Carry on...
About ten years ago, my friends Thomas & Keith from Aero Studios, gave me this gorgeous leather tote bag as a birthday present. It has been my absolute most favorite bag. It's seriously all-purpose -- a smart, utilitarian workhorse that also fits everything one might need for a long weekend get-away. When I'm not using it, it's a handsome office accessory. It only gets better with age. And, it smells divine!
So why you ask, with this beauty at my disposal, do I need a new fall bag? Maybe it's a hold over from back to school days. Maybe it's just the itch to shop for something new. Does one really need a reason? For me, "perfect" means it must meet a few requirements. It must have a strap long enough to go over the shoulder with a winter coat but just long enough that it tucks comfortably under the arm. It must be leather. It must have minimal hardware...I don't like a lot of bells & whistles. It must be sturdy enough to carry a variety of tools to and from my studio AND it must be classic and timeless enough to wear for years to come...kind of like my Aero tote. I am a bit of a bag lady (i.e. collector) and I like to switch them up throughout the year. The trouble is, this year there are so many options and I'm only buying one! I've narrowed the field to five top picks. Here they are...
il bisonte
Lanvin
Alexander Wang
Clare Vivier
These are all great options, but there can only be one winner. This year, it's going to be The Chance tote by ABK. I love its modern shape. It's handmade in Chinatown by Alya B. Kazakevich, a true leather artisan. Alya hand tools all of her beautiful products, which include bags, shoes, belts, small accessories and more. All of her products are made to order. I'd say this bag is worthy of a spot on the shelf next to my all-time-fave.
