#handbags

Signature Style- Crossbody Bags to Love

May 17, 2022 By kimwheeler 32 Comments

Hello it’s that time again for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. This month we are talking bags, but this time specifically crossbody bags, as it seems that’s the bag that’s here to stay and people are quite passionate about them!

After years of carrying a heavy tote, I feel like my shoulder can’t take a whole day with a leather tote anymore. I can sometimes do a straw one, but if I’m on a trip or an active day shopping or walking, or errands, a crossbody is what I opt for.

I own a few crossbody bags and the ones I use the most are this black Tory Burch Bombe bag I’ve had forever which is soft and roomy with two compartments and pockets. I also have this YSL bag in a turtle green color that I saved for and love, and a raffia Claire V Pot Du Miel bag, that I added my own strap to and my latest purchase this tiny Longchamp bag on camo (similar style).

*Someone inquired to my denim dress and it’s this one from Frank & Eileen and I love it to pieces. Great travel dress, no maintenance and can be a tunic too.

According to Harper’s Bazaar the big bag trends for Spring and Summer 2022 are woven bags and light and bright shades. Whether or not that’s a trend, I go that way anyway, when warm weather comes. Since this is springtime post and summer is almost here, I’m going to share what I noticed in woven looks and pretty colors. Greens and melons are all over and I do love them..

Crossbody bags that caught my eye this season..

I want to call out a brand I mentioned before, Demellier London. If you’re looking to add a quality handbag to your closet, something to last a long time, they have so many unique and beautifully made bags. For every bag purchased they fund a set of lifesaving vaccines and treatments aimed to save the life of a child in need through A Bag, A Life, their charity. All the bags are handmade in Spain using Italian and Spanish materials.

Love the Alexandria bag shown below left and the Marrakesh in lime and toffee, and also the Vancouver bag in taupe. So many more fun bags it’s worth perusing their site. They also have the Montreal Bag in Nano size, bottom right, with a strap and it’s a cutie.

Other trends in crossbody bags is the fanny bag being worn as a crossbody along the chest like this one by Claire V. on the right below. If you have a fanny bag you can see if yours works this way or looks good like that.. You may need to adjust it and play around.

Chain straps and thinner straps are nice for evening looks..Also look at the sizes.. Nano and mini bags are becoming the new thing. Women are carrying less and loving it.

Big guitar straps are still seen all over as they can be added to existing bags for some flair and individuality..I see some interesting combinations with these straps and bags and it can be a good way to create your own look with a bag.

Other ideas are to add one of these to a bag you already have like this braided one by Salt.. They have a beautiful collection of the nicest straps. Salt is women owned and employs artisans and helps their communities while giving back. They also have a nice collection of bags. ETSY also has straps here.

I also just found out a stylish Instagram friend, Diana Amato, has her own line of crossbody straps here. You can follow her on Instagram as La Zingara Designs.

Finally, I just love this whole look on Hailey Beiber and with the simplest crossbody, so chic!

Similar shaped bag here and this below for $20 from Target…adorable!

More budget friendly options and just as stylish at Target are options like this Triple Compartment Bag with the perfect shape and size in many cute colors…( also in black, brown and a cognac.)

They also have this Handloom Bag in some many colors and a crochet and cotton versions too.

Don’t forget some of the best sources for unique and beautifully made bags that are more affordable are those that are upcycled and you can find bags that are barely worn and sometimes new with tags…

Look to your local resale shops for the best treasures and prices. Online places like ThredUp have bags that aren’t in the thousands like many resale spots. I actually see some of these places selling the bags for more than they are in the store new, so be aware.

Well, thats my thoughts on crossbody bags. What’s your opinion of them? Love them? If so what has been your favorite style or brand??

Please go see what my lovely pals have for you about crossbodies today on their blogs. I always love what they share.. (Their posts up at noon on Tuesday- this mailer went out early..Sorry!)

Cindy Hattersley

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

You might also like last month’s Signature Style post on Wedding Guest Dressing Ideas

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Signature Style- Let’s Talk Bags -Crossbody, Canvas Totes and Trends

November 18, 2021 By kimwheeler 19 Comments

It’s that time again for a signature style post with my chic pals, Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London. Wow the month flew by didn’t it? This episode we are chatting about handbags! The role of handbags has evolved hugely during the pandemic. With masks and keeping our hands clean, I began to going hands-free more and using a crossbody bag, a backpack or just my wallet tucked in my jacket, but now paying with my phone I don’t even really need that a lot of times.

