My frustration with handbags started in the ‘80s. Back then, the “it” bag among the private all-girls schools in the Washington, DC suburbs was this Coach model that practically spat out pens, pencils, and frosted pink Maybelline lipsticks, because Bonnie Cashin was too cheap or lazy to put a zipper under the flap. I still get angry thinking about that purse. It had one job — containing my crap — and it failed miserably.
Fast forward more than 30 years: Today’s “it” bags are covered in brand logos; quilted, fuzzy, or both; big enough for two weeks’ worth of laundry or too small for anything other than a credit card and a Chapstick; ugly AF; and insanely expensive.
It’s a mess out there! “All” I want is a lightweight, simple, minimalist, non-leather, crossbody bag that 1) has room enough for my wallet, two glasses cases, phone, keys, and a few other small items, 2) has no visible branding because last time I checked Miss Burch and her friends weren’t paying us for advertising, and 3) doesn’t cost a small fortune.
Am I being too picky? LOL yes, probably. But the Murphy’s Law of retail is that the harder you look for something basic (e.g., a black pencil skirt), the harder it is to find — until you are looking for something completely unrelated and stumble upon the perfect wardrobe staple on the sale rack. Or unless someone reading this knows where to look? Seriously, if you know of something that might work for me — I beg you — drop a link in the comments?
In the meantime, I’ll be hauling my stuff around in this.