For a while now I have a crush on a mini cross body bag. And when I finally decided to take the crush seriously and find the said bag, I realized my taste in bags has changed over the years.
So I went straight to my bags wardrobe zone (wink) where I keep all the bags I gathered over the years and started sorting. This is what I came up with: 5. Five essential bags I keep wearing and tearing on heavy rotation. 5 essential bags every woman should own! After you’ll scroll through my selection, feel free to share your perspective on what kind of bags every woman should own! I’ll start with the little ones: the mini cross body bag.
{1} The Mini Cross Body Bag: the one above is my current obsession I mentioned when I started this story, it’s the Legacy Leather Mini Saddle bag from Coach. On a budget ($158), timeless design, classic color (or you can choose another color, one that’s popping, like a red one – and then you’d have to pay attention to what you’re wearing and if the bag matches. So, generally, to reduce the headache, I stick with natural tan or something in that area. You wouldn’t believe how many shades of “natural leather” you can find today!)
{2} The Evening Bag: The clutch above is for sophisticated evenings. An envelope clutch in textured black or rose gold from BCBGMaxAzria (also on a budget – it’s currently available at BCBGMaxAzria for $78). Now – I wouldn’t normally recommend you take a bag for an evening outing since you’d be better off with nothing to carry if you’re going dancing, but some occasions do require fancying up, so be sure you have a fancy option in your wardrobe.
Black is good for such occasions if you’re a classic when it comes to night out wardrobe. But golden – rose can also work wonders if you’re more on the wild side.
{3} The Satchel: Going up in scale, you should consider owning a Satchel. Satchels are the new hobos / shoulder bags. And you should own at least one for day – to – day ventures. Either going to the office or just running errands, a satchel is what you need to give you that “busy” serious look. And you know what else is great about satchels? That they double as cross – body bags! Trust me, you’ll appreciate that about your bag when you’ll have your hands full and the last thing you need is your bag falling down from your shoulder.
The bag above it’s the Mini Mini MAB from Rebecca Minkoff, its all leather and classic, timeless design. A bit on the splurge side, but if you’re thinking about sticking with this satchel for at least two years, I think it’s worth the investment! (currently $325 at Revolve Clothing).
{4} The Tote Bag / The Shopper: Next on the must own list is the tote bag. You want a tote bag! Because it also doubles as a shopper! And we know a thing or two about shopping, don’t we? Now, when it comes to the tote bag, you have two alternatives: a fun tote or a serious tote that you can switch your satchel with. If needed. For light shopping. So, for the fun tote, I’d say a pink suede (or the easier to care for canvas tote, if it makes your skirt fly higher).
Also, keep in mind that you’ll want your tote bag to have the cross body option as well (for the same reasons I mentioned at the satchel above). Call it a “hands free” bag if you want, but the cross body bag (or messenger bag) is a life savior! (all the bags above come from Cole Haan and vary from $207 for the canvas one to $398 for the suede ones, chez Zappos)
{5} The Backpack: Last, although a surprising choice, considering the above satchel and tote bags: the backpack!
Don’t grin, a backpack is good! Is good for picnics in the park, it’s good for light traveling and it’s good for the extra luggage you need when you don’t have enough to fill a suitcase or you just want to carry it with you in the cabin.
Now – some may want to consider a laptop – appropriate backpack. In which case, you have to think of a business – looking, a dull backpack, lacking sparkle and personality.
Or, take the orange $45 Skullcandy version below (available at Zappos) and think that an iPad (or any kind of “pad”) is better for traveling than a laptop. At least that’s what I’d do.
The second backpack version is the one I like better – the hippie, vintage backpack approach. It just feels more appropriate. Although I’d love a leather backpack (like the one above), there are pretty canvas versions as well. Remember you want your backpack to be pretty but also sturdy and roomy. (the leather one can be found at Free People, the heavily flowery one is a $200 Marc By Marc Jacobs backpack from Ssense while the $100 Nixon The Distance striped Backpack and red fishes $55 Volcom Copy Cat Rucksack both can be found chez Swell)
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