I’ve always loved designer handbags. I’m happy with comfortable shoes, simple clothes and a few pieces of jewelry…but when it comes to bags – I have fancy tastes! I’m slowly trying to build a “handbag wardrobe” – a collection of classic quality bags that will suit many different occasions.
Here are some of my key pieces:
Everyday bag: Doesn’t show wear easily. Good for: going shopping or out to lunch.
- My bag: Louis Vuitton Speedy
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| My Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 in Monogram print |
- Another option: Mulberry Alexa
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| Mulberry Mini Alexa. Image Source here. |
Cross-body bag: Hands-free & light. Good for: outdoor activities.
- My bag: Marc Jacobs Single
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| My Marc Jacobs Single |
- Another option: Marc by Marc Jacobs Natasha
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| MBMJ Natasha in Blush. Image Source here. |
Special Event: Can be small & delicate as it will only be used on special occasions. Good for: date nights and parties.
- My bag: Chanel WOC
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| My Quilted Caviar Chanel WOC |
- Another option: Balenciaga First
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| My Balenciaga First in Sahara |
Travel bag (to pack): Light enough to be packed/added to carry-on luggage and unfolded as needed. Good for: Trips where you have limited space.
- My bag: Longchamp Le Pliage in Small
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| My Small Le Pliage bag in Pink |
- Another option: Hard to choose another one – Longchamp has designed the best packable bag! Would love to hear your suggestions. (Edit: just remembered – I love Herve Chapelier bags for traveling, I have 2 small ones and 1 large one)
Structured Tote: Large enough to fit in documents and a laptop. Good for: work or traveling.
- My bag: I don’t have one yet – getting one is not urgent for my current lifestyle. When I go back to work – I’d be seriously tempted by the Prada Saffiano Double Handle Tote
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| Prada Saffiano Small Double Handle Tote in Camel. Image Source here. |
- Another option: Celine Luggage Tote. Love the one featured on Wendy’s Lookbook (originally posted here)
Mom bag: Similar to the “everyday bag” but needs to slightly more durable and spacious – should be able to resist staining from sticky fingers and snack spillage. Can carry on shoulder if necessary. Good for: carrying your essentials while having space for wet wipes, drinks, kiddy books etc.
- My bag: To Be Revealed – hubby got me my dream bag as a birthday/anni present! Update here
- Another option: LV Neverfull in Damier Ebene (the darker handles are more stain resistant than the vachetta ones on the Monogram & Damier Azur versions)
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| Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM in Damier Ebene. Image Source here. |
What are your must-have bags? Is there any category or bag you would add to my list?
Liked this post? Read my other bag reviews here!
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That Chanel is perfect. I need that!
Thanks – I love the color and quilting of it. It's small – but definitely fits in the essentials for an evening.
I like the Louis, Balenciaga and Chanel <3The Pretty Pinhead
Thanks! I've definitely gotten lots of use out of my Speedy bag – not so much the other 2 as I save them for special occasions.
Great post Ella! I too am working on building a classic handbag collection. I love handbags more then anything! I know so many women are obsessed with shoes…I like shoes, but the only luxury item I crave is a beautiful bag. I used to go for quantity, but now I'm working on quality. I guess that comes with age 😉 I really want an LV speedy or neverfull, as well as a Rebecca Minkoff MAC. I know I'll treat myself to an RM very soon! I absolutely love your bags, you have such great pieces.
Can't wait to see what RM you pick out – she has some gorgeous styles. I'm SUCH a bag person – but I think they're a good investment for me, because I rotate my bags and take good care of them…and I try to get bags that fit with my lifestyle/I'm not scared to use – no point in just collecting and storing them.
I love your bag collection!There are a few bags I really want, one of them being the LV neverfull MM in Damier Azure. I've talked myself a few times into getting one but really quickly talk myself out of it. I have to work on that lol
Thanks Lilly! The Neverfull MM is such a practical bag – and the Azur print is so chic. I have a hard time justifying bag purchases (though it may not seem like it by this post LOL!) but getting them as birthday/anni presents OR saving up for them helps me feel better about it 🙂
I always splurge on my bags, too. Gucci has always been my choice, but lately I've been wanting that LV never full.
