K/T: handbag edition - YouLookFab Forum

My handbag storage woes and the subsequent discovery that I have far more bags than I thought prompted me to take a look at some bags that I haven't been using lately. I've had all of these for several years but have not used them in some time. As I've mentioned before though, sometimes I don't use things because I don't like them or find them hard to style, but other times I have just forgotten about them and still like them fine. I'd love your help in figuring out which ones are worth keeping. All except for #3 are real leather and good quality although some could use a little polishing.

1: Maxx New York quad-colored leather bag. Is this style dated? I feel like it was very popular a few years ago and not so much now.

2: Maxx New York black tooled leather bag. This has some scuffs that could use some touching up. I still like the shape and tooled leather finish though.

3: Sacrasac (via MoMA) convertible fabric bag. The horizontal sections are connected by functional zippers and can be removed to make different size bags. I used to use this a lot back in grad school but I think it might be a bit too casual now.

4: Kenneth Cole cognac leather structured bag. This is the only brown/cognac bag I own, but I never use it. It's a medium size and structured which feels kind of awkward to me.

5. Ro white leather tote. The blue part is a see-through mesh. This is big but awkward because the shoulder drop is so short it can't be slung over my shoulder. Also, no top zipper.

6. Valerie Stevens leather bag. This is BORING but I have kept it all these years because it is a good interview/presentation bag for when I need to be conservative. It fit my old 15" laptop but now I mostly carry a smaller 13" laptop so maybe I do not need such a huge interview bag any more. However, I don't really have a smaller equivalent (my pewter satchel is too small for the laptop, unfortunately).

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13 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like the tooled leather one because it reminds me of the western influence in Isabel Marant's Fall 2012 show. Don't like #1. #4 doesn't look like your current style at all.

rae

Yeah, #1 looks a little dated to me.

I think 2 and 6 look the most current/timeless. 4 doesn't really look like you. 5 looks super fun to me, but if you don't find it functional...

jayne

4 is so sleek and classic, but is it you? not very artsy.

I thnk 3 can go it seems like a cloth bag that is for a young person

I loved 2 best

MsMary

I love 2, 4 and 6. Although if you don't use #4, whether or not I like it is irrelevant! LOL No. 1 does look dated to my eye. 3 and 5 are not really speaking to me.

Suz

Well, I LOVE the boring ones...#4 and #6 are exactly up my alley and I would adore either one of them, LOL!

ManidipaM

I love the look of #5 too. Is it not possible to add a zipper on top? Shouldn't that shape accommodate one easily?

#2 and #6 look very versatile and classic. And it sounds like you find them functional too, so they should certainly stick around a bit.

#3 seems fun to me, but if you don't use it, maybe you have just outgrown it? Would it be useful as storage? If not, maybe it's time to let go...

#4 seems least in sync with your current style, though it's certainly a stylish, classic bag on its own merits.

#1 --- I don't know if it's dated (am very bad at this!), but it looks the least exciting/useful to me.

Transcona Shannon

I like 2 and 6.

kellygirl

I like 2,4,and 6. 2 just looks like you. 6 looks timeless. 4 looks rather lady like and classic and I could see it paired with red and black. I imagine it would be fun to combine with your creative style.

Carole

I like 2, 4, 5 and 6! I need to do this too, I have a few bags I'm on the fence about. Thanks for the idea!

Diana

OK, so far it looks like 2 and 6 are definitely keepers. Will have to try to get rid of the scuffs on #2 though. Does anyone know if I can use shoe polish on it, or will it rub off on my clothes?

I think you are all right, and #4 is nice but not me at all. I wonder if anyone here would like it? Perhaps I will try out the Style Exchange category...

Sounds like my hunch that #1 is dated and #3 is too young/casual were right so those are most likely gone.

Still considering about #5. It's the handles that are the problem more than the lack of zipper. My elbows tend to hyperextend, so I really can't carry a large bag in my hand or elbow for any period of time, they have to be able to go on my shoulder. So at the moment the only application I can see for this bag is as a beach bag, and I go to the beach maybe once a year?

shiny

Purses are so personal... I like the aesthetics of 4 and 5, but it sounds like you don't really like 4, and 5 though cute has some functional drawbacks.

Purse 1 does look a bit dated but it's got a certain something-something. It's possible that I simply love color block so much.

Ooh... I would tuck #3 in my car and use it for grocery shopping. Will that work? Or does it scrunch enough you could tuck it in a shopper tote when going to the mall?

Anonymous

How many other bags do you own and are you happy with them? I think these all can go, with the exception of #6, just because you don't have a bag that has the same function. I don't see them jiving with your current style, at all.

Kristin L

I like #2 and #6. After reading your descriptions, it sounds like you may be over #3, #4 and #5. I'd vote to donate them.

kimlee

#2 and #6 are my favorites. I vote to keep these in your collection.

Louise

Just from reading your write up it sounds to me like the only one you like is #2, so I vote toss the rest and perhaps keep an eye out for a new laptop/ inetrview bag x

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I like #2 and #5 best. I vote think hard about passing on the rest.

Thank you, everyone.

I am going to keep #2 for sure. I'll keep #6 as well because it does have a useful purpose, but if I find a more exciting "interview bag" I'll pass this one on. I'm not really going to look for one though, it's not such a huge need right now.

#1 and #3 are definitely outta here.

#4 is not my style at all but it is a nice bag. Similarly, I like the idea of #5 but the practical considerations make it really useless for me. I think I am going to post these two on the style exchange board when I get home this evening, since they are both nice bags in great condition, and I think others here might like them and get a lot more use out of them.

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