Bags Category Review
My bag collection is small but mighty! I personally own a total of 16 bags including a handful of casual canvas and nylon styles. Recently I’ve been focusing on quality over quantity here most recently investing in the Gucci Soho small top handle bag in nude and the Hermès Garden Party tote size medium.
Over the past couple years I’ve sold a bunch of old designer fashion bags on Poshmark. They were all pretty dated and beat up from my corporate days. I had an oversized monogrammed Gucci shoulder bag and a leather Chloe Ethel bag that I would use all the time. The memories will live on in my brain but they don’t need to take up space in my closet! Big believer in evolving your closet as you grow and change.
I think sensibility is really important in the accessories world, especially handbags. Like what feeling does this bag (or belt) add to an outfit? Within each sub-category below I’ll explore this aspect in more detail.
Casual/Sporty
I’m starting with the most worn sub-category and will end with the least. The casual and sporty section of my bag collection includes a J.crew canvas tote, Herschel backpack and 2 Lululemon belt bags. Plus, not pictured is a basic shoulder tote for the farmer’s market. I hike, bike, run and chill in the park a lot so I’m constantly in rotation of these bags.
Functionality is everything in this sub-category! Which is why I’d like to update the canvas tote as some point to a style that has a longer strap that fits over your shoulder. I use this for the beach and the park and it can get heavy carrying it by the handles. I’d also like to invest in a designer raffia tote at some point as I know I’d get a lot of wear out of it. I’ve even been considering keeping this YSL one that’s available in my vintage collection if it doesn’t sell! I just love the dark chocolate leather. I used it a few times last season so I know it passes the functionality test too! I like how raffia totes add a relaxed casual vibe to warm weather outfits.
I hesitated to get on the Lululemon belt bag trend because it’s so basically boring but now I see why it’s so popular and have no plans of moving on from it anytime soon. It is perfect for active outings and can be worn either across your chest or waist! I have it in black and mauve. If anything it would be extra special to invest in a monogrammed designer belt bag someday. I love that you can wear them across your waist, chest or on your shoulder!
Crossbodies
For my favorite sub-category, I can’t believe I only own 3 bags! I didn’t even realize this was a hole in my closet because I have the luxury of getting to wear test the bags in my collection before they sell!
But by far and away my most worn style is the Chanel small flap bag in black lambskin leather. My mom actually purchased this bag from Sweet & Spark back in the day and then so graciously gifted it to me for my birthday a couple years ago. I will treasure it forever! I absolutely love this size for going out. I’m usually a fan of wearing and enjoying the nice things that you own but I could use a less luxe black crossbody bag for concerts and events that could be a little extra rowdy!
I love the sensibility of Chanel flap bags, they are the perfect balance of timeless and feminine. Depending on the details, some can feel more glam than others but the iconic black lambskin and gold hardware from the 1980s or 90s can so easily be dressed up or down.
The Louis Vuitton monogrammed crossbody style I have is the Danube and she’s a bit sporty. I didn’t have many photos of her in action but I usually wear her with classic sweaters and jackets for a timeless and casual look. Truly what I realized from this exercise is how much more I wear black accessories than brown.
The navy lambskin Chanel camera bag is a keepsake from the Sweet & Spark collection and I absolutely love how special and unique she is. I like using her for city adventures whenever the outfit calls! You can always count on my shop to be fully stocked with Chanel crossbody options for you. Actually, I currently have a navy lambskin camera bag available!
Totes
I own a total of 4 tote bags and my very favorite one is no surprise, the Louis Vuitton MM Neverfull! It’s hands down the most worn item in my closet next to the Jenni Kayne grey cocoon sweater. I love it so much that I have it in both the classic brown monogram and also the damier azur, which is the navy and white check. I tend to use that one more often in the spring and summer months because it’s lighter in color.
Aside from that, I love my Hermès Garden Party Tote which was a treat to myself last year! She has a really timeless and casual vibe. It’s a top handle tote, meaning it doesn’t go over your shoulder, which is nice sometimes. I like the structured rectangular shape which makes it really functional for picking up a few things at the store vs. the Louis Vuitton Neverfull is more practical for work stuff like a laptop and notebook.
I find the Chanel chocolate brown lambskin tote to be great for work stuff as well. I absolutely love the chunky chain straps. It’s a bit floppier than my other totes so I try to keep that in mind when I use it, will there be a place for me to hang it while I’m there? This one feels the most polished of the 4 so I like using her for work meetings.
Top Handle
As you can see I don’t have any shoulder bags in my personal collection at the moment, I’m more of a top handle girl when it comes to a mid-size bag. I hate trying to wrestle a shoulder bag over my coat or sweater sleeve!
My favorite top handle style is the Gucci Soho small top handle bag in nude leather. I use her all the time for dinner dates and city errands. I love the size and the color too because the nude goes with everything. The pebbled leather gives it a modern yet approachable feel.
You also can’t go wrong with a classic Louis Vuitton monogram Speedy! This one is size 25. She will forever be a classic and I find that she goes with pretty much anything. I currently have a Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 in the damier azur check available in my vintage collection now. What’s particularly awesome about this style is how easily she folds down and can be packed in your suitcase!
Occasion/Clutches
I own 3 bags in this sub-category, not including my Chanel crossbody bags. Because the great news about Chanel flap bags is that they can be dressed up or down! The last time I went to a wedding I wore my navy blue lambskin camera bag (in the photo below).
My dressiest bag is a vintage white beaded bag from the 1960s. Although what’s funny is that instead of wearing this with something dressy, I’ve actually found myself wearing it more with sweaters and jeans. I’m always after some sort of casual element in my looks!
The Louis Vuitton Marly Dragonne clutch, was my first ever designer bag purchase in Italy many years ago. My favorite way to wear her is with a black top and jeans for a night out on the town!
