Sale PSA: A sleek envelope clutch from The Row, now 50% off, cool camo Vans, now 50% off/under $40, a plaid coat from Vince, now 60% off, and a great cropped striped sweater from Veronica Beard (whyyyy is my size not in stock), now under $90.
Today I am doing a reader requested post – a list of bags I own, that I no longer use a lot of. I think posts about bags are by far the MOST requested sorts I get (the second is jewelry) and I am slowly trying to get to them all – seriously!! So this week, I’m starting on this topic – and actually, writing about this really made me realize how many *more* dormant items there are in my closet. Like, I had already done a big purge but I think it may be time for another. The following are three bags that I no longer (much) in my closet:
Hermes Evelyn PM: This used to be one of my MOST used bags! So maybe it is a stage but I haven’t worn this at all for probably the last year or more. First because both my kids are super mobile so it can get a little heavy going around a playground, through Target, through Costco, you get the deal…I also got this Baggu last year and it’s been my go to crossbody and super light. I haven’t gotten rid of the Evelyne because it has served me SO well and I think that maybe there’ll be a time I use it again..maybe to carry a round a thin laptop and such? And you always need a good crossbody bag, right? What do you think? Also, the photo above is six years old! That’s how long I’ve had this!
Hermes Bolide 35: I love the Bolide and have it in three sizes. I used to use this Bolide 35 for office and for travel but otherwise it’s rarely pulled out. I think also the fact that it’s black gives it a larger foot print against my body, if you know what I mean. I don’t know what happened – I didn’t think it looked so big before, but maybe the tiny bag trend of the last few years has skewed my perception somewhat. I have kept this one because I love the Fjord leather and I nurse dreams that one day I will need to go somewhere with a super smart big black office bag but I don’t know. Also afraid that big bags will come back as a trend (as fashion is always cyclical) and I’ll regret getting rid of this.
Constance 24: I love this bag but something prevents me from carrying it a lot. I think it is a combination of the clasp which I fuss with and the big H which I always feel a little self conscious about. And once I got my Lindy that became my preferred shoulder bag choice. It’s also just a teeny bit small for all my kid related goodies. But it’s so gorgeous and exactly the combination I wanted. So…
Oh man – all three of these are in black! Just a coincidence. But it reinforced my understand that I have TOO many black bags. Really, no more (and this was one of my 2020 resolutions. NO MORE BLACK BAGS!!).
What are some bags that you own that you rarely use anymore? The “rarely used bags” of your closet? What do you plan to do with them? Do you think you’ll wear them again?
16 Comments
Alisa
January 13, 2020 at 8:31 amWell, if it makes you feel any better, Kat, I currently have 7 black bags 🙂 not to mention all too many bags in other colors. These include a Chanel jumbo in caviar with gold HW (when it was actually gold plated not gold colored), a small classic flap in lamb, a small 2.55, and in Hermes, the Medor clutch, vintage Kelly 32 and Aline cross body for international travel that I can wear under a coat b/c it’s so flat. I rarely use the clutch but I love it.
As someone whose children are now grown up, I suggest from experience that you not make decisions based on your kids’ current ages. It won’t be long before you stop lugging things for them! All your bags are classics so it’s more about whether or not you love them. I think you’ll definitely use the Evelyne for travel or casual outings when you want a crossbody, and the Constance, while I agree is “showy”, is one you may use in the future. The only one I’d consider selling would be the Bolide 35, especially since you’re petite. I find that the 31 (I have two of these) holds everything I need and you could always use a chic tote for a laptop or other extras.
Kat
January 14, 2020 at 2:50 pmAhh you have the Aline!! I’ve been eyeing this one. How do you like it?
Alisa
January 14, 2020 at 6:15 pmWell, I’ve just gotten it recently so I haven’t had the chance to “road test” it, but will take it to London in March. Being quite flat, it’s not a proper handbag, but it will comfortably hold my passport case which functions as my wallet when traveling plus a small LV coin pouch, plus lipstick and cell phone. Keys will stay at the hotel. And I’ll probably carry a Longchamp Le Pliage tote if I need to carry sunglasses, maps and other bulky items.
I often use my H Vespa since it’s flat as well, but I liked that the Aline is even more compact. I hate being weighed down by a bag when doing a lot of walking, and the Aline fits discretely under a coat as well. Plus, I won’t have to worry about it getting rained on!
As I write this, I’m thinking how useful an Evelyne would be… don’t sell yours, LOL!!
Jen
January 13, 2020 at 11:10 amI love your Evelyn bag! And I’m with Alisa: keep it for when you are in a different season of life. My kids are in high school and I’m in and out of the car a lot (and switching seats for my daughter to drive) so I’ve just switched from a Gucci Web Boston bag (too bulky to squish beside me on the seat) to an LV Alma BB epi leather crossbody (which I can wedge between myself and the car door.) I don’t carry most of my bags right now as I work from home and favour convenience. I only bother switching bags when I’m out for a nice lunch or the theatre. In a few years, though, both kids will be in college and I’ll be happy for the Chanels and Diors I accumulated in my youth (especially since I’ll be paying college tuition!)
