My spring 2021 handbag capsule wardrobe is a mix of fun and practical. This spring season, I really want to add some cheery style to my everyday looks. This cute little yellow pouch fits into the pouch clutch trend, and adds a fun pop of color to a casual outfit. Love that!
Natural fibers and texture are also huge this spring season. This small straw tote bag is perfect to fit into that trend and provide a roomy handbag solution for day-to-day activities. I love this little tote!
Classic IT bags, and IT bags from the 1990s are also a huge trend this year. Reach into the back of your closet and pull out your IT bags from ten to twenty-five years ago! They are relevant! My favorite is my Chloe Marcie which is soft, slouchy, and great for daily use. It is hard to photograph with a group, which is why you don’t see it in my group photos.
Since I am still working from home, I don’t really need a tote or large work bag right now. I have stored my totes which will come in handy later this year to use as beach bags, and hopefully travel bags after we all get our vaccines! So for now, I am wearing smaller bags which are great for running errands and daily activities.
Which types of bags are you rocking this spring?
Shop my spring 2021 handbag capsule wardrobe online:
The Prada Cleo is here! While not as hard to get as some other IT bags in recent years, the Prada Cleo does require a bit of searching, and a lot of patience, to obtain.
It took about one month for me to get my hands on my Prada Cleo. I initially ordered one in white, but after two weeks, the retailer cancelled my order stating they miscalculated stock levels. <sigh> Back to the web searches! I finally found one in the larger size, in black. While I initially wanted one in white, the cancellation made me rethink my choice, and I decided to go for a more 1990s color; black. After all, the Prada Cleo is inspired by Prada’s famous IT bags of the 1990s; and I am here for it!
If you lived through the 1990s like I did, you may remember it wasn’t patent leather we saw all over the place, it was abrasivato finishes, and spazzolato finishes, which dominated the streets. Patent leather was a bit too shiny. The 1990s were all about high gloss leather, without crossing into patent territory. Patent leather had it’s moment in the 1980s, so it had an old fashion vibe during the minimalist 1990s. Patent was thought of as a bit too flashy, but high gloss leather, THAT was modern and chic. Loved it!
Another trait of handbags in the 1990s was simple, black, and chic. It was all about bags with no fuss. We wore nylon totes, nylon shoulder bags, simple hobos, and simple top handle bags. The big brands were Prada, Kate Spade, Coach, and anything Gucci or Chanel. Shoulder straps were high and tight. We wore our bags under our arm pits, safe and snug. If they had a top handle, they were worn by hand. Carrying your bag on your forearm was an early 2000s thing; not in the 1990s, you would never carry your bag like that!
Since I was a young adult, just starting out, I could not afford the beautiful nylon and spazzolato finish bags Prada designed. They were the IT bags of the moment, but my budget was found on the clearance table in the back. I had a similar bag to the Prada Cleo, which had a strap that used to break all the time. Since I knew shoe repair, I was able to maintain my clearance table bag during the 1990s. Thankfully I had splurged on a Kate Spade nylon tote for work, so I wasn’t always a hot mess with my bag. haha
Now, let’s talk more about the Prada Cleo! This beautiful bag takes inspiration from Prada’s 1990s archives. It has a hobo silhouette with structured, spazzolato leather. The high gloss is very 1990s. The bag fits under the arm without violating the armpit. That’s a huge plus. Armpit bags really aren’t that comfortable, and they slip off your shoulder. The Prada Cleo sits nicely, and stays put, on the shoulder. That’s everything!
The lining of the bag is exactly as I remember it in the 1990s. I love the thick, fabric lining which has the signature Prada logo print. It’s sturdy and easy to clean; perfect for handbag lining. There is also one pocket inside. It does not zip, so it’s more of a phone pocket. It’s not ideal for loose coins. I prefer to use it for receipts or paper notes.
The Prada Cleo is lightweight, and fits all my purse essentials. There is still room inside for my sunglasses, and few snacks for my kids, as well as hand sanitizer, and a spare mask. The bag also has been good at keeping it’s shape when filled my things. This is important since the Prada Cleo isn’t your typical hobo shape; it has a modern twist.
