after writing a post about wallet searching a couple weeks ago, i got to thinking about my ideal handbag. i tend to go for pieces that are uncomplicated, simple in design, high quality, and practical. the only problem is that they don’t tend to come cheap! my solution to this problem is still the one that i recommend the most: vintage! my absolute favorite purses are vintage coach because they are made with super thick, high quality leather. i mean, they’ve already lasted this long… and they pop up in thrift shops all of the time for really affordable prices. i have a solid collection that i’ve been building up over the past several years, and while many of them are starting to look a little worse for the wear, i discovered that they can easily be refurbished with a bit of leather dye, as demonstrated by little ocean annie.
so while i know i’ll continue buying my favorite vintage purses, i can’t help but notice that there are some pretty awesome handbags with the same promise as my old standbys. they clock in at a bit of a higher price, but they’re not going to set you back nearly as much as your typical “it bags.” so after a lot of searching, i’ve whittled it down to my top 4 picks (in no particular order) for simple, practical, and high quality handbags:
clare vivier messenger tote: the most notable aspect of this bag, besides it’s clean and simple design, is that it is made of reclaimed leather! it’s the next best thing to thrifting a handbag, only without all of the tireless hunting. when this style is available in brown, i think i just might have to make an investment!
cambridge satchel: made of a thick and sturdy leather, you know that this baby will take at least a year of wear and tear before the leather begins to soften. then once you’ve broken it in, you know it will last for years more to come.
foley + corrina mid city tote: i have always been drawn to this twofer tote! i like that you can carry it with the shoulder strap as a purse, but that it unfolds to become a larger tote with handles if you decide to fill it up with a few goodies on a shopping expedition.
radley london grosvenor: their spring lookbook caught my eye when it featured these lovely bags being worn by equally lovely ladies riding around on pashley bikes. once i was drawn in, i recognized that this satchel style purse is actually quite nice! all of the pockets and compartments are certainly convenient for storing all sorts of little accoutrements.
15 comments
I like Coach purses too.
http://roseag-roseg.blogspot.com/2010/05/its-never-too-late.html
gorgeous bags!!! I want each and every one of themmmmm
http://revi-pinkillusions.blogspot.com/
vintage leather bags!!!
Gorge purses :)
http://backtolizzieprule.blogspot.com
I love the color of the first one, but I'm a "my entire life is in my bag" girl and therefore I need HUGE bags. (That or need to get rid of the clutter in my life and learn to scale down – yea right!)
KeepItFvncy,
M.E.
i love this post!!!! i have been trying to look for practical and good-sized satchel bags like these!!! :D thanks for the links! :D
I'm actually saving up for a Cambridge Satchel now, I'm going to purchase it for when I'm in New York City on my internship in the fall! I think it's perfect
lvoelove, M.
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com
These are beautiful! I like the first one–huzzah for reclaimed leather!
have you seen the blogger-coach bags? i am in LOVE with karla's bag from karla's closet!
I have a friend who loves her purple Foley + Corina Mid-City Tote, though she never, ever folds it down! It's like Mary Poppins' carbet bag — full of things that are occasionally useful!
My fear about the big tote is the compulsion to carry much more than I need to, causing me pain and throwing my body's alignment out of wack. (Since moving to the Midwest from the Bay Area, I've become a hippie who wants to do yoga all the time, and get regular body work!)
I love satchels! There is something so absolutely scholarly about them… I was planning on making one over the summer if I could find the right kind of leather…
Though really, you shouldn't tempt us with bags! I have a growing collection of them, and I really need to save up!
Ooooh I want one of those brown leather satchels!
For what it's worth, I got a Cambridge Satchel a few months ago. I've never been a purse girl–this was the first time I'd spent more than maybe eight dollars on a bag–but I love this one. It's roomy, hardy, looks good with everything, holds lots of books, does not reek of Mall, etc. Just be sure to buckle it or all of your business will tumble out at inopp. times.
I love your posts, by the way!
I must inform you that the "foley + corrina mid city tote", you can find a lot of different brand bags with this exact shape for MUCHHHH less than 400$
(as long as you don't mind faux leather) I have this one http://roxy.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pROXY1-6734953t382x444.jpg in black and for 21$ it's a steal!
Love all your choices! I'm on the hunt for a new bag that's sturdy and roomy enough for all my school stuff. I'm hoping to find one that's similar to the Proenza Schouler PS1. :) Thanks for the tips!
i'm actually getting the cambridge satchel in yellow for uni this year!