A few weeks ago, I shared my new Lindy. In exchange for adding yet another bag to my closet, I mentioned that I had also gotten rid of a few. Here are some of the bags I let go of, and why:
Bottega Veneta Knot: I love this design and it was a passion purchase. The studs! So pretty and I loved the feeling when holding this clutch. Very tactile But I have a huge phone (iPhone Plus) and it doesn’t fit inside and thus hadn’t used this for years. And I also realized I have a surfeit of little black evening bags – and not much of an evening life, let’s be honest.
Chanel Red Jumbo: This one was painful. I loved this bag when I got it and loved it for so long. But I hadn’t REALLY worn it in years…and even though my kids are getting to the age where I’m wearing more shoulder bags, for some reason in the last few years I’ve rarely wanted to take this out. I felt self conscious wearing it in a way I haven’t before, something to do with the size and the CC closure.
Hermes Lydie clutch: I love this one! Okay I love all my bags. That’s why I buy them originally right? It’s always very, very hard to get rid of anything that’s Hermes black box leather. But I went through an evening bag culling (see Knot above), and after my mini Bolide I couldn’t justify two small black Hermes bags with gold hardware.
Faure le Page Daily Battle: Great bag, I just have too many totes. My kids are no longer at the “huge diaper bag” stage. And lately I’ve been using a smaller leather handbag – usually one of my Evelyne TPMs or my Lindy – and then a canvas tote to carry any overage.
Okay – so that’s it, some of the bags I’ve gotten rid of! I hope this satisfies some of your curiosity (I get the most questions about my closet cullings, ha). What have you sold off lately?
22 Comments
Michelle
June 24, 2019 at 9:43 amawww I would’ve purchased that red bag from you!!
Anonymous
June 24, 2019 at 11:41 amHi Kat. Long time follower. Did you keep any Chanel bags in the end? YEs, I am surprised you sold your red one.
You loved that color! It seems like you kept the Chanel WOCs though, right?
So most of the haul you kept so far are your Kellys and Bolide? I can’t recall if you have any Birkins or Jige Elan.
Did you end up selling your Pochette too?
Usually I try out the bag for the return period allowed. Most times the return period in boutiques is 30 days. I purchased the ever so popular LV Neverfull MM since it is light weight and one of the deisgns was limited edition. But after seeing TONs in the mall and parkings areas within 2 weeks, it went back to the store. Plus those 2 skinny straps do hurt if the bag is full.
You are not an LV collector, right? I can’t recall you having a picture of an LV.
another anon
June 24, 2019 at 1:57 pmI would love to know too (if you have any Chanels left)! Would you ever do an updated bag collection? Did you lose $ when you sold your Chanels etc.?
I think at one point, you had a grey reissue and you sold that. You also had a reissue 224. Did you sell that? I remember reading you sold your boy bag. And at one time, did you say you were Birkin-less? Do you own any Birkins now? And oh yes, as Anonymous asked, what about your ostrick Pochette? Sorry if I’m being nosy, but I’ve been wondering (too)!
Diane W
June 24, 2019 at 5:27 pmI did a bag purge about a year ago. I think I let go of about 8 at that time. Since then, I’ve sold a couple more to acquaintances who have approached me. I also gave several bags to grown daughters of friends. I find I’m not buying bags like I used to…..my interests have shifted to adding more art….mostly paintings. I really don’t know why my interest in handbags has waned……but it certainly has.
Nina
June 25, 2019 at 9:33 amI feel like this is not the whole story! I am curious about ALL the bags you have let go. Do you still have your reissues? what about the bigger size kellys? I wish you could cross out the bags you no longer have on your style index : P
K
June 26, 2019 at 1:25 amMaybe I am misinterpreting, but did you say you sold 4 bags to fund a used Lindy?
I think our curiosity stems from the fact that you shared that you are financially well off. You have definitely piqued our interest as to what bags worked for you and what haven’t. Personally I would not buy a used handbag unless it is an exotic. Some ladies are pretty gross with their purses (no offense!). They leave it on the ground, touch the handles with dirty hands, put dirty money inside the purse, etc. I blame it on media research that say purses have the most hidden bacteria. A LV tote can be used as a diaper bag. Definitely passing on used LV totes. But the nice part of Hermes is their spa treatment of purses and you can have a handbag cleaned as needed with a nominal fee.
I tend to give my designer purses that I lost interest in to friends or family. They call dibs before I consider selling it elsewhere. Ha!
another anon
June 26, 2019 at 6:34 amI definitely think Kat is well off (though she is very humble and down to earth in her posts) 🙂 I’m just surprised that she seemed to have sold many? H and Chanel bags over the years, because I keep hearing about how forever those bags are etc. lol. Now that I think about it, I also remember she talked about how she sold her Celine nano. And oh yes, may I ask why did you decide to get a used Lindy, Kat? Nothing wrong with used ofc. I like how you give the designer bags you’re not into anymore to friends or family, K! They must be thrilled to get them hehe 🙂
Katherine
June 26, 2019 at 9:44 amKatherine
June 26, 2019 at 10:07 amHey guys, I started to reply but it got too long so I’m going to do a post later. One thing I wanted to say is thank you all for reading and I totally get being nosy (I am too) but I do like to keep certain things private including what all my pieces are at a given time, especially because I don’t post everything I add/order. I get that its’ a public blog but I try and achieve a balance with my own security and privacy I’m sure you understand. It’s a balance and I want to share but also feel comfortable. The blog is just a snapshot. I will say that I still have and use my reissue all the time!
