Letter of Rec #081: Good handbags inside

5 solid picks. None over $675. (Except for the first one.)

Sep 20, 2024

Lately, I can’t slice out the sum of an outfit without affixing a bag to it. Whether as decorative garnish to fancify knee cap leggings or as a black structured something to ground color, the looks feel incomplete without one. It’s surprising to find because I’ve done a pretty good job avoiding the need for a handbag over the course of my career as “a professional dresser” (The Post rly called me that once) but I guess to be fair, it is also that time of year (fashion month, new season, all-around back to school) when everything feels so fresh.

See wuzzup at Cafe Leandra

But the best part here seems to be that none of the bags have retailed for more than $1,100 with the exception of the Hermes bolide that started it all while I was in pursuit of a lady bag, as Becky has called it. Something big enough to carry all my possessions (wallet, phone, school ID, journal; pack of gum and maybe a small bottle of water) but fine enough to polish off a casual non-outfit (think elastic waist pants, pretty casual sandals or sneaks; a good jkt).

The season’s best alt to the Bolide (and the possibly inspired ‘Nina’ from The Row) comes from Loulou Studio, with its gold bar closure and generous size and comfortable but delicate shoulder strap.

The Loulou Studio ‘Linda’ bag ($1,100) styled with a Kallmeyer jacket (the navy one in gazar suiting is v good too), Khaite silk tank, Alex Mill cargos and Polo sneakers

Who is really responsible for returning the gold bar closure to fashion? Is it a remaining relic from Phoebe’s Celine? Or is it the handiwork of an early Khaite bag, revived as a mesh tote last year with this?

Either way, the other bag-style my outfits (those mostly reserved for don’t-need-much occasions) have been craving is a very specific kind of structured clutch that plays on the same motif.

Soeur’s ‘Asmar’ ($425) styled with a Cos sweater and my Cafe Leandra x Delarge sunglasses

After years of using satin accents as a signal that I carry minimal baggage (I don’t), I’m suddenly hell-bent on a rigid black, slightly shiny leather clutch. Preferably long and a little bit narrow.

Soeur’s ‘Asmar’ fits the bill for this perfectly. The structure and material do a good job hardening a look that might feel too soft. Makes sense to find the need for a rough-up given all those negligees I’ve been pushing on us or the new reigning era of Chloe.

But for the times when the outfit’s not really a thing (see: the tried and trues — denim shirt, high rise jeans, your best flat sandals) and a more pronounced flourish is desired, this beaded top handle, bottle-shaped thing from Cordera makes for a solid main event.

Call it a viable (and perhaps more conceptual) alternative to the bag I was hooting and howling about towards the end of the summer from Rabanne.

Here she is with Attersee’s technical satin jacket

It’s still in rotation, but for an occasion that calls for more sheen (see: anorak, khakis — have wear-tested the linked, can confirm excellence, just might need to be hemmed for flats). Now that I’m sleuthing, it seems like the big ass version might be the one.

Big ass version here

Next one’s the elegant carry-all, to stow all your shit and then some, from purveyor of painstakingly practical elegance: Attersee.

It’s made in a technical satin, which gives it a more durable feel than the classic Brea (this cream edition is good) and is flex enough to hold all your possessions for a day’s work. I’m talking computer, change of clothes, snacks, maybe tupperware. Stick your baby in there if you want to!

If you’re after a tote but the above isn’t exactly it: Rue de Verneuil makes some of the subjective best carry-alls (my preferred shape is ‘the traversée’) and it looks like Net-a-Porter just started stocking them.

Rue de Verneuil’s ‘traversee’ ($410) with ‘the tool bag’ ($340) at right (mostly because it’s more akin to how I’d style it)

Haven’t seen this all-black one before but it looks sleeks and has that is-that-The-Row vibe about it. V useful and dimensional too. Ideal for a farmer’s market/grocery store run. And the thing about the luxury rendering of something like a canvas tote is that from a design perspective, you really can make the piece look rich by using the best (or at least a good enough) quality without being insane about how you price it. Not all those who do play by this book also play by this rule, but the option is there.

(While we’re here, I do also think this guy’s worth consideration given the shape/size/markdown. It’ll make for good contrast on a coat when it gets cold and deliver the reminder that we will gorge on stone fruit again.)

Two follow up notes to last week’s Letter of Rec:

Aflalo is live! Are you dead over this leopard print coat? Dw, nothing else is as expensive. And imo, nothing is more worth it than the Fenn belt. Except maybe this shirt. Or sweater. These pants!
Emme Parson’s Hugo with the fur sole is, confirmed, a good time gal that adds a welcome dose of good-to-be-weird to a simple outfit.
Emme Parsons’ furry Hugos, styled with B Sides jeans and a Venstore polo (not for nothing, the knits from Renggli are pretty good too. Have this tank, v flattering neckline)
Ideal for those among us who want to take the risk but would rather do it subtly.