wardrobe building 101: the perfect convertible clutch

the perfect convertible evening clutch is one of those wardrobe essentials that's curiously hard to find.

review: the Mansur Gavriel tote

fresh out of the box, making friends with fave KW sunnies already

update since my last post: i bought the Mansur Gavriel tote.

foundations: stylish work bags under $500

my trusty pliage

fact: whether you're starting your first job or just got a third promotion, a stylish yet functional work bag (that won't interfere with your 401k) is one of the most essential wardrobe foundations. 

sale PSA: Saint Laurent

a short and sweet PSA for all of you looking to splurge a bit less 

on the two best bags in the Saint Laurent lineup – the Duffle or Sac de Jour. 

the nano is also a fun and luxe mini bag for the season :)

//

review: the American-crafted classic man bag

after a number of years of searching high and low, i got my boyfriend the J.W. Hulme brief bag for Christmas. he has now been using it regularly for over a year, so i thought i would give this bag a proper review.

foundations: chic handbags under $500

shopping for luxury style at contemporary prices has never been easier.

essentials: the best summer / travel bags

the effortlessly lovely Liu Wen

every summer, a kind of seasonal minimalism takes over. hot weather has a funny way of inspiring simplification, and i find myself liking everything lighter and unfettered this time of year.

foundations: summer uniform

current favorites on repeat: sleeveless poplin (in S) // old c/e jeans (similar) // zara ballet flats (similar) // Givenchy antigona duffel (also here)

the Givenchy duffel is the embodiment of practical luxury.

foundations: big bag theory

in the bag (reviewed here): something old (7-year-old CdG wallet) // something inspiring (the power of habit) //
something new & something blue (large zip pouch c/o everlane)

my desk is usually messy, but i like to keep my bags organized.

essentials: March monochrome

classics old and new – adidas superstars + everlane petra bag

foundations: the minimalist work tote

via tumblr

this season, a roomy, supple, and simple leather tote is really appealing to me as a work-to-weekend hold-all.

foundations: minimalist travel

via 

finally! officially on chillaxation mode as i get ready this week for a long-awaited vacation. just in time too, as i've been feeling burned out from work and deadlines (and hence not blogging as much lately).

style notes: practical luxury

via French Vogue

a reader's comment the other day about her beloved Hermes birkin got me thinking – what happens when you finally get your holy grail?

stylehacker: the SC duffel bag

SC + SC

the SC is easily my favorite bag of the entire Vuitton line-up. however, like all super luxe handbags these days, the price just keeps creeping up season after season. luckily, the next best thing is quite affordable and just as cool.

essentials: red white and blue

a little red/white/blue trio bag goodness –

because 4th of July = perfect excuse to embrace my inner graphic design nerd. clearly this is my blog version of this themed cake.

are you doing anything fun this holiday weekend?

review: the trio crossbody bag

triple threat: the perfect trio crossbody bag.

form + function, found. 

lookbook: mini me

something old (a banana republic camel coat reworked by my tailor), something new (steven alan mini bag). paired together, it's remarkable how a little accessory can breathe new life into an old coat. 

foundations: Louis Vuitton SC bag

 

jcrew sweatshirt, 7 for all mankind jeans, Hope pumps, Louis Vuitton SC bag
(alternatives:  this PM-sized duffel, or this off-duty downtown version)

the SC bag is the perfect bag. it is one of those dream items that in real life looks exactly like how you imagine it. 

a review: the best travel bags

1. Longchamp le pliage tote

2. vintage 1970s Coach saddle bag

3. Baggus

4. all purpose evening bag/clutch

5. Balenciaga classic city bag
6. zip pouches and my Sammy Ethiopia leather pouchette 

i suppose i should thank the airlines for imposing ever-stingier weight restrictions on international luggage, because being forced to edit my bags down to 4 for the year has been a worthy exercise in the economy of style. 

table of contents

 photos via the persona flickr set

if you're like me and maybe are a little bit obsessed with handbags, you may be familiar with the ubiquitous 'what's in your bag' tag that's been around on youtube, magazines, and the blogosphere. i never get tired of seeing what stylish people put in their bags - and now there's persona, a cool flickr set by photographer Jason Travis that features quirky and interesting people with their personal 'table of contents'.

it's particularly inspiring to see how much or how little some of the people featured pack in their day bags.

this week i've been carrying my mulberry bayswater, and i'd love to see the table of contents of Sofia Coppola, Ines de la Fressange, and John le Carré's* bags.

what bag are you carrying today? which style icon/random famous person's table of contents would you like to see?

*odds are that John le Carré doesn't carry around a man bag, but i'd like to think that a brilliant spy novelist would have some interesting table of contents!