This cream bag is a Rebecca Minkoff that goes as a shoulder bag or a crossbody and is a smart style to have in your closet depending on what you are doing that day! Rebecca has some great options in crossbody/shoulder bags. A similar one to mine here.

The crossbody bag wins me over with its hands-free feeling, less strain on the shoulder and the security too. I now mostly just carry a small card case, a lip balm, glasses, hand spray and my keys. When I need to carry a bit more I have a small backpack which feels light too. Today I’m going to talk about a new trend and bags that make us feel less encumbered.

That brings me to an exciting development that Sarah London shared with our Signature Style group, that the upcoming Sex and The City reboot has our girl Carrie Bradshaw sporting in many scenes a canvas tote bag, not a designer bag. It’s a logo bag you get for giving your money to public television or radio. Many young women in Korea were already sporting these status free bags, bookstore ones in particular.

This begs the question, is the designer bag beginning its descent? When literally everyone has them, from your 12 year old neighbor to all the people at the grocery, have they lost their appeal? When all with a credit card can buy a multi-thousand dollar purse, maybe the smartest 2021 bag is the tote from the last museum visit or that you got with a purchase at your favorite store? Food for thought.

Some of the paparazzi photos of Sarah filming in NYC with canvas bags..

I personally have been collecting these sort of bags on trips for a long time! My favorites come from museums and I never miss a gift shop as they are the kind of souvenir that is useful while traveling and grocery shopping when back home.

Just for fun, I thought I’d wear one of mine out to lunch this week as a handbag. It was light and I felt like one of the cool kids! This was from the Mary Quant exhibit I saw at the V&A before the pandemic. The tote has her name and the other side of it is white 70’s flowers.

I have a lot of the V&A totes – most are under $10 and you can see them all here. My choices of the best below. Of course you need to pay for shipping. Check out local bookstores, museums or historic spots with gift shops for unique ones.

Some more cloth totes like these at Nordstrom, below left and these Baggu ones with a handy outside pocket and in many patterns and colors..

Crossbody bags are everywhere and make up a huge part of the purse segment now. This YSL bag one is my newest and I’ve used so much this fall. I realize this is an expensive bag and I saved for it and used some gift cards too. I chose this bag for the size, lightweight and the color, which I knew would be a fun option, but still classic. I think a lot about each purchase as I don’t want a closet of just okay things anymore. I am really trying to save for pieces I’ll love for years and that is why I splurged a bit on this bag.

I have seen a lot of women with great Tory Burch crossbody bags. I have two that are many years old, worn a zillion times and still looking good.

Tory’s been making more unique styles lately and appreciate the quality of her handbags for the cost. This Kira Chain Wallet in the sycamore color is a pretty design and the right size with a zip section too.

Her Perry Bombe Mini Bags are well designed with two zip sections and very roomy and light. I have a this bag in black. The latest offerings in this style are here. I love the burgundy! All of the Tory crossbody styles here.

If you must have a larger bag, they also come in crossbody styles. I have large vintage Coach I bought at a resale store years ago and it’s still one I reach for when I’m in a big city like San Francisco all day and need to carry more..

If you can find a Coach bag in good condition at a vintage or resale store, grab it. Coach sells these vintage beauties on their site and they have restored ones as well. Keep checking back as some are added regularly if they look sold out. I wish I had saved some of my older bags. I was lucky to get mine many moons ago and for a song. I commend Coach for getting us all in the mindset that we should value what’s here and older items are classics are even cooler than new!

I also love Coach bags from the regular store. They have a pretty bag now called the Willow that’s a crossbody/shoulder hybrid in a beautiful color block and other tones. Coach is making its way back on the cool list I see with a lot of people. Right now they are having 25% off full price styles.

The white backpack from coach is still a best seller.

I have been using this Longchamp backpack that was a gift from a dear friend and it’s the perfect piece for travel as it packs down very small and so good for a hike and can carry a water bottle, sunscreen and a granola bar- and more. I had it in Tahoe this summer biking and forgot I was even wearing it as it’s so light. Such a thoughtful gift.