Alisa
January 13, 2020 at 12:56 pmHad to comment that my LV epi Monceau BB is one I use a lot, as well. It fits the basics, works for evenings out as a handheld bag, and as a crossbody with the strap. Great bag.
I don’t have an office job anymore either, but am happy I accumulated my good bags “back in the day” when I was earning a salary. They remind me that there’s life after college tuition, LOL!!
Rachel Bee
January 31, 2020 at 7:17 amAgree I’m also glad I got my “good” bags pre kids 😉
Alisa Gabriel
January 31, 2020 at 1:54 pmYes, so much harder to justify when there are kid-related expenses! 🙂
Pret A Porter P
January 13, 2020 at 12:34 pmI agree with the others to keeping the bags, unless you absolutely know for sure that you will aesthetically never desire to use/wear it again. Kids are little for very short time in the grand scheme of things. Also since you have a daughter, you can never go wrong passing down Hermes/Chanel/fine jewelry.
Amy
January 13, 2020 at 5:41 pmI hardly use any bags anymore! I have an everyday briefcase (Prada), a weekend crossbody (Evelyne TPM), a business travel bag (Fendi Peekaboo), and a grownups night out bag (Gabriela Hearst Demi). Then a whole closet of bags gathering mold…
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life
January 14, 2020 at 8:31 pmI agree with Elisa et al about not purging simply based on what you can carry for the kids if you used it a lot before them. JB has hit an age where I can go out with them for a few hours and bring absolutely nothing for them, so I’ve pulled out my slim and small bags to just bring wallet essentials and two years ago, I couldn’t have fathomed being back here again. I now regret decluttering some of my petite bags!
Babs
January 16, 2020 at 10:14 pmI just got rid of my Constance 24, in etoupe with pghw. I dreamed about it but when I got I hated the H buckle it was such a hassle to get in and out of it. The strap was too short for me to use crossbody and not much fit. Sold it and got a 2.55. I love Hermes but I always use my Chanel bags more.
Alisa Gabriel
January 17, 2020 at 5:03 amChanel is definitely less “fiddly” than a lot of the Hermes bags, which is probably why the Hermes bag I use most is the Bolide.
My 2.55 gets more outings vs the CC locks because it’s a bit more discreet, and somehow the handle doesn’t seem as heavy. You’ve got me thinking… I may sell one of my two jumbo double flaps and get another 2.55.
Nvie
January 18, 2020 at 4:43 pmWe loathe for more bags but usually ended up with several favourites. As I become older, kids getting bigger I am slowly appreciating hand held bags. I never liked bags with short handles and long shoulder straps, especially those stiff standing handles. However, I fell in love with the Picotin Lock with a Twillon that I can carry over the shoulder when I need to be hands free. Flap bags never work for me but they look fabulous, a LV St Germaine PM and Chanel In The Business flap that seldom see the day of light but it’s too difficult for me to let go of. I will continue to make these mistakes if I keep thinking about bags. Right now I just use what I’m happy with and what works best. Till then the trend will continue its cycle.
Love your bag collection, Kat.
Lani
January 19, 2020 at 5:09 amI’ve had three Evies at different times and released each one due to weight and the wide strap always bothered me. I would have kept the last one in barenia but since it was not in use I released it and the funds went to my SO bag. I’ve always been a cross body bag wearer, but having a light bag is important to my comfort so I opted for the Saut bag recently and love it. My other most used bags are the mini Roulises because I can tuck them into larger totes for work and travel and they are so incredibly easy to get in and out of. With H I chose black for a vintage Evercalf Kelly which I wear with cross body canvas strap and the Saut. H leathers and colors are so beautiful to me but my heart always beats faster with barenia and chèvre.
Lani
January 19, 2020 at 5:13 amP.s. I agree with considering release of the 37 bolide: I have a 31 in chèvre and it holds plenty! As for Constance, I’d personally prefer the mini size and likely Epsom due the the clasp wear and tear, but my Roulises fit the size, hold a bit more I think and are easier to get in and out of!
Rachel
February 4, 2020 at 9:16 amIf you’d posted this a couple years ago I would have had a long list of infrequently used bags, but after having kids I ruthlessly edited my collection and now am down to 5ish nice bags.
My problem now is that all but 1 are black, and I wish I had more variety ?
I’ve found as a I get older I’m wanting to have more fun with my wardrobe, so even though I used to be all about super classic items they can seem a little boring these days ??♀️
Or maybe it was having kids that has me thinking this way?