Top: Kate Spade Grant Park Starla, Rebecca Minkoff MAC, Coach Crossbody
Middle: LV Pochette Bosphore, Prada Vela, Coach Station
Bottom: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC
Bag Essentials: I move 3 items when I change bags - wallet, wristlet, and phone.
Long wallet with many card slots and a clear ID slot. I hate bunched up dollar bills and having to dig out my ID so I was happy to find a wallet that addressed both of those issues. Chose black as a good neutral to go with any bag color.
Wristlet to carry all of my small items and make bag transfer a simple process. Holds gift cards / loyalty cards, makeup and hand towelettes, hair accessories, eyeglass cloth, lip balm, lip gloss, emergency concealer (for those midday pimples, grr), eye makeup remover to battle raccoon eyes, and salt for when I need to eat at my desk.
Phone - 'nuff said.
Bag proportions (I'm 5'2"):
Kate Spade Starla, RM MAC, Coach, LV Pochette Bosphore
Prada Vela, Coach Station, RM Mini MAC
Here's how the bags fare:
If you have similar needs to mine, I recommend Kate Spade and Coach. Both brands have a good selection of leather bags, have many comfortable and lightweight styles that are small enough to keep you on the go, but big enough to carry your essentials, and the price point is pretty fair. Both brands are usually in the $200s, but you can score better deals during sales, at outlets, or vintage (try to get these authenticated though [I use the Purse Forum authentication threads], because there are many, many fakes out there.) If you're a fan of LV monogram, I also recommend the Pochette Bosphore. The coated canvas and low vachetta ratio (strap is canvas) means maintenance is practically nil.
And if you're wondering how the MAC compares with the Mini MAC:
When I looked at the measurements online, it didn't seem like the size would be very different. In real life, the mini seems much smaller. I love the look of it, but I really have to work to maneuver my wallet and wristlet into the bag. I don't think I'll be keeping this one (hence the packaging is still attached).
Any favorite bags to recommend?
Wow...what a great post! I enjoyed looking at your collection. I like the mini Mink, but that would be impractical for me. I will have to look into a wristlet. I use a purse insert thingie, but that isn't always convenient. I can see how you feel about the LV, but it looks gooood :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved this post because as a mom of twins, it seems like I'm forever in search of a good cross body bag. I too have an envelope wallet - so the ideal cross body needs to be able to accommodate that. Other essentials are a bag of wet wipes, phone, keys and maybe a small makeup bag.
ReplyDeleteI have the Marc Jacobs quilted single - absolutely adore it because its so chic BUT I have to carry a teeny wallet when I use it.
Love how you had pictures wearing all the bags. I thought a minkoff mini MAC would be my next purchase but I think now I will go for the MAC instead.
Thanks again for such a super informative post ;-)
i dont think u need a mini if u have the orig mac. plus, i feel ya. i have a big book-type wallet and it never fits in the mini mac.
ReplyDeleteNice chart! I agree with Aubrey. Plus, you already have red bag fulfillment from your Kate Spade.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get your makeup remover pads (the blue package)? On our vacation they were in the rental home we stayed at with the bath amenities...I loved them and was curious where I could find more.
Haha, they are from hotels too! We stayed for about a week so I stocked up on those :)
DeleteThanks for your review. It is really useful for me! I would love to have a nice crossbody bag for a while but do not actually have time to look for it. I'll start with your recommendation!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post! I just bought my first cross body bag(Coach) and I'm already plotting which one should be by next!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a crossbody bag...but I find myself drawn to the mini versions of "it" bags (like the Celine nano or the teeny tiny 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Mini). I was told they fit a lot (you know, more than you think just looking at them), have you considered those? And if you have, why did you decide against them?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reviews - they are super useful. I like the side-by-side comparison! :)
The "it" bags are so gorgeous! It ultimately comes down to the price tag for me on those. I'm willing to buy what's trendy at lower price points, but my more expensive bags tend to be neutral colored and more on the classic side that will hopefully stand the test of time and be passed on to Baby E :)
Deletei love crossbody bags! you have quite the collection! :)
ReplyDelete<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
Wonderful post. Thank you for the reviews. I like the idea of a crossbody bag now I just need to decide what to get.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Across the body bags can be hard for petites to find at the so called adjustable straps are still too long once you have adjusted the. Thanks for sharing your reviews :-)
ReplyDeletewww.petitestyleonline.com
great reviews! i've been slowly building up my purse collection and crossbody bags are on my list!
ReplyDeleteOoh great post! I don't have kids but I love myself a good cross body especially one that's lightweight. Really love the the Kate Spade one! I have the MAC and I really love it but I just find it's quite heavy for everyday use even when practically empty. So I usually save that for when I'm only out for a short time or when I know I won't actually be carrying it much LOL!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great review, S! I seriously love your Kate Spade cross-body. I've been drawn to cross-body bags lately as well. I bought a similar Coach bag like the one Jean gifted you a few months ago and am loving it. I need to make a trip to the Kate Spade outlet at Jefferson soon =)
ReplyDeleteWhat a thorough review! Love the pictures and sizing/ease of use chart. The mini does look small from the side profiles and I see your wristlet barely fits. I only have 1 cross body, the new version of the legacy penny purse, and I love it for weekends and such. I move only the cards I need, it fits my phone, chapstick and keys, no problem. I should probably get a smallish wallet to hold those important cards so they don't slip out of the purse! Hehe. Great post. I pinned it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting such an informative and thorough. I have the mini mac but I can see how it's not easy to pull your wallet in and out from the purse. I'm really liking the Coach Station purse and I'm a huge fan of cross body purses. So helpful for funning errands (esp shopping) :D xoxo, Phoebe
ReplyDeleteHi there, great post!! I was wondering where you got the mac and mini mac at such a discounted price? :O
ReplyDeleteI got the MAC during either the Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale and had a code on top of the sale price. For the Mini MAC, also sale but this time with a $50 gift certificate :)
DeleteThose were my fav bags on you too! Love the review post!
ReplyDeleteI started getting into crossbody bags last year because I was sick of shopping with a shoulder bag. I'm a creature of habit and tend to carry things on one side of my body, so you can imagine my aching shoulders at the end of the day. The Mini MAC is a cute option! That was the bag I picked up last month and I love it. I really only need my wallet, phone, keys, & lip balm when I use the bag and it's enough space for me. The red is a gorgeous choice! Too bad it's small for you. :(
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great review post! Thanks for all of the info! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of crossbody purses myself now - that Kate Spade is gorge, I may have to go spy that now. Is it recent?
ReplyDelete