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WIW - Lesson in accessorizing

Irina

Veteran

I’ll start with the end - I learned nothing from this lesson.
I wore these COS pants (love them for an unnecessary but fun pleat in the knee area) and a linen Uniqlo shirt for a walk in a park with DH and friends. Styling - a white crossbody was perfect in theory but felt too matchy-matchy and hang too low for my current preference (#1).

Uniqlo soft fabric bag felt better style wise but is it a right color? (#2)
Kind of wished I could do without the bag (#3) but don’t like to carry my phone in a pant pocket. Rushed out the door with Uniqlo. Having right pieces is only 50% of a good outfit, styling it with right accessories is another 50%. I struggle with styling.

Which bag do you like here and why?

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32 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Runcarla

Veteran

#2. The Uniqlo bag has the slouchiness that works with the outfit. Also, it looks like a perfect match with the darker (suede) detail on your sneakers. I would say you did just fine!

The leather bag is lovely, but a little stiff looking for this combination.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like #1 best! KILLER. The match and style of bag looks polished, dressier, and "neat and tidy". More practical too. These are things I aspire to personally in my own style, so it's a biased preference. (You may prefer a guitar strap for comfort and look Irina, FWIW. You can also shorten a guitar strap, and it gives you a more relaxed vibe!)

#2 works well too! Much more casual. I like the mismatched whites

Personally, I cannot wear that type of belt-bag as a crossbody (#2). It does not function for me. Very impractical with doggies in tow, and slides around my body. I will admire the vibe on you!

Like you, I do not like to put items in pockets. But I LOVE to carry bags!

MsMaven

Veteran

I prefer #1. In the last few months I've gotten used to phone in pants pocket, but sometimes I forget and it lands on the floor. Yes, #1 seems a bit too formal but #2 seems bulky for me. How about a smaller bag that just holds the phone? I have 2 of these, but I never use them. I always think it would be a good idea for going on errands--but I don't do it.

So I'm not much help, except hooray for walks with DH!

Irina

Veteran

RunCarla, those are my exact thoughts.

Angie, I do have a guitar strap for the white bag but it’s b&w, could not find it in a solid white. I much prefer shorter bag straps these days.

MsMaven, a phone bag is on my list but I will have to wait- I’m over my yearly limit of new bags Maybe used…. Hmmm

LJP

Veteran

The first bag is gorgeous but strikes me as somewhat formal and structured for an outdoor excursion . I prefer them up higher on my body too , and I’d personally pick a belt bag worn over the shoulder or a cross body in a nylon - either white ( or blue ) with a black strap , or something in a colour .

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I actually love all those bags and think the Adidas-style sneakers are the surprise. But I bet you could throw in a fussy shabby chic bag or like, a macrame purse if you really want contrast.

Dee

Veteran

I agree that bag #1 seems a bit too dressy or formal and that bag #2 seems to match the vibe of the outfit better, but I’d likely want to sling this bag just a bit lower on the body. Bag’s colour looks just fine as it seems to match the trim on your sneakers.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like #1 a lot but hear you about the length of the strap. I also like the belt bag vibe and the mismatched color looks good to me. I think I would have worn that for a walk and the leather bag for most anything else.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like the first bag visually with the outfit except I agree the strap is too short for comfort -- and for a walk, I'd prefer something more casual.

The other bag is great but a bit too casual, if that makes sense. And I prefer the crisp white with this outfit.

But I am not one to talk. I cannot figure out a bag style that works for me in my extremely casual life, esp. in summer. It's a conundrum I have yet to solve.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh. But I LOVE the pants.

The Cat

Veteran

#1 looks perfect.

slim cat

Veteran

I like both bags - wish the second bag had something in clean white color to echo the shoes ( like a white puff ball or some king of white detail ). Pants are fab on you!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like both! Just a different vibe between the two. The first one is the more unexpected shape and structure with the slouchy outfit (along the “wrong shoe” kind of approach), while the color of the second one is more the unexpected element.

