossbody - dressy and suitable for going out, but in reality hybernating
1 yellow and 1 red bag I used when I worked, which are now also hibernating as they are not practical for my current needs
1 cream slouchy bag, very roomy and practical for summer
a few small bags (evening clutches), currently unused

When I was clearing things out before our big move last summer I got rid of some bags, among them my all time favorite - black leather handmade bag that I got for my graduation. It was old and unsuitable for my style and lifestyle, a bit impractical too as it was rather heavy in itself, but it had served me well and taught me the value of a good, quality bag.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have real trouble with this. I have lots of bags hanging around but only a few I actually use regularly. All of my bags are second hand, and now and then I sell some, but some are vintage and I am saving them for my girls (they say they want them - I will believe it when I see it), some I give to my sister or nieces, but usually I just end up stuck in indecision.

anya

I am a minimalist when it comes to my bags. I like round ( sadldle style or satchel) structured bag and i have two, one in black and one in brown really sturdy thick leather( a bit of retro flavor) and i wear them all the time ( i tend to match my shoes unless the mismatch makes sense). I used to have another brown one from my mom, but when i found the new one , i gave that one back).
I have one small crossbody for clubs and such, and 1 sequin black small cluthc/crossbody for formalwear. That's all 4 purses. I wish to add one more for summer ( in a cream perhaps/textile or leather) but i haven't found the perfect one yet

dizzys

I am of the mind that if you use the bags have as many as you like. No one needs a closetfull of beautiful bags collecting dust. However, since being g a FT SAHM I rarely take my beautiful bags out at all. I can't give them up though.

I have around 20 not including clutches/ wallets or wristlets. Maybe 30 if you count those. This is actually a light load for a purse girl. I refurbish old vintage Coach as a hobby keep some and resale some. I edit depending on my needs and the rarity of the bag. Here are a few from my current collection.

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Raisin

Veteran

I have around 6 purses and I just replace them as needed. I usually like neutrals,,and 1 or 2 fun colors. When they get worn looking I look for a replacement! I tend to like small to medium sized cross body bags.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Let me start by saying I LOVE HANDBAGS!!!

Ok...now that we have that out of the way...I have somewhere around 13-15 bags for all seasons and including all shapes and sizes. I like to change up my bags with my outfits and can use as many as 3-4 in a week.

I started about a year ago working towards better quality handbags and have adopted a one in-one out rule. As I can afford and find a good one, I buy it and donate the "cheaper" version. I don't want to have any more handbags in terms of quantity but what I have I want to replace with better quality.

I have both classic handbags and a few trendier ones and like the mix.

unfrumped

Veteran

I am conflicted about bags so have trouble here. I don't use a bag as part outfit every day and also.like a specific efficient handbag for errands and shopping. But I also like how a certain color or pattern completes an outfit for other occasions. So I buy some and then don't wear that often.. I'm not as good at finding "the one" bag or clutch or whatever and tend to see a particular bag as perfect.for this but not that,or maybe it is more.that I sometimes want the special look of a more unique bag and then it's not as versatile.
Right now I tend to.keep any bags I still.like even if not being used much because I figure I might, as new outfits or occasions develop. But I still want to have some turnover, so I'm reviewing to toss some.
I'm also on the fence about bag quality vs. having fun. I like some faux leather and fun small bags and clutches that I come across, and for CPW it would not make sense to pay ten times.that. then I wonder if should always stick.with just a few "classic" and higher - end ones . I just don't think I want to take handbags that seriously - I want more of a high-low approach according to whim.

unfrumped

Veteran

I am conflicted about bags so have trouble here. I don't use a bag as part outfit every day and also.like a specific efficient handbag for errands and shopping. But I also like how a certain color or pattern completes an outfit for other occasions. So I buy some and then don't wear that often.. I'm not as good at finding "the one" bag or clutch or whatever and tend to see a particular bag as perfect.for this but not that,or maybe it is more.that I sometimes want the special look of a more unique bag and then it's not as versatile.
Right now I tend to.keep any bags I still.like even if not being used much because I figure I might, as new outfits or occasions develop. But I still want to have some turnover, so I'm reviewing to toss some.
I'm also on the fence about bag quality vs. having fun. I like some faux leather and fun small bags and clutches that I come across, and for CPW it would not make sense to pay ten times.that. then I wonder if should always sticky.with just a few "classic" and higher - end ones . I just don't think I want to take handbags that seriously - I want more of a high-low approach according to whim.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Well, when an unknown drunk in a sketchy part of town vomits all over my bag, that's when I decide it has to go.

I'm no use. I love handbags, but have only one, and it fulfills all my needs. If I don't carry that one, I don't carry a handbag at all, but rather a small wallet case that fits in my coat pocket, and a lipstick and keys in the other pocket.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I have only recently developed a love of bags, and now I have a ton in all kinds of colors and styles. None of them are particularly good quality except a couple that were gifts or are vintage.

