Can A Lady Bag Save Us From The Laptop Tote?
Maybe my hunt for the perfect work bag was all wrong.
Earlier this week I texted the fashion friend group chat: “Do I need a Margaux (the Row) bag or am I being influenced by unknown outside forces?” A very drawn out conversation ensued. It’s definitely “a thing” right now, a power woman’s bag, being worn in a very un-corporate way. It speaks to the evolution of what a powerful woman’s work and life look like. I worked for extremly corporate companies (in fashion albeit) for almost twenty years and it wasn’t until I left that I truly started to value my abilities. So it’s funny that now, I don’t work in an office, and I am searching for a bag like this.
Maybe it’s part of the above, and part just getting older, but I do just love the idea of a huge non-dramatic but clearly ladylike handbag that will age well and give every outfit a sense of style over fashion (see: Hermes Birkin, for the rest of us). It feels incredibly grown up.
But then again…I’m a weenie! A bag like this is heavy. And I work from home! I don’t really need a huge work bag for everyday. So I’m taking the Margaux out of it for a second (figuratively of course), and trying to think about what itch I am actually trying to scratch in terms of the overall workday look. And I think it’s the idea of having a catch all that conveys a very “this old thing” elegance right out of the box. And I think I can take the idea of a quintessential ladylike bag that doesn’t age and shrink it down.
This might also have something to do with my renewed interest in “The Swans” (are you watching Feud!?!) but I’ve concluded that for my lifestyle, a better look might be a lady day bag and run of the mill tote, for now at least. It gets the look across, is lighter and ends up being more multifunctional for someone (me) who doesn’t necessarily need the laptop every time they leave the house. Plus I am enjoying the slightly disheveled-ness of the tote and lady bag hooked over my arm together. It makes the whole thing a little less prim.
This still leaves us without an actual laptop bag, but I’m thinking, for now at least, that’s ok! What I’m realizing I love about the Margaux is that when I do need to have more bag space (laptop, kid stuff, shoe change) I want it to be neutral enough to be wearing fashion. If my bag says too much, it’s hard to wear my fun pants, my bright jackets, my “dad sneakers.” The Margaux does that, but I think my effort (and dollars) might be better spent on a smaller bag can truly be my everyday and a larger “average tote” that lets the lady bag relax a little.
I’ve been reconsidering some special freebie totes I have stashed away. A Verdura one with rope handles and a Rolex tote that is extra durable and just amazingly perfect proportions (I mean, what would you expect?!). I’m sure you have one or two event totes or “gifts with purchase” you feel the same way about, no? But a store bought simple tote will also do the trick, just as well if not better.
Below, five classic lady bags. Five with a little more zing. And five non-descript totes to get you and your little miss from point A to B.
I think these little bags are going to want to make us get DRESSED. They are most certainly giving me that urge! Or they will as soon as I get access to my closet back. For those following along, I’m hoping we are entering the last week (week 8) of my two week home improvement project. LOL!
See you back here next week for actual OUTFITS! Until then, Happy Sunday! Happy shopping, thrifting and getting dressed this week.
Yours TRULY,
Becky
I don’t think the Margaux bag is ever a work bag for someone who actually works in a corporate job. You can’t take a bag like that on the subway, and you put a laptop in it, and it’s too heavy. It’s also the size of carry on luggage. Also, your colleagues would think you were insane - it doesn’t fit the vibe. You also don’t put kids stuff in a 6k bag - first it’s too heavy and do you really want to have a Margaux on the soccer field (it will be so weird).
A lady bag is wrong too for people who actually work in an office. You need one bag. The one bag needs to be nice but also not so fancy it screams rob me on the subway. Work bags get abused, so it needs to hold up, and It has to hold the laptop, lunch, sometimes shoes etc. two bags would make life more difficult.
The totes are not okay for laptops. You drop a tote with the laptop and it’s not ideal. Also you get stuck in rain and weather - the bag needs to offer some protection.
We need lady bags to go out to dinner.
On totes, when you need a tote it’s to carry around your kids crap and often it’s dirty (dirty balls, pickleball paddles etc). This is not much above muiji level. But also would be nice to highlight some totes for this, and also brands like feed that are cute totes but also help people. $400 matches totes are not needed.
(From someone in nyc who works in finance with a kid).
Wow, thank you all for sharing. I think the moral of yesterday's letter is that work totes are extremely personal and so specific. I think we should break this down in a future letter. <3