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Lately I have been on the lookout for a quality black leather shoulder bag to use everyday, in the $200 - $500 range. Sadly, i feel like finding a good quality bag in this age is daunting.
Last year I went into a Gucci store because I wanted to buy a used Jackie and see the different sizes. After holding the bag in my hand, and feeling it, i was instantly disappointed.
I have been trying to understand what I want out of my bags, and I realized from feeling the saffiano of the Jackie that I like supple, smooth leather, possibly lightly protected and embossed. Sadly that stuff is prone to scratching, but I think I am willing to take the risk. I have a vintage Coach Ergo with many scratches, but itās the bag I use the most because of the simple look, the many pockets, and the large strap to easily have around my shoulder.
Anyways Iām still on the search, but I am getting tired of seeing the same brands over and over again, and seeing more experimental construction that Iām not into. I just want a simple, classic bag. But this morning I found a Japanese brand called Etiam and saved this one in my bookmarks to look at later š¼
Jan 6, 2025
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Saw this question pop up in the morning and have spent the rest of the day thinking about bags. Turns out Iām harboring a lot of opinions on them. Like flora I agree that you need one in each size (s/m/l). Additionally as a person who treats my clothes and accessories like trash itās imperative I have a bag that isnāt precious but looks chic. Which is why I always go with a medium sized leather bucket bag in a fun or neutral color. I go through one every 5 years. In college I had my momās 70s Dooney and Bourke, when I moved to New York I treated myself to a Creatures of Comfort (RIP) and recently I scored an OAD bag (also maybe RIP?) off The Real Real. Bucket bags fit everything, but donāt look like youāre schlepping your whole life in there. I also like going bagless and using just a Petit Pli mini pocket that I wear around my neck. Thereās enough room to tuck a card and a key in too. On the XL size I love my Baggu cloud bag. Itās the absolute goat for travel because it also is collapsable!
Mar 8, 2024
i love my Want Les Essentiels tote bag, it's casual yet classy and very sturdy. it's in between a regular tote and a purse. i've had it for 13 years and it's still in very good condition. they don't sell the model i have anymore though :(
i also use this random huge uniqlo u messenger bag (with just a zipper, no flap) whenever i want to be prepared and able to put anything (cardigan, books, table top games, ...) in my bag. i think big messenger bags are pretty stylish and trendy, it's not a purse but still maybe worth looking into,
and i like Susan Bijl bags.... (the new shopping bag) (slightly elevated tote bag) (gen x / millenial aesthetics but im old so)
Mar 6, 2024
my first real big girl bagā¦ i bought her off of ebay and she is such a gorgeous shape, just the right size for the essentials and a little more!!! can def slide a book in there for on the go reading and fits beneath the arm perfectly <3
but! if i am being realā¦ the true key to comfort and versatility is having a staple bag of each size (s, m, l, plus a collapsible tote if needed) to assist you in lifeā¦
typically i am much more casually dressed so a leather purse feels too much at timesā¦ i then turn to my baboon to the moon crescent crossbodyā¦ so many pockets! for nights out, i have my baggu shoulder bag, i find that its the perfect size for the essentials and once again fits nice and slug under the armā¦ ta da!
*** not my photo but this is the exact model :p
Mar 6, 2024
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Feb 10, 2025
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As a child growing up with brothers and as the fat black kid, i never considered myself feminine. Even when i lost weight in middle school and went to an all girls high school, looking girly or being more āfeminineā was just not something i thought about.
I feel like recently, i wanted to explore that more, as this pull to dress and appear more feminine has become super strong. Having a house to decorate in any way I can, actually starting to feel better about my body to wear skirts again, etc has really influenced me. But my fears are that it may portray trad wife or childās play; Iām nervous of stares or being questioned about my views if i were to give such a strong appearance of a girly woman.
But some of my inspirations have been strolling through vintage creators and small japanese insta accounts with super pink and fluffy aesthetics.
Hopefully i will build up the courage
Jan 5, 2025
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i saw something a tad bit politically upsetting this morning through a reposted TikTok, and when i looked up the story in the news, what the TikTok said about this political issue could not be substantiated, but only implied and rumored.
Iām kinda peeved because short form media has really allowed people to become media illiterate and spread things that are either lies or unsupported claims, because they know people arenāt going to read a 3-4 paragraph article on a news site and disseminate information on their own.
Something I have learned in therapy is to kinda look at more things in life as neutral, and not go into black and white thinking before making a decision. Take time to act on something (when itās possible) and take things at face value most days. Being in an elevated state of emotion when doing something is not usually good.
I just wish other people could do that today, because sometimes it feels like Iām the only person in my realm who can.
Jan 26, 2025