For now I'm not particularly worried about getting rid of them, but recently I have purged some that were very old (and perhaps a bit juvenile) and of particularly tacky and cheap fabrication. The ones that looked dated had specific details that were trendy in the 90s, like fake Chinese characters, and were of the "sensible" variety -- very utilitarian but also very boring.

rachylou

Veteran

I got mean sometime last year with my bags, since I actually try to avoid carrying them. I carry the same tote for work every day, occasionally use a cross-body running errands, and maybe once a month pack up a "baby bag" full of gear to take the dogs somewhere. I still have too many, but it's nice to have some choice.

Anyways: I tossed bags that were worn and dirty, bags that were taupe and brown (over that), bags with skinny straps (have come to hate those), bulky backpacks, bags whose openings were small and a pain...

rosee

Veteran

I am pretty utilitarian with my bags and prefer not to have too many.
What I have:
- navy leather vintage Coach "Whitney" crossbody bag - my "go to" for colder months
- red leather vintage Coach "Whitney" crossbody bag - my "go to" for warmer months
These 2 I wear the most and try to clean them out at least once every 2 weeks.
Those below I don't wear as often:
- dark grey leather Banana Republic "Leighton" zippered tote - fits my laptop, rarely use it but I bought it for my work bag (when I go back to work full time)
- 2 beaded vintage(?) evening bags
- taupe crochet small crossbody - very casual, for when I don't want to carry a bag but need something that functions like a pocket
- slate blue crochet large crossbody bag - very casual, my "beach tote"

One bag (an olive hobo) is on sale at ebay right now (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/3210762.....500wt_1200)
and one is in the donation pile.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I haven't culled many because I've been pretty picky about what I've bought so far. I love to get rid of stuff but I can't even bear to get rid of my Fossil with a hole in it. I keep thinking I'll use it anyway but I haven't so far. Sigh.

I'm mostly going by Shannon's philosophy.... the numbers stay pretty consistent but I'm looking to upgrade a couple of them.

It helps to be picky about what you like, if that's possible. For instance, I know I like either a cross body bag, a bag with a single short strap that works over one shoulder, or a flatish tote with shoulder straps. A hand bag with a little handle or a clutch would never get used so I don't bother with those.

I do like keeping a variety because I haven't found the ONE bag that does everything for me. I don't think I ever will.

Thistle

Veteran

I am not a bag lady. I only have 2 bags at all, and only one I really use. I tend to use one until it doesn't look so nice and then buy a new one.

Trying to change that, but I am not into the whole purse swapping in and out, and I almost never carry it. I carry it to work, put it in a drawer, and don't take it back out until I go home.

If I am with DH, I sometimes don't bother carrying a purse.

Echo

Veteran

The issue with me is that I don't buy a bag unless I love it, which makes it very difficult to ever get rid of them. However, if a person purchases quality bags, they can last almost forever. Additionally, there are so many styles that go with so many different outfits or occasions, IMO, that a sizeable bag wardrobe is necessary for me - shoulder bags, cross-body, clutches, hobos, satchels, totes, etc. Then there are all the possible fabrics, leathers, canvases, etc. that they can be made from, which again all lend themselves to different outfits or occasions. I collect various brands in various colours, and I love them all.

Lisa

Veteran

I currently own:

1-black satchel
1-black/tan trim satchel
1-printed tote
1-printed/coral trim tote
1-black special occasion bag
1-purple wallet/wristlet

I used to own more than 30 bags, and rotated them daily. It was important to me that I used all the bags I owned. Now I have less bags and they are easier to rotate.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I'm just about to purge a bunch of mine. I used to want one in every color, but now I'm only keeping the ones that I love and feel really "me" right now. Sometimes my style evolves and leaves my bags behind - in this case, really big, slouchy hobos and anything that is too heavy are getting the boot. I think the main deciding factor is whether or not I still get excited to use it and build outfits around it.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Thanks for pointing out those posts jenanded & ornella - I love Karen's approach to bags, not sure if I can get that minimal.

unfrumped - this is a great approach to fashion in general too.

I'm intrigued Aziraphale:)

dstalksalot - that's a hobby I could go for:)

Gorgeous bag rosee the buying will be getting a bargain.

qfbrenda & Echo - I think that's my problem they are all good leather bags & I don't want to regret letting them go.

rae " I think the main deciding factor is whether or not I still get excited to use it and build outfits around it." makes perfect sense - thanks.

Louise

Veteran

I love bags and have loads (I'll try and count them tomorrow) but the sad thing is I rarely switch them. I find I keep the same one for months I try to switch with the seasons and if going out in the evening x

rachylou

Veteran

See, now that's interesting. I have never built an outfit around a bag. Bags must submit themselves to my outfits.

I also reject heavy bags, which means real leather pretty much (Gucci notwithstanding). But I don't even bring them home anymore.

Ajoanna

Thistle, I'm with you on the "use one until it dies" philosophy. I have about 5 handbags, but I only wear one on a day to day basis.
I have one black evening clutch, a classic black Coach purse, and two canvas cross body purses that I sometimes use in the summer. The one I actually wear is a (beautiful, I think) cognac leather B. Makowski bag I thrifted brand new last summer. It has a leaopard print lining and zipper detailing. It's almost a year later, and I'm still in love with it.
I actually hate shopping for purses. I need to buy a satchel for work, and I've been procrastinating horribly. I'm very picky with them, so I tend to look for months before I find the one I like.