6 Gems! vol. 30: the Handbag Heroes
Like choosing a child... but I chose them for you. Here are my sacred six.
A bit ago I did a 6 Gems around my RTW Closet Heroes.
You loved that one. Yay! And you had a request. A handbag edition. Not an easy assignment! I’ve been mentally working on it for weeks, going “This one has to be included. Then something has to go!” And then the Rodeo came into my life. Sorry. It’s probably sounded like I work for Balenciaga. When in fact secondhand T-shirts from Veblen are just about the only Balenciaga items in my closet. It’s just that THIS BAG is so useful I want to shout it from the rooftops. In the end, it helped me pull the whole list together. I also challenged myself to source some less expensive alts for my bags. So here they are!
That (freaking) medium Rodeo. I’ve been thinking about a new bag that holds a laptop for a bit, one that’s really functional. That means, for me, it has to hold a laptop, but not just hold it, it — has to hold it so it doesn’t fall all over, slam into my back or shoulder, and jumble up everything else in the bag. I looked at the new Fendi Peekboo Lite and it’s stunning, and I LOVE the way it holds a laptop. But it wasn’t light enough for my purpose — I sometimes walk miles with my laptop. This has an interior clasp where the laptop can fit, secured. It is lighter than any of my bags. It also has a feature I love from my (far less functional) Hermes 24/24/35: on the back are easy reach pockets for your cellphone and keys. Here is this amazing “ostrich” one. Latte and black. Croc embossed. Call Miami Balenciaga and ask for Pierre if you want burgundy. (How nice is Pierre?) Ok a comp for this is tough, but I think this Coach one feels ergonomic and I’ve had and loved Coach bags.
Black Old Celine Clutch: This is an old Celine that I randomly got on The Real Real along time ago, and it turned out to be a sleeper hit. I think what’s so nice about it is the very simple, minimal hardware and minimal logo, plus it holds a phone. It is my most used going out bag by far and I wish I knew the name of this style. (Here’s a nice Phoebe alt which I own as a crossbody. And here’s a mid priced comp I like, I’d tuck in the chain strap. I have bought the a DeMellier bag as a gift before and can attest to the quality.)
3. Prada gold sequin card case. This, on on the other hand, doesn’t hold anything; certainly not a phone. I can put my Trinny London lip-to-cheek and a key and a credit card and hold my phone. So why did it make the cut? Surprisingly useful. It just packs a big punch. I have worn it as a necklace. As a crossbody. As a belt bag. It’s great for something billowy, where you want to create a little bit more definition. It’s great when your clothes feel sleepy and you want to wake them up. Also, I think it has a lot of staying power. I can’t imagine not wanting this in 10+ years. (Used. New. Another option. This for $269? OMG.)
4. Hermes Victoria. I have quite a few Hermes bags and I’ve written about them all and how I got them. And the Kelly is probably the most appealing to many people (although my Kelly is bigger than what’s in style right now). But if there’s one I would want on a desert island (the kind of island where you need handbags) it would be my Victoria. It’s just so understated. And again, it’s super light. It (surprisingly) fits my laptop, too. It’s also a bag that I think looks great broken in. And it’s less than many other H bags on the resale market. (As far as alts, this is NOT the same at all, but it’s in the same wheelhouse — understated, no hardware, and really about the leather. And it’s brand I know really well as my dad has bought their bags for many years.)
5. Gucci Miami bag. A little bit ago Gucci came out with all these bags representing different cities (prefer The Hamptons? Here). I just could not bring myself to pay for retail for this crazy item, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the Miami bag. I tucked it away in my mind and added it to my Real Real and eBay saved searches. Sure enough, patience paid off. It’s really surprising how much I use this bag. It’s just that thing that goes with all of the outfits nothing else works with. When I put together crazy color combinations, this somehow just works rather than “killing the color” as Trinny would always say. (An alt I love! A brand I’ve bought from, too.)
6. Jil Sander bamboo handle tote. I really like a tote that’s north/south rather than east/west. It ends up holding a laptop well and you are disinclined to stuff it with objects the way you might otherwise. And where I once thought of raffia and straw as casual, I’ve been inspired by my friends,
and , who use raffia/straw as a texture and let it lift other things. It’s genius, too, because it’s so flat to pack. Here is an alt I love — the straps are meant to hold a hat, but I think they’re just a beautiful design detail.XOXO,
Rachel
p.s. If you’re liking my work, I’d be thrilled if you’d share it. And if you see what the work world calls “opportunities” - throw them tenderly in my messages and I’ll do my best to address! We’re in it together.
I second the appreciation for providing mid priced options- as always ever so thoughtful - thx
I cannot get over that Rodeo *DROOLS* And the colour is to die for!!!!