Would You Sell A Sizeable Chunk Of Your Bag Collection To Snag Your Holy Grail?

One thing that has helped me get more use out of my bags has been adding a coat hook to my entryway and keeping 2–3 bags hanging on it and in rotation. Admittedly, though, sometimes I overload it, and that’s exactly what happened this past weekend. I was rushing out the door and realized that my Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie in Ice Cream matched my outfit better than the other bags that were currently in use (Prada Cleo, Celine Triomphe Cuir, and Loewe Puzzle Hobo).

After a late night, I was much too tired to put away one of the bags, and even though four bags overloaded it a little bit, I vowed to get to it in the morning. The following day, as I grabbed the Prada Cleo and put her back in place, I realized the worth of those four bags alone, and truthfully, I started spiraling a little bit.

The Temptation of a Holy Grail

I started to think about resale value and how, if I sold a handful of my bags, it would probably be enough to purchase the vintage Hermès Kelly bag that has quickly become my ultimate holy grail. My collection is finally at the point where I could sell off a handful of bags and get my HG—the one bag that still feels entirely out of reach. Though I’ve vowed to start saving for it this year, I’m very much someone who thrives off instant gratification. 

Please tell me I’m not the only one! But would I do it? Will I do it?

No.

The Stories Behind the Bags

While I am a firm believer in quality over quantity, the collection I’ve built is one I’m proud of, and its value is more than just monetary. It comprises around 20 bags representing major milestones in my life, and each one is a bag I love and that brings me joy.

From the first Dior Saddle Pochette I saved for and purchased for myself when I was just 13, to the Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 that my parents gifted me for my graduation from high school, to the very first editor’s gift I received from a luxury brand—and every other bag in between—each bag holds meaning to me and represents a certain time in my life.

Sentimentality aside, these bags are all bags that I use. Though the instant gratification of finally getting my ultimate dream bag would feel good, the guilt I would later feel over getting rid of items that mean so much to me would not be worth it.

Choosing Gratitude Over Upgrading

Over the years, I’ve sold off about 10 bags (not at once), and I’m pleased with my collection. So while I could easily gather enough money to snag something others may deem worthier of shelf space, I’ve learned over the years to be grateful for what I have rather than constantly searching for the next best thing.

Sure, I do want to add a rare vintage Chanel piece to my collection one day, and the vintage Kelly of my dreams, but I’m certain that parting with a handful of bags at a time (or more) isn’t the way to do it.

Would you?