Handbags

Handbag capsule wardrobe summer 2025

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged capsule wardrobe / handbag capsule / summer 2025 by

Summer handbag capsule wardrobe from top left: belted tote / caramel top handle bag / straw tote bag (customizable) / black studded bucket bag / east/west bag / suede bucket bag /

My summer handbag capsule wardrobe for the summer 2025 season is casual and carefree. I love the slouchy, effortless look of these bucket bags, and my little east/west handbag is perfect for everyday. This straw tote is a fun, beachy tote which can be customized with initials, a name, or a little phrase. Mine says “Jet Set.”

Of course, I also reach for my caramel top handle bag and belted tote often throughout the week. These are my current bags on rotation. Love them!

As we look toward the handbag trends for summer 2025, we are still seeing the anonymous handbag, east/west bags, slouchy bucket bags, belted totes, and seasonal straw handbags. Also, spending thousands of dollars on a handbag is currently out, while purchasing sensible, high-quality handbags at a reasonable price is “IN.” Your bag shouldn’t be easy to identify, and it shouldn’t break the bank. That’s the “IT” bag of 2025. Love that!

Shop my handbag capsule wardrobe for summer 2025 online:

Which handbags do you have on rotation for the summer 2025 season?

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for summer coverage!

XOXO
Cathy

Poolside Lori straw tote review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged beach / handbag reviews / investment dressing / poolside / totes by

pictured: Poolside Lori tote bag (customize the embroidery) /

I am not sure how I failed to review my beloved Poolside Lori tote back when I purchased it six years ago! Thankfully I have realized my mistake and am reviewing it now!

You read that right, I purchased this tote six years ago and it still looks fresh and new! The photo at the very bottom was taken in 2019, and the photo above was taken last month. As you can see, the tote still looks fabulous. This is a nod to the high quality of Poolside bags. You know I love a high-quality handbag! This is exactly that! Love!

Straw totes and straw handbags are always hot in the summer months. It makes sense to invest in one you can keep and use year after year. This way, you won’t find yourself purchasing a one season handbag every year. In the long run, investing in a good straw tote will save you money and time. The quality of the Poolside Lori tote is impeccable. The lining is strong and there is a drawstring for securing what’s inside your bag. It is made of a thick linen which can withstand daily use as well as beach days. Since I tend to bring my straw tote to the beach, I have had a lot of sand and sun touching my bag. It is easy to shake out and return to daily use in the city. Love that!

My Poolside Lori tote can fit a lot of essentials. As you can see, even with my wallet, phone, lipstick, keys, sunblock, and a book, there is plenty of room for snacks and other items. This is a nice, roomy tote; perfect for beach days, travel, and more.

The fun part? You can customize your tote bag! Mine says “Jet Set,” but you can have anything you want embroidered on the bag. You can put your name, your initials, or a cute phrase. The color of the embroidery is your choice too!

So, overall, I rate my Poolside Lori tote five out of five stars. Love!

Shop Poolside totes and handbags I love:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

straw bags summer 2019

Celebrating ten years of handbag reviews

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / reviews by
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Pictured: My first handbag review on the blog! You can read it here. / Most recent handbag review, read here. /

Handbags! You know I love them, and so do you! As someone who has written about handbags since before the blog, it was only natural, ten years ago, to add a handbag review section to Bay Area Fashionista! It really doesn’t seem like that long ago when I started my official reviews; as opposed to my handbag mentions and articles about specific handbags.

The handbag reviews have been fun because they give a specific post to each bag, instead of having to hunt through the blog for a paragraph here or there with a mini review. All the information you need a about a specific handbag is all wrapped up in the review article. Love that!

This fabulous bucket bag, pictured above, is my most recent review. I really love this handbag and find myself wearing it often. The studded details add a little edge and interest to the overall style of the bag. It is also quite practical and fits everything I need in a day. Love!

Talking about handbags I love. . .

it bags fall 2017

One of my favorite handbags of all time is my Givenchy Antigona. I own two! After falling in love with my black one, I indulged and invested in a pale blue Antigona. The black gets the most wear, and the pale blue one gets worn and babied a little more due to the light color. I love them both and also love the fact that the Givenchy Antigona has become a classic handbag which can be worn season after season. You know me, I love a good investment handbag!

Lastly, the handbag you have loved the most over the years has been the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag. This classic drawstring bucket bag is still going strong and is a fabulous investment bag at a reasonable price. Love that!

My favorite handbags:

Thank you for coming to Bay Area Fashionista over the years for my handbag reviews, and more! There are more handbag reviews on the way, so stay tuned!

Thank you for your support!

XOXO
Cathy

mansur gavriel bucket bag pink