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…
Thanks for stopping by!
Kim
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Hi Kim,
Well you did it again. Sent me on a search through my closet to figure out what goes or stays in the tote/handbag department. I’m mostly wearing a crossbody now, I think I will purchase a few straps to convert a couple of my shorter handled bags. What a good idea, and so many fun options for straps!
I hate anything too heavy, the right size to fit my all my important junk is important, ant it’s a plus if it looks good too! Thanks for the fun ideas!
XHeidi
Heidi, I agree the strap is a fun idea right? I know what you mean about heavy. I just can’t do it anymore either. Thanks for shopping with me the other day and letting me use your cute crossbody photo! xo
Yep, I used to carry mom friendly canvas totes or a crossbody, but during the pandemic I switched to a crossbust(?) Herschel or just a plain old Vera Bradley lanyard wallet to stay as hands free as possible.
Nicole, I see a lot of people with similar bags- they seem to be convenient! I do love being hands free!
I love that vintage Coach crossbody. I need something with a little size. I picked up a Rag & Bone on Ebay of similar size with a zipper that expands the bottom which I really like. I love the idea of fun totes as a bag, but I probably will never do it! I need to find a backpack too! This was such a well done post Kim.
Cindy the nice thing about the Coach I have is it’s able to hold quite a lot. Your Rag & Bone sounds like a great find. Totes as a bag are fun, but I found I need a zip pouch I throw in there to make it work, or it all goes to the bottom like a black hole! I think a backpack is another great option we could all use! Thanks Cindy this is always fun with you and Sarah. xo
Hi Kim, this is a great topic for me as I’ve always loved bags, ever since I was a little girl. I don’t have any ‘Designer’ bags, but I do have several from a small business in Toronto – the bags are hand made there: https://opellecanada.com/ I like them because there are no logos, the styles are lovely, and they are very well made. . Although, I have to say that nowadays I don’t like to carry a very heavy bag, so I don’t use the original crossbody strap on one of my larger bags because the brass fittings are so heavy! I found a great alternative strap (not leather) which is also wider, so more comfortable.
For the gym I use a bright pink leather tote (north-south) that I bought in the Testaccio market in Rome – there’s a detachable pocket inside, very useful. And when we lived abroad we bought small backpacks for the whole family for city trips – I still use mine when I’m out walking. Bags are the perfect souvenir for me!
P.S. I thought of you the other day when I saw a video of a bear nonchalantly stepping into a store somewhere around Lake Tahoe!
Hi Patricia! Thanks for sharing your favorites. I love that you also buy bags as a souvenir. Aren’t they a useful thing and also usually unique when you find something from another place? I will check out the link you sent. The pink Rome bag you use sounds so cool! Love that. I saw that bear too I think.. Was he going into a 7-11? Crazy.
Yes, I think that’s it! I hope that you keep bear bells in your pocket when you go there!
I loved this post! I love handbags and have way too many! I have designer ones too but have found there are so many options out there that aren’t
outrageous prices! I can’t do heavy anymore either and do cross bodies the most. One fabulous tote I found was at Leatherology! Great soft leather
you can custom monogram too! It comes with pockets on inside as well as a small bag and strap. I couldn’t believe how nice
it is and very reasonable. You did send me to my closet in search of a black Coach leather shoulder bag that I couldn’t part with! It is still in
great shape and looks great!! I used to change them up frequently and need to do that again so I can use them!!😂 Like the strap idea too!
Sorry that post didn’t space nicely!
WHAT A CUTE LEOPARD VINTAGE JACKET!
AS I mentioned on Cindys insta post I worked for FENDI AND GUCCI for years in the wholesale end and ALL I CARRY NOW IS BASKET BAGS!
Done with the DESIGNER STUFF.My Italian use to work with the ARTISANS who made those bags so he can tell you more about that if WE EVER MEET UP!
We can also tell you is its FAKE or REAL!!!
Years ago I had to give up the leather totes as my shoulder hurt too much and I don’t carry Make up or hair brushes!!!I found a basket bag was the way to go for me!ALso I use to buy bread daily and I could stick it in the basket bag without using a PLASTIC BAG!
I have that first VA BAG!Or did I give that to YOU?!!
I’m SUPER IMPRESSED YOU PAY FOR EVERYTHING ON YOUR PHONE!I REFUSE TO USE THAT Apple Pay!
YOU WILL HAVE TO EDUCATE ME!
AS USUAL!
XOXOX
Love this post so much. Sent two recommendations to family for me for Christmas!
Great post Kim! I love bags and have way too many that I dont wear anymore since I like a smaller bag now. I have to say that coach willow bag caught my eye – hmmm. I will try and resist since I need to sell a few of the ones I already have to justify another purchase. I recently bought a quilted nylon tote from Kate spade that is the perfect size and can be worn cross body and I’m looking forward to wearing that for now. Thanks again for the great post and links.!
I honestly don’t think I will go for the trend of cloth bags of any kind. How would you be able to clean them? With leather, you have a chance to remove soil and germy ick. I hate to put a purse on the floor but sometimes that really is the only place and using cloth would make that even feel more gross.
I did enjoy the post. I have the same poncho, handmade in Nepal, in different colors. It’s been a great piece to throw on.
Thanks for the round-up, Kim!
Love these posts, Kim! So fun and I always learn something from you. Oh how I wish I’d kept my coach bag from the late 1970’s. Did not know about the refurbished bags on their site. I have YSL cross body bag envy … and your new bag is on all my wish lists. I don’t think it’s in the cards this year. Maybe next … I have quite a few Nordy notes and gift cards tucked away. Speaking of Nordy’s, they very nicely informed me I’m in danger of losing my Icon status next year. I don’t think it’s a danger, I think it’s a certainty. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. The YSL purchase might help me get there … I’ll have to check! Good thing Jim can’t read this. Anyhoo … I love a cross body bag but size is always an issue … too small I can’t hold all the things I need, to big and it feels bulky. I still use a decent size Kate Spade nylon cross body that’s probably hopelessly out of style, but its lays flat and I love it. The canvas store bag trend is a good one too … love see Carrie with her collection. A new one of these might be under the holiday tree … but won’t help me get back into Nordstorm’s good graces. Haha! Happy Thanksgiving! xo
Juliet, Thanks! I hear you, I had a Coach backpack in the 90’s. I don’t know what happened to it and a neoprene Coach they was time and cute. I swear I just gave it and a silver Coach away a couple years ago in a closet purge. Sometimes, I wonder if I needed to see more, but honestly I like less, so I can use what I have! The Kate Spade is probably cooler than you think. I have one of her originals from her early years! I will never get rid of it. I never got status at any store, well some level at Nordy’s when I buy all the holiday gifts clothes for the men in the family. My friend Jeanne has Neiman status and that seems cool with lunch at the cafe and all kinds of treats! I guess I never spend enough, which is probably okay. Hope Santa brings you something special! xo
Great bag round up Kim! I love your new YSL crossbody! Perfect shape and size. I’ve mostly been using crossbody bags and and sometimes little clutches with wrist straps. I always tuck them into a tote for my water and miscellaneous items and use this combination to go to/from the house/car/work. When I need to run in a store or some such I grab the smaller bag with my necessities. Of course I always see new, or new to me, bags that I want to add to my collection! I do try to be practical though! Haha!
Ginger thanks so much! Glad you like the post. The YSL has been the best size bag I have ever had. Light and practical too. Great idea to just have a pouch you can move to different bags and totes. I have a similar one I have that I throw in my tennis bag, etc. I do love changing bags occasionally as I love them so much! xo