5 Things You Should Buy

Share this post

The bag inside your bag...

5thingsyoushouldbuy.substack.com

The bag inside your bag...

Should still be a great bag!

Becky Malinsky
Apr 30, 2023
55
22
Share
Share this post

The bag inside your bag...

5thingsyoushouldbuy.substack.com

Alternate title: your evening bag is actually an all day bag.

My trusted The Row satin pouch. Quite possibly the best sample sale purchase of my life. The Row. If you’re listening, we are desperate for a reissue. In all of your perfect shades of red, green and gold.

The vessel for your phone / wallet / keys should be equal parts “spark joy” and “hardest working accessory.” You should be able to pull it out of your tote at a moment’s notice if the boss asks if you want to grab lunch. Or if you are going straight from desk to fundraiser. Or when the weekend comes and you want to feel cute when meeting up with friends.

The Prada 2005 Re-edition. Giving me all the college Thursday night outfit feels. Other things of that era: pointy toe boots, 7 for all mankind jeans, susana monaco tube tops, uggs, chandelier earrings, Herve chapelier bags, soko lime. TBH this was on loan for a week but I realllllly had fun swinging it around.

The small, (usually) non-branded but still loud and full of flair bag is one of my all time favorite accessories. I’ve been known to preach the small bag gospel here and everywhere…hello Pasticcino from one of the first 5 Things ever!

My Weekend Max Mara Pasticcino on vacation in 2018

Anyway, the point being this week, that its the season of going out for a drink from work, picnics, charity auctions, carry-on travel, yada yada yada. So it’s a perfect time to tell you that you just need a few fun pouches to take you everywhere. The thing that stays in your shlepper all day, should also be the thing that is fun to take out of said tote for off duty fun.

One thing to note: The louder the better. Go for the bright color. The sparkle. The garnished. The ruffled. The print. And don’t worry about matching it to your outfit. My MOST used pouch is lime green satin and I love how it doesn’t go with anything and therefore…goes with everything.

Ten “Things” this week because this is a category you can truly never have enough of! They’re tiny to store and deliver outsized flavor everyday for every occasion. Even if its just to go to the grocery store.

Serena Uziyel jute frame clutch with real huge chunks of turquoise. I love the mix of the raffia and turqouise here. This feels so speical and it gives absolutely zero hints to its provenance. A secret out in the open. This one is top of my list (hence it’s first.)
Staud satin pouch. Love the satin. Love the size. Love the color. Love the price.
How fun is the Loewe bracelet bag!! It fits a ton when unbuckled but still small enough to go inside your work tote. It comes in the dreamiest colors and fabrics (I am partial to that sparkly silver lurex and the vibrant sea blue) AND, a real selling point for me…it gives you hands free for passed hors d'oeuvres!!!!
True or false, if I told you these were Dries you would believe me? But NO! They are $30-something waterproof pouches from Aloha Collection. These are the best two prints by far (IMO), and I probably wouldn’t venture into their other offerings, but these pouches are pretty great! Yellow floral. Purple Mokihana berry.
Attersee fabric pouch. So flimsy in the most elegant way! Truly mean that as a compliment. It’s great for your cords and cables in your travel bag and goes straight to dinner when you get to that Greek island. Or you know… Famous Famiglia right down the block (or is that just me?) I have it in black velvet, which took me through the holiday season and itching for a summer iteration.
Jil Sander chunky chain handle pouch. Buttery buttery leather with jewelry built in! As jewelry is always difficult for me, I love that this feels like I don’t even need any. Also, its rare to find a hardware-heavy bag that doesn’t seem branded. Two thumbs UP.
The A.P.C. small Ninon bag. For some reason this makes me feel like a disco queen. Love the GOLD, but the black is on sale for $185 on Shopbop for some reason. I’m into a super duper long strap right now. Where your bag dangles close to your hip though it has a clever adjustable strap in that gold notch, for those who like to wear it a little higher.
Massimo Dutti woven leather pouch. What is going on at Massimo Dutti lately? Its all pretty great, no? Have not felt the quality of this in real life but I zoomed in and definitely think it’s worth a try for $150.
And of course, last but not least. My tried and true pasticcino. Now in SEQUINS! And yellow/white raffia stripe.

**Late breaking addition! Sofia Richie’s honeymoon bitty bag! I’m sure I’m not alone in saying it was pretty fun to watch her bridal trousseau this past week.** Super into her teensy WHITE leather Loro Piana pouch. I cannot seem to find it on the internet, but someone get to Loro Piana quick! Save me one. :)

sofiarichiegrainge
A post shared by Sofia Richie Grainge (@sofiarichiegrainge)

Happy pouching!

Yours TRULY,

Becky

5 Things You Should Buy is a reader-supported publication. If you like what you discovered here, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Honest journalism (even the fashion kind) is hard to come by! :)

NOTE: I use affiliate links when applicable which means I may get a small commission from things you buy (no cost to you!) Thank you for supporting my work and trusting me with your shopping!

55
22
Share
Share this post

The bag inside your bag...

5thingsyoushouldbuy.substack.com
22 Comments
Camilla
Writes Camilla Nazeri
May 2

Love all this! I just did a similar edit for wedding guest dressing....got my eye on a sequin Dries Van Norten pouch now!

Expand full comment
Reply
Abby
May 2

I want the Attersee pouch, so pretty!

May I add to the list the Maria La Rosa Game and mini Game? A bit pricey but absolutely stunning. I couldn’t decide on which color! Obsessed with the color matched chain straps. I found a shop in the US selling them because I was afraid of Italian import duties but highly recommend browsing her e-commerce site, https://www.marialarosa.it/en/collections/shop-must-have

https://shopwoodandrose.com/designer/maria-la-rosa/

Expand full comment
Reply
20 more comments…
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Becky Malinsky
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing