Do we really need to carry huge bags around? It seems to me that all over the city, women have bags that are larger than 12″ across. I realize that most of us have a lot to carry to work and for shopping, but do we really need mid-sized totes? For most of us, the essentials are a wallet, keys, some make-up for touching up and a cell phone – all items that are quite small. So unless you have children and need to carry supplies in a baby bag or have a large media bag, complete with portfolios, samples and a laptop and/or tablet (using my 442 McAdam Hobo for that), something much smaller is all that’s needed – especially if you are smaller framed (I often see pictures of celebrities with huge bags and think that the bags seem to overwhelm them, making them look like fashion victims. Unless it’s absolutely necesary (i.e. they are carrying items for their baby or a media bag with camera, computers, etc…), one should stick with something that is more their size.
The perfect, smaller “every day” bag not only has to fit the size requirements (not too big or too small (i.e. under 8″ wide)), but also looks and even weight (it shouldn’t be too heavy). This is a bag you want to use for several seasons, so it really shouldn’t look too fashion forward. Ideally, it would be a neutral in colour and free of monogram patterns (danglies or clasps with the brand’s logo or monograms are fine). Examples of such bags include Coach’s Kristin Willow bag (which just meets the 12″ max wide requirement and available in different material including croc and leather), Kate Spade’s Gold Coast Bright Small Mary Anne and the Louiisa Shoulder bag by Tory Burch. Personally, I bought the Kristin, and though it’s a little on the heavy side, the size is amazing and the colour (grey) is a great transition from winter to spring. It holds all of my important items, such as sunglasses, BlackBerry, wallet, keys and lipgloss. I’ve also taken measurements and it’s possible I could slip in a PlayBook (should I decide to get one) as well.
The author with her Coach Kristin Willow bag
What is your perfect bag? Do you think too many people are carrying handbags that are too big?
