My Most Practical and Used Spring Bags
Let's chat spring bags!
One of my most requested questions this week was about spring bags and specifically about my Khaite crossbody bag vs. my bags from The Row. So I thought I’d share a review as my Khaite August bag has hands down been my most carried / practical bag over the past few years. I also included five additional most used spring bags of mine.
The Crossbody Bag |
I have the original Khaite August bag from when was that 5 years back? (you can sometimes find it on The Real Real ~ here’s one in creamy beige leather that’s pretty for spring)… but the current version of this bag is the Augustina Hobo. And there’s the smaller version now as well which is nice. As far as color, I’m a black person year round but if I was buying this bag right now and with spring dressing in mind I’d personally go with canvas, raffia or dark olive. (I think dark olive and the canvas are both versatile year-round options too!).
As far as size goes, I’m only 5’1’’ (as you know), and this is a larger bag on me but honestly it still works on my frame. I typically wear it crossbody and hang it off to the side (or you can wear it on your shoulder too). It holds the ideal amount and more so… for my everyday mom life. It’s just so nice to go hands-free, to not have a tote falling off your shoulder and still be able to carry a lot. I usually have snacks for my kids with me, sunglasses, my wallet, gum… etc. With room. I can also easily toss in my small camera when traveling. It’s a great size! Mine is also the smooth leather which does show some wear now from over the years but I’m someone who thinks leather only gets cooler with some well loved imperfections so this doesn’t bother me. (The pebbled leather version that is available now would be great if smooth leather worries you). Also, one of the best things about this bag for me is that the gold hardware elevates any look. So even when I’m in workout clothes or a more casual mom-life outfit this bag makes the look. It’s been well worth the price tag if thinking about cost per wear over the past few years and I’d 100% rebuy it!
The other designer practical but chic mom crossbody bag I’ve thought about for a few years now and finally ordered is The Row’s Banana Bag (in black here). Since I had the Khaite crossbody I didn’t need this one… but the beige color sealed the deal for me and I ended up pre-ordering it last month for spring. You know my love for The Row’s bags… just the best quality (same goes with Khaite)… buttery leather, minimal, timeless and without logos. Another crossbody option from The Row is the Jouve. Practical, versatile and chic. The military green is pretty for spring… obviously I’m in a creamy beige bag mood!
Similar Saves (under $500): The Crescent Bag from St. Agni feels the most like The Row (my mom has this one so I can speak to the quality and it’s great!) and this one is adjustable which is nice.
The Mini Crossbody Bag |
Another practical crossbody bag that’s needed for spring events both day and evening is the smaller crossbody bag. I have found myself grabbing for my Bottega bag (I have this size) a lot more again over this past year… because it’s a great day to evening size to be on-the-go with. I travel a lot with it and it holds a good amount (including my camera). I have my eye on this new mini(er) version for all of the spring / summer occasions (concerts, wine country, any of the dressier events) that you want to be hands-free but need something small for your phone, lipgloss and keys. It’s so pretty in this new cream color-way (*NAP calls it pastel yellow but in person it’s a really pretty ecru,… also available here and here). Oh and I’ve always loved the mini loop in this soft green for spring too!
The other smaller crossbody bag I love for the minimal design and practicality is this one from Khaite (comes in a number of colors although I’m partial to the wheat suede). It’s also one you can carry as a clutch which is always chic!
The Tote Bag |
This was my spring bag buy last year and I carried it all through summer into fall. I love the unique shape, the amount that it can hold and the fact that it’s so lightweight. I always like a raffia bag for these warmer months to add a little texture and that vacation-like feel to any look. My negative about this bag and the shape is that it’s an awkward one to set down. (I actually owned this bag in suede and sold it for that reason). You need to hang it on the back of a chair if at a restaurant as it doesn’t sit well on it’s own, or fold it over a bit. I found the raffia version slouchier and easier to plop down over the suede. That said, I’ll be pulling it back out again soon and although it’s not available in black ~ it is in the natural.
Dragon Diffusion Woven Leather Tote
You’ve heard me sing the praises of my woven Dragon Diffusion bag* for years now. It was my diaper bag when my two were babies and is still the bag I carry the most when we are going out to dinner and I need something slightly larger for kid activities and coloring books. I admit, I own a couple Dragon Diffusion styles at this point, including this bag in tan and green (green is so fun for spring / summer if you crave a color pop!). As well as this size which is nice as a slightly smaller size, which I carry a lot to wine country... birthdays… any of those dressier events. They’re beautifully made and have worn so well over the years. My sister even spilled a whole glass of red wine down the front of my tan bag (hence why I ended up going for green to replace it)… but it’s still in rather decent shape considering!
* 25% off right now at checkout on Net-a-Porter!
Similar Saves: This is a great beach tote option for vacation (under $200). I also love this woven tote as well as this raffia bag (both from Ulla Johnson). Another woven bag save from Madewell ($138). And Hunting Season also has chic woven carry-alls.
By now you know I appreciate a very minimal bag and this is just that. Well made, gorgeous leather… not in the least bit flashy, honestly just a well made simple leather tote to get the job done. I’ve had the larger Park Tote for years now (back when it was less than half the price) and it’s what I carry my laptop in the most. It’s practical and still looks brand new considering the wear it’s gotten. (This truly goes for all of my bags from The Row ~ you get what you pay for). But I will say The Park Tote hasn’t excited me in a while… once the price skyrocketed… there are other simple totes out there for much less. But then I spotted the medium size in the prettiest nude suede at The Real Real. The price was too good to pass up and I have to say… the medium is a really nice mom bag size.
Similar Saves: I’m also very into this shoulder bag from Australian label, Vestirsi, in the suede for spring. And here’s another simple black shoulder bag.
* If you’re looking for a tote ~ you may like this post: 8 Dreamy Work / Cool Mom Totes
Love this post! Do you mind sharing a link/style name for that beautiful off-white strapless dress in the photos with the palm trees? Thank you!
Love your black leather jacket! Who makes it?