18.2.13

Minimalist Monday: How Many Handbags?



Thanks to Project 333 I'm gradually paring down my wardrobe season by season but I still have something of a handbag obsession. Whenever I get the occasional urge to buy something I don't need it's usually a handbag. There are simply so many stunning designs. I like classic handbags and I like alternatives such as satchels. So, when it comes to handbags and minimalism I think I must declare myself a bit of a fraud. 

I've read many times about the 'rule of one' but one handbag can neither be practical enough, versatile enough or glamorous enough for my lifestyle and taste. I like my pared down wardrobe and will happily reach for the same handbag day after day but occasionally it feels good to have a change. 

I coped easily with two handbags during Project 333. I chose my classic black cross body bag which suits me because it's light, practical and goes with everything. My second choice was my favourite silver clutch which is equally versatile and co-ordinates well with most things. I think two handbags is the lowest I could go. 


However, there are times when I need something a little bigger or lighter in colour for spring and summer. This is why I have two other standbys that I'm reluctant to let go of even after the, “Could I live without this?" , conversation that I often have with myself.

My third handbag is my Cath Kidston day bag. It's great for times when you need to pack a book or a small amount of paperwork and the subdued (for CK) design goes well with most outfits. Annoyingly though, there are no internal compartments only two useful end bits but otherwise this is my luxury handbag and the one that puts a spring in my step.


My fourth handbag is a Carvisa taupe bag (bought on holiday in Ibiza two years ago). I like its two handles, the colour is great for spring and summer and it has good outer and inner compartments. I don't use it during autumn and winter because its colour and canvas type material don't really suit colder, harsher weather.


Owning four handbags may not be viewed as minimalistic by some but it is the right number for me at the moment - enough to meet my practical needs and my fashion needs. Four is a lot less than I used to have. I intend keeping these for as long as they last mainly because they get plenty of wear. If they get too worn I may not replace each one. In the future I think I can realistically get down to two bags – one great day bag and one gorgeous evening bag. 

In the meantime I shall still dream about handbags and envy handbags from afar. But I won't impulse buy handbags any more in search of the one perfect bag because it's an expensive and never ending quest.

How about you? Do you have handbag envy? Is there a perfect handbag? How many handbags do you use or own? 

Please share.



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37 comments

  1. I've been thinking about writing about areas like this too! I currently have 4 handbags - my everyday tan leather with adjustable length straps; my black designer evening bag; 1 cheaper bronze cross body evening bag; and one travel security handbag. I have come to accept that one perfect bag doesn't exist even as I continue to try find it!! I'm really picky about bags, their compartments, the colour they are lined with for easy visibility, size etc. I'm currently seeking a small one for when I walk with just a few things (currently I stuff an asthma puffer, phone, keys, dog bags and tissue into my bra and walking tights so I do have a few odd-looking bumps! :)

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    1. Ha! It's nice to be bag free sometimes even if you do look strange . I have a 'bum bag' for when I go running (a nice 'Seaty Betty' design) but not the coolest bag in the world.

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    2. I feel "undressed" without a handbag. Keys, wallet is a must when shopping. A jogger's bag belted at the waist should hold these items too. I'm into small purses (cross body) and have a half doz. or so always on sale. Other items not needed as much are in a bag behind the car seat. Why carry heavy bags full of useless crap while running errants?

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  2. Hello, I have several handbags to that I carry, changing with the seasons. Right now I carry my favorite from Coach...I don't think I will change until mid summer. I happen to mention your blog in my post for the day, so if you have time, pop over to mine and take a look. Have a lovely week! Shari @ Lauren's Closet

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    Replies
    1. Hi Shari, yes thank you so much for the nomination. Have a great week too xo

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  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  4. Great post Claire and if you and Lucent Imagery ever find that one perfect bag please let me know!
    Although I've reduced the number of bags and shoes in my possession I still have more than I would like to own. One thing that helps me to use (most of) the bags more regularly is a bag organiser. Everything I need is in it and I just lift it out of one bag and into another. Unfortunately is does not fit into clutch bags :)

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    1. I must look into bag organisers - never heard of them. Thanks Megan xo

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    2. Mine is the small size of the Cherry brand bag organiser and I'm fairly sure it's Australian. I was going to send one to a friend in New York but she ordered it online and it was less expensive than I would have paid for it!
      If you can't find it though I'd be happy to send one to you.

