Well, I did make a purchase in January after all! I recently became aware of the brand Aest Studios — I’d never heard of before but was intrigued with this bag, designed to evoke a camera bag (and can indeed work as one for someone with an very compact kit). It kept coming back to my mind, so I ordered it to check out.

It arrived yesterday and I took some quick photos with it — I had just come home from a dental procedure so I have hat hair, no makeup, and a weird facial expression, so ignore that part. LOL

I was a little concerned that the size/capacity of the bag might be a little small for me, but it fits my daily essentials with just enough room to not feel crammed. It would not be the bag for a day when I need to carry extra stuff but it’s a solid everyday alternative to my Bao Bao, which has taken near four years of constant usage like a champ (and I still love it and plan to continue using it!), and a couple of totes and shoulder bags that are useful but don’t feel quite like where my style is now.

I specifically wanted a black bag, with silver or no hardware, and this fits the bill. I like how the horizontal design makes things easy to find. The feet on the bottom make it feel solid and protected. The zippers move smoothly and feel sturdy, and the closing also has a small magnet so the top feels secure and easy to manage. The leather is nice — not stiff or cheap feeling, and the finishing is good. The strap is not adjustable, but it is a good length that I can wear on the shoulder or carry by hand. The design has the balance of structure and softness that I like — a bit architectural but still functional.

It was reasonably priced for the quality, design, and features, IMO, and I’ve already decided to keep it. I may also invest in an updated larger bag to replace a couple of old totes, which are feeling a bit less than fab.

I liked my outfit yesterday but these are not good pics. Avant Toi cashmere sweater (got for my birthday last year and love it!) over an Athleta button front shirt, with Nili Lotan Celia jeans and Dolce Vita boots. Temps are still well below freezing in the daytime. I was wearing a silk handmade patterned scarf from Quebec tied at the neck and tucked in ascot style before I took the pics. And I wore my Canada Goose puffer while out and about.

I am wearing out the Celia jeans and would love it if they made a slightly darker wash with no distressing. Alas it seems they just do a black version, which is not what I want. I may start a low-key lookout for the right pair of wide-ish bootcut jeans with a slightly higher waist like the Celia’s. My Dojo bootcuts are lower in the rise and are a little too low for some of my cropped length sweaters and tops.