The Sweet Spot Size for Handbags
The Denim Suit + more
Can we discuss the latest trend of massive handbags/totes? Such as the $8k Phoebe Philo I’m quite sure you could fit a six-year-old in with room to spare. If most people are working from home, what are people carrying around these days? It doesn’t seem very modern to me, to burden women with oversized swaths of leather. I do understand the economy of selling bags, it is where most designers make their money. How many runway looks don’t have a bag attached? Very, very few. It’s marketing, I get it. But I like a small bag.
Sure I love my 15” Margaux that everyone oohs and aahs over every time I carry it (I feel like I won the handbag lottery finding that one), but as I mentioned before, I don’t fill it up. At all. Luckily it’s quite light, so I do carry it often.
My favorite size bag that I am looking to replicate, is my old Celine bucket (seen below). I also get a lot of comments on it as well, because it wasn’t an “It” bag and it’s been long enough that there aren’t many of them walking around anymore. It has a shoulder strap, but mostly I use the handle. I can fit my small wallet (a CDG zip pouch), keys, sunglasses, reading glasses, lipsticks, tissues, a card case and if I need a water bottle or Totes small umbrella (the last two items do stick out a bit, but are secure).
The trick is finding a small bag with both a top handle and a shoulder strap that has a low “cutesy” factor. I dislike cute. I want at least one new bag soon (pent up desire) and these three are top of my list:
Métier’s Market Mini in Smooth Calfskin. This seems like a no brainer. Not trendy. I love a white bag (or technically off-white) all year; this one has the perfect amount of room and it will sit in the crook of my elbow if I want (which I do sometimes).
The Loewe Small Flamenco clutch in Dark Khaki. At this point, it’s pretty classic (actually a design from the 80s), same size, and the color really speaks to me. With beige, white, camel, navy, black. It’s a good,, but different, neutral. With my cargo/YSL inspired summer pieces.
Loewe Mini Pebbled Bucket Bag. This one is slightly trendier, and a bit harder to hold, because you have to slip your wrist through the top handle or grab it (the single strap is thick), but still a perfect size. I like the brown shown here, but also the burgundy. I think these dark “neutrals”—greenish khaki, burgundy, are so good late summer with a tan and some gold jewelry.
Oversized denim jackets have been a think for a while, but usually paired with other non-denim items. I’m into a denim “suit”—a jacket and matching wash jeans, as illustrated by Julianne and Lolita recently. There are two denim jackets I’m wavering between (below). They are so similar in design, I’m not sure it matters. I’m hoping whichever I choose matches the wash of a pair of jeans I already own.
Did you read the Phoebe Philo interview by Vanessa Friedman for the NY Times? Thoughts? She spoke of not looking to be everything to everyone at once. I get it but I also feel the same way about her new brand. I’m waiting to see, because so far I’m not convinced. If she is indeed opening a store in NYC this summer, it might not be until then, when I can touch and feel the fabrics that I will be ready to try anything (that I can afford, which edits out a lot). But being almost obtuse and so opaque in this day and age just feels tired. (I wish the Olsen’s would speak more about their line too.) I don’t want her to gush or spill secrets, but there is obviously a lot of thought that goes into her designs and perhaps she could share those things with those of us who’ve supported her over the years. We’re all desperate for intelligent design created by women. To hear from them would be an added plus.
xx Jennifer
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I agree on Phoebe…we don’t need explanations just some context!?! Personally, I’m spending my money elsewhere but for the folks who are going there more power to ya🥰 I’m sure its beautifully made and hopefully lasts a lifetime 😝 x
I was cheering out loud reading this entire piece! Thank you! Yes to a well engineered top handle cross body bag ! Impossible to find in the wild.