I should probably add ‘right now’ to that blog post title because it’s what I use for now. Next month it will shift to different ones.
Some use a bag for one week straight (or longer). Others are magpies, switching bags depending on their mood. I am the latter. Most of the time I carry a Nikon to shoot street style, so that’s usually slung over my shoulder too – hence why I stick to smaller bags. So this is my current rotation and click on my shop to see the ones that I am selling:
The Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini
This is the consignment find that I came this close to selling remember? Thank God I didn’t because I now use it all the time. It’s a little edgy and is below the radar popularity wise. Even so, whenever I see someone carry one it still makes me turn my head. In an old toffee brown leather (the color I most lusted after) it’s a good grab size for essentials only. Note: It doesn’t hold much so only get if you’re the small bag type.
W H E R E T O F I N D:
Proenza Schouler at Barneys and SSense
The Chanel Red Medium Boy
Sod the overexposure. I’ve had a soft spot for Chanel since I was at school and when the Boy came around my eyes popped out of their sockets and my lower jaw dislocated and hit the ground cartoon style. This one is from 2014 and I waited two years later before caving a few months ago after stalking it on the used market. I’ve had different colored Boys before, but sold them all. The aged silver hardware makes it feel antique and the red is dark enough to wear with everything (black and red are the most common bag colors I carry). Mostly I wear it on the shoulder , sometimes cross body style. It holds more than the PS11 but I still classify it as a small bag. I don’t know. I prefer when the hype around certain bags has subsided to be honest. The saturation is when I initially want it but then I quickly get turned off when the same style is everywhere. This bag is my exception. You can read more of my thoughts on It bags here.
W H E R E T O F I N D:
Places to find authentic pre loved Boys include Fashionphile and The Real Real. You can read more about how to buy a Chanel for less in (this useful post).
Similar styles (requested by a WDUGT reader): Moschino and Rebecca Minkoff.
Madewell Transport Tote
I underestimated how much I’d grab this but it has paid its self off in spades. It has all the characteristics of an oversized vintage bag and the all over leather with no hardware is what attracted me to it. I got mine about three years ago and it is my most used tote bag. Bonus that my camera disappears inside and the wide mouth makes it easy to snatch. I would hands down recommend it to anyone wanting a basic all leather tote bag that’s the opposite to structured styles.
Every time I go on a trip overseas, this is the bag you see me with. It’s also the bag for bumming around the city.
W H E R E T O F I N D:
Madewell Tote in saddle brown and black.
Similar styles: Street Level Reversible tote.
Mansur Gavriel Black Mini Bucket Bag
Despite the hoopla surrounding this bag, I haven’t let that stop me using mine and it’s what I grab when I want a plain bag with no hardware. You’ve seen the caramel color too (a larger size) but function wise, this is easier. Being smaller, it’s compact but still fits my Nikon and lens completely – a photographer’s win!
W H E R E T O F I N D:
Mansur Gavriel at Barneys.
Similar styles: Try Madewell or I found loads on Nordstrom
. . .
So these are the top four most used. I had to stop myself adding more bags to the list because there are others I use too (my old Coach bags!!) but this is a snap shot of the current shoulder action.
Question: What bag are you currently using?