I also kind of love this ClaireV backpack for dressier times. I have one of her totes and I think her bags are so nicely made and just a little different which I like.

This crossbody is another classic style she makes in many different mixes. This green leopard with the stripes is a standout and fun.

A few of my friends with crossbody bags- Heidi, with a cool zip pouch, Jeanne with a Rag & Bone and and Dawn-of Fashion Should Be Fun with a beautiful silver grey YSL bag.

It is worth shopping your closet and see what bags can be turned into crossbody bags by just attaching a longer strap to the side handle links. Not all bags will have this, but I was able to do this with a few bags by taking the long removable strap off one and attach to another. Play around and see what works!

You can also buy straps from Madewell, which has many versions and gives a new look and options to a bag like below..

If you still need of a good basic crossbody well made, to last you many years, the brand Cuyana, is high on my list for gorgeous basics like this Top Handle Crossbody in many pretty textures and colors..I know many friends who love this brand.

They also have a modern Saddlebag and a pretty backpack. Here is more about Cuyana and their vision of less things, made better and responsibly through good practices and their whole collection.

Staud bags have also been having a moment, particularly this fun shaped crossbody/tote with a removable pouch.

Similar to the vintage Coach style is this Oslo Soft leather Crossbody that’s half off now at J Crew in a few colors. I kind of love the red for a change. It reminds me of French women who often wear a red handbag or a shoe as a pop of color on a monochrome outfit.

I’d love to get your feedback about bags. What are you using and has that changed the past year or so and what are you looking for in bags now? What has lasted for you and still looks great and how do you feel about status bags versus this new canvas uprising?

Please pop over to my chic collaborators blogs and see what they have in store for you today. I know they will have some great thoughts and always beautiful options…

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Thanks for stopping by!

Kim

Some links will generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Weekend Thoughts and Some Shopping…

February 26, 2021 By kimwheeler 20 Comments

Hello how are you all? Well sorry for the break here. I was just in a bit of a funk. I broke my right small toe by kicking it on furniture of all things, and what a pain. It’s essentially stopped all my active things which is a real bummer given spring is coming and I was hoping to get more toned after this pandemic winter. I’m trying floor workouts, but have had time for a closet cleaning too.

That closet clean got my wheels spinning. All of us having spent a large part of the past year at home, a lot of us have completely ignored 90% of our clothes. I think that gives us pause to reconsider what we wear, what we like and what we will wear going forward. Do we need restricting and uncomfortable clothes? Even if we get done with this pandemic this year, I don’t see skinny jeans and high heels coming back. So many of us have found the joys of relaxed pants, cute sneakers and slides and less formal clothes in general don’t you agree? Also some things are just about to be over in my opinion and high heels are on the way out. Watching the fashion at the inauguration I marveled how many still wore sky high stilettos with their beautiful coats. WHY ? They look dated, and make most women hobble. SO many cooler options now. We really don’t need them!

You know what else looks dated to me? A lot of makeup, overdone nails, fussy hair and you know what is current? Natural makeup, some roots in the hair, clothes that are a combo of relaxed and elegant- hence the sweat and blazer combo, sneakers with a dress, and so on. Think your home look, but just buffed up and polished a bit more..

I just listened to a piece on public radio talking to women who before the pandemic, were slaves to the daily routine of makeup, blow drying, nail appointments and all that and they feel freed of it all! Others have dropped the daily face makeup routine with the mask wearing. Why not a lot less?

On that note, of needing less… sadly my online shopping radar has naturally had a bit of an uptick sitting with my foot up, and I’ve scoped out a lot of cute things Retailers have realized people have no ‘events’ and what people want/need now are beautiful basics. I haven’t wanted to buy much this past year, given our ‘lifestyle’ is 99.9% staycation, but I went through the closet, pared things a bit and noticed I could add some pieces in the easy living category. :/

All of these below qualify as beautiful basics in my opinion.

J. Crew has finally gone back to its classic roots. I used to adore their catalogs in the early 2000’s and they have brought back the beautiful basics… Some things I would add to my wardrobe below, many of these things are on the 59% off sale this weekend!