The Neverfull is very popular – and I think it looks so elegant too!
I'm such a bag girl too!! Your collection is absolutely gorgeous, can't wait to see what your hubs bought you!
You ARE such a bag girl – and I think you have a very classic collection. I know you're super-busy, but I'd LOVE to see a handbag collection post – you have so many gorgeous bags 🙂 I can't wait to reveal hubby's present – hopefully on my next post 🙂
just discovered your blog and I love it!I'm your newest follower! hope you can check me out as well!allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com
Thanks for following – I enjoyed looking at your blog – love your peach target jeans…can't wait for target to open in Canada!
why haven't i ever heard of la pliage!?! need to look into it. your blog is super cute, love your taste! xoanticipation
Thanks Taylor! I always see lots of Le Pliage bag being sold at duty free in the airport – they're pretty reasonable there – otherwise selected department stores (or magnum.net) are good sources 😉
The neverfull is my 'mum' bag (I'm an Aussie!), love your blog!
Great choice – I bet it holds EVERYTHING! I've seen many mothers carrying them – and they hardly ever show any wear.
loving all your bags! <3xxwww.aroundlucia.comwww.aroundlucia.com
Thanks!
OMG I love bags too!!!! It's like your my BFF! I can't wait to here about your surprise bag that your hubby bought you – what a nice hubby you have! My current favorite bag is this purple Coach number that my sister bought me. You should meet her I think you'll like her taste in bags!!!
Always good to hear from a fellow bag lover 😉
you have a gorgeous bag collection! I am beyond envious 😉
Thanks! Using a special bag makes me happy – and I'm glad I'm able to rotate and use all of my collection – makes me feel like they're a good investment 🙂
Great choices <3I love messenger purses. So easy to walk around with <3
We have similar tastes in bags! I have the Timeless Chanel WOC and it's definitely a special occasion bag. I actually keep it nestled in its box locked in a fireproof safe (I'm very paranoid, but hey, it was expensive). I agree with you for all your other choices but I would choose the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac as a cross body and the Michael Kors large Hamilton tote as a travel bag. Love the bag collection, I have a LV Speedy 30 it was my first designer bag and opened the door to my expensive addiction. I'll cheap out on clothing but never on bags.
Oooh – a fellow bag lover – yay! Love the Minkoff Mini Macs – they're so elegant. And the MK Hamilton tote is gorgeous – especially the tan version…I think that may go on my wishlist next 🙂
Sorry to add such a late comment, but I had a bag related question I was hoping you could answer for me!I found your blog while searching the Celine micro luggage tote…I'm not currently looking for a designer bag, however I saw the Celine featured in a "What's In My Purse?" makeup vlog and it looks like it is so well-structured and easy to organize. As it seems you know much more about bags than I, could you recommend a similar structured style in a lower-cost bag?Thanks so much, and great post!
Would love to help you find a similar bag – bag-hunting is so much fun 🙂 Just wanted to know – what is your price range (i.e. below $100, below $500?) and are you looking for leather or is synthetic ok?
I am looking into Tory Burch purses to find a small but stylish bag to carry on small occasions. That patent chanel looks perfectly sophisticated to me.
Love all these bags, we certainly have similar tastes! I have the Mulberry Alexa but have to say the leather doesn't hold up as well as the price tag would indicate. Mine is brown so maybe a black would have fared better. I'm DREAMING of the Celine luggage bag, the price tag is super steep but I keep telling myself that I can pass it down to my daughter and that maybe it will have gone up in value in 20 years. I'm almost convinced 😉
I can dreammm! It's going to take me months to save for Michael Kors Selma large in black though as here in Australia its more than i make in two weeks! so anything more most likely will never happen, deeply jealous! 🙂
nice post