In the past I have been rash…both to purchase items I am unsure of, and in turn, re-sell, gift, or return them for a diminished return. Especially with luxury goods, there is usually a high expectation of longevity that is unmet in many cases. To stretch and reach beyond your means to buy high-end is pointless when you have regularly changing tastes, or a style that is still evolving.
This cycle was very much a signal of my immaturity with money, which I have slowly outgrown. Now, I thoroughly contemplate purchases I make – in part because I don’t put anything on credit like I used to. And, because I know I have fleeting desires that can be dissolved as quickly as the day turns to night. {the ShopStyle app helps me keep track of things I like and alerts me if anything goes on sale!}
That said, I now lament the loss of many leather goods and accessories that I’ve unloaded in some way, like sold off on eBay or through luxury resellers (see sidebar for links), that now would serve my style repertoire quite well. Since around 2006 or so, I’ve let go of a number of bags, shoes, wallets, and other accessories. It’s scary to think about what all I would still have sitting around if I’d never bothered to consign or auction them off.
One thing I did keep was a green saffiano leather Prada wallet, though it was never quite my style. Too bulky with a coin pocket, it didn’t fit in my back or front pockets…so it sat largely unused for years. Recently I rediscovered it (my mom had been using it!) and reclaimed it (she got a proper replacement). Eight years later, it still has a familiar magic, and still smells like rich Italian style.
Now, green is a favorite wardrobe accent color. And white contrast stitching is chic. And, since switching to minimalist card cases, the full coin-pocket wallet can be used to carry all my other essentials – like bills, auxiliary plastic, gift cards, and membership punch cards to my weeklies (FitLife!).
So, for no additional investment, I’ve repurposed a nearly unused, beautiful, semi-vintage luxury good. For the win, people! The circularity of my story with this wallet is comforting in a nostalgic, self-style-affirming way. That feeling is hard to replicate with new items, though everything has potential to become a lifetime closet classic.