General Fashion

BAF Weekly List

 in General Fashion  tagged baf weekly it list / investment dressing / summer 2026 by
summer 2026 trending beauty clothing handbags shoes

BAF Weekly List from top left: neutral knit top / lipstick / Hermes summer nail polish / Chanel summer nail polish / Dior summer nail polish / print dress / perfume sampler / caramel top handle bag / suede pumps / canvas tote / black boots / belted tote /

The BAF Weekly List is here! In case you didn’t notice, I dropped the “IT” since the IT era is currently over, and we are moving into an era of investment dressing, quality over brand names, and personal style. We are steering clear of matching everyone in the room, and we are making our understated, personal style statement. Love this!

I have always been into investment dressing, but I did get caught up in the IT era. I was mixing IT items with my timeless style which made my personal style a little hard to keep up with. Thankfully, the pendulum has swung back, and I am grounding myself to stick to my true style mantra; invest in something you can wear forever, or until it wears out and breaks. haha

What are your thoughts on the end of the IT era? You can read my post about it here.

As we move through the summer season, and towards fall, continue to invest in logo-free handbags, quality and style over brand name, and pieces you truly love. Play with prints, pops of colors, and styles you love. I am currently in my boot era. When the Nordstrom sale hits later this month, I will be all over the boot section! haha That being said, stay tuned for my report of what looks good at the sale.

Shop the BAF Weekly List online:

What styles are you loving right now? Do you feel free now that the IT era is over?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Casual summer dinner out

 in General Fashion  tagged casual style / outfits / summer 2026 by

wearing: gold hoops / oversize tee / summer nail polish / blue handbag (similar here) / jeans / black boots /

If you haven’t noticed, I really love this oversized tee! I have been wearing it everywhere! I decided to wear my blue mini tote with it since the bag picks up the blue in the pattern on the tee. It’s always fun to pull out an older handbag and wear it again. I have been doing that a lot lately.

I wore this casual outfit to Benihana in Cupertino for a fun family outing. It’s always entertaining to watch the chefs cook at your table; especially when they toss food in the air and make things light on fire!

I also enjoyed a mango-pineapple milkshake. It was the perfect summer drink with my feast. haha If you haven’t been to Benihana yet, I recommend going for a fun night out. It gets busy, so be sure to make reservations.

Also, why not bring an older handbag out from the back of your closet and wear it again? This is the era of the vintage handbag. Wear your bags!

Shop my casual summer denim outfit online:

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more summer coverage.

XOXO
Cathy

Summer 2026 handbag trends

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged summer 2026 by

Summer 2026 handbag trends from top left: classic black handbag / caramel top handle bag / classic straw tote bag / timeless kisslock clutch / moto bag / black belted bag / black east/west bag / neutral belted tote / classic canvas bag /

Happy summer! Although the IT bag era is on pause, there are still several handbag trends we can follow with our current handbag wardrobes, or shopping lists. The summer of 2026 is all about timeless style, nostalgia for a simpler time, and quality over showmanship; thus, the anonymous handbag.

Handbags for summer 2026 are individual and reflect high quality in craftsmanship and materials. Instead of wearing what everyone else is wearing, the current trend is to wear a vintage bag, an unique bag, and/or a handbag you discovered rather than saw on ten people and ran out to the store to buy. Summer 2026 is all about individual style and investment purchases; not fleeting trends. Think moderate prices, resale market, practical, and strong and sturdy.

So, without further ado, here are the major handbag trends we are seeing for the summer 2026 season:

Vintage IT Bags: Although the IT bag era is on pause, the IT bags from ten to thirty years ago are hotter than hot. So, pull out your vintage IT bags and rock them like it’s 2010. Or, invest in the bag that slipped away but is still on your mind. Think Fendi Spy, Balenciaga City, Fendi Baguette, Chloe Paddington, and more.

Timeless IT Bags: OK, the IT era that is over is the one where we are chasing the hottest item of the moment, classic IT bags will never cease to exist. So, continue to rock those classic handbags which include the Chloe Marcie, Chanel 2.55, Hermes Birken, Dior Lady Bag, etc.

The Anonymous Handbag: If you find a beautiful bag made from high-quality materials and craftsmanship that you love, snap it up! This is the era of the investment bag; sans logos. Look for unique styles, clean lines, and something practical. The anonymous handbag is holding strong, and it is the ultimate investment for now and forever.

East/West handbags: The east/west silhouette is hot. Continue to invest in this timeless look, and stick to styles which aren’t too narrow; it’s easier to fit everything in them when there is a bit of depth.

Canvas Totes: OK Trader Joe’s, we see you! I will never stand in a chaotic line just to score something, that being said, if you do, and you love your Trader Joe’s tote, you do you. Otherwise, there are plenty of canvas totes on the market which are readily available and affordable. Canvas totes are practical, last a lifetime, and won’t break the bank. I wear mine to the gym, out on errands, and more often than my other bags. Love the canvas tote in small, medium, and all sizes!

Straw Bags: Happy summer classic! Straw bags are the ultimate summer classic. I love the bags which are available every year, this way a one season bag becomes an every-summer-bag. Love that!

Well, that’s the low down! The summer of 2026 is all about timeless style, investment handbags, and understated handbags. Shop your closet first, then fill in with the styles you love and crave.

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more summer 2026 coverage!

XOXO

Cathy