Essentials Edit: The Tote Bag
Welcome to the Essentials Edit! A new section for our site, I wanted to dive deeper into my favorite items and why I consider them “essentials.”
The goal for any closet is to inspire you when you get dressed every day. Your clothes should not frustrate or overwhelm you. If you invest in classic, essential pieces, I truly believe you get your money’s worth and then some. With essentials, you can rewear, restyle, and reinvent these pieces over and over again, then sprinkle in the fun.
Let’s get into it!
First up in the “Essentials Edit” is the tote bag. A great white tee and jeans are obvious “essentials” to all of us, but, I think there’s something to be said for finding and investing in THE tote bag that works best with your specific lifestyle.
Your bag completes your outfit. Your bag goes everywhere with you. Every. Single. Day. So why wouldn’t you invest in one that you really love? For me, my tote bag is what keeps me prepared for and on track with all that the day has in store.
I live every day out of my tote bag and a ‘quick’ crossbody stashed inside for when I just need my wallet to grab a coffee or to pop into the grocery store.
My tote holds my laptop, files, iPad, Tums, Motrin, tampons, hair ties, hair brush, 47 different chargers, 6000 lip colors, Kind bars, trail mix, salad dressing (check the pic), gum, mints. (IYKYK) Ladies, why are we like this?? I basically feel like I could survive for several days if all I had were the contents of this bag alone.
Key Point: Organization
A key feature of my all-in-one tote is my bag organizer. It’s the perfect way to make a big open space feel organized with structure. I’ve linked mine here, but you can find them online just about anywhere, and if your bag is pretty popular, they even make brand specific ones.
I’ve totally got the whole Mary Poppins’ bag thing going on by somehow always pulling one more thing from the depths of my bag. My secret: smaller bags within your bag. I swear by my leather Cuyana ones. They’re durable (and pretty!), and I keep makeup for touch-ups in one, phone and laptop chargers in another, and random necessities in the other (think hair ties, extra contacts, gum, mints). That way, I always know where to find the necessary items in a hurry. You’ll never have to dump out your purse again when you need a hair tie. Thank me later!
Key Point: Find the bag that works for you and your lifestyle
The Dior Book Tote is perfect for my lifestyle, I always carry a laptop, iPad, documents etc. Something like the classic Louis Vuitton Neverfull is not structured enough for my lifestyle. I like to sit down at work and have my bag standing up so I can easily access everything I need.
Whereas someone like a new mom will probably thrive out of a bag like the Neverfull. It’s bottomless; read: NEVERfull) and can hold any essential both you and your babe could ever need for a day out.
I’ve linked my favorite bags below in varying price points and separated by “structured” and “non-structured” to hopefully guide you on your search for your next greatest bag. I’m already excited for you.
STRUCTURED BAGS
NON-STRUCTURED BAGS
As always, feel free to leave a comment with any specific questions. Be sure and keep an eye out for all the other “essentials” coming out soon!
Talk soon,
