WIW 2/4-5 Handbag Month: Warm drapey casual x2 and workhorse tote

A couple more casual looks, one for preschool class Mom's night out and the other to work today. When it's cold I just want to wear soft and warm drapey stuff.

I am starting to miss the handbags I already used for this challenge, since I said I would use a new one each day! I was already having withdrawals from my black studded satchel. I used this plainer Ralph Lauren black satchel that I originally bought at TJ Maxx instead. It hasn't been used in a long time because I usually prefer the edginess of the studded satchel. I don't want to get rid of it because I love the classic style and it reminds me of a doctor's bag. But I would almost never choose it over the studded satchel. Hmmm...

I also use this metallic gold tote a lot and I'm going to miss it the rest of the month! I'll just have to get more creative with my outfits! Funny how I have so many handbags, yet some of them like the black Michael Kors and this Longchamp gold tote are real workhorses I use over and over (the tote even has tiny horses all over it, LOL!).

1-3. Vince oatmeal cardigan, Vince space blue T, Halogen infinity scarf, Vigoss destroyed jeans, OTBT gold booties, Longchamp gold tote, Stella and Dot gold bracelet.

4-5. Eileen Fisher poncho, Vince Camuto moto leggings, Ugg black boots, Ralph Lauren black bag.

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17 Comments

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    It will be interesting to see what you can weed out by this process. I can barely remember to wear different shoes let alone change out a bag, even though I have several. Love that gold tote.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I am LOVING this challenge!!!  It is exciting to see what you wear every single day.  I can't wait to see the purses/bags.  

    This first set of pictures is so COOL.  I would have a seriously hard time not reaching for that tote time after time.  That first set reads "powerful, relevant, strong, fierce, capable, and comfortable."  I copied these words from Alaskagirl.  They seem very appropriate here.  

    As I was reading your post, I was thinking "who could not adore a black satchel?"  Surprisingly, I didn't love the second set of pictures.  It occurs to me that when someone has such an amazing and lovely handbag collection, some of the bags are going to pale in comparison to others.  So a black satchel which might be perfect for me, in comparison to what I already own, might pale in your collection.  I hope this makes sense.  I am not disparaging the black satchel, I am merely pointing out that in the scheme of your personal collection, it might not be up to your typical standards.  

    I agree with Alaskagirl.  This month might be very enlightening in terms of editing your bag collection.  For that reason, I couldn't do this challenge because even if I don't use a bag regularly, I am strangely attached to each of them.  

    What are your thoughts on evening bags?  We have to have them.  Yet I only use them for "very special occasions."  Oh, and I love them too.  

    Sorry if my tenses are all over the place.  Bags excite my brain and I must jump around a lot as I try to express myself.  

    Looking forward to the next set....

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    Just noting, YLF no matter what!

  • replied 8 years ago

    When you are done, you are going to have to put together a collection (like Carter does).  It will be amazing!!!!!!!!!

  • El Cee replied 8 years ago

    You do casual as well as you do dressy. I am impressed! I am very much enjoying seeing your fantastic bag collection.

  • goldenpig replied 8 years ago

    Yes I think forcing myself to use each and every one of my handbags will be a good test for whether I should keep them. My problem is I'm very sentimental about handbags (even more so than clothes) and I tend to hang onto everything. And I'm so particular about matchy matchy that I end up having all kinds of purses that match a particular outfit best. Not good for trying to achieve a minimalist closet! When I purge I usually give stuff to my sister. Once I gave her a bright purple and orange purse that I rarely used. Then later there was an outfit I wore and thought, "Oh, that purse would have been perfect for this," but I had already given it away and it gets kind of awkward to ask for things back. 

    Funny that this black handbag seems like it would be such a "essential wardrobe item" and go with everything, but I think my style has evolved away from it...I really like studs and edgy touches. I probably should give it away, but I like the idea of a doctor having a "doctor's bag", which is what I envisioned when I first got it. I need to think if there are any outfits which I would actually choose this bag over the studded black satchel. Also, the sewing on the strap on the studded satchel is starting to come apart ever so slightly and I am terrified that my favorite bag is going to break! So maybe I should keep this as a backup, because it's pretty indestructible. Or try to find another studded satchel on eBay or something!

