I’m always impressed by women who manage to switch out their bags every few days, or to match their outfits; it’s something to aspire to. My M.O. is more to buy a bag I love, carry it for months and months every single day, and then get sick to death of it and crave a new one bad. It’s like when you really like a song and play it so many times that finally you can’t bear to hear it anymore. That’s where I am right now, and I have to say, it feels like the pickings are slim. I believe I think this because I’m not crazy for any bag trend right now, and especially not what appears to be the biggest one of all: making them really, really tiny. But I did manage to find a handful I liked, including this delightful, loud orange one.
Or maybe what I really need is a backpack? This one is a pretty perfect size, and I like that it’s kind of handbag-ish-looking.
I know it’s not the most practical thing, but I do sort of desire a chain-strap bag, and this one from A.P.C. is so elegant.
This is a good laptop-friendly option, and the striped strap is fun.
This looks very chicly minimal and old Jil Sander to me.
I’m not especially looking for a tote, but this splurgy little number from Il Bisonte is such a fantastic and unexpected blue.
This nylon camera bag has got a very utilitarian, cool-girl appeal.
Received my Assembly “camera” bag moments ago and am here to tell you it is perfect for me. The right size, lots of compartments, extremely light weight and seems durable. I’ve no doubt I will use it for years. Love it!
I saw that bag and immediately fell in love. I’m always looking for nice lightweight bags that are smart!
I’m a huge fan of the Atlanta brand Neva Opet. The bags are handmade by an all-women team in a studio there. Check out the “Alice” tote–it’s big but not huge, has a (removable) crossbody strap, and is just generally cool and graphic. I’ve had mine almost a year and I’m not sick of it yet! Its leather just gets better and better. https://nevaopet.com/collections/all-products-1
My mom was a pretty well known judge and was often asked to speak to women’s professional groups. Her most famous talk was “Don’t change your purse mid-week”and it explained every time she did it she left something out, tossed a receipt or forgot she needed that color lipstick. Her advice was to change every few weeks on the weekend when you have time and dump everything on a towel first so you don’t miss anything. I still get thanks from women and mom died 20 years ago!
On a recent trip to Portland, Maine, I splurged on a Rough & Tumble lambskin backpack and couldn’t love it more!
I have a Rough and Tumble bag as well — two years old, in a beautiful caramel color. I adore it and it has aged beautifully. It is the opposite of a status bag – no logo or ornamentation. The joy of the bag is in the soft shape and amazing leather.
I’ve had R and T bags for years and they are GREAT. As I’ve gotten older I need a lighter bag, and they have apparently gotten a lot of requests for that. They now line many bags with vinyl, which is definitely not as exciting or beautiful as their usual amazing attention to inner construction, but I bought the side-pocket Rebel waxed canvas bag which I can sling as a high-ish crossbody and I couldn’t be happier. You should also know that they’re a real Maine company that hires Mainers. We love them.
Thanks for the R&T rec! Am in Portland and bought the medium 1904 today 😍
I switch out my bag every few days. It helps me to stay organized by forcing me to deal with all the stuff I accumulate in my bag — receipts and other paperwork, too many lipsticks and too many pens (I never check to see if I have and just throw in more), and other junk that collects quickly and I end up carrying around for no good reason. I like all kinds of bags as long as they are large enough for me to carry both sunglasses and now reading glasses too (ugh), and of course my phone.
I don’t think I would admire someone just for changing purses, except for fancy social occasions – and then you kind of have to anyway. I would admire it if they wear a nice color though. And I definitely value organization skills. Maybe that is why people don’t want people in their bags – bc they will mess it up, more than bc they will take stuff?
I know some people who sort of have a problem with this. Everything goes in its own tiny interior pocket … and they take forever to get out of the house. I understand it though! We all have … stuff.
Four years ago, I sprung for a Bottega Veneta hobo bag I’d been eyeing awhile and the minute I slapped down my AMEX, I thought, “That’s it. I’m retiring from this life-sucking career as soon as I get another paycheck to cover this purchase.” I’ve carried it every day since (I looooove it) and it’s a reminder that I managed to free myself.
I have CV crossbody and a CV tote. They are my favorite bags. CV totes are great everyday and my CV crossbody is great for travel and weekends.
Love all of these! Just got a new green Botkier bag – so far loving the brand.
Karen, which CV are you considering? I have a tote from last fall and 3 year old crossbody
My bags tend to be Cole Haan. Right size (MacBook air, 2 phones, keys wallet, small notebook, pens), not too fussy, minimal logo, hard-wearing. I have been impressed by the durability of their bags (I tend to beat the crap out of them), and always glad to find one at Nordstrom Rack.
I have a green CH bag from a few years ago and I love it. I think it’s the ‘village’ line, pebbled leather, largeish tote. I love the color for spring/summer.
I don’t have bag issues until I travel. Then nothing I own ever seems right. My ideal travel purse should be big enough to accomodate carry-on bag overflow, but small enough to be light when I’m walking around a city. And of course it has to go with whatever I wear, even if I don’t conform to the wise travel wardrobe strategy of sticking to one pallette. I’m traveling to Montreal, Lake George, the NY Berkshires, Hudson Valley and Boston in September and I’m determined not to buy a new bag for the trip. Any Montreal suggestions would be appreciated. We’re staying in the old town and will be there for four days.
