I’ve been a handbag-a-year type girl for a while now. I buy one handbag and use it pretty much every day for a year (depending on the quality of the chosen bag). I don’t like having to switch my stuff from one bag to another every day or even every few days, so I end up using the same bag throughout the week and it’s life span.
Here is an overview of the bags in my life:
- My everyday handbag;
- a duffel bag and a carry on suitcase that I can use for day trips and longer trips; and
- a couple of evening bags/special occasion bags.
My lifestyle helps shape my handbag criteria:
- I use public transport;
- I like to be prepared so I carry a lot with me everyday – my life is in my bag pretty much; and
- I carry my lunch to work almost every day and gym things at least twice a week.
My criteria (based on the above and preferences made through trial and error over the years):
– straps long enough to fit easily over the shoulder, even if I’m wearing a coat;
– structured enough to not be floppy, but not too rigid and formal;
– a neutral colour (to go with black and brown boots and multiple coat colours) or a clashing colour that goes with everything because it goes with nothing;
– not too heavy;
– taller than it is wide, with plenty of space for a notebook and umbrella, plus other small odds and ends, without cramming;
– has a top zipper;
– hardware is not over the top or obvious;
– not a cross-body style;
– a couple of inside zip sections and an outside card slot;
– should stand upright by itself; and
– looks good whether it has a lot of stuff in it or just the essentials.
After recently spending a few days lugging about a shoulder strap bag and becoming increasingly distracted by the pain it caused, my search expanded to include fashionable backpacks in the options.
Which in the end is what I bought what I bought:
It ticks off most of my criteria, though it doesn’t have an outside pocket (on the back would have been perfect) and it would be great if the zipper was a double so access would be easier but overall I am incredibly pleased with this purchase. It’s a new look and style for me (backpack and shoulder bag) but I’m embracing it. Hopefully we’ll be together for a few years and so its cost per wear will continue decreasing and I can eventually say that it owes me nothing; though my back would argue that it is already worth its weight in (rose) gold.
