Finding the one

How to find that one great every day bag

Hi everyone

Last time I looked at whether we should always buy the best we can afford.

I came to the conclusion that it’s only worth investing more if doing so pushes the item into another realm in terms of quality and overall appeal. I identified tailored jackets and shoes as examples of where this occurs.

An every day bag is another. Materials, design and longevity - all of these things improve significantly as the price increases.

Apart from that a bag is a key piece, holding our essentials and giving us ready access to them. And it also has the ability to take what we wear to the next level.

So - what makes a great every day bag? I think it’s very much down to personal preference, but here’s my take.

Unless there’s a reason to, like a dressier event or travel, I don’t change my every day bag. When I need my laptop I use a separate tote. So my bag is actually my constant companion - year round, work to weekend and day to night.

Loewe Balloon bag. Sadly discontinued but available on Vestiaire here and here.

Why does it work for me?

First and foremost, I love it. Its distinctive shape. How it perfectly balances structure and slouchiness. The two tone colour way. These things somehow spoke to me when I first saw it five years ago - and they still do!

Second, the fact that it’s -

• a cross body

• leather

• a neutral

• functional - as in easy to open and close and fits my essentials

• light

Cross body A cross body bag is comfortable because it leaves both your hands free. Its weight is also distributed more evenly, making it feel lighter. Mine has an extra strap that means I can also wear it on my shoulder or arm, which is a bonus.

Old Acne blazer, similar here, Alexander Wang shirt.

Leather I love the texture and feel of leather. It’s also practical and gets better with age.

Neutral A bag in a neutral hue pairs well with just about anything else, including another neutral. But which one is best? Black is an obvious choice but a bag can often look better in brown or similar.

Functional Sometimes a bag is just impractical. Case in point is one I used to have that opened out so widely, my things would fall out. Lesson learnt: before buying a bag, try it on with all the things I usually carry inside. I think a magnetic closure mechanism is good or a zipper as long as it’s easy to undo. My bag has a drawstring which makes it easy to dive into with one hand.

Light Metal hardware will often give a bag its individuality. But it can also add weight so it’s a matter of striking a balance. Again, try before you buy.

It’s a reality that great bags can be expensive. The luxury designer end of the market is filled with incredible examples and a lot of hype surrounds some of them.

But it’s under the radar options I’d like to explore. Between now and next time I’ll be focussed on uncovering pieces that are less pricey but no less stylish. So if you have any favourites please let me know!

Thank you for reading and for being here, I’m so grateful for your support.

Bye for now and I’ll see you in two weeks!

x

Jennie