Alright guys, it’s time to get serious up in here. Today’s post is about bags! As I’m sure you all know by now, they’re my favorite accessory by far. I pretty much collect them – #sorrynotsorry. Now, I’m all about being sensible, however, I believe smart shopping’s all about knowing when to save and when to splurge. Bags, in my humble opinion, are worth the money. We’re going to talk about four must have bags for every woman today on Sensible Stylista.
1. The Investment Bag
Every girl needs a solid version – one that’ll last them a lifetime. Now, I’m gonna ask you to splurge here. It’s called an investment bag for a reason. Don’t cut corners here. Go for the big designers if you can. They’re pricy so start saving now if you haven’t already.
Consider three things when you’re shopping for an investment bag: style, material, and color. Pick a piece that’ll look chic even when you’re 80 years old. I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t have the funds to purchase 40 different designer bags. If you have a limited budget like I do, you’re not going to want to drop a ton of cash on the current “it” bag – it’ll eventually go out of style, and you don’t want to be stuck with an expensive bag you don’t carry.
Moving on to material. I recommend purchasing a leather bag because it’s easier to take care of. Pieces made out of suede and fabric can be a pain to maintain. Color’s also an important factor as mentioned previously. As much as I love bold hues, I’d stick with a neutral tone like black or brown. White’s also good, but it’s a bit limiting because it’s more of a summer color – personally, I don’t usually like wearing a ton of white in the fall & winter, but that’s just me.
Some amazing investment bags are as follows: the Prada Saffiano Tote, the Hermes Birkin, and the Chanel Classic Flap. Now, if these are too pricey, other brands like Coach, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch carry more affordable versions. Here’s a handy widget for your viewing pleasure:
2. The Clutch Bag
If I had it my way, I’d buy 20 of these in varying prints, colors, and sizes. Unfortunately, I don’t have the means to do so! I’ve acquired 4 over the last few years – none of them were investment buys FYI. They were all $50 and under, which is not a huge deal for me because I usually carry my YSL crossbody anyway – I prefer to be hands-free whenever possible.
I typically carry these for formal events and fancy dinners. I recommend purchasing a chic, simple version in gold or silver to start. If you already have a “standard” clutch, don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles! Remember though, you want to make sure you can fit in your basics. Here are some fab options for you guys (different price points):
3. The Everyday Tote
I call this my Mary Poppins bag because it fits all my essentials and then some! This tote is a must-have for college students and young professionals alike. I have several different versions in my closet: brown, black, gold, animal-print, and LV (my Louis Vuitton). Purchasing the LV tote was a mistake on my part because I did a bad job taking care of it. It’s all tattered up now, and every time I look at it, I die a little inside.
If you’re like me and you fling your everyday tote around, stick with more inexpensive versions because you’ll go through them quickly. I’ve learned my lesson from my LV. I now guard my tote from the rain and keep it OFF the floor – I usually place it behind me when I sit down or set it on a chair next to me.
Here are some awesome options for you guys! Let’s start with $50 & under:
And move onto pieces that are $50-$250:
4. The Crossbody Bag
The crossbody’s arguably my favorite bag of the four listed above! I have a bunch of these because I love being hands-free. Although this is my go-to when I’m running errands, it’s also a favorite for a fun night out on the town so if you have the extra cash, I recommend splurging on a designer version in addition to the more affordable options you accumulate over the years! I bought YSL’s Cassandre tassel crossbody, and it’s a serious staple for me because of its versatility.
Here are some affordable versions for you guys (under $75):
I hope you all enjoyed this post! What do you think of my list of must have bags for every woman? What would you add or omit? Also, where do you guys like to shop for bags? Let me know by leaving a comment below, friends! And for those of you interested, you can take a peek into my bag collection by clicking here.
very nice bags:) swiatwkolorzeblond.com
Find your blog so great,
pretty pictures and beautiful colors.
great tips 🙂
Shoesmaniac
Oooh, I'm all about bags, so this is right up my street! Some great styles, though I usually find myself just going for the medium sized cross body and investment means for me Mulberry rather than Hermes. Maybe one day… 🙂
Totally on point! I myself am a designer bag girl.. but I find myself always swooning over the everyday tote or crossbody that are wayyyy more practical.. lol
Love this post! I find myself having too many totes and not enough clutches! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lovely post ..and great information