I have always been a small cross-body bag person. The few shoulder bags I have owned I use for a while and then go back to my cross-bodies. I don't have a lot though, I am more a shoe person than a bag person. I would say save the ones you still love and consign the rest. Someone will love them and you can get a little money back.

I still use mine plenty. A small wallet, keys, phone, a pouch that holds necessities like lipstick, tissues, etc, and two glass cases (regular glasses and prescription sunglasses), plus my little packable shopping tote… and my midsized handbag fills up. In fact I’m really enjoying my new Aest bag, which has just enough room for all that.

That said, I am letting go of some old bags that I’m just not using anymore. My style has shifted. Some are too stiff, too bulky, or not accommodating enough.

Interesting thoughts shared here - thank you all.  

Jonesy, to clarify , *I* cringe when I see overstuffed wallets -  only because they look heavy and disorganized.  And I'm all about not toting around unnecessary stuff . I too love/d a full size wallet up until about a year ago when I got rid of my last two good ones. I used to alternate them seasonally, and invested in really nice ones !  As we age, it's so important not to carry more weight than necessary on our shoulders :). It's all personal and I regret sounding judgmental (although that's how I seem to write, I realize).  The older I get the less I worry about being diplomatic, which serves me well at work but less so online.  

Here is a photo of my new *wallet* - a Christmas gift I put on a wish list.  I keep my public transit supplies (tickets, card, extra coins in case) in the smaller zip section and the rest of my cards in the larger one (which has slots) . It's perfect, lightweight, and can be cleaned !  If I was going out somewhere "nice" I'd switch to a leather card holder and leave half of the contents at home.

Carla - what cash?  Lol.  I haven't carried cash in years. In fact, I haven't used an ATM either in so long I probably forget how to use one.  My phone does everything for me .  

I find it interesting that many of us/you still carry pen/paper and other little doodads.  If I need to remember something or want to note it, I take a photo of it, or use my notes app.  

And lastly, there is clearly a difference between carrying enough supplies for a day out of the house and just what you need to run an errand or two/go shopping.  I'm not thinking about a day's worth in this post - that is tote bag territory for me:). 

Also - I did a complete assessment of my bags yesterday and have created a good stash to bring to a local higher-end consignment store in my old neighbourhood. I think it will give me the best return . I plan to get there next week. Jaime - thank you for sharing your experience with consignment rates - I really appreciate that and was going to ask you !

LJP, I know you'll appreciate this

All this talk of passing on handbags has made me lust after my next wardrobe pet purchase. SOOOO PRETTY!!! I have the major wantsies for this one. It will officially be my first Dillards purchase.

And, good job sorting your bags to sell and pass on! You are going like a Boeing

Angie that indeed is a gorgeous bag and will suit you well !

Lisa, no worries, and I hear you on the weight/shoulder issue! For the record, even I don't always carry my wallet :). Sometimes I carry a mini-wallet or just a crossbody phone case type of thing with slots for my ID and credit card. But I still use a spiral, notebook-type calendar for work and life, still take meeting notes with pen and paper, and still track my research by keeping process notes, etc. I am so old school, lol.

Angie, that bag is 100% creamy, lovely goodness!

Thanks, LJP! I'll order it soon.

Jonesy, thank you! Your own fun bag stash is full of playful personality! I can imagine they suit your KILLER style perfectly, and garner quite the complement as they stride along with your mane of gorgeous curls

I’m more of a shoe person than a handbag person, but I recently went through all my purses and got rid of most of my inexpensive, no name ones. I don’t care about labels, but if it’s cheaply made/cheap materials/was showing signs of wear, it went either in the trash or in the donate bin. My better made, department store or name brand purses, I kept.
I would have a hard time getting rid of my designer bags, like Coach or Kate Spade, mostly because of how or when it was purchased- it was a gift, or I bought it on a cruise, during a special shopping trip with girlfriends, something like that.