Light bag, light heart
Few items in a woman's closet as fraught as the handbag: status signifier, wardrobe extender, art object and... oh right, we use them to carry stuff.
I am slightly obsessed with them, but in reverse: I wish to own very few, and need them to work with me. They're not arm candy; they're arm vitamins. No longer having a car means I'm hauling that bag for hours, so it has to be light, with a strap that gives support.
Unable to tolerate a leather bag bigger than a grapefruit means my material of choice has changed, so I seek casual bags of lightweight materials. These are the bag equivalent of the young-adult novel: I didn't think I'd like them, but I've been pleasantly surprised.
Assuming you already know the more familiar brands (Le SportSac, Baggelini, Mosey) I will place, in the Passage's windows, some lesser-known models.
Karine Dupont designs both bright and neutral bags in a strong nylon; though her spring/summer collection is not yet online, this Winter '14 Sac Bandoulière introduces her aesthetic: multi-pocket bags you will see on stylish Parisienne shoulders. Available in two sizes, from €79. (Her leather bags are terrific too!)
I have been in the Paris boutique many times and left empty-handed, overwhelmed by choice!
Groom is another Paris treasure. You can now find their marvelous, hard-wearing bags online; spendy but worth it. The nylon models launder superbly. The Capuccio Medium sling sings in rich, gorgeous colours as well as neutrals; €109.
Here's another superb maker of lightweight bags, whom I discovered last year: Highway, based in New York. Made of nylon, nylon and leather, or coated canvas, they have earned a spot in the Museum of Modern Art Store. The S09-23 model shown in sage/turquoise is $103:
You can also find selected Highway models on the MoMA Store's site.
The canvas tote —if it doesn't get ratty—can attend most any casual gathering. Classically cool and dead cheap (though admittedly basic), this Montréal airport model from Monumental Love is an example of a beloved genre; price, $35.
Québec textile artist Cynthia DM makes intensely-hued bags which she screens with nature motifs in a range of styles, a graceful, functional entry in the arty genre without being twee. Shown, "bag with flap; teal with birds" price, $90.
I'm charmed by her "triangle bag-bicycle" with a bike and antique keys, $90.
For summer, an elegant linen tote from Paris-based firm Ikabags with various interior leather pocket and lining options. Price, about $120.
My few remaining full-leather bags are like finicky vintage sports cars: I take them out for a ride only occasionally, for short trips.
One of the bag styles shown, or a small change purse that drops into a pocket seems to be the new order, though I still pause before a luscious leather bag display... but only to look.
I am slightly obsessed with them, but in reverse: I wish to own very few, and need them to work with me. They're not arm candy; they're arm vitamins. No longer having a car means I'm hauling that bag for hours, so it has to be light, with a strap that gives support.
Unable to tolerate a leather bag bigger than a grapefruit means my material of choice has changed, so I seek casual bags of lightweight materials. These are the bag equivalent of the young-adult novel: I didn't think I'd like them, but I've been pleasantly surprised.
Assuming you already know the more familiar brands (Le SportSac, Baggelini, Mosey) I will place, in the Passage's windows, some lesser-known models.
Karine Dupont designs both bright and neutral bags in a strong nylon; though her spring/summer collection is not yet online, this Winter '14 Sac Bandoulière introduces her aesthetic: multi-pocket bags you will see on stylish Parisienne shoulders. Available in two sizes, from €79. (Her leather bags are terrific too!)
I have been in the Paris boutique many times and left empty-handed, overwhelmed by choice!
Groom is another Paris treasure. You can now find their marvelous, hard-wearing bags online; spendy but worth it. The nylon models launder superbly. The Capuccio Medium sling sings in rich, gorgeous colours as well as neutrals; €109.
Here's another superb maker of lightweight bags, whom I discovered last year: Highway, based in New York. Made of nylon, nylon and leather, or coated canvas, they have earned a spot in the Museum of Modern Art Store. The S09-23 model shown in sage/turquoise is $103:
You can also find selected Highway models on the MoMA Store's site.
The canvas tote —if it doesn't get ratty—can attend most any casual gathering. Classically cool and dead cheap (though admittedly basic), this Montréal airport model from Monumental Love is an example of a beloved genre; price, $35.
Québec textile artist Cynthia DM makes intensely-hued bags which she screens with nature motifs in a range of styles, a graceful, functional entry in the arty genre without being twee. Shown, "bag with flap; teal with birds" price, $90.
I'm charmed by her "triangle bag-bicycle" with a bike and antique keys, $90.
For summer, an elegant linen tote from Paris-based firm Ikabags with various interior leather pocket and lining options. Price, about $120.
My few remaining full-leather bags are like finicky vintage sports cars: I take them out for a ride only occasionally, for short trips.
