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Choosing a Summer Bag

Thistle

Veteran

I have a lovely Brahmin bag in pecan that I love to pieces. It was one of those love at first sight type of purchases that called me back to the store 3 times before I jumped.

The stores by me carry a very limited selection of Brahmin a few MK and some Coach, but not even many of those.

I would like a summer bag, and have earmarked a portion of my annual bonus for it. It has to be big enough to carry my wallet, a spare diaper, toddler snacks . . . so yeah, a clutch won't do it

Below are some contenders I have found. I am looking for ladylike but that can handle not being babied, and, well, carrying toddler snacks and all that goes with it.

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Shopping

39 replies

Latest reply was from Carla

Echo

Veteran

I am a huge fan of #1 and #5 because I just adore the black and white styles. I think black and white makes them more of a stand-out piece, but able to coordinate with more outfits all at the same time. Lovely.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think large flap bags, especially stiff leather , are harder to rummage in while wrangling a toddler. Might consider one- hand bag opening style either top zip or magnetic or a combo. Not always as refined- looking, though.

Lukiki

My vote is for #2 or #6.......the powder blue looks so fresh to my eye!

Sarah A

Veteran

I like 1, 3, 5. Hmmm... i find totes difficult which totally explains my voting style here. The graphic black and white ones are super lovely. Maybe a way to wear this bold combination without it overwhelming your coloring if you are looking for a way to achieve that?

JAileen

Veteran

Black and white ones!

BTW: Zappos carries Coach.

Peri

Veteran

I'm not a "bag lady" but I really love the look of the second one.

Helena

Veteran

Given your requirements, I'd also vote for either 2 or 6 - although they are all lovely, I know when you are schlepping kid gear, sometimes you need some overflow capabiity The light color would be very nice in summer, and even look nice against fall/winter neutral outwear, to keep it from being too dark.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wooohoooo. BAGS. My best.

I like #2 and #6 best from this selection.

How about these:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/br.....tiveSearch

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ka...../3670704?o

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ai.....ll+Handbag

The shapes are structured, yet easy to rummage through with Toddler in tow.

MRL

Veteran

The Kate Spade bag #4 is gorgeous!

deb

Veteran

Thistle I purchase my Brahmin Ophelia bag last year in white and love it. I have no problem with it but do not think it is large enough for a diaper and snacks.

karymk

Veteran

Two and four are most practical, whilst being very pretty!

shiny

Veteran

Is #1 and/or #6 Coach? I have similar - see recent WiW's. Mine is small, a cross-body style, which is what I wanted (small enough to tuck in carry on for traveling). It's so difficult for me to advise here since I don't know what size you are looking at, but if it's the same Coach bag, I love it to pieces BUT it definitely won't fit a diaper and yeah, you have to fumble with the flap. Really, mine fits about the same (no more) than a clutch. I love it anyway.

For spring/summer, my requirements are different. I know from experience I want:

1. Something big. For me it's not to carry diapers, but to carry a cardigan and/or scarf and/or rain hat and sunnies and all of that.

2. Something slouchy. Bigger I go, the more slouchy I need, to pull it off, since I'm petite/YMMV. But also, the warmer months just seem to beg for something less tailored and more slouchy. I google "hobo" style constantly but these are slim pickings lately.

3. Something in a light color; my usual is optic white, but the colors you show here I would totally do too! This season I am thinking I'll try something different and go with blush. And Coach has a beautiful blush hobo-ish shoulder bag that has been calling my name lately....

4. If you want something more tailored AND light in color, then trust me on this... you want it to have FEET. Because if you set it down anywhere (which is inevitable), those little feet will keep it looking clean.

That's my personal wish list. I am also on the hunt. Of the bags you show here, #4 and #6 would be of interest to me if in blush. #2 is great but I prefer a zipper. #3 is just like my black Coach and if they are same size, it's going to be too small, trust me, though maybe that style comes in a larger version? It is stiff though. I do love that, but not for summer and fumbling etc.

I've rambled like I am apt to do when I'm exhausted. I hope whatever I've rambled on about, helps! Will be following closely to see what you decide.

hedgiehog

Veteran

Thistle, I really like all of them but IMO I would get the most use from either 1 or 5. They would be easier to put with any outfit because of their neutrality. If I could have a second choice, #4 gets my vote. I love the colour and simplicity of the shape.

