This week I wanted to do a quick post, about why I sell bags. I got the idea after there was quite a bit of lively discussion on one of my earlier posts, where I shared some of the bags I’ve sold, and I’d like to continue the discussion here.
So! Please let me first say that I know this is a blog, and that I know it is my choice to post and share my obnoxious shopping for the greater internet, and that of course there will be questions and curiosity. It’s human! And I’m a very curious person too. I hope you do understand that while I love finance talk I prefer not to share the nitty gritty of my own details. And while I believe financial responsibility and savings should take priority over purchasing, that’s my personal credo and I’m not going to judge other people’s choices. Life is short and it’d be nice to be happy for some of it. Do I think you should max out your credit card for a Birkin? No, but I’m not going to lecture further and there are tons of personal finance blogs in the universe if you do want more of that. OK. The end!
So…why do I sell bags? Well not just bags, but items in general? A few reasons:
Over the years, the way I shopped has changed. And what I want has changed, and well – a lot of things have changed! I started the blog when I was I think 24? And my tastes and style as well as desire for acquisition has shifted a lot over the years. The first time I spent a lot of money on a bag, I justified I would have it forever. And a great bag is forever, as in it can physically last forever, but honestly over time I was finding that yeah, maybe a 35cm Birkin is too heavy for me, so maybe it wasn’t going to be forever, at least in my closet. I’ve accepted that my tastes are always evolving and though I always buy pieces hoping to keep them a long time, if something changes I’m fine with it. I’m not sentimental and if something isn’t getting used I’d rather have it out there in the world being loved by someone else than neglected in my closet.
My usage of bags and lifestyle has also changed a lot. Especially after children. I know everything’s going to get messy. At least for my every day bags, shoes, clothes. There will be snacks and drinks spilled. And dirt and sand rubbed. And I don’t know, I just don’t feel the same desire to acquire that I did before kids. Not because I’m so holy but more because I’m tired, probably And preschool costs and college costs and all of those are also on my mind now. So sometimes I do sell items, just because I don’t think I need so much anymore.
Also, I do choose to post about selling because I want to give an accurate picture! Or at least show that I do sell things. Because some bloggers etc don’t necessarily mention this, and it’s so easy to get the impression that they all have these endless huge closets filled with tons of stuff, and while that may be true for some, I know a lot also sell constantly and just don’t mention it. There seems to be an impression that tons of stuff = tons of money which I don’t think is responsible to portray? I want to be open that many people are buying and culling from their closet and it isn’t always for financial reasons (though let’s be clear it’s always nice to have the $$ free!)
And finally…because selling is fun. Well not really “fun” as I don’t do it myself but go through consignment/donations but look, it does feel good to clean out the closet. It’s kind of a little high. I’ve accepted that I go through spurts of minimalism/Marie Kondo and eventually wanting to shop again; yeah I try to be super careful and buy forever items but sometimes I still end up changing my mind. And sometimes quicker than I’d like. Especially after kids, when I don’t have time to go to the store and sometimes just order sight unseen. It’s a cycle. I don’t really “sell” items to fund new ones, although no judgment there, everyone has their own system. For me, it’s more simply wanting to cull my closet and then feeling like oh, well, now I feel less guilty to add something I’ve been wanting. I’ve got some more space. You know what I mean?
Anyway – I’d love to hear about how you manage your closet. Do you sell? Are you sentimental? Do you have a hard time parting? What’s your philosophy?
12 Comments
Diane W.
July 8, 2019 at 8:26 amKat, I loved this post. Personally, I no longer consider any bag to be “forever”. Some do end up being what I refer to as long term residents, but as time goes on, my preferences change. I don’t have a huge closet and that helps me keep from accumulating too many bags. But, mostly, it’s because once I’m not using one, I want it gone. I have a friend who sells hers on eBay and she’s sold some for me. I also am blessed to have two young ladies, both recent university graduates, in my life. Occasionally, I invite them to choose a bag or two from my closet. It’s a really fun way to end an occasional lunch out, especially since they are busy with their own lives and I don’t see them as often as I used to. Actually, I’m going through a thinning out process now. Shedding unused things feels like losing weight to me.
Katherine
July 8, 2019 at 8:25 pmYou are so kind to those young ladies, I’m sure they really appreciate it. And it does feel like losing weight!
Jane
July 8, 2019 at 4:50 pmI have yet to take the plunge on selling to a consignor. I have a few Hermes pieces that could probably fetch a pretty penny. But I am fearful of being blacklisted by the store if anyone found out. Do you have similar concerns? Luckily, I have a younger sister who is generally all too eager to relief me of my designer items.
