Shopping SOS - A Perfect Daily Purse

A reader requested shopping resource from a professional stylist.

Hi friends and strangers,

Happy Saturday and welcome to International Women’s Month! My hope for all the ladies out there is that your invoices are paid on time, your stress is lowered and your soul is rested. This specific newsletter marks the first edition of “Shopping SOS”, which I plan to have as a regular resource for readers who need help from a professional stylist - it might be finding a specific item - like this edition or styling a piece that seems unwearable or more sustainable swaps for less eco-friendly items. If you’d like to submit a request, I give priority to paying subscribers who comment on posts but you can also send a Tweet, DM or email as well. A note: if you click a link, I may get a small commission which helps support this newsletter and my shopping efforts. Let’s get into it!

My friend Sarah has been looking for a great everyday bag, and with the ongoing saga of live sports games changing purse requirements and seasonal changes - now seems like a great time to secure a bag. Let’s find out what she’s looking for and see if we can source her the perfect purse. She originally was looking to upgrade her Northface fanny pack, and ended up getting a Lululemon belt bag as an option for now.

“I ended up getting a Lululemon belt bag (the 1L) in the Wonderpuff fabric so it looks a little bit more unique than the standard one.  It was on sale for $29. So my color is generally black, for a belt bag, I'd prefer something large enough (that) I can fit my phone in plus a few accessories, ID and cards. I like the Polene brand and get their ads all the time. I assume you’ve seen them since they appear to be spending a lot of money on ads. What are your thoughts on the brand as a moderately priced semi-luxury but more everyday bag? Budget would be preferably under $200 but if it's a higher-end item I am willing to spend more.”

Now, before we get into the recommendations - let’s determine what are the qualities to keep in mind for for an everyday bag. We need to narrow the search to finding something that’s functional, easy to style, wears well with time, and is, quite frankly - cute.

Size and Shape

Size wise can be debatable, but in my wear testing and styling experience, for this sort of bag - you want something that can fit your daily essentials, with maybe a bit of wiggle room. You don’t want to overload the bag as it can hurt your shoulder, damage the bag and just lead to spilling items when you open it. I prefer a more length-wise rectangular shape as I find it can shape a woman’s curves a bit easier than say a square or vertical rectangle that can end up being an extra appendage on your chest or stomach. The crescent or saddle bag shape can work well too as it can hug a curve thanks to the more organic shape - they're often crafted in soft leathers or nylons too which are easier to hold close and tailor to the body.

Materials

My first suggestion for a bag material is always going to be leather. Now, not all leather is created equal and some brands will be very strategic in how they label their items, like by saying their bag is leather but only the top stitching is and the rest is some weird polyurethane. I like Saffiano leather (scratch-resistant, easy to clean, often lightly water resistant), pebble leather and any kind of full-grain leather whenever possible. If you’re vegan or looking for something a bit sporty or live in a particularly moist climate - nylon might be your best bet. We’re seeing a lot of brands use recycled nylon - like Prada’s ReNylon items - as a way to cut down on waste while maintaining brand identity. Canvas can be an option but you will have to wash it regularly, so coated canvas might be a better everyday upgrade (but it is coated in PVC, not leather).

An example of saffiano leather.

I would avoid when possible anything that requires a ton of care - think suede (if you’re wearing it crossbody or as a belt bag, it will rub and the suede will wear down quickly and visibly), pony hair, exotic skins, lambskin (or other very soft natural hide), etc. I’d also caution against most pleather - which has been falsely rebranded as vegan leather. Polyurethane can easily crack and lasts forever in the landfill - it’s not worth the cheap and easy buy. Some legitimate vegan leather options are coming on the market from mushrooms, cacti and even pineapples! I cannot speak to the durability yet as most of these items are being released by luxury brands costing $1250+ so I have not purchased one yet, but it’s a very exciting time in alternative hides.

Strap Options

Belt bags - or to some, fanny packs - have been trending for multiple seasons and while they’ve probably passed their peak level - they’re still a great option for every day. However, you may not always want something that can read 80’s sportswear star, so I’d look for a bag with multiple styling options or straps. For instance, can you wear it over the shoulder or perhaps like a regular purse? Or is it more traditionally cross-body with an option to tie around your waist? I would suggest trying on your bag over a variety of outfits - like if the bag is going to be your de facto errand running and dog walking piece, try it with big coats, light jackets, tees, etc. Adjustability will help you get the most use out of your bag.

Budget

Now, Sarah’s budget is reasonable, as she’s treating it like an investment in her daily wardrobe. In terms of calculating your budget, I like to remember the cost-per-wear (CPW) formula. For instance, if you are getting a bag that you will wear 5 days a week, for the next 6 months (180 days total) - divided by the price - let’s say $200 - it ends up being $1.11 per wear! I do tend to find this helps with a splurge or investment purchase - like say a winter coat or a nice pair of boots - it can help justify a purchase or talk you out of it. But, using the CPW formula also can help you wear your clothes instead of waiting for some occasion that may never come. Let’s use this calculation now to give you a framework of cost as I think it’s also helpful as an exercise against buying fast fashion since millennial women are spending on average $100/Month or $1200 a year at Shein, and sometimes wearing the pieces only once - which ends up being more costly than a few investment pieces every year - both for your wallet and our planet.

Now, let’s shop!

