Notes On Building A Bag Collection
Bags can be a big investment, and with so many beautiful ones out there, finding the right ones for your lifestyle and personal taste isn’t always easy.
Over the past fives years or so I’ve been rebuilding my personal collection. I started with a few classic Louis Vuitton bags and the Neverfull MM is still my daily go-to!
Over time, I’ve added a few more classics, including Chanel bags in brown, navy, and black, a Hermès Garden Party tote, and some smaller everyday bags. Now that I have most of the foundations covered, I’ve been wanting to have a little more fun with pieces like my red Chanel mini, which I gifted to myself for my 40th birthday!
a peek into my personal collection
As I’ve added to my collection, I’ve also let things go. I’m a big believer in both collecting and circulating. A couple of years ago, I parted ways with some older Gucci and Chloé bags that I wasn’t using anymore. I haven’t regretted it. I love that style evolves, and I was excited for those bags to find new homes.
With The Vintage Shop, I’ve been so lucky to get to try out different bags before committing to them. I certainly have my favorite designers, silhouettes, colors, and textures, but I’ve also found it helpful to think about the different wants we get dressed.
What feels comfortable and effortless for casual weekends? What do we need to carry throughout the workday? And what feels a little more polished or special when we’re heading out?
Here’s how I’m thinking about building a bag collection, along with some of my favorites!
Casual Weekends
This is one of the most underrated use cases, in my opinion! It’s easy to get swept off our feet by beautiful statement bags, but there’s something to be said for having a great casual bag you can throw on with a jacket, jeans, or leggings and head out the door. After all, if it’s something you’ll wear most often, you might as well love it!
Think belt bags and crossbodies for going hands free, or a little juxtaposition of structure with a softer outfit. From rectangular camera bags to buckets and half-moons, there are so many shapes to play with.
I especially love pebbled leather, monogram canvas, earthy colors, and interesting straps here. Something durable, comfortable, and easy to wear, but still with plenty of personality!
The Everyday Tote
When I think about what I need for the day-to-day, I think about size first for a laptop, notebook, and water bottle.
There’s also the question of how much structure you like and how you prefer to carry your bag. Personally, I love both shoulder straps and top handles but for different reasons. Sometimes a shoulder strap is just too much with a bulky jacket! And other times it’s like jewelry across a great sweater.
I love having a range of neutrals in my collection, but they certainly don’t have to be boring! Give me beautiful textures, interesting prints, great hardware, or a little logo for some attitude.
The Dior floral Book Tote is a dream bag of mine! Maybe next! I think the print is beautiful year-round.
Polished Day Bags
These little cuties are so fun! I love, love, love a top handle. Reduces the fuss! And I think this is where personal style can really shine. What are the shapes, colors, and details that feel distinctly you?
For me, it’s a charming, relaxed silhouette with some personality. Rich color, beautiful suede, a little shine, or an unexpected detail. Something that can make even a simple outfit feel a little more special!
Of course, there’s a whole range of everyday handbags out there, but I’ve found that the more traditional shoulder bags I’ve owned just weren’t the ones I wore as often.
Although that might be changing after discovering how much I’ve been grabbing this Chanel suede shoulder bag lately!
A Little Glam
Oh, how I do love a little glam! Especially when a bag like a classic Chanel can take you effortlessly from day to night.
This is where I love thinking about how a bag works with the clothes I wear when going out. Do you gravitate toward black and want something with a little edge? Or do you love softer, more feminine looks? A great bag can play up either direction! I like having both depending on my mood.
Think about size and silhouette here, too. A little pochette, a clutch, a shoulder bag, or a crossbody? And don’t forget the hardware! Beautiful chains, buckles, and little details can almost feel like jewelry.
I love bright red, leopard print, jewel tones, and a little shine.
And of course, there’s always room for a little fashion fantasy! A playful collector’s piece, a fabulous vacation clutch, or a statement bag that makes the whole outfit. Not every bag has to be so practical!
I think that’s part of the fun of building a collection over time. You get to discover what you actually love wearing, what works for your lifestyle, and how your taste evolves along the way. Sometimes that means buying something new, and sometimes it means passing something along. It’s all part of collecting!
If you ever have a beautiful bag you’re ready to move on from, I offer consignment, too. Just shoot me a couple photos and we can take it from there.
