Recently, the WSJ had an article entitled “The ‘Perfect’ Handbag, According to Women in Their 20s, 30s, 40s and 70s” (gift link) — so I thought it might be fun to discuss here! What is your ideal handbag at this moment in your life? What do you regularly carry — and how is a weekday different from a weekend or vacation day?
(Along similar lines, we’ve asked the readers how many bags you bring to work, whether you guys purchase designer bags, whether women in certain professions MUST carry a designer bag, and (long ago) what the best bags are for walking to work. We’ve also, ahem, wondered whether an intern can carry a $9,000 bag to work.)
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
Kat’s Ideal Bag: A Statement Bag That Isn’t Too Small
One of the things that I found so interesting about the WSJ article is that my handbag tastes have gotten much smaller over the years. I used to want to carry everything! There were years where I wanted to fit an entire second pair of shoes and a cardigan — perfect for the commute or a spontaneous decision to grab dinner with a friend after work.
These days I’m much more minimal in what I bring with me: If I have space for sunglasses, tiny wallet, and lip gloss I’m OK.
Something that has stayed true all my life, though: I prefer a conversation bag. I want something that’s interesting, that makes a statement about my style — so an unusual color or other detail is a must. I also prefer something that’s comfortable to carry, so I do like a crossbody.
With unlimited funds, I’d probably choose something like this gorgeous ombre Chanel 2.55 flap bag (for sale at What Goes Around Comes Around for $7,150). I’d also go for the pixelated Loewe puzzle bag I posted recently, the crazy fun Ferragamo print bag, or the Valentino One Stud in a bright enough color, or (my newest obsession) the Mulberry Amberley crossbody in a bright color. (Or, OOH, apparently Mulberry had a print edition a few years ago).
Psst: here’s what I used to carry in my diaper bag, and here’s what I carried in my purse back in my lawyer days.
Elizabeth’s Ideal Bag: The Large-Enough Crossbody
I’m not a “bag person,” so I tend to take a pretty utilitarian approach to handbags. For me, the ideal everyday bag is one that can be worn cross-body and is just large enough to easily hold my wallet, phone, sunglasses, and sunscreen. My preference is something with a classic-looking style and made out of a sturdy material, because once a bag is mine, I’m going to use that thing for the next 5+ years. (My current work bag is a Cuyana tote that I received as a gift in 2019 and my everyday bag is a Marc Jacobs crossbody from 2016. I am not gentle with them, and they’ve held up amazingly.)
If I had to buy a new bag to add to the rotation, I think I’d want something like this woven mini messenger bag from Clare V. I like that it zips securely at the top, and it looks like I could fit in all of my necessities without having to play a complicated Tetris game every time I take something out and put it back. The leather also seems like it would hold up well for 5+ years of daily use.
The bag is $385 at Clare V and comes in evergreen, a natural woven checker, and a black rattan — you can find it at Clare V as well as Nordstrom and Anthropologie.
Ann’s Preferred Bag: A Not-To-Small (and Packable) Crossbody
In my 15-ish years as a lawyer, my handbags have gone from large to small and back again. After experimenting with everything from supersized totes (hello Longchamp Le Pliage) to slender bags that hung off my forearm (a pebbled leather, no-name Italian bag from Filene’s Basement — RIP), I’ve settled on what I consider a not-too-small crossbody.
For work, it fits right into my backpack if I don’t feel like carrying multiple bags on my commute, and it has enough space for the essentials (wallet, keys, phone, and a small cosmetics bag) without being too heavy. Since I don’t carry much, a single interior pocket for keys or a subway card is enough for me.
Something like this Mini Pashli Leather Satchel ($695) from 3.1 Phillip Lim is right up my alley.
Kate’s Ideal Bag: A Lightweight Tote
I am a serial monogamist for everyday bags. My ideal for daily use is a medium-size tote / shoulder bag with lots of pockets and wide straps. Lately, I like nylon for its flexibility, durability, and water resistance; plus, it gives me more vegetarian cred than leather (kidding).
On the inside, my everyday bag must have room for my (tiny) umbrella, my sizeable wallet, sunscreen or hand moisturizer, my phone, and random stuff like hand sanitizer, tissues, a pen/Sharpie, a teeny-tiny notepad, bandaids, etc. — plus smaller bags/pouches to hold (1) a few lip balms and pocket mirror, (2) rarely-used cards (3) a few small beauty-related items. (It’s kind of a lot.)
I typically go with practical, basic styles from middle-aged-mom brands like Baggallini. (I mean, I AM a middle-aged mom, if we’re calling mid-40s middle age. Are we? I don’t wanna.) A few years ago, I had a LeSportsac bag I really liked (and according to GQ, LeSportsac is back?). I’m just not a fancy-bag person.
My current everyday bag, the ANDI Small from ANDI ($148), is a great style — a very light, medium-sized nylon tote with lots of pockets, and non-slip straps (plus a detachable crossbody strap). The things I carry regularly don’t fill it up, so there’s always room to slip in random items like a Kindle.
If I were looking for a bag to replace it, I’d be tempted by the pictured tote from Tillie ($238), which has great reviews and is available in 11 solid colors / prints.
Kat
Source link
