Purses, Totes, and Backpacks

Anonymous

I absolutely love purses, totes, and backpacks. I own a lot. My spreadsheet tells me I own eleven. Maybe that isn't really a lot.

I wish I could buy more, but my needs are completely met. I use a tote for work and I already own ruby, navy, and fuchsia. I can't rationalize another tote. Can I?

At this time in my life I have settled on two types of bags to meet my needs: Le Pliage Neo Totes (ruby, navy, and fuchsia) and Rebecca Minkoff Small Julian Backpacks (black and pink).

I was lucky enough to discover both these items on the YLF Forum. Of course, I duplicated.

They are light. I am someone that never in million year thought I would carry anything other than leather. Leather is heavy. I adore the look and feel of leather, but at some point I decided it just wouldn't work for my current life style. I moved on from leather.

I'll never get rid of a single bag in my collection. I love them all.

Since I can't rationalize another bag right now (can I?), I focus on the bags in WIW. Wow. Forum members have some absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous bags. I love seeing them. I think they "complete" the ensemble.

5 years ago

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sounds like you want to buy another tote!Do you have your eye on anything in particular?

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I have not counted my bags lately but I rotate some with the seasons. I use totes and crossbodies most and sometimes combine a waist pack with another bag for the car fob and my oversized iPhone. That gave me a whole new category to shop for and co-ordinate with my other bags.
I think you need a black and white bag and/or a metallic. Either would work well with your blacks.

5 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

You inspired me to check my spreadsheet. Outside of luggage, I have six bags, and it seems I've settled on just a few types too. Half my bags are totes. The remainder are a small crossbody, a clutch (which is exactly like the crossbody, except without a strap), and an unstructured knit bag that my sister-in-law made me. I wouldn't have chosen the last, but she picked the perfect colors for me, and it's really handy for weekends.

5 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Not sure how many bags I have. Some of mine are vintage and rarely get used. I do agree that leather is heavy but it ages so well. I am not a bag person but I am considering a Matt & Nat vegan leather backpack.
Is there something you have your eye on?

5 years ago

Toban

Veteran

I have a lot of shoes ... especially colorful sandals ... but I can always justify one more pair of shoes. However, I am not a bag person. I have one bag that I use for work, two crossbodies that I switch between depending on outfit and a few in the closet that rarely get used. I often just use an olive wristlet wallet. Fortunately it fits in my work bag and cross bodies.

But while I am not a bag person, I will say that bags really aren’t that different in cost to a pair of shoes. So if it’s the element that makes the outfit to your eye, go for it, in the same way I choose my shoes.

5 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I really have a lot. Most are vintage Coach bags that I bought at thrift stores. I don’t even have a count. I like wearing a bag crossbody. Lately I like a tote that has little handles as well as a long strap. I also prefer a zip close.

5 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

Bags bring you a lot of joy.
But not having excess in your wardrobe also brings you joy!
I think you are the only one who can say where the balance lies.
FWIW I don’t think having 12 bags is excessive. I have fewer, but I’m not a bag gal. I have lots more than 12 pairs of shoes. And oh my, the cardigans!

5 years ago

Jane

Veteran

I’m wondering if you have a gap in your bag collection that you think needs filling - what does your intuition say? Is there an outfit where it hasn’t felt quite complete enough and you felt you needed a bag?

5 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

If you love bags and don’t have one in a favourite colour, then that would be the one to pick. Previously, I used totes, but I have downsized to a smaller satchel size. Maybe trying a new size or style would be a nice addition to your impressive collection.

5 years ago

Anonymous

It sounds like you'd like "permission" to buy another wardrobe pet-and we're a bunch of enablers
Ditto Bijou-or maybe a bag in a print, since it sounded like most of your recent clothing additions are solid colors?

5 years ago

Anonymous

Suntiger is right. I was fishing for "permission" to add to my bag collection. I don't have anything in mind at this moment.

5 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

I’m pining for a Tiffany blue or an orange bag to add a fresh pop of color to my outfits. Bags are so tricky. Congrats on finding two styles you love.

5 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

I have triple the number of bags you have! If you want permission, just think how switching bags out regularly keeps each nicer for longer. That's what I tell myself... though I have curbed my bag buying aside from one celebratory purchase this year.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I'm in the same boat, Sterling. I have more than enough bags ( I don't like seeing them sit there unused season after season) yet am craving, CRAVING a new tote and purse. But it means that something I own has to go, and I don't know which ones that would be. I think I need to give my collection a stern eye today. I had the RM backpack too, but gave it away after using it for a few months . Too big, hung too low when I carried it by the top handle , and too heavy. I agree that leather is hard to carry, and now that I think about it.....any of my new bags have been faux leather. I'd love a lilac bag, or a bigger pale blue tote.....

5 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Okay, I only have 3, but I know who all I'll be coming to for advice in the near future! I tend to use one at a time for years on end before I get a new one...that time is now! Or soon...I want to see what NAS puts on offer.