  • replied 8 years ago

    I have a hard time editing out bags.  I love them all (and some of them have intense sentimental value).  

  • Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

    I'm distracted by your fabulous metallic booties!  This a great challenge for me to see -- I'm looking for a new bag for Spring and I'm getting lots of ideas!  Does the LC tote sit nicely over your shoulder?  Sometimes these straps are too short.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Are you looking to weed? I do love the outfit with the doctor's bag and the gold is wonderful.

  • goldenpig replied 8 years ago

    Sterling, I totally agree. I have a soft spot for my handbags, even the cheap ones like the Jason Wu for Target straw purse that's kind of worn ragged.

    Beth Ann, I love my Longchamp tote! I bought it off eBay, because I saw the metallic bronze color and the pony print and I felt like it made it more special than the run of the mill plain colored LC totes I see everywhere. It holds a ton and is very lightweight. Shoulder straps are long and comfortable. Here are some pics of the straps on my shoulder. The only down side is not much in the way of interior pockets (just one very small flat one at the top), so everything ends up in a jumble inside esp if you pack it full. I still use it a ton though...it's a fun non-diaper bag diaper bag. 

    Shevia, I'm not necessarily looking to purge. I tend to hold onto almost all of my purses and costume jewelry and have a bunch, since I'm so into excessively matchy details. I did pass down my red snakeskin WHBM purse to my sister when I got my red Chanel. Some of my purses tend to get much less frequent use though, and it's either because they are the third duplicate but in a different color (I have three Fossil satchels in different patterns for example) or because I have a similar bag that I prefer more (like the studded black satchel), or because they're a small clutch when I tend to need big satchels to hold all the stuff for me and three kids.

  • retailgirl replied 8 years ago

    Natalie, I can't begin to see you with a minimalist closet! Every outfit you post is the very definition of maximalist. I'm like you, never get rid of accessories and handbags. They always fit! I still have a stash of coach and dooney and Bourke bags from the eighties...L'll probably never carry them, but I love them and I'm keeping them. I like the black satchel and it's different enough from the other one to keep. Can't wait to see what you post next!

  • Nebraskim replied 8 years ago

    I just wanted to say that I love the edgy looks you are adopting and showing here. Very different from your lady-style but also so complementary with it. 

  • Janet replied 8 years ago

    Your bag collection is amazing. Sometimes I want a very simple, unembellished bag when I feel like my outfit has enough going on, so I would be inclined to keep the black satchel. However, you embrace a little more ALGO than I do, so maybe it can go. You look great in all of these and it's really fun to see your bag collection in action. Thanks for sharing your project!

  • replied 8 years ago

    This is really  fun to follow and even moreso because I cannot imagine switching bags to that extent every day!  I have about 3 or 4 in use all winter, and even that becomes hard to manage ...transferring everything without forgetting some key thing or another . Always , you do have a wonderful collection, and I'm curious how you manage one of that size. I imagine many of the bags don't get worn very often at all?

    I have always loved that poncho since I first saw pictures you posted last year - it is such a stunning piece that you wear so well!  And I too am focused on those metallic ankle boots in the first pic!  Wow!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Two fab and put-together casual looks. YLF Natalie. I adore the bag and bootie combo in #1. Love the metallic sheen. And like Lisa, I have always loved that two-tone poncho.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Fab looks although it seems strange to see polished Natalie in ripped jeans.
    You need to find a black doctor's bag WITH STUDS. I wonder if they could be added to your bag by a cobbler?

  • Ginger replied 8 years ago

    I love the gold footwear with the gold tote! That is (literally) brilliant! :D Such a fun challenge.

    I am starting to miss the handbags I already used for this challenge, since I said I would use a new one each day!

    Hee hee... I admit this question already occurred to me, when you used the black studded satchel right off the bat. Looking forward to seeing how you become more inventive! :D

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