The Perfect Handbag Exists Only in My Imagination
My frustration with handbags started in the ‘80s. Back then, the “it” bag among the private all-girls schools in the Washington, DC suburbs was this Coach model that practically spat out pens, pencils, and frosted pink Maybelline lipsticks, because Bonnie Cashin was too cheap or lazy to put a zipper under the flap. I still get angry thinking about that purse. It had one job — containing my crap — and it failed miserably.
Fast forward more than 30 years: Today’s “it” bags are covered in brand logos; quilted, fuzzy, or both; big enough for two weeks’ worth of laundry or too small for anything other than a credit card and a Chapstick; ugly AF; and insanely expensive.
It’s a mess out there! “All” I want is a lightweight, simple, minimalist, non-leather, crossbody bag that 1) has room enough for my wallet, two glasses cases, phone, keys, and a few other small items, 2) has no visible branding because last time I checked Miss Burch and her friends weren’t paying us for advertising, and 3) doesn’t cost a small fortune.
Am I being too picky? LOL yes, probably. But the Murphy’s Law of retail is that the harder you look for something basic (e.g., a black pencil skirt), the harder it is to find — until you are looking for something completely unrelated and stumble upon the perfect wardrobe staple on the sale rack. Or unless someone reading this knows where to look? Seriously, if you know of something that might work for me — I beg you — drop a link in the comments?
In the meantime, I’ll be hauling my stuff around in this.
8 Responses
-
Lisa So dingdang true. I’ve been on the hunt again too, basically for the same thing. I’ve been wearing highway bags for a few years, but they seem dated now (??) https://highwaybuzz.com/pages/shop
Reply-
Margaret Crandall I hadn’t heard of that brand until now – thanks. Of course the one I like is sold out! But I will keep an eye on them 🙂
Reply
-
-
Fran Mason Maybe take a look at Timbuk2 bags, the custom ones you can design yourself? You can make their spiral logo the same color as the flap so it is hardly visible.
Reply-
Margaret Crandall Thanks. The classic messenger bag (which I have for overnight trips) isn’t what I’m looking for on a day-to-day basis, but I’ll poke my head into their store later this week.
Reply
-
-
Shannon Falkenstein Great article!
LeSportsac has exactly what you want! There is a little branding on them, but it’s subtle.
https://www.lesportsac.com/collections/handbags
Reply-
Margaret Crandall Funny, the bag I have been using is a LeSportsac, which is too small, and every time I jam my hand into it to retrieve something or put something away, the internal pockets/panels get in the way.. I love the lightweight nylon in theory, but think something a bit bigger, with a bit more structure, might work better. I am picky and impossible, I know! 🙂
Reply
-
-
Catastrophe 1906 I had the same problem- found this and love it,,,its the bag I use now,
Reply -
Catastrophe 1906 Lifetime Leather Sling from Duluth Trading Company. Its the bag I use now- well made. I know you want non leather, but… worth a look!
Reply
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Tell Us in the Comments
What do you think?