Diane W.
June 26, 2019 at 3:29 pmI’m so old that I grew up in an era where many things discussed today were considered private. Money, sex and religion were considered ‘family topics’…..if they were discussed at all. I want to share a saying. “Never count another person’s money”. It’s not my intention to offend anyone. Over many years and countless mistakes, I came to the conclusion that if someone wanted me to know something, they’d share that information with me. Otherwise, I probably shouldn’t ask. My view may be outdated and my feelings won’t be hurt if it’s ignored….after all, it’s just my view.
Katherine
June 26, 2019 at 3:49 pmYou are a true lady Diane! I do talk about all those things but I think it’s up to each of us to define our privacy levels. I have a public blog, so I don’t get upset if people ask, but I ask that commenters not get upset if I choose not to answer! I do love the little community here and believe everyone means their best. You are wonderful
Lilian
June 27, 2019 at 6:36 amHERE, HERE!
I absolutely AGREE. I00%. I love reading Kat’s blog because of what she writes, not what she showcases. “BuT YoU OnCe SaId YoU wErE FiNaNcIaLlY sTaBlE aNd YeT yOu SoLd 4 bAgS FoR oNe LiNdY!” is literally a snarky-baity way of throwing shade at someone while fishing for information.
Even if Kat lost ALL her money and sold all of the bags to buy ONE H Lindy, we’re not entitled to that information. If she was so inclined, she’d be one of those YouTubers with “MY [insert year here] BAG COLLECTION.”
Thanks for all the tips and posts over the years. We’re all entitled to our secrets, and nobody but you should be counting your coins. 🙂
Katherine
June 27, 2019 at 7:58 pmHaha thank you, and I do love those YouTubers!! I probably watched 5 videos and learned a lot about the Lindy!
Vivian
June 26, 2019 at 11:37 pmI would have bought the H clutch from you seriously! I still remember when I first read about you getting this bag.
Jane
June 27, 2019 at 11:30 amKatherine, I always appreciate your posts about what you keep and what you let go. And I appreciate your gracious responses to what seem to be (in my humble opinion) very inquisitive comments.
I love to read about the process of collecting and letting go, and the thinking that goes into making those decisions. I am a collector by nature but also try to only keep pieces that I use and enjoy. So I particularly love this topic. For those asking about the specific number of bags and costs, respectfully, I don’t really think it’s about that. It’s about the enjoyment found in creating a collection of loved objects.
Katherine
June 27, 2019 at 8:05 pmThanks so much and I have a similar sensibility to you, a collector by nature but who also wants to use and enjoy. For me, creating a collection is a hobby.
Jane
June 28, 2019 at 9:38 amI do think we are very similar in our collecting. I am very impressed that you were able to release a vintage Hermes like the Lydie! I haven’t been able to do the same with some of my vintage finds (yet!) 🙂
Katherine
June 28, 2019 at 11:48 amIt was painful but at the point I had TWO black small evening bags, from Hermes, with gold hardware! That’s not counting the other black evening bags! And not too many evening events! I was just feeling a little bad, if that makes sense.
abbys
June 27, 2019 at 4:49 pmhey Katherine, is your Bottega vendetta still available I would be interested in purchasing it please
Katherine
June 27, 2019 at 7:59 pmIt is here – I think a decent price however BV has terrible resale. So you might be able to find one for even less. But it is a lot less than what I paid! https://www.therealreal.com/products/women/handbags/clutches/bottega-veneta-intrecciato-leather-box-clutch-dixUfUUTu5s
Michelle
June 28, 2019 at 1:12 pmHow apt! I used your post on TRR as a guide and decided to use their service.
A wise friend once told me that if we no longer love/use the item, it is better to let it go for some money then sitting in the closet collecting dust. This mantra has only failed me once when I let go of a rare bag, that’s the only one I still have regrets. But otherwise, I am all for recycling i.e. letting go of bags I don’t care about anymore. Some bags just don’t work out no matter how coveted or how much you thought it will work out. So in the past year, I have let go of most of my Evelynes GM, Egee clutch, 26cm Lindys, Mini Berline, Mini Halzan, designer shoes and accessories (costume jewelry and sunnies). I decided to get rid of the popular LV Boite Chapeau Souple because I couldn’t deal with the monogram no matter how much I tried … It was brand new (but beyond the return period) so you can imagine the evil eye I got from the husband. I felt so liberated to clear all these items from my closet. Yes, I am taking a hit from the original purchase price but at the end of the day, I am getting some money which I can buy other items that I covet now 🙂
Katherine
June 28, 2019 at 1:40 pmOK now I’M the nosy one. Which one is the regret? I had no idea you got rid of so much, and I’m sure you get the same comment that I get – that I still have a quite a full closet!! Sometimes I wonder how I fit everything before. You’re right that it is a liberating feeling. I do love my L26 though!