Jewell

Veteran

My faves are #s 2 and 6, which I also happen to think will work best for the needs you described. Is #6 the Anytime tote? If so, I don't think it will be big enough despite being very pretty. #2 looks like it will give you the roominess and accessibility you require, it has an interesting texture, and is SO pretty.

Anonymous

I like the two light blue ones best. All the bags are pretty, but some of the other ones almost look too structured, especially the mint green. (I think pastels somehow amp up the structuredness of things that are structured to begin with, maybe?) The blue ones have a nice simple shape and a color that looks soft and summery without being hard to coordinate with other things.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I like 2 and 6 best. I have found if you carry lots of stuff (mom stuff especially) a tote is perfect. I found a woven metallic tote last summer I wore to death (and am looking for replacement) Key is it needs to fit over shoulder for hands free with your DD. I think leather will hold up well and the pastels would look modern and fit with your ladylike style

Isabel

Veteran

I agree that the flap bags are not very practical for rummaging around for kids' stuff. Angie gave you some awesome alternatives.

Now, a secret. I live 15 minutes from the company that makes the Brahmin bags and they have an awesome outlet and 2 huge tent sales a year. Women come from everywhere. I have a nice collection of them and I just LOVE every single one.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I have #6. I'd looked at a ton of bags online to no avail. However, i was killing time in Nordies one morning waiting for Zara to open, and there it was. For me, it's just the right size, and the color is so fresh.

Gigi

Veteran

I can't help but love the Kate Spade one. I think the little bow is so cute! But I don't know if the color will go with your color palette? It's a pretty distinctive color!

Echo

Veteran

I don't find a flap difficult to maneuver with one hand unless that flap is buckled or otherwise trickily fastened down. Additionally, I prefer the slight security that a flap flopping back over an unfastened top can provide when I am otherwise occupied. A top zip bag is great for security when you have hands free to zip it up, but the alternative when you have your hands full is a bag gaping open with all its contents exposed. So I suppose it depends on preference and where or how you will be carrying it, but I don't think a flap style is overly inconvenient.

pil

Veteran

I love 1,4 and 5. Of the black and white I would probably look for one with an all black bottom though.

Anonymous

All the bags are lovely. I am drawn to the black and white bags but think an open top tote for a mom of a toddler is much more practical. I almost exclusively used totes for the past few years. Being able to get into my bag with one hand was a requirement. That being said, my youngest just turned 3 and I am finding that I don't need the large tote as much.

Mia

Veteran

Have you looked at the Coach "Borough" bags? They have been sported by a few celebs with youngsters in tow lately and look like stylish and practical bags. These bags can be worn cross body if you have a need to go hands free and they seem to come in all kinds of colours.

I personally like a soft shoulder bag or hobo in summer in a tan or caramel. I don't switch my bags out much in the summer months and I find this bag seems to go with almost any summer look and I like the softer bag in summer. Even though my days with a toddler are long gone I like the capacity to carry a sweater, book, water etc. Happy searching!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ooh, summer bags--what fun. I love my Brahmin bags, too--so well made and pretty. I like 2 and 6 of your picks also. My thoughts on 1, 3, and 5 are that--cute though they are--top-flap styles can be harder to get in and out of when you're on the go. I love the Amy Kestenberg that Angie suggested, too. It also comes in a blue snake and black combo, if you're craving a blue bag. And there's a smaller satchel in the same colors, but framed in tan, which makes it look more summery to me.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

P.S. I had to look at Isabel's location! sigh--too far for me to shop the Brahmin outlet.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I'm also looking for a new summer bag; my previous one has become too small! I'm looking for blue and white, so out of your pics, I'm partial to the black/white ones! I can't stand flaps, though. Feet are a must; I don't want to worry about where I put my bag down though I keep a Clipa on it all the time for hanging off a table or chair.

Now Brahmin is on my radar, LOL! That outlet Isabel posted about is just over an hour away from me...I'd never heard of it (or the tent sale) before.

Joyce B

Veteran

I like 2, 4 and 6, provided they are not too heavy.
Your posts are reassuring because you always see Spring coming up when I don't... Keep Spring coming!

Marina

3 and 4 are amongst my favs on these list. though, you should consider your wardrobe if getting some one-colored bag. The first is the best option for business yet casual style. It looks great!

Anonymous

My vote is #2. Pretty color, nice texture, and the rest look too fussy for toddler-wrangling.

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