Just lately, the WSJ had an article entitled “The ‘Excellent’ Purse, In accordance with Ladies in Their 20s, 30s, 40s and 70s” (reward hyperlink) — so I assumed it could be enjoyable to debate right here! What’s your splendid purse at this second in your life? What do you frequently carry — and the way is a weekday totally different from a weekend or trip day?
(Alongside related traces, we’ve requested the readers what number of luggage you carry to work, whether or not you guys buy designer luggage, whether or not girls in sure professions MUST carry a designer bag, and (way back) what the greatest luggage are for strolling to work. We’ve additionally, ahem, puzzled whether or not an intern can carry a $9,000 bag to work.)
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Kat’s Splendid Bag: A Assertion Bag That Isn’t Too Small
One of many issues that I discovered so attention-grabbing concerning the WSJ article is that my purse tastes have gotten a lot smaller through the years. I used to wish to carry all the pieces! There have been years the place I wished to suit a whole second pair of sneakers and a cardigan — good for the commute or a spontaneous determination to seize dinner with a pal after work.
Nowadays I’m way more minimal in what I carry with me: If I’ve area for sun shades, tiny pockets, and lip gloss I’m OK.
One thing that has stayed true all my life, although: I want a dialog bag. I would like one thing that’s attention-grabbing, that makes a press release about my type — so an uncommon coloration or different element is a should. I additionally want one thing that’s snug to hold, so I do like a crossbody.
With limitless funds, I’d in all probability select one thing like this attractive ombre Chanel 2.55 flap bag (on the market at What Goes Round Comes Round for $7,150). I’d additionally go for the pixelated Loewe puzzle bag I posted not too long ago, the loopy enjoyable Ferragamo print bag, or the Valentino One Stud in a brilliant sufficient coloration, or (my latest obsession) the Mulberry Amberley crossbody in a brilliant coloration. (Or, OOH, apparently Mulberry had a print version just a few years in the past).
Psst: right here’s what I used to carry in my diaper bag, and right here’s what I carried in my purse again in my lawyer days.
Elizabeth’s Splendid Bag: The Giant-Sufficient Crossbody
I’m not a “bag individual,” so I are inclined to take a fairly utilitarian strategy to purses. For me, the perfect on a regular basis bag is one that may be worn cross-body and is simply massive sufficient to simply maintain my pockets, cellphone, sun shades, and sunscreen. My choice is one thing with a classic-looking type and made out of a sturdy materials, as a result of as soon as a bag is mine, I’m going to make use of that factor for the subsequent 5+ years. (My present work bag is a Cuyana tote that I acquired as a present in 2019 and my on a regular basis bag is a Marc Jacobs crossbody from 2016. I’m not mild with them, and so they’ve held up amazingly.)
If I had to purchase a brand new bag so as to add to the rotation, I believe I’d need one thing like this woven mini messenger bag from Clare V. I like that it zips securely on the high, and it appears like I may slot in all of my requirements with out having to play an advanced Tetris sport each time I take one thing out and put it again. The leather-based additionally looks as if it could maintain up properly for five+ years of every day use.
The bag is $385 at Clare V and is available in evergreen, a pure woven checker, and a black rattan — you could find it at Clare V in addition to Nordstrom and Anthropologie.
Ann’s Most popular Bag: A Not-To-Small (and Packable) Crossbody
In my 15-ish years as a lawyer, my purses have gone from massive to small and again once more. After experimenting with all the pieces from supersized totes (good day Longchamp Le Pliage) to slender luggage that hung off my forearm (a pebbled leather-based, no-name Italian bag from Filene’s Basement — RIP), I’ve settled on what I think about a not-too-small crossbody.
For work, it matches proper into my backpack if I don’t really feel like carrying a number of luggage on my commute, and it has sufficient area for the necessities (pockets, keys, cellphone, and a small cosmetics bag) with out being too heavy. Since I don’t carry a lot, a single inside pocket for keys or a subway card is sufficient for me.
One thing like this Mini Pashli Leather-based Satchel ($695) from 3.1 Phillip Lim is correct up my alley.
Kate’s Splendid Bag: A Light-weight Tote
I’m a serial monogamist for on a regular basis luggage. My splendid for every day use is a medium-size tote / shoulder bag with a number of pockets and large straps. These days, I like nylon for its flexibility, sturdiness, and water resistance; plus, it provides me extra vegetarian cred than leather-based (kidding).
On the within, my on a regular basis bag should have room for my (tiny) umbrella, my sizeable pockets, sunscreen or hand moisturizer, my cellphone, and random stuff like hand sanitizer, tissues, a pen/Sharpie, a teeny-tiny notepad, bandaids, and so on. — plus smaller luggage/pouches to carry (1) just a few lip balms and pocket mirror, (2) rarely-used playing cards (3) just a few small beauty-related gadgets. (It’s form of rather a lot.)
I usually go together with sensible, fundamental kinds from middle-aged-mom manufacturers like Baggallini. (I imply, I AM a middle-aged mother, if we’re calling mid-40s center age. Are we? I don’t wanna.) Just a few years in the past, I had a LeSportsac bag I actually appreciated (and in accordance with GQ, LeSportsac is again?). I’m simply not a fancy-bag individual.
My present on a regular basis bag, the ANDI Small from ANDI ($148), is a good type — a really mild, medium-sized nylon tote with a number of pockets, and non-slip straps (plus a removable crossbody strap). The issues I carry frequently don’t fill it up, so there’s at all times room to slide in random gadgets like a Kindle.
If I have been on the lookout for a bag to exchange it, I’d be tempted by the pictured tote from Tillie ($238), which has nice evaluations and is on the market in 11 stable colours / prints.