Did you notice the back of the Prada Cleo is longer that the front? This gives the bag a three-dimensional vibe which is geometric and modern. It definitely elevates the Prada Cleo from a 1990s clone, to a 2021 IT bag. Love that!
Since the Prada Cleo sits snugly under the arm, it is pretty safe from pickpockets. That being said, there is a nice magnetic closure to keep the bag closed. I have never had anything fall out of the bag. It’s pretty secure.
The Prada Cleo is a great everyday bag. It’s simple and chic. It pairs well with casual denim looks as well as dressy outfits with skirts and dresses. The simple yet modern silhouette also lends well to staying power. This bag won’t be easily dated as time goes on. I can see it being worn for several years. That being said, the spazzolato finish is not as sturdy as pebble leather, so don’t lay it down on concrete or throw it around; you’ll scratch it. Treat it nicely, and your Cleo should last for many years, and keep it’s nice, high gloss finish as scratch-free as possible.
Shop the Prada Cleo online:
Don’t worry if the Prada Cleo you want is sold out. You can pre-order one here! There are also three different sizes to choose from. The small size has a flap closure, the medium and large look like mine. I purchased the large which isn’t much bigger than the medium; it’s a slight difference which I wanted since my kids always give me things to hold. haha
What do you think of the Prada Cleo? Do you love it? It’s the hottest IT bag of 2021, so when you get your hands on one, snap it up!
How cute is this Mansur Gavriel mini Cloud clutch! As you know, pouch clutches are a hot IT bag style, and Mansur Gavriel’s is one of the two hottest pouches out there. I have owned the regular size Cloud clutch in black for a little over one year, and I love it. So when Mansur Gavriel introduced the mini version last year, I was eyeing it right away. Now, I have finally broken down and purchased one for myself!
As much as I love my regular sized Cloud clutch, sometimes I want to carry something a little bit smaller; and with a strap. The Mansur Gavriel mini Cloud clutch is just the right size to carry my purse essentials. It also has a thin strap which can be worn cross body, or over the shoulder. I prefer it over the shoulder as it hits me on the bottom of my ribs if I wear it cross body; that being said, if you need to wear it cross body, it can be done.
The Mansur Gavriel mini Cloud clutch comes in a variety of beautiful colors. I chose Spiga, which is a soft, yet medium, yellow hue. Spiga, or yellow, is very pretty; and it also happens to be the color of the year! Love that!
Mansur Gavriel mini Cloud clutch | what fits inside the mini Cloud
The Mansur Gavriel mini Cloud clutch is quite roomy inside. I can fit my wallet, phone, lipstick, keys, and also place my sunglasses on top. The bag still closes without an issue, despite all of those items. The closure on the mini Cloud clutch is a frame closure with a magnetic reinforcement in the center of the frame. It’s very sturdy and secure. I definitely feel safe from pickpockets with this bag! It will make a fabulous bag for travel once the pandemic is over. Love it!
Mansur Gavriel Cloud clutch side by side comparison
Since there are two Cloud clutches by Mansur Gavriel, I thought it only right to show you a side-by-side comparison of the two so you can see what is going on size-wise. The original Cloud clutch is much larger than the mini. It offers the interior capacity of a medium shoulder bag, while the mini offers the interior capacity of a small, cross body bag.
If you love the smaller size, and would still like to wear it as a clutch rather than a shoulder bag or cross body bag, you can! The strap easily tucks inside the bag or can be removed completely. Although, I recommend tucking it in rather than removing it; you never know when you will want the versatility of switching to a shoulder bag or cross body bag.
Shop the Mansur Gavriel mini Cloud clutch online:
All in all, this is a fabulous handbag. The leather is buttery soft, and the construction is extremely sturdy; just like all bags by Mansur Gavriel. It is available in a variety of seasonal hues, as well as classic neutrals. I’m in love with this bag! I also love that it is priced under $500. Love that!
Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Cathy
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