Katherine
July 8, 2019 at 8:26 pmHonestly I’m not too concerned! I’m not a reseller (though H knowingly sells to resellers too, so…..) and I spend enough with them anyway! I guess if you had a string of super super special orders they might raise an eyebrow but there is so much selling that goes on, I think if you are a good customer it’s fine! I wouldn’t let fear stop you from finding your items a new home, esp if you aren’t using them
Phil
July 8, 2019 at 9:49 pmAfter college and earning my own money, I got excited to get all the things that I desired, materially speaking. I vividly remember going to Hermes to get a two-hundred dollar planner or a 400-hundred dollar pair of Tods loafers over lunch break. Ahh, those were the days! I cringe as I think about that. But as I age, like you, my taste, style preference and lifestyle changed–especially when I decided to transition from a career in corporate to academia. I still appreciate the finer things in life, but I seldom buy material things now. I’ve sold things here and there mainly because I’m trying to imbue minimalism. It’s nice to have nice things, but too much of it is overwhelming.
VP
July 9, 2019 at 4:43 amI love this post! I used to think if I spent a certain amount on a bag or shoes or clothes that they had to be with me “for the rest of my life” and then when my taste changed (or my shoe size after having kids) I hated looking at these items I felt compelled to keep but no longer used. I had no idea a re-sale market existed till I started reading the purseforum and it was so liberating. Now I can send of things to get a new home and not feel guilty about not using them. At first I was worried that I would rush to buy things to fill the space created but that hasn’t happened. Instead I’m able to find, use, and love the things I have left. Thank you for this thoughtful post!
sandyp
July 9, 2019 at 8:52 amI love this post! I have followed you for quite a few years and like you, feelings have changed toward handbags and “stuff” in general. I cringe at the thought of the bags I have bought (and sold thankfully). I have a few name brand bags that I love, and I don’t crave more. I actually crave less, and the contentment from not dwelling and looking and searching. And yes I think I was myself trying to fill a void. I am now striving for a well curated wardrobe, not so many duplicates, and to love every item I own. I want to travel more and not have the credit card debt I once had. Thank you for this post!
Abby
July 9, 2019 at 2:52 pmI laugh to think of my mid-20’s self who thought that once I built the perfect closet, I could be more or less done shopping. I accept now that there are no “forever” pieces and that my closet is my hobby. (I think of Sofia Coppola’s mantra that you can be a serious person and interested in frivolous things.) We’re in similar spots in life, and I also see a decline in general interest in shopping and the amounts I’m willing to spend on clothing decrease (bags and shoes as well, but to a lesser extent). I am finding myself more and more interested in fine jewelry, but the stakes are so high there, that I spend years mulling over pieces before adding to my collection, which frankly, is sort of enjoyable. I liked one of Diane’s earlier comments about shifting her interests to art and am interested to see where my eye will go over the coming decades.
K
July 10, 2019 at 11:54 pmThis is a very nice and thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing! I admit I was confused as to why you sold four bags to fund a used bag. But now I totally get it! I do love Marie Kondo’s method especially her Netflix series and now it all makes sense.
Speaking of space and out of curiosity, have you sold jewelry as well? Sometimes I think I should sell my jewelry since I don’t use it often or ever. But it doesn’t take up space and I forget it is there. Are you good about using and rotating your jewelry especially the VCA perlee bangle? I feel that I keep it for sentimental reasons. Do you feel the same way when it comes to jewelry? Also with VCA, they did have the crazy mark-ups. Perhaps if I keep it longer, I could sell it for the price I purchased it for. It has happened with a Chopard ring I purchased years ago and sold through Betteridge.
Julia
July 11, 2019 at 6:39 amLooong time reader (years really), first time commenter. Firstly, thank you for your amazing blog! And secondly, on the topic of selling, I haven’t cracked the resale market. But same as you my needs have changed. With regard to bags, that mainly means that I cannot tolerate heavy bags at all anymore because of my wonky shoulder. From a fashion silhouette perspective, I now favour smaller bags. And lastly, I commute daily, so will not baby bags. My old bags went to friends or charity and while none of them were Hermes or Chanel, the financial loss hurt! So, same as previous commenters I now do not consider bags to be forever purchases. But I am content to spend on jewellery or Hermes scarves. That said, I just got a Mulberry hobo on sale 60% off to replace a bigger Smythson hobo. Now the dilemma is what to do with the Smythson. Here in Ireland I would get next to nothing in consignment stores, so it probably will end up in a charity store, sigh.
Sarah
July 11, 2019 at 6:40 amWhat a fun post and interesting discussion. I think the short answer is “I sell because I bought too much?” I may do a post on this myself, living out of a suitcase at the moment which proves how little we really need…
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life
July 14, 2019 at 12:46 pmThis makes total sense. When other people never mention selling or otherwise getting rid of bags, it makes me a touch curious – are they flooded with bags and how they manage all of those clothes and bags?
My purchases don’t tend to include bags since my health forces me to choose only the most practical and lightweight bags, which precludes 98% of designer bags, but I find the same principles apply to our possessions too: our tastes change over time, and it’s really nice to reduce the amount of things we own. Making space for space is kind of my thing right now.