As always, I am on a never ending journey to save up for a new purse. As I sit here, counting pennies whilst having a conversation with myself about how I don't really need a new purse (the bursting bag closet speaks for itself), the phone rings. I then stop listening to the voices in my head and start talking to one of my BFF's about the Gucci Sylvie bag and a Les Petits Joueurs clutch I've got my eye on. My BFF (lets call her X) immediately embarks on an annoying lecture about how I have enough bags (ugh, some people just don't understand how a bag person can never have too many of them) and that I should start selling some of the old ones I don't use. At this time, my face is as white as a ghost. Just the thought of selling one of my precious babies is good enough to give me a stroke. I make up some excuse and tell X that my daughter is chewing on a handbag and I have to run to protect it and disconnect the call.
A few days later, the husband sees that I've been using my Gucci GG Marmont bag for the last three months non stop and decides to poke his nose in my business. "Hanadi, don't you think you should use the Celine that's lying at the back of your closet? I mean, when was the last time you used it. Or even that weird YSL bag which apparently was a life and death situation when you got it?". To which I retort quickly and tell him, how I am so happy with this new Gucci and how it's the most comfortable bag I've ever used. Bla Bla. He gives me a strange look and goes back to doing whatever he was doing. Which was nothing really. How do I explain to him that the Celine mini luggage is from FW 2010 and that the front pocket is not the same anymore (this one has an envelope flap. And how the one i have isn't structured like the ones they now make. Or that the YSL cabas tote (stunning as it may be) was during the Stefano Pilati era and how Hedi Slimane changed the look when he took over. Even if I do manage to get my point across, he's simply going to tell me not to buy anymore purses. You see the conundrum here?
I then got to thinking. Should I sell my bags? Or should i give them away? Okay, no. No giveaways happening. I once went on a spring cleaning spree and suddenly decided to throw away all my Gucci flats that i bought in 2009 and 2010. It was a heart wrenching day. However, I don't think I'll do that with my bags. The sad part is, I get so excited when I rediscover them during spring cleaning and I make endless false promises to myself about how I'm definitely using the Alexander Wang Pelican clutch over the weekend or that lizard skin vintage Judith Leiber to an event next week. But like I said, false promises. You get my point?
I know there are tonnes of places selling pre-loved goodies, but after spending over a lac on each item, how do i even get a half decent price. I must add, that some of my bags have been used so much and ill treated by me, that the lining has stains inside them. Should i get it cleaned first before consider selling? Will anyone want a tote that has seen various updates in the past few seasons? I mean, all said and done, they are still beautiful pieces. Imagine, buttery soft, dark blue leather with a contrasting suede lining in mustard yellow. What a stunning colour combination. Or should i just leave them in my closet till they become a "vintage" item? Oh, maybe Rania might use them when she's older. Or maybe I should do the logical thing. Get it cleaned and list it on Confidential Couture (a site for pre-loved purses in India). This is so annoying. This blog post is turning out to be a Dear Diary situation.
What would you do in my situation? Will your desperation to get a new bag lead to you to selling your old ones which have been part of numerous memorable situations (honeymoon, holidays, parties, etc.) despite you not having touched them in over a year? Ideas and suggestions are welcome.
