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WIW: Messenger Bag. Column of Blue. What do you think?

AM

Veteran

Blue jeans.
Sheer blue long sweater.
White T-shirt.
Blue Ombre scarf.
Old Buck-esque Boot.
Messenger Bag. (This is the question...Messenger bag work?)

Messy Hair. Loose Waves.

We got more snow yesterday and I am going stir crazy. DH and I are headed out for a much needed drink. Wish others who have Cabin Fever could join us for Happy Hour.

Thanks for any and all comments and suggestions.

28 replies

Latest reply was from jackiec

crutcher

Veteran

I don't know if it works but I love that messenger bag..Its just RATE enough to be interesting...Great choice...

AM

Veteran

What is RATE? And I just added the fourth picture with the Barbour jacket. I think this helped a little. I'm getting in touch with my Country, Classic (Preppy) side.

Aida

Veteran

Great bag! It's quite large, the scale gives me pause but then I'm not a gal who enjoys large bags so take it with a grain of salt. I actually prefer the version in #1. Lets the bag be the star, and looks more purposefully styled overall (it's certainly a more polished look, and has a stronger urban feel).

(RATE is "Rough Around The Edges". It's on one end of a spectrum, with "Polished" being on the other. No need to be one or the other, many of us fall somewhere in between )

MTBGirl

Veteran

RATE is "rough around the edges".
The bag is nice as long as you don't think it's too big to carry.
And did you just say Preppy?

Carole

Veteran

Rough Around The Edges......at least it think that's correct.....Looking good AM! Fantastic boots and bag, too! Have fun!

MTBGirl

Veteran

oops sorry I posted as Aida was posting.

Anonymous

Is that the J. Peterman postman's bag? It was in every catalogue and I craved one. (Worn cognac leather is one of my favorite things in the world. I have a Pinterest board called "Searching for the perfect leather bag," and most of them are cognac.) Also love Barbour jackets (and they suit your "woman of quality" vibe), but in this case maybe they are fighting each other as Aida suggested. Could it be the different browns? The large scale of the bag taking over everything else? Maybe it's just that you have the bag front and center in pic #4, and if it were tucked to the side all would be well.

Anonymous

Love the look and ADORE the drama of that messenger bag. And love the hair. You have gorgeous hair. Cheers for that drink!

AM

Veteran

I purchased the bag from the Philadelphia Flower show on Wednesday. I know...of all places. It's actually lightweight (not great quality) but I think the finish is great. I got it home and thought to myself..."was this a mistake?". But I loved it when I saw it. And I think I just need to wear it and have fun with it. I think it could be great for traveling.

crutcher: Thanks for the vote of confidence on the bag.

Aida: Yes, scale gives me pause but I like a big bag. Looking back at these images -- I also prefer the version in #1. And yes, "Lets the bag be the star." And I like the idea that this has an urban feel. Many thanks for comments.

And thanks for explanation on RATE!

Donna: And did you just say Preppy? Yes, I did. Haha. And it didn't feel big tonight. I was curious about that too. And I can see it for wanting to be hands free but it's nice that I can put iPad, wallet, sunglasses, scarf, etc. in it!

Carole: Thanks! It was a good time tonight. Raw oysters and soft-shell crab. Yum. Treasures from the sea.

gauche: It does have that J. Peterman look (but no; see above)-- and I love the idea of your Pinterest board with all those yummy cognac bags. Sounds fab! Many of "quality" pieces are very old and that makes them feel very special (and enduring).

IRL the browns weren't as bad as in the picture but I am liking how the cognac really took center stage among the blue. I will rethink the jacket. Maybe a navy wool coat would have been better (but I don't have one).

Aliona: Cheers indeed! Glad to here that I've created some DRAMA with the messenger bag. This was my hope but definitely wasn't sure about this purchase. And I enjoyed my air-dryer hair tonight. Wavy felt natural and relaxed.

Anonymous

I think the bag works wonderfully with your outfit. I love brown and blue mixed. That bag reminds me of some by Bed Stu and Frye, that I have ogled. I really like the whole look. And that the boots/bag are different textures adds to it for me.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm skipping over others' comments just to say I love the outfit and the bag is awesome with it. I really like the weathered authentic vibe (like a Pony Express rider would use it, if such existed today).

Dee

Veteran

This weather definitely leads to cabin fever!

The bag is big but it's such a nice color and makes a statement, so I think it works. You look perfect for casual happy hour.

Anonymous

Love the look, but for happy hour, I'd go for a much smaller, easier bag. Love yours, but I wouldn't want that much bag to deal with off work hours. Nothing like a good Barbour - I can't wait to get mine out too!

AM

Veteran

Still feeling on the fence about this but I'm getting some positive comments here. Brown and blue mixed seem to work but I might feel more comfortable with black and camel. I'm thinking I will put together a few outfits around this bag and see how I feel.