And I would have said leather, but faux leather...hmmm. Lightness is essential, so this is food for thought. Thanks!

5 years ago

delurked

Veteran

Which size of the tote do you carry?

I’m currently not granting permission (killjoy) because I think you may have some non clothing priorities that take precedence. You are feeling set for clothing in all other categories? Ultimately though, it seems bags up your happy factor, so I’m sure you will find your eye drawn to something specific.

5 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I have a few bags and really only use the pliage in slate. I love it so much that no others get any wear. I would never have discovered it without YlF. I have kept my leather bags for now but the weight of the pliage is wonderful and is very spacious.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I am a bad person to ask for permission when it comes to bags (or anything else wardrobe related for that matter!). I was smitten with these two bags so I ordered them both to check out in person. I like each one, but for different vibes. I love a good smallish bag that still holds all my necessities and can work crossbody, and both of these fit that bill. I like that they are both a little distinctive but one of my basic colors that never lets me down (yay black). I have a couple of black bags but neither function like these — I’m considering letting go of one because the strap is too long to wear simply on the shoulder, but it feels too big to wear crossbody.

Nordstrom

BYO Small Duffle Bag

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Nordstrom

Harriet Leather Box Tote

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Top Pick

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's interesting how our needs and preferences change over time. Sterling, I'm glad you love your bags. Me too!

I passed my need for a bag a LOONNNNNNG time ago. I don't need another bag for a good long while. But bags are my thing. It's all about the want! I have 23 bags, and love them dearly. I usually have 26. Have had 30 when I was into carrying day clutches, which I no longer am. So there is room for more for my style and closet space.

I sport all my bags, and have the lifestyle for them to be front and centre of my outfit. Always out and about, walking, traveling, going out, doing the urban thing. My wardrobe pets are put to great, great use daily.

5 years ago

taylor

Veteran

I certainly don’t need another handbag . I have recently passed 2 on to my daughter , 2 to my mother and 2 to a very good friend . They were all designer and 2 were luxury handbags.
I love my bags , but they are after all only things .....so when I feel they would be best served in another home, I easily p ass them on....the love continues on with their new owners.
That being said , I did buy a new structured crossbody handbag I fell hard for last week.....the cycle of life with my handbags.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

12 sounds like more than a person needs, but isn't a whole lot.

I'm not sure how many I have

black Coach mini, "portrait" orientation

brown Nash mini, "landscape" orientation

green suede medium bag from Free People

off-white medium Sak

blue backpack with white leaves--Desigual

red KS backpack

large blue suede envelope (dressy)

They are all, or can be worn as, crossbodies, except the backpacks, of course. Those are large for purses, but smaller than standard bookbags.

5 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think a person who had only 36 clothing items at one stage last year could get another bag if she wanted it. I am a self-proclaimed “non-bag” person because I am a shoe person, but was a bit embarrassed to count and find I have 14 clutch bags! One was Mum’s and one I bought my daughter when she was 16 which she has re-gifted to me, but think I bought the other 12 over a 40-year period since 1979 when I was 18.
I own 4 handbags otherwise, 2 red ones were gifts plus I bought a cobalt one a few years back. My late 2016 tan leather bag worn almost every day since ( 700 wears or so? ) is looking battered. Maybe I should start using the cobalt or a red daily instead. They seem too specific though.
You might inspire me to photograph all my clutches for fun. They look like a shop!

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Here to enable. I'm not at all a bag person and I have almost as many as your current crop.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Purses suck me in on the regular & I have many.
I say indulge if it brings you joy & will get used.

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Sterling, like everything in fashion, the ways people use bags appears to be dependent on lifestyle and preference. Two of your tote bags are colors, and one is neutral. I’m curious how they work with your wardrobe, and which of them is used most? Do you find you prefer one over the other, or do you rotate through them evenly? Is it possible you are using one of the bags more than the others, leaving you yearning for more variety? Are you craving more color and is a bag the only way to add it to your wardrobe? Toban has raised a good point about colorful shoes, and if shoes are not your love, there are many other ways to add color as well.

4 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I believe this is an old (7 months) thread that got revived by a poster (troll?), who’s message then got deleted.

4 years ago

cheryl

Veteran

I missed this post the first time around but I love bags myself and have quite a few in different colors, sizes and shapes. I'm curious if you have added any more bags to your collection Sterling?

4 years ago

smittie

Veteran

I am with you on lightweight bags. Love nylon for that.
I wish there were more options at retail!!
(I don’t mind if a thread is revived.)

4 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m also wondering if you got anything new. As I read through the old responses (before I got to mine and realized when the original post was made), I was thinking that this might be a good thing to keep in the back of your head, taking note of what you like and when you wish you had something different. It could be like vacation planning, which many people enjoy almost as much as the trip itself.

4 years ago

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