I keep looking at my well-worn J Crew leather tote, and my VERY well-worn Clare V messenger bag, and thinking, “It’s time for a new bag!” I find it hard to pull the trigger on a big money purchase…must be my midwestern roots.
Oh golly, I guess I’m in the minority. I change my bags all the time depending on the outfit! I adore handbags, big or small and don’t mind dropping some serious coin on bags I love (though I do buy pre-loved sometimes). I take good care of them, keep them covered in their felt bags and swap out often to enjoy them!
I don’t care for totes, schleppy, unstructured or backpack-style. But I did just get the Everland tote when they had a one-day flash sale. I like it for work stuff, but wouldn’t wear it as a day-t0-day. Maybe it’s being in southern CA? We keep all our sh*t in our cars 🙂
I used to change out my bag to work with what I was wearing or what activities I was doing. However–the last two years of bags will.not.do. Too small, too boxy, too femme to be practical, too awful colorwise. The last bag I purchased was the Clare V OUI red tote, which I still love but it’s not in the best shape. I find myself scrolling through ebay looking at old Bottega Veneta bags. Dear Fashion, Why do you hate me?
I’m in your camp. Bought a used BV and am in love. Never change my bag now 🙂
See now; I HAVE to buy a BV because you told me to 😉
Yes, you must.
Does anyone own the Clare V one? I’m seriously considering it for my new work bag, but scared to commit. Would love to hear real reviews.
I do not have that exact CV bag but I do own one of her smaller purses and have carried it for a couple of years. It is a very simple bag but beautifully made, down to the small details and has held up well.
I love my Clare V. nubuck messenger bag, which I’ve had for at least 6 years, and it’s gone everywhere with me because it holds so much. I’d highly recommend her bags!
I’d also love to hear real reviews of Clare V. I’m eyeing one for a big birthday for myself but I want to know it will last and look good for more than 3 months
I’m also someone that is “hard” on their bags, I carry my iPad and snacks and….many things. I have the red “OUI” tote. I think I’ve had it for about 4 years. I switch out bags fairly often (generally for a week), but I like this bag so I carry it a lot. This bag doesn’t have a zipper, so I put in velcro so it will stay closed. The handles are worn and are twisted a bit like well-used handles are. The red has faded. I notice it around the seams in particular. Overall, I am still happy with the purchase. I also have a grey suede with the “classic” Clare V stripe. That one has held up well. I spilled something all over the suede and was able to rescue the bag, which made me very happy. The red bag I bought new from Need Supply and the grey bag I bought from eBay.
Ordered the camera bag and have the orange COS bag in my shopping cart (in the washed out grey color). My “winter handbag” I’ve been using for the last five years. Oy and Egad.
I kind of love the backpack. Bit concerned that the back of it (part that faces your coat) looks like fabric?
Not sure it would wear so well if thats the case..
Clair V and camera bag are also swell.
Btw..I loathe the teeny tiny bag trend for daytime. It just screams grown ass woman dressed as pampered poodle to me..
I’m the same – use a bag until it’s begging for mercy and then replace it. It’s a pain moving everything over from purse to purse and then you have the added stress of having to store 500 purses! I do like the orange Cos purse very much though! I’m very picky. If it’s too big you can’t find anything with ease but obviously if it’s too small, then you aren’t able to bring much of anything.
Is anyone else overly protective of their purses? He’s now trained, but I would get full-on agitated if I saw my husband go into my purse. He would just be looking for something innocuous, like money, keys or an insurance card, but I would immediately take it out of his hands and say, “I’ll get it for you.” You would think I was hiding something, but I just think of my purse as *mine* and it’s a sacred place, even though there’s nothing sacred in it. Am I weird?
Also, I wear a purse into the ground before I change it out. Right now I’m on year 4 of a brown leather Jack Georges Voyager bag that I snagged for $60 at TJ Maxx (Yay!).
Yup. My kids are constantly in my bag looking for whatever. Mints, mascara, loose change!
Drives me nuts, then I remember how freely I rummaged through my mother’s bag, closet, makeup.,
Slightly ashamed.
Even worse when I was at my best friends house growing up. She’d give me a tour of her moms things!!!
To be fair her mother had great stuff.
I’ve trained my kids too…ha! My husband and kids know not to rummage through my purse unless they have approval after submitting a written request filed three day in advance of needing something. 🙂 My purse is the only thing is this house that is absolutely *mine*. My daughters can even go through my makeup and jewelry drawers and I’m fine with it, but never my purse.
All my beautiful bags sit in my closet and rebuke me. For years, I’ve worn a giant black Patagonia backpack (the brand calls it “the black hole” model) for work b/c it fits lunch & workout clothes & papers, and I often bike or have a long walk so need a backpack style. On weekends, I throw keys, wallet, phone, lipstick, sunglasses, book & water bottle into whatever cheap canvas bag I grab first. I tell myself I have a kind of “devil may care” chic thing going on. But I know this is a lie.
I’m impressed by women who switch out their bags every few months, too! I have very particular preferences when it comes to a bag..it must be a large, squarish hand bag (the handles should not be long enough to put over your shoulder) with an open top and a very sturdy optional cross body strap. Once I find them, I tend to keep them for years and beat the hell out of them. When it is time for a new one, I AGONIZE over it. I always keep the old one “just in case” I hate the new one.
Those COS bags are cute! And the right price too. I also carry one bag at at time.