clutches


Spring 2020 handbag capsule wardrobe

spring 2020 handbags

Spring 2020 handbag capsule wardrobe from left: multi-color metallic Chloe bag (read review here) / small yellow tote (under $200) / black satchel (read review here) / small red baguette (under $250) / large and soft clutch (under $1000, hot IT bag) / Gucci phone case (read review here) / small black bag (read review here) /

OK, my spring 2020 handbag capsule wardrobe might be a little bit larger than what you would expect. That is because, as you know, I am a huge handbag fan!

For the spring 2020 season, I tried to touch on all the handbag trends I love. Metallic bags are huge this season, as well as brightly colored handbags.

small tote spring 2020 handbag trends

Small is in. Totes, satchels, shoulder bags, and more are all shrinking for spring. Be on the lookout for small bags which still fit your wallet, keys, and phone. This cute little yellow tote hits two of spring 2020’s trend buttons; it’s bright yellow, and it’s small. Love that!

This little yellow tote bag also has a zipper closure, and a shoulder strap. Versatility is always a must!

baguette trend spring 2020

The baguette is back, and you don’t have to buy the Fendi to rock this trend. This fun little red bag also comes in other colors. It’s affordable, and has two removable straps. It can be worn as a clutch, a retro style baguette, or a regular shoulder bag. Pick a strap to suit the style which matches your outfit the best! Or the mood you’re in, both work. 😉

Phone cases which are actually handbags are also a hot trend, as well as soft clutches. Remember the Bottega Veneta clutch which was spotted all over the streets of New York during fashion week in September 2019, and again in February 2020? Well, you don’t have to spend over a $1000 to rock this trend. The clutch pictured above is well under $1000 and it’s a hot IT item which stores are having trouble keeping in stock. Snag one while you still can! If not, get yourself on the wait list. It’s hotter than hot!

As far as the spring handbag capsule wardrobe is concerned, there is a bag for every occasion in this capsule. The metallic bag is perfect for evenings, but can be worn during the day too. Same with the small black bag. it’s great for daytime or evenings. The other bags are casual, and work well for different events, occasions, and daily routines. I am currently reaching for my black satchel, this little yellow tote, and my small black bag the most. Which bag would you reach for the most often?

Shop my spring 2020 handbag capsule wardrobe online:

When shopping for your spring 2020 handbags, look for metallics, bright hues, smaller silhouettes, and ’90’s inspiration. Which trend is your favorite?

Stay tuned for my spring 2020 shoe capsule coming up next week!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

mansur gavriel cloud clutch


Designer handbag capsule wardrobe

designer handbag capsule wardrobe

From top left: Daily bag: drawstring bucket bag (under $1000!) / Formal gala clutch: black clutch / Work bag: classic black satchel / Dinner bag: Gucci shoulder bag (under $2000!) / Daily satchel: black doctor-style satchel / Cross body bag: off-white cross body bag  / Workhorse tote: blue simple tote (under $1500!)

Everyone is always talking about creating a capsule wardrobe which is simple, and exudes minimalism. This can be achieved with handbags too! If you are trying to buy the least amount of handbags you need to get through life, yet still want them to be fabulous, you are in the right place! This is an example of the perfect designer handbag capsule wardrobe.

There are seven types of handbags you need in your designer handbag capsule wardrobe to cover every occasion in life. These bags should be classic, and in a neutral hue, which will never clash with your attire. If you are building a designer handbag capsule wardrobe, it is best to stick with black, grey, white, beige, and tan. Why is there a blue tote pictured? Well. . .we will get to that 😉

When building the perfect designer handbag capsule wardrobe, it is important to pick styles within each handbag category which are classic and will not immediately go out of style after one season. These bags need to have longevity so that your hard-earned money isn’t wasted on a trendy item. Capsule wardrobe handbags should be simple, free of adornments, and offer clean lines. I have chosen my favorites in each category, and included them in this post.

Without further ado, here are the seven bags we all need in a designer handbag capsule wardrobe!

Daily Handbag: This is the bag you want to be able to reach for everyday. Your daily handbag should be sturdy, sleek, easy to wipe down, and have room for extras. A bucket bag or hobo bag is perfect for grabbing to run out of the house. It can take you from errands to a little league game to the mall. This is the bag you will use all. the. time! I own the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag pictured above and love love love it! It is perfect for everyday use, and fits all the extra things my kids always want me to hold for them. This bag offers sturdy construction, and can handle heavy weight inside of it; such as five water bottles, an iPad, and a DSLR camera. Yes, I have stuffed those items inside, and it worked like a charm!

Daily Satchel: Sometimes you want a more structured look for everyday wear. A hobo or bucket bag might not have the right look for running from a ladies lunch to the supermarket. A structured, daily satchel made from a sturdy fabrication which offers an understated look is perfect for days when you want to look put together, but still have a hectic schedule. I own the Givenchy Antigona daily satchel pictured above and love it! I have had it for several years and always stuff it with heavy items. The leather is sturdy and can really take a beating. It cleans off nicely, and keeps on working hard for me! I highly recommend owning one as part of your designer handbag capsule wardrobe.

Evening Clutch: This Bottega Veneta clutch is on my wish list! Everyone needs one classic, formal evening clutch in their wardrobe. This clutch is ideal for gala events, cocktail parties, and anything formal. I recommend getting one with a hidden shoulder strap for when you want to be hands free. If you like to hold a drink, and grab passed appetizers-you need a hidden strap!