Jen: Thanks. I'll have to look up Bed Stu and Frye bags. I also liked that the boots/bag are different textures. That is one thing I felt good about.

Firecracker: Thanks. I'm so glad to hear your positive comments. Again, really on the fence about this but I like your comment: "weathered authentic vibe (like a Pony Express rider would use it, if such existed today)." Thanks again!

Dee: Thanks. And cabin fever indeed. As you said, I definitely like the color and that it makes a statement -- but it is pretty big. If I feel I can't do this, I'm handing it off to my DH. He will look so cool with it.

lisp: Thanks. And happy hour wasn't the ideal occasion but I just wanted to break it out and try it. But I had to bring iPad to the bar and do a little work, so it felt good for carrying a little work. And your are right about a Barbour...nothing really beats them for the purpose they serve. Thanks again.

retailgirl

Veteran

I love the look. The Blues are a perfect backdrop for the cognac-y brown shades. That is a classic bag. Very cool. You are still looking a little preppy to me, but in a good way! Not contrived? There are preppy pieces in this look but the overall is casual luxe. Love it!

carter

Veteran

Gotta say, I think this is really fun. I love quirky items found in offbeat places. I definitely love blue and cognac together (also black and cognac, gray and cognac, cream and cognac, etc). From a functional standpoint, I could see using it to carry an ipad, book, other work stuff, etc. Perfect! As more of a purse though, dealing with that big ol' flap just to get to my chapstick or a piece of gum would drive me nuts.

kkards

Veteran

love the column of blue, and i think it looks great with the boots. i'm not sure this is preppy as much as it is "old money".
oh, and i like the bag as well.

amiable

Veteran

Love the bag, and the column of blue!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Although a super duper bag - GORGEOUS - its size gives me pause.

Rubygirl

I agree with Angie.. Nice bag however the size gives me pause too. I am also a gal who does not like big bags.
I have added a shot of my bag. The picture has it darker than it is. My biggest qualm is the weight of the bag. It is very heavy. Love it in the fall and winter!

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rachylou

Veteran

Fab messenger. You're in marketing? I would think it would work for work, depending on the slickness of your agency I suppose. It's RATE like Coach used to be RATE (and a preppy hallmark... we are loving preppy now, right? Hehe).

But what do you plan to put it? It's probably a good size for a laptop.

Anonymous

Love the outfit, love the bag, but I do feel a similar way to others who think it's a lotta bag. I wear medium sizes so do take my comment with a pinch of salt.

Anonymous

I still say yes to the bag for travel or work. I think it adds an unexpected/slightly edgier look to your otherwise polished look. I enjoy that element of surprise in a look. I think it's something creative types do well. I'm guessing the pic with the bag in front was more to show us what it looks like. A nonchalant messenger look, slung towards the back, would look great.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look terrific! I love a big bag but would not carry it to happy hour - to me it is perfect for bringing work stuff or errands. It's a great bag!

AM

Veteran

retailgirl: Very nice complement to say this doesn't look contrived. Many thanks for this comment and all the positive feedback.

carter: Agreed. This is absolutely not a purse but a bag for carrying work or travel gear. And I also love finding things at unexpected places. Doubleh gave me the idea to add "collected" to my descriptors. I need to add this concept to PowerPoint slides...

kkards: "old money" -- eh? I think this east coast look that folks say I have gives off that vibe. Wish the clothes came with money making pockets.

amiable: Thanks.

Angie: Big but it might be only used for travel. And in that case I can have DH carry it. And he would looks fabulous with this over his shoulder. Seems like the best of both worlds. I get to look at it but not carry it. Many, many thanks for chiming in here. Size give pause!

rubygirl: Very nice bag! My will only be the occasional bag. Again, I'm thinking for travel. Thanks for your comments!

rachylou: I work for myself. My agency days are behind me. But, I can see using this bag to head to a coffee shop. And my laptop and work folders do slip into this nicely. Working at a coffee shop can be so wonderful for someone who works from home. Thanks!

Diane G: Thanks. And good to get some perspective on Medium vs. Large.

Aliona: Yes, I had the bag pulled to the front to show it more. It would definitely be worn more slide/back. Or on my husband. But I do like it. Frankly, I think it would like nice hanging on a hook in mud-room/entry hall. Leather hat on another hook. Oh so country and rugged.

shevia: Thanks. I'm a big bag girl too. And yes, not a happy hour bag but it worked as I carried a little work to the pub. Again, thanks for your comment!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Love the bag, the outfit and the happy hour menu and as a petite person, I'm agreeing with Aida that it may be somewhat large for HH, but a simply gorgeous bag for other outings. You menu made me very hungry.

AM

Veteran

Vicki: Soft-shell crabs and oysters. Double yum. They were great. And thanks for the comments!

jackiec

Veteran

How fun and de-compressing to go for drinks and yummy food Glad you had fun. You look fab. Yep, the bag's a bit big but it's gorgeous. So rich paired with your blues. I like your hair too