What seasonal changes do you make to your handbag game?

April

If any.

Almost all of my bags are satchels, but I like a crossbody in summer because I have ruined a few satchels by transferring heavy sunscreen from my forearms to the leather.

How about you?

5 years ago

General

28 replies

Latest reply was from April

Helena

Veteran

I don't switch up much really ... I do pull out my cognac tote more frequently in summer but that's about it! Funny enough, my blush satchel will probably get the least wear this summer, despite the right colour, because the faux-suede feels cool-weather to me. Good tip to watch the sunscreen effect!

5 years ago

ChristelJ

Veteran

I bring out the brights: my yellow, red and orange crossbody bags, and my collection of big straw totes. Nothing makes me feel more summery than carrying a straw tote to the farmer's market.
I hear you about the sunscreen problem.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I don't switch now since I have to carry So Much Stuff for work, but I'm sure I will again in the future!

5 years ago

April

Veteran

Yes, heavy sunscreen on bags is no joke. I tried every leather-cleaning trick known to woman and nothing would budge the white smears.

5 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I never thought of the sunscreen thing! I guess I don't tend to wear it to work,plus I'm a tote girl, so hadn't had the issue.

I do tend to move to lighter colours in the summer. My silver one becomes my go-to, and my aqua, citron and tomato red will see more action. Black gets retired, except for my small Longchamps bag, which is great for cottages, soccer games etc because it's waterproof and wipes clean.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I move to lighter colors and fabrications, wearing my darker, heavier bags less, but that’s about it.

5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

I don't usually carry a bag in the fall/winter since most of my stuff fits in jacket pockets. In spring/summer I use either a small cognac crossbody with my laptop bag or a large canvas (washable) tote if I am chasing kids.

5 years ago

Christina F.

Veteran

I choose based on color. I am also more likely to carry a tote in the summer. My shoulders are really slight, and totes don't work for me when I'm wearing a big coat--they slide off. So it's crossbodies in the winter.

I also have a couple of "waist packs" (ie fanny packs) for summer use. Those only come out on non-workdays when I don't have a jacket to hold my keys and phone, so on walks or neighborhood errands.

5 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I have a fall/winter purse(s), wallet-on-a-chain and backpack, and also spring/summer versions of all three. They work with each other and with my dominant palettes and outerwear for those 2 main seasons.

5 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

No big changes. In spring and summer, I feel I can use all my bags. But in fall and winter, I don't care to use my white bag. In winter, my light lemon bag, too, is put away. When spring comes, it is always a delight to pull out the white and light yellow bags again.

5 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

I move to my lighter and brighter bags. My white bags get the most action and my red one is a favourite when I want colour.

5 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

I add Blister Blocker to my zippered compartment!

5 years ago

Liesbeth

Veteran

Another one just swapping darker for lighter colors...

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Switching has more to do with color and fabrication than size. I pull out fabric and straw and bags in colors that blend well with summer shoes, especially white or black and white.
My only summer black bag has lots if floral beading.

5 years ago

April

Veteran

Not sure why I love hearing about how people use handbags, but I do. Thank you all for sharing!

5 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I don't switch seasonally, but I switch between weekday and weekend. On the weekends I prefer a small crossbody to hold my phone, keys , lip balm, and wallet. I make sure that any work tote I buy has an internal zip pocket to fit those four items, as it makes transferring hassle-free.

5 years ago

Bennett

Veteran

I have a medium size black satchel that I use all winter that I can slip on up to my elbow when I want free hands. In summer I currently use a cream colored bucket crossbody that I have come to love. And now and then a light snakeskin small satchel.

5 years ago

celia

Veteran

When going into spring/summer I usually change the size(in winter I tend to carry gloves and other cold weather items in the bag that are bulkier), the closing doesn't need to be full zipper (because there usually isn't rain/snow that goes inside them), try trendier shapes, go lighter or brighter .
I also change more often in warmer weather because I coordinate with the rest of the outfit which are not so visible /don't seem that different underneath a big coat/puffer.
Well, it seems that I have a lot of opinions when it comes to bags :0)

Currently I am wearing the blue one below and coveting the white one

Custom Find

by celia

View Info

Banana Republic

Vegan Leather Circle Tote Bag

View Info

Top Pick

5 years ago

taylor

Veteran

No seasonal changes. I use all my bags year round, if I need hands free I just grab a crossbody or use the strap with a smaller satchel and crossbody that way.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Only real leather as nothing is as sweaty against my arm as pleather, although I would be open to experiment.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Like Taylor, no seasonal changes - for the most part. Do though, wear my burgundy and navy bags more in Autumn and Winter. And my optic white bags more in Summer.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Total switch-up for me. I pack away my black and navy leathers, my dark Fendi and my wooly Burberry, and pull out my coloured bags and nylon versions of my winter leathers. I still wear black bags in the summer, but they are a quilted nylon Marc Jacobs and a athletic-vibe Lulu . I use my pink, white, and blue leather bags in summer only

5 years ago

Eirlys

Active Member

I have a red handbag with LOTS of pockets and which I can carry on my shoulder. It's leather but not designer. At my age now I won't pay silly prices for designer bags. Having said that I do have two Radley crossover bags, one bright red, one black which I like to use when I do serious shopping. Having had my purse taken from another handbag has taught me that I need a crossover bag when I am in a store!

In Summer I like straw bags and I have a very pretty embroidered black nylon shoulder bag which people seem to like.

These will see me out now!! :O)

5 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a straw clutch, canvas and leather crossbody, canvas and leather bucket bag and a fabric bag that I only use in the summer months.
I rarely change bags and keep to the same one. I change for special occasions. Lately I have been using my black Roots feed bag that I bought sometime in the 90s. It is officially a vintage bag now that it reached the 20 year mark.

5 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Like many others, I wear a lighter/brighter colored bag in spring/summer vs. darker in the fall/winter. When I am shopping or traveling (which happens more in summer), I like to wear a cross-body style to keep my hands free.

5 years ago

April

Veteran

Such a variety of preferences! Lovely.

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I am slowly becoming a bag minimalist. I am using one bag at a time and wearing it out unless it is a specialty item, like a straw bag, etc. My silver MZ Wallace bag just wore out after about 9 months of daily use. I switched to a light blue Furla. I haven’t thought about sunscreen ruining my bags before! Hmm,...

5 years ago

April

Veteran

SF - if you generally hook a satchel on your crooked arm, you're the prime target for the sunscreen issue. Crossbodies and shoulder bags are safer, depending on what's happening around your collarbone.

I don't love the way crossbodies can sometimes lasso a breast. YMMV.

5 years ago

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