Dinner Bag: This is your go-to semi-formal bag for dinner, the theater, and going out in general. I love the Gucci bag pictured above, or you could invest in a classic Chanel 2.55 or Chanel classic flap.

Cross Body Bag: Everyone needs one cross body bag in their handbag capsule wardrobe. This is the bag you will use at amusement parks, for travel, and anytime you go somewhere you want to be hands-free. This Chloe bag is a classic, sturdy workhorse bag. It is also roomier then it looks!

Work Bag: Whether you work in an office, or volunteer your time, you will need a work bag in your designer handbag capsule wardrobe. This is a bag you can fit files into, looks structured, and offers a professional vibe which demands instant respect. You may even be able to fit a small laptop inside! I own the Fendi recommended above and love it! It is my go-to meeting bag and fits files, a tablet, and additional odds and ends. It is sturdy and perfect for daily use if you work outside the home. Love it!

Workhorse Tote: So, you may have noticed I advised you to look for neutral colors when it comes to creating a designer handbag capsule wardrobe. You may have also noticed the Fendi tote pictured above is blue! Your workhorse tote is the one bag where you can have fun with color. A good workhorse tote bag can act as a beach bag, a carry-on bag, a park day bag, a shopper tote, and more! You may not reach for it everyday, but your workhorse tote bag will be the large, roomy tote you reach for on weekends, when you travel, need a diaper bag, and whenever you need to bring a lot of stuff with you! Have fun with your tote, and choose a color which reflects your personal style. Mine is blue, what’s your hue?

Well, that’s it! These are the seven types of bags you need to create a classic, durable, designer handbag capsule wardrobe. To be frank, we don’t need more then seven bags, although owning more is fun! If you are limited on closet space, simplify your wardrobe, or want to maximize your dollars, seven bags will do it! I hope you like the ones I recommend, I either own them, or have been eyeing them.

Which types of handbags do you need in your handbag capsule wardrobe?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Cult Gaia Ark handbag review

cult gaia ark bag natural largecult gaia ark bag review cult gaia ark bag review

Pictured: Cult Gaia Ark bag natural size large

Wondering what the new IT bag of 2017 is? Look no further, it is the Cult Gaia Ark bag; and it does not cost an arm and a leg to obtain. Love that!

Normally IT bags are priced well into the four figures. Well, this cute little wooden half circle of a bag is priced well under $200. Can you believe it! I was a bit shocked myself.

cult gaia ark bag review

The Cult Gaia Ark bag started to emerge as a hot handbag last year. I remember seeing it and thinking it was cute, but it didn’t click until the fall season. Since the bag is basket-like, it did not seem like something I needed in cooler weather. There is something about the Cult Gaia Ark bag which evokes a vacation vibe. It feels tropical; taking you from the busy city streets to a calm beach where you don’t have a care in the world. Yes! I need this now!

Since spring has sprung, and the Cult Gaia Ark bag is in stock, for the moment, I decided it was time to pull the trigger and bring a vacation vibe to my spring wardrobe. There are several colors to choose from, and the Cult Gaia Ark bag comes in two sizes; small and large. Since I have kids, I decided large was the size for me. I also chose the natural hue since it is the IT color for this bag. Natural is perfect since it is a neutral hue which works well with any outfit or color palette. Love!

how to get your hands on a cult gaia ark bag

As you can see, the interior of the Cult Gaia Ark bag is roomy in the large size. I can even fit a book inside! Since it is also a great bag for the beach, this size will come in handy since I can fit a book, a few snacks, and more. Relaxation, here I come!

cult gaia ark bag review cult gaia ark bag in stock

My biggest concern about the Cult Gaia Ark bag was the sturdiness of the weave. So far, I haven’t heard any snaps or creaks. It seems to be quite sturdy as it can handle the large book I am currently reading, as well as my sunglasses; two bulky items with a bit of weight. Whew!

The bag has two handles and easily sits upright, making it easy to set down without having to worry about the bag tipping over and spilling; since there isn’t a clasp. The handle is comfortable to carry, but if you need to hold it for a long period of time, I would recommend wrapping it in a scarf. Which leads me to my next thought. . .

This bag is see through! I am sure you noticed that. ;- ) If you don’t want the world to see what is inside your Cult Gaia Ark bag, then this is great opportunity to personalize your Ark bag! You can easily slip a square scarf into the bag as a liner. This will cover your purse contents and add color, or even a fun print, to your bag. I plan on trying out different scarves with the bag as the season progresses.

how to style a cult gaia ark bag

If you are wondering how to get your hands on a Cult Gaia Ark handbag, now is the time! You have to act fast because the Cult Gaia Ark handbag sells out almost as quickly as it comes in stock. Remember the days of Mansur Gavriel selling out before you even knew it was there? This isn’t as bad as that, but the bags sell out in a few days, so move fast if you want one!

If the natural hue isn’t your thing, I recommend the Cult Gaia Ark bag in classic black. It is chic, and translates well into both city and beach dressing. If I grab another one, it will be a small black Ark bag. I think it would be the perfect alternative to a clutch this spring and summer season.

What do you think of the Cult Gaia Ark bag? Are you excited to see an affordable IT bag this year? I am super excited to see an IT bag which is unconventional, yet sleek enough to pair with almost anything. Plus, the price is amazing!

You can find the Cult Gaia Ark bag in stock online here.

Cult Gaia Ark in natural around the web:

In additional colors:

how to wear a cult gaia ark bag