Not too long ago, the WSJ had an article entitled “The ‘Excellent’ Purse, In accordance with Girls in Their 20s, 30s, 40s and 70s” (reward hyperlink) — so I assumed it is likely to be enjoyable to debate right here! What’s your supreme 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 strains, we’ve requested the readers what number of baggage you convey to work, whether or not you guys buy designer baggage, whether or not ladies in sure professions MUST carry a designer bag, and (way back) what the greatest baggage 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 Best Bag: A Assertion Bag That Isn’t Too Small
One of many issues that I discovered so fascinating in regards to the WSJ article is that my purse tastes have gotten a lot smaller over time. I used to need to carry the whole lot! There have been years the place I needed to suit a whole second pair of sneakers and a cardigan — excellent for the commute or a spontaneous resolution to seize dinner with a pal after work.
Lately I’m rather more minimal in what I convey 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 need one thing that’s fascinating, that makes an announcement 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 most likely 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 shiny sufficient coloration, or (my latest obsession) the Mulberry Amberley crossbody in a shiny coloration. (Or, OOH, apparently Mulberry had a print version a number of 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 Best Bag: The Giant-Sufficient Crossbody
I’m not a “bag particular person,” so I are inclined to take a reasonably utilitarian strategy to purses. For me, the best 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 prime, and it appears to be like 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 might maintain up effectively for five+ years of day by day use.
The bag is $385 at Clare V and is available in evergreen, a pure woven checker, and a black rattan — you will discover it at Clare V in addition to Nordstrom and Anthropologie.
Ann’s Most well-liked 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 the whole lot from supersized totes (whats up Longchamp Le Pliage) to slender baggage that hung off my forearm (a pebbled leather-based, no-name Italian bag from Filene’s Basement — RIP), I’ve settled on what I contemplate a not-too-small crossbody.
For work, it suits proper into my backpack if I don’t really feel like carrying a number of baggage 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 Best Bag: A Light-weight Tote
I’m a serial monogamist for on a regular basis baggage. My supreme for day by day use is a medium-size tote / shoulder bag with numerous pockets and vast straps. These days, I like nylon for its flexibility, sturdiness, and water resistance; plus, it offers 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 baggage/pouches to carry (1) a number of lip balms and pocket mirror, (2) rarely-used playing cards (3) a number of small beauty-related gadgets. (It’s form of loads.)
I sometimes go along with sensible, primary 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.) A couple of 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 particular person.
My present on a regular basis bag, the ANDI Small from ANDI ($148), is a superb type — a really gentle, medium-sized nylon tote with numerous 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 searching for a bag to switch it, I’d be tempted by the pictured tote from Tillie ($238), which has nice critiques and is obtainable in 11 strong colours / prints.