The Sleek Sporty One: The Arc’Teryx Heliad Bag -$50

I went through a similar purse search last year, looking for a replacement for my previous everyday bag, the Arc’Teryx Mantis 1 waist pack, whose zipper burst. Thankfully, the lifetime warranty was honoured (team dead bird for life) and I ended up using my credit towards the Arcteryx Helipad bag which, I love a lot more than my previous pack. I found that the shape of the Mantis made it difficult to fit in items since it’s not a rectangle and the padding was unnecessary. I understand if you have to wear it on your waist for long rides, but as an everyday bag it felt like extra bulk when I wanted extra space and a sleeker design. With the Heliad, I was concerned that the straps were too thin or short thanks to the reviews, but honestly - I think it’s almost perfect. It has a two-way zipper on one large compartment that fits a ton - it doesn’t have any padding so it’s much lighter weight and easier to fill compared to other bags. There’s an inner zip pocket and key leash in the main compartment and a front pocket with zip as well. If you’re looking for a minimal everyday bag that can fit a ton (my Bottega wallet, dog poop bags, Stasher bag with dog treats, AirPods, Apple iPhone 13 Pro, wired Apple headphones, keys, lip glosses all fit with space) - this is my pick. Approximate CPW - $0.27 a day (5 days/week for 6 months).

Edit: It looks like the Arc’teryx Heliad bag is unfortunately out of stock - unless you shop in-store. An easy alternative is one of their other bags, like the Granville - but honestly, it may be too long for some (it kind of gives me a giant baguette vibe) and a bit more expensive at $99. The closest match would be the outlandishly popular Lululemon Belt bag, which I prefer in the 2L size with metal hardware for a slightly more hearty edition of the nylon multi-bag and can sometimes be found on sale (always check the “we made too much” part of the Lulu site). But I found some other options that may be a little more multi-use rather than perhaps feeling a little athletisure adjacent for some.

A Versatile, Recycled Nylon Croissant-esque Bag - Baggu Small Crescent Bag - $48

Baggu has long been making reusable totes and other travel-ready from recycled materials here in Brooklyn since 2007, and I love always having a foldable tote in my bag (they fit in everything - from my Heliad or my Prada Galleria) for quick market trips or even a storm cover for my bag or my dog in a pinch. The small Crescent bag strikes me as a great daily bag as it’s made from recycled nylon - making it easy to care for - and the adjustable strap is extra long (37 inches!) so you can wear it cross-body, over the shoulder or likely, even around the waist thanks to the curve shape of the crescent bag and the relatively soft material. I think either the small or medium would be great for daily items, I’d opt for the medium ($52) if you need to bring a water bottle and a snack along with your daily items and go for the small if you’re looking for a minimal, essentials-only piece.

I also really enjoy that their website includes size references, detailing how much you can fit in the bag and shows them on people of different heights. As a short gal - I’m often overwhelmed by bags and I used to scour purse forums and sites like BagSnob to get photos of how I could pack a potential bag before pulling the pricy trigger. It comes in a lot of cute colours, and honestly - I’m trying to talk myself out of buying one too.

Approximate CPW - Small Size - $0.26 a day (5 days/week for 6 months). Approximate CPW - Small Size - $0.28 a day (5 days/week for 6 months).

The Upcycled Cutie: Coach Crossbody Belt Bag In Coachtopia Leather - $295

Coach is undergoing something of a renaissance, finally being rated as a quality leather goods company while doing a great job of understanding Gen Z consumers. They’ve also launched Coachtopia - which they’re calling a “collaborative lab for innovation within Coach, founded with a mission to accelerate our transition towards a circular economy in fashion by rapidly prototyping new products, processes and ideas.” In summation, it means they’re using leather production scraps in their Upcrafted handbags, offering take-back programs at all stores for Coachtopia branded products for recycling and upcycling, offsetting shipping costs, and of course, working with Gen Z movers and shakers (yes, I’m an old millennial) and established circular partners like 1% for the Planet, GoodShipping and Recircled. While it’s not quite perfect or to scale within the entire company - it’s rare to see a fashion brand - especially one that works in leather - to be so clear on their sustainability goals.

.The Coach Crossbody Belt Bag - photo via Coach.

Now, onto the bags! I’m a fan of the Coach Crossbody Belt Bag in Coachtopia Leather ($295) - it comes in black, cream and olive green with cute little (recycled!) resin details. It’s made from a mix of recycled and regenerative leather and can be worn as a shoulder, crossbody or belt bag. It seems to hit the sweet spot between practical and chic, as it’s easy to dress up and down and from the reviews - it seems to fit all the essentials. It is a bit over budget, but given you can trade it in and its multi-use options - I think it’s worth the investment. Approximate CPW - $1.63 a day (5 days/week for 6 months).

Prada’s spring 1999 campaign for Linea Rossa. Photo: Norbert Schoerner. Courtesy of Prada

The Designer Redux: Prada, Bottega, and more.

Buying a second-hand daily bag may seem daunting, as they can often take quite a beating. But, you can find options on resale sites like TheRealReal. I suggest making sure you toggle the search function first based on wear level specifically -“very good, excellent and pristine” and look at materials like the ones we discussed above - leather or nylon are probably your best bets here. A few of my favorites include this vintage 1990s era Prada Nylon Waist Bag ($516), a Longchamp Leather Waist Bag ($265), Bottega Veneta dark blue leather waist bag with jacquard lining ($311.50), a Clare V. leather belt bag with adjustable strap ($235) and if you’re looking for something more current - a Jacquemus Leather Waist Bag ($355). It may seem daunting but when you focus on the specific qualities, wear and even hardware color of the bag - it makes vintage shopping even easier. Additional note: make sure to invest in leather cleaner and conditioner to take off our new purchase and keep it looking new to you - even if it’s an older piece. Approximate CPW - $1.30-$2.86 a day (5 days/week for 6 months).

The Minimal Option: Polene Numero Dix - $580