I will admire the length of the second bag on you because my chest would get in the way of any such bag, and my short waist would make that length truly laughable as well as uncomfortable!

Minaminu

Veteran

Echo Angie, the first bag is great!

Sisi

Veteran

I prefer #1 for all the reasons mentioned by Angie.
I do not particularly like the shape and color of the second bag, moreover I know for experience that I would be bothered by that bulk on my bust and under my arm. But keep in mind that I am biased by my own preferences.

Brooklyn

Veteran

They both work. I like the colour of the first one but it seems a little boxy and structured for a walk. I would prefer the shape of the second bag for ease of movement on a walk.

For a walk I usually carry a tech bag, or a small, flat crossbody bag or a backpack (especially if I want to carry a water bottle).

Anonymous

I like the first one too!
This one is good for walking, when you need to carry a water bottle and phone. I found it on Etsy and used it for a festival earlier this month.

View Info

ChristelJ

Veteran

I love the way the first bag looks but I'm biased towards crossbodys and also towards matchy-matchy. Second bag is great too. Looks casual and comfy. It's hard to find a perfect walking accessory; it's very personal what feels right.

Irina

Veteran

Than you, ladies. I’m not surprised that majority is into the matchy-matchy look. I wear the Uniqlo bag daily on my walks, grocery runs and such. I find my other bags too dressy except maybe for Bao Bao. I will reevaluate my summer options next year.

lyn67

Veteran

I like nr 2 better for the park and friends casual. And would also love the bag in nr 1 but in some simillar color with nr 2-which is a perfect non matchy neutral color for your outfit!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like them both! First is more polished, second is more casual. I think both match the outfit well. I like Runcarla's analysis of the color match.

Greyscale

Veteran

I love the outfit! If you want a new in-between option, the COS cross body sling in leather has a similar effect as the Uniqlo bag but dressier. It’s bulky though, not really a sleek sporty option for walks. But I bought it this year and used it a lot on a trip to Europe this month where I needed a more casual purse than my usual. Sadly it looks like the cream is sold out for now. https://www.cos.com/en_usd/wom.....85001.html

Irina

Veteran

Greyscale, I tried that COS bag - love it so much! Unfortunately, it doesn’t work across my ample bosom Happy you like yours!

Greyscale

Veteran

Ha, relatable - it’s “just flattering enough” at best on me. But the Uniqlo bag seems to sit much more nicely.

Mirjana

Veteran

I like #1 the best, very polished.

Olive Green

Veteran

I own the Uniqlo bag and it’s been my go-to this summer. A little biased for the nice, slouchy look in number 2.
But if I had a very slightly formal lecture or lunch, the first bag is a lot of fun, especially with Angie’s pearls!

Kate

Veteran

I find the first bag too formal, especially for that type of excursion.

Colorwise, the second bag works well, but I'm not fond of that particular Uniqlo bag—it's too soft, too big, and I could never wear it up around my shoulder as you are. That would be too awkward for me.

I'm no help, am I? Sorry!

Small, unobtrusive bags are really what I want now. They just work for my life and my wardrobe. I have two small nylon crossbody bags from Uniqlo, one in olive, the other in navy, that I literally take everywhere. They hold glasses, keys, and card case, which is normally all I carry. I love them. I have a couple of similar-sized leather bags, one black, one red, which I also use.

Because my lifestyle is casual, I have a lot less use or desire for formal, structured bags. I can see a serious bag edit in my future.

Echo

Veteran

I may be of an unusual opinion, but cross-body bags are NOT formal or dressy in any way, at least in my world. There may be jeweled or satin cross-body bags, but it is a juxtaposition of styles there. So I really don't understand seeing the first bag as too formal, dressy, structured or anything else. It is a cross body bag, thus it functions as casual to me. Regardless, I prefer the first bag, but the outfit is fab either way!

Style Fan

Veteran

I like the second look with the Uniqlo bag. It gives off a casual vibe for the activity you are doing.

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