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?
Mariel says:
I’m the type: humor=bag. So I can use a bag for a few days, or, change it in one day….You’ll see….;)…..I’m Gemini, haha!
Karen Blanchard says:
It’s fun to change your bag though to match how you’re feeling or what you’re wearing. Suits your star sign!!
Mariel says:
Because of that….a few weeks ago, I drove without my wallet (driving license, money, etc)….Lucky me!
Dressed With Soul says:
I own the first bag in blue and the second one in coral and love them both 🙂
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
Giveaway: You can win € 100! But he would love to Spend € 100
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Karen Blanchard says:
I LOVE that PS11 in blue. It’s so stunning in that color. Good choices : )
Missy May says:
These are all great chic bags.
I’m not really big on bags, but I have a few I use when I feel like it. I’m all for comfortable, easy bags without too much weight. Ha!
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Karen Blanchard says:
Agreed. If the bag is too heavy I can’t do it.
Missy May says:
These are all great chic bags.
I’m not really big on bags, but I have a few I use when I feel like it. I’m all for comfortable, easy bags without too much weight. Ha!
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
theStyleventure says:
Bag awesomeness overload!
Love,
http://www.thestyleventure.com
Karen Blanchard says:
ha ha!! #bagporn
Veniece Wesson says:
Several years ago, I use to have several dozen of trendy designer bags of all sizes. If it was new & designer then I had to have it. (Back then I was really into status.) Then one day I decided that I would only own the bags that I really liked. That is when I gave about fifty bags away to family, FB friends, as prizes for fundraisers at my son’s school, & to ladies who had never owned a designer bag. That narrowed it down to still about a few dozen that I kept based on design, color, & shape. And those I rarely carry but I liked them too much to part with them. I then began carrying only one nice satchel bag that would house everything that I needed.
But as of late, I was out shopping with one of my sons one day and saw the cutest cross body designer bag. I never thought that I could be into such a small bag. But it was too gorgeous to pass up. Now, I am hooked on cross body bags & that is mainly the only bag that I carry now. I have since then picked up a few more (Some from ASOS or anywhere that I find a cross body that appeals to me. It is not about the cost, but the visual appeal.) Cross bodies to me are great & fashionable way to still look good for work, as a busy mother on the go, for amusement parks, for shopping, for traveling, the list is end list. These are definitely not the cross body bags that I would see mother’s carry when I was growing up. These cross bodies are fly & pretty.
Karen Blanchard says:
wow that’s amazing that you did all of those donations. What was the cross body designer bag that got you into that style?
Veniece Wesson says:
Thanks, it was nice to be able to give them away as some of the females had never owned a designer bag. The cross body is a gorgeous red Gucci. When I saw the color with the detailing, I was immediately smitten.
Veniece Wesson says:
Thanks, it was nice to be able to give them away as some of the females had never owned a designer bag. The cross body is a gorgeous red Gucci. When I saw the color with the detailing, I was immediately smitten.
Charleena Fan says:
I have been currently using my black Opening Ceremony bucket bag with the circle handles. Love it so much and it’s a head turner despite its simple design. The lining of the bag is pretty awesome too being that the design is arms holding each other by the wrists.
Karen Blanchard says:
Opening Ceremony do some incredible bold styles that just work. So unique so I can imagine why it gets attention. Have you been to Dover Street Market? Its like OC but on steroids.
Charleena Fan says:
No but I really really want to!! Even more now since you said those magic words!
Charleena Fan says:
No but I really really want to!! Even more now since you said those magic words!
Alexandra Bowman says:
I have 2 leather Baggu totes (much like your Madewell one, no hardware, unstructured) that I carry most days, and the other bag I carry the most is probably my black Coach Dakotah (a medium-sized messenger bag)… it has gunmetal hardware which I feel is a good neutral for metals; I can wear it with silver or gold jewelry 🙂 -ouiouilexiaussi
Karen Blanchard says:
I like Baggu bags because they are all leather. I think they are timeless and compliment outfits in a discreet understated way. A lot of women that I have shot on the streets that have great style are wearing Baggu too. The Coach bag sounds great
coffeeslag says:
I am doing the same as you, and selling all the bags that I no longer reach for to make room for more! My most reached for bag is the Mansur mini bucket and I think it’s absolutely ACE in that it seriously fits my whole world. Wearing it today and inside I have an umbrella, coffee traveler mug, wallet, camera, socks and snacks. And it manages to stay so light! It’s seriously magic. Never letting go!
Excited that you still love your PS11. I haven’t gotten around to purchasing mine yet; I have my eyes set on one on Fashionphile’s site. . .I used to debate between the Mini and the Classic, but the classic seems much too big.
What are you getting next?? I think my next ones are the Celine Nano and the Mansur Mini Lady Bag. I was lusting over the Celine Belt for a while but realized it was basically the same/shape style as the Mansur but at a $$$$ price point.
Love your purse/shoes posts!
Karen Blanchard says:
ha ha! thanks for liking these type of posts. Heck we’re women so doesn’t surprise right? You’ll get a PS11 I’m sure they are always listed in the resale market and they come in so many colors. My faves outside of mine are denim blue and black.
I agree the Mansur mini is amazing size wise. It’s small but big! Super smart design. I’m thinking of getting one of the above bags but in a different color and size and that’s about ALL that I’ll say at this point until it’s here ; ) I LOVE the Celine Nano!!!! I’ve heard that the Celine Belt bags are super hard to get in and out of. That would tick me off. Yea Mansur have the perfect marketing: beautifully designed bags at attainable price points.
Lisa says:
A Cole Haan color blocked tote. I really should switch to another bag but the convenience of just tossing things is such a welcome change to zippers.