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  5. Hi I need to sort out my wardrobe & bags. You have done well with the bags. I know I used to have the top bag in a tan colour and liked it as it is not to small and not to big!
    I need to get going on project 333, I think it will be a bit challenging. I havent got masses of clothes, but sometimes I hang on to things ! I think I will find it hard as winter wardrobe & summer wardrobe. How did you get round that? as I am going to find it difficult!

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    1. I tried Project 333 for just one month and found I learnt a lot xo

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  6. I do have a few handbags sitting in a drawer, but I have given away lots recently. My favourite is one of my mother's , a lizard skin. I dont think I would are use it.

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  7. Aer you still doing project 33 now?x

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    1. No but I am going to do it again soon for spring/summer. I'm more or less sticking to my 33 winter items,(I did it for a month Dec-Jan), I've just added a few things I was missing xo

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  8. I have one handbag, well, satchel for winter, a beach bag for summer and a clutch bag for fancy jaunts. Other than that I have a rucksack and fabric shopping bags, but they probably don't count.

    I made a handbag organiser from an old bag as my beach bag is huuuuge so I keep losing my keys and things. I just chopped the strap and a few inches off the top of the old bag and added some binding so make it look a bit neater and there you have it, bag insert! The handbag I used had a velcro pouch on the outside and a zip pocket on the inside so there's plenty of room for all my bits and pieces.

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  9. I don't have a lot of bags but do need to reduce them further. I struggle with where to keep them, and seem to swop between wardrobe and underbed drawer.
    Love your blog. Annie

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  10. I have 4 handbags (satchel, clutch, tote and small shoulder) and I find this the perfect amount to go with my wardrobe. I put a lot of thought into them and hopefully they will last me for years and years/
    I'm too embarrassed to say what make they are as I'm a big frugal fraud when it comes to bags! :)

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    1. I'm intrigued... one classy lady. I'd like an investment bag one day - you'll have to advise me if and when!

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  11. I have too many handbags, mainly because I don't have the one I wish for (not a particular brand, but a particular size, material and strap length), so I'm living with more than one in order to make do. However, I use handbags a lot less now than I used to. I tend to fill them and I came to dislike dragging around heavy bags. Nowadays, I'm more a pocket kind of girl and don't use handbags regularly. The exception is summer and evenings, when lack of pockets in skirts or dresses make one a necessity. Still, I try to go for rather small ones.
    However, I totally get that you "need" more than one. I like some diversity as well. It was kind of a revelation for me, when I realized that I really want to own differently shaped and patterned plates and cups. I have a cup I like for tea, another one I like for coffee, and then again even different ones (both for coffee and tea) for when I feel a bit more fancy. I dreaded paring down my dishes for that reason, until I realized that for me it's not about being able to have different matching sets for 6 people, but only to be able to choose my "cup of the day" for breakfast and to be able to set the dinner table a little differently sometimes. However, noone said that you can't have 5 different sets of two matching cups/plates instead of 10 matching white ones. So, knowing that I like the diversity, I decided to stick with it and keep my mixed assortment. I don't mind serving my friends their food on mismatched plates (and it's not as if they really didn't match at all, I think they have their own charm when combined).

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  12. I have two, just two. A proper handbag and one big enough to carry my reading book around in.

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  13. I also like bags (too much)! Right now, and as part of my Project 333 experiment, I'm using just 3. It's actually been easy, even though I had to swap one of the bags, because it wasn't as versatile as I initial thought.

    By the way, the Cath Kidston bag is lovely :)

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  14. Not all Idea guess handbags have personalization on the hold fast pulls. Also, the kind "Infer by Prizefighter" is the upscale version so your label on ikon two is improper. Eventually, covering in the bags would never be leather - fitting shrub or satin. Thanks for protecting the kind!!!

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  15. carrying a small black chanel type clutch (but not a real chanel) which only holds a bit of cash, a credit card, cell phone, lipstick, tissue, pen and small calendar. Inside is a small nylon tote which I can have when shopping or running errands. The clutch has a fancy posh chain inside which I can use for a shoulder when I need my hands free.
    I need to toss and move on some older bags that I no longer need. My husband commutes to the city and tells me hilarious stories about bags. He always wonders what on earth could one carry? A small clutch keeps me honest and streamlined.
    pve

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  16. I needed to see a mechanic since I was having some problems regarding the clutch so I went to expert Clutch Replacement with my car. They were really good and fixed my problem.

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