One of the bag styles shown, or a small change purse that drops into a pocket seems to be the new order, though I still pause before a luscious leather bag display... but only to look.
Comments
http://intl.tumi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12310354&prodFindSrc=paramNav
http://www.kipling-usa.com/alvar-crossbody-bag/HB4061.html?dwvar_HB4061_color=363#q=alvar&uuid=bebQsiaagZZtUaaadaBo73XvcP
but have lately found them to be too much weight for my shoulder and neck. My next bag will be this tote http://www.tumi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21055926&prodFindSrc=search, Although I prefer hands-free, it may help with the physical aches and pains, we'll see. And of course I'll be madly googling your recommendations as well.
BTW I saw part of a post about your earring reno that looked wonderful, it's not functioning now, just thought I'ld let you know.
The earring post was mistakenly published; it is not ready yet. I am waiting for the finished earring before I post it.
Love those Tumi totes LauraH provided links for.
I too will check out your brands when I am in Paris. And speaking of totes and Paris. Mr FS and I were on a longish line for the half-priced pastries at a shop near our apartment. The French woman behind us was carrying a canvas "Metropolitan Museum of Art" tote as her purse and wearing a Farandole necklace and clic-clac cuff, both by Hermes. A very French combination. As we all left with our goodies, she came up to us and said in accented but perfect English (she had heard us chatting): "Such a great bargain, eh!"
Have you tried cork bags? They come in many styles, are very light and are waterproof plus are made from renewable resources.
Deb from Vancouver
Kristien62:
If you are thinking of 1154 Lill Studio, it is closing at this very moment, which is really too bad.
mater: I was just in a M0851 yesterday buying son a new wallet. The bags are so light!
Mme: I will carry a small leather bag for an evening accessory, or a big one onboard for a plane/train/car trip, but that's it!
Deb: I had a Matt & Nat cork bag to test; found it not nearly as durable as luggage-weight nylon or microfiber. Great idea but not so much for our Montréal winters.
The bicycle bag is rather fun!
They have good online service, ship quickly and no charge to Canada at the moment.
I get what you're saying about loading up, this is something I find tricky as I'm often on the go from morning til evening. Do I take something to read on the subway? a snack? water? or buy as I go which gets expensive. Still working out what to carry as well as the bag itself.
Anon@1:45: Yes, the Bean tote is a good basic choice. They have long had free shipping to Canada, unlike other vendors who only offer it as a promo. I especially enjoy the canvas with graphics like the "Montréal Airport" shown and have fun considering versions on sites like Etsy.
LauraH: Oh, yes, the stuff is heavy, too! I have seen some good coated paper wallets; you might like these:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/torraingoods?section_id=7755689&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1
Sometimes I only carry a coated-paper shopping bag!
One is the Tote Bag. It’s nylon with leather handles and a snap-closure over the zipper. The handles are long enough to slip over my shoulders and the bag comes in a wide range of colours. It’s folded size is about 1 inch thick, 8x6 inches.
My second is the Backpack. It’s also nylon, zippered with a leather snap closure over the zipper and has canvas adjustable shoulder straps. It’s folded size is about 1 inch thick by 6x6 inches.
I’m looking at buying their ‘Hobo’. Also nylon, zippered, with one adjustable canvas strap, and foldable. I could probably wear it either as a shoulder bag or cross-body as the straps look long enough.
These are light-weight bags for carrying around all day but also for travelling with. All Le Pliage styles fold down into a thin size and slip easily between my clothes in my carry-on only luggage. I always have both bags with me during my day of sightseeing (they really do pack flat and hardly weigh anything) on my travels as I interchange them as the day goes on. I find my back/shoulders often get tired and having a change of purses (like a change of shoes) keeps me going all day. I’ve had both my bags for years now, use them very often and they look like new.
And on my flight home I just might need the extra bag for the few things I bought on my trip!
-Marianne in V.
I still love leather bags, and carry them if I'm not teaching, but know better than to load and lug.
(I still have the beautiful Bree tote you helped me pick out on our shopping spree in Montreal -- alas, I can't get all the teaching junk into it!)
I remember the long ago times when I used to wear Helmut Lang Clothes, most pieces had inside Pockets, like Men's wear, so I could go without any bag.
Men do survive without bags and if wearing a coat I often leave the house with a small wallet, lipstick and house key.
Mandarina Duck does nylon bags, but they are about charming as the Longchamps to me.
Katrin Dupont is such a great find, I subscribed for their Newsletter, thank you, Duchesse.
I know it looks horrid to have the cross body strap bisecting my chest, but it's practical so I don't care. It looks fine over a coat and most of the year I am in some kind of coat.