I adore this eyelet blouse I can wear now and through summer. This silk camisole is also on sale and perfect for under these kind of blouses or for sleeping in.

I’m crazy for the tennis themed things they have and this Love Forty sweatshirt is on the sale.

This Petunia print Liberty floral button up is also beautiful. Anything from Liberty always is, and on sale, even nicer. There are matching swimsuits in this print called Mini-Floral Walk also! How fun to have this as a light coverup over it?

They have really done a super job of styling their cashmere pieces together and I love the shells with the sweaters half over the shoulder, the layered look with the new slouchier Boyfriend White Jeans they carry and this cashmere T.. all springy and classic. See all the cashmere from them here.

Also how cool are these Slouchy Boyfriend Chinos? After spending a year in the home in soft pants, the last thing I want is to go back to tight pants. I love the look of these and rolled up two ankle look could also be cute. Again a classic!

Love them with a white sneaker or something like these thin leather flip-flops. They also look cute as shown with the white denim above .

Isn’t the color great on these retro sunglasses?

Another retailer that keeps making pretty things is Tory Burch. I love her Lee Radziwell bags of all styles. The small cross bodies seem to be the easy bag to have now. I am really loving the mix of materials on them and colors. Each one is so unique..This suede/leather mix petite double is pretty and has a cross-body strap..

But then there are so many versions, all beautiful. I think she’s created a classic with it. A few of the many Radiziwell styles below. They remind me of the Birkin/Kelly bag without the outrageous prices. Still not cheap, but reasonable for the quality. Quality is the goal- longevity, classic looks, etc. There’s about 30 styles..Just a few below.

They also came out with this darling Printed Tote for summer -very cute.

Tory just came out with her own version of Birks and they are all the prettiest colors..

I have also been eyeing this swingy short dress which would go easily with slides and sneakers. I think you’re going to see more and more tunic dresses like this. They are versatile, comfortable and can be worn over jeans for an arty everyday look or dressed up.

I don’t know why I am obsessed with slides, but maybe laziness. They are just so easy. Tory’s Double T Sport Slides come in a pretty tan and off white, but I do love this black..

All my Tory shoes have lasted so long. Beautifully made!

Have you noticed the comeback of the 90’s polo style in sweaters? I love that look like this cardigan from Madewell. I like the Chanel pocket shape and the jacket look, but with knitwear ease. Would be pretty alone – or with a thin t-shirt and some long necklaces? Another classic.

I also like the sneakers Madewell has including these cute Veja ones in pink. If we are getting away from heels and all that we all need more sneakers in our closets!

Veja sneakers originate from Paris, but are made in Brazil from sustainable materials, including soles constructed of wild rubber from the Amazonian rain forest. I love all the Veja styles and they’re just as cute -sustainable and more affordable than the Golden Goose.

On my retail deep dive I just ordered this phone case from St Frank. I like the quality of their cases and this will be my third. Their other items I can’t speak for as I had some issues with delivery, and they never came, but the phone cases have come on time and been excellent.

They have many cool cases made off their textiles…A few others:

If you need some light and fun reading, this book, Long Live The Queen:23 Rules for Living From Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch looks pretty entertaining. Great lessons on resiliency, living with grace and simplicity using the Queen’s own habits and methods.

I’m in!

Another fun thing, I was reading Jeanne’s great blog, Collage of Life, and she shared she made a book of all her Instagram posts of the past year on a site called Pastbook. Its fast, made for you, instantly, and you can customize cover or remove a post. I just did the quick version, and edited the cover and added a back cover photo too. It came in a few days and is kind of a nice memory of the past year (okay a lot of home photos- LOL). I love seeing all the photos in a bound in a real book. Would be a nice gift for someone too. A glimpse of mine…

Let me know below your thoughts on all this wardrobe stuff.. Is anyone else feeling the same about their clothes and what they want to wear or don’t anymore?

So what are your weekend plans for this time of year? I think picnics in the car at a scenic spot are a good thing right now. My guys are off to ski and so I have time to do some masks, binge a few shows like Escape to the Chateau, and finish a book or two.

That is all for this week.. I am working on page about cabin style and a few other things relating to the remodel to add to the blog, so stay tuned.

If you missed it I just shared a walk through video of the entry and main rooms of our remodel on my Instagram this week and you can watch here.