The Purse Collection
November 2024Shoes and purses have always had a special place in my heart. They are items you can rewear for years if you take care of them, and they’re such a great way to add personality to your outfits. Some of the purses in my collection are 20+ years old, which goes to show how long a good quality purse will last. It really is a good investment to buy quality goods.
The things I look for when I’m investing in a new bag is material type, sturdiness, versatility, a special element, and if the style and color fulfill a missing element in my existing wardrobe. When it comes to materials, my ideal is pebbled leather or a thick suede. I find these two types tend to have higher lasting power, hide wear and discoloration better, are easier to clean, and look better with time! Another go-to for me is Baggu because they are so sturdy, affordable, have a great selection of fun patterns for personality, fit a ton, and you can wash them in the washing machine!! The best part is that a lot of them are made of recycled nylon, which is an extra plus. I also always have a standard and a mini foldable shopping tote with me at all times in case I have to pick something up from the store because I try to avoid using plastic grocery bags as much as possible.
Lately, my style has been leaning into utilizing color and patterns, so you can see that influence on some of my bags haha. My time in Spain really opened my eyes to combining color, texture, and pattern in fun ways to bring your personality to otherwise simple outfits, and accessories is such an easy way to do that! So, let’s get into the collection.
✿ Tote Bags
Tote bags have been my latest fixation. I had to rely on them heavily this summer whilst abroad since I didn’t have access to a car and needed to be able to carry around everything I’d need for the day in a stylish manner. I originally used a canvas Baggu (mine didn’t have the zip which would’ve been useful for safety!), but even though it was very comfortable on the shoulder due to the wide adjustable strap and fit a ton, it didn’t feel very polished for for the city and if I wanted to stay a bit later and grab dinner at a nicer restaurant, and it was harder to keep clean since I use a lot of sunscreen and it causes discoloration on the canvas. I still highly recommend this bag for more casual outings and every day wear, but it felt like at 28 years old, I outgrew this particular look in my current wardrobe. I think elegant tote bags have such staying power over the years because very often, people just need to bring a lot of stuff with them. This is why I decided to upgrade my tote bags to the following three styles.
The first is a woven chocolate leather horizontal tote bag from Quince that fits every season. The texture adds fun without being overwhelming, and it can fit a 15 inch laptop. It’s really well made, sturdy, and fits just enough for the office. The handles could be a little bit thicker to handle the weight better, but overall it’s a very great bag that doesn’t feel bulky while still fitting a ton!
The second bag is something I picked up at El Rastro in Madrid for only €40! It’s a pebbled leather vertical tote bag in black, and my most comfortable and most used item in my closet. El Rastro is a secondhand and small business market that happens every Sunday in the La Latina neighborhood, and it’s where you can find really beautiful and well-priced goods. Spain is known for its well-crafted leather goods at great prices, so I highly recommend going if you’re in town! This bag is unlined with a suede interior and has a zip. I usually use my small black nylon shoulder bag and a zippered pouch that I move from purse to purse, so the no pockets hasn’t been an issue. I had needed a solid and timeless black leather bag for so long, so it was a no-brainer when I saw it hanging in the booth.
My third tote is a pastel blue suede from Margot that is so beautiful, it makes me so happy every time I get to wear it! It’s quite spacious without feeling bulky, and the color and shape give it a fresh look. My closet has a lot of deep jewel tones, so this purse has a nice contrast and goes with everything. The color also makes it work for all seasons.
✿ Shoulder Bags
My shoulder bags were my go-to on most days before tote bags came into the picture because I used to only carry the essentials with me. Most of mine are Baggu, but there is an honorable mention of my vintage Coach, American Leather Co., and Unica! Firenze. These would change every day depending on the outfit, and since they’re small, I usually have a small zippered pouch that holds my wallet, lipgloss, a pen, keys, and sunglasses, so that all I have to do is move once thing once and the rest of the space is usually anything particular I need that day. This has been key for me to easily move things over, keep my purses uncluttered, and make less of a barrier to using the best purse for the job!
✿ Top Handle & Backpack
Sometimes, you need something a little different for the situation. For small trips, I like to bring my pebbled leather backpack because then I can be hands-free, carry my camera in my bag, fit some medicines and souvenirs, and not have to worry about an achy shoulder! The bonus of this one is that it has tons of pockets, a zipper under the flap for added protection, and the sides at the top unclip to add more space in case you need to add more stuff throughout the day!
My Staud purse was one of my first high-street purchases I’ve ever made for myself, and I absolutely love it! It’s definitely more of a special occasion bag because you can only really carry it with the top handle and the smooth leather shows wear faster, but it’s still so functional and spacious inside! The contrast stitching adds a beautiful detail, too, that really elevates it.
This collection is ever growing, edited, and improved as my style changes over time, so I will be updating this over time. That’s the fun part of discovering your personal style as your lifestyle changes: you have different needs and tastes waiting to be discovered!
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