handbag reviews

Mulberry Amberley review in small

June 28, 2023 in General Fashion / Handbags tagged classic style / cross body bags / eco chic / handbag reviews / investment dressing / mulberry / shoulder bags by Bay Area Fashionista

pictured: Mulberry Soft Amberley small /

How pretty is this Mulberry Amberley handbag! I am in love! Mulberry has been on my wish list for years, but I always seem to bypass it for other bags. I think I know in the back of my mind that Mulberry is timeless, and since their styles are classic and always available, I have not felt the urgency to purchase the bag of my dreams. Yes, I have a long list of “bags of my dreams,” but I digress. . .

The Amberley by Mulberry is a beautiful and timeless shoulder bag which can also be worn as a cross body bag. It is a casual handbag which can be worn as a daily handbag. Mulberry always has neutral and black in stock, and they also offer seasonal colors. If you choose a neutral, black, or seasonal color, you cannot go wrong with a Mulberry Amberley handbag, it is a classic bag!

I chose the Amberley soft version in black with silver hardware. The leather is thick, soft, and incredibly durable. This is a well-made bag which I find to be an incredible deal for the price! There are handbags on the market which are priced at double, triple, and more than Mulberry’s collection yet they don’t offer the beautiful craftsmanship and extremely high-quality leather as Mulberry.

In addition to quality and craftsmanship, Mulberry is eco-chic! Love that! Mulberry is committed to sustainability. They even have a manifesto on their website! Love! As we move more into conscious buying decisions, supporting luxury brands such as Mulberry is an important shopping decision.

If you are an investment shopper like me, Mulberry is also a fabulous brand to learn more about. Mulberry’s handbags are made to last, so the Mulberry Amberley will remain a style produced by Mulberry for quite some time. You can safely choose a neutral, black or seasonal color and always look timeless. This is a great wardrobe investment. Love that!

The Mulberry Amberley I chose is size small. While there are larger sizes available, the small is perfect for my daily handbag essentials. I can fit my wallet, phone, lipstick, keys, and a travel size package of Kleenex. The turn lock closure is easy to get in and out of, plus it makes the bag feel secure.

The strap can be worn cross body or over the shoulder. I have been wearing it both ways depending upon my mood, or activity. I find the strap to be comfortable and it stays put on my shoulder. Love that!

I have fallen in love with my first Mulberry bag! My wish list has expanded to include more handbags by Mulberry, and I plan to prioritize more Mulberry purchases in the future. They have so many beautiful styles which are functional and timeless. The perfect investment bags!

Shop the Mulberry Amberley handbag online:

If you have been eyeing the Mulberry Amberley handbag, I highly recommend buying one! I am thrilled with my purchase, and I look forward to investing in more Mulberry!

Side note: if you are following the so-called “quiet luxury” trend, Mulberry is a fabulous brand to invest in. You can be “on trend” while also ending up with a timeless handbag which will transcend whatever the next big trend in handbags will be that hits the streets! That’s win/win! Love that!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

mulberry amberley review size small soft amberly

Coach Day Tote review

June 14, 2023 in General Fashion / Handbags tagged coach / handbag reviews / investment dressing / totes by Bay Area Fashionista

Pictured: Coach Day Tote in Silver/Faded Blue (looks like pale turquoise or mint green in person) /

How pretty is this tote bag! I love having a good, workhorse tote bag; especially during the summer months. This roomy tote bag has everything I need, and possibly you too, in a tote bag. Love!

The Coach Day Tote is currently available in several colors, ivory, mustard, canvas, black and faded blue. I love this faded blue color because it is reminiscent of the sea and is so pretty in person. These photos do not do the color justice!

As with all of Coach’s handbags, the Day Tote is made from sturdy pebbled leather and the craftsmanship is high quality. This means the stitching is strong, and the bag can handle everything you put inside of it without being compromised. I have also found that the leather is easy to clean if it gets dirty. I use a slightly damp cloth, and dirt wipes off easily without damaging the leather or rubbing the color off of the bag.

Most open tote bags do not have a clasp, the Coach Day Tote offers a magnetic clasp which I find to be a good feature. I clasp it when I set the bag down so it keeps it’s shape, which helps it from flopping over if the contents are unbalanced. Who knew a small clasp would be so helpful! Love!

Typically, most tote bags have an interior pocket of some sort. The Coach Day Tote has a detachable pocket which is really a little pouch. This is handy if you use the tote for work. You can keep your lunch money in the pouch and detach it when going to lunch or buying more coffee. This is also handy for travel if you don’t want to bring a purse in addition to the tote bag. You can use the little pouch as a small clutch.

The interior capacity of the Coach Day Tote is quite large. Even with my typical tote bag contents, there is still plenty of room. This tote fits my laptop too with plenty of room to spare. It is a great work tote, travel tote, or summer activity tote. I am in love!

For smaller items such as lipstick and keys, the interior pouch can be used. For photography purposes I threw everything inside the bag so you could see the space. If you use a tote organizer, it will fit nicely inside the Day Tote too.

Pictured: Coach Day Tote / book / lipstick / scarf / (golden nail polish pictured in clasp photo) /

The Coach Day Tote is a great, workhorse tote bag which can be used for years. It offers a classic style and silhouette as well as roomy interior capacity. The detachable pouch a great feature too. I love the faded blue hue for the summer season, but if you are looking for something to wear all year long, the classic black, ivory, or signature canvas might be perfect for you.

Shop the Coach Day Tote online:

The perfect tote! Love it!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Coach Tabby Messenger 19 review

May 3, 2023 in Handbags tagged coach / cross body bags / handbag reviews / reviews / shoulder bags by Bay Area Fashionista

pictured: Coach Tabby Messenger 19 in Silver Burnished Amber /

How cute is this little messenger bag! I am in love! The Coach Tabby collection is part of the brands’ classic collection, but for spring 2023, they have introduced a new messenger bag which is perfect for everyday wear. Love!

The Coach Tabby Messenger 19 handbag offers a 1970s vibe with modern, cross body practicality. The bag is just big enough to hold a small wallet, iPhone (pro, not max), keys, and a lipstick. There isn’t room for a mask or kleenex in the main compartment, just the essentials. Although, there is an additional exterior pocket where you can store additional, small items. This is the perfect size when you can be a minimalist.

There are several colors available, at varying price points. The burnished amber is offered at a slightly higher price due to the leather treatment process. I sprung a little extra for the color because it offers such a rich brown hue, and the leather is extremely good quality. I feel like it was worth the extra cost.

By modern day standards, this Coach Tabby Messenger 19 offers the same quality as a $3000 handbag, for a fraction of the cost. The leather is thick and strong, the craftsmanship is top-notch, and the style is on point. It makes it hard to justify paying more for a similar bag. If you are looking for a mini messenger, go with the Coach Tabby Messenger 19! Remember, it’s all about investment dressing and quality. This bag has both.

One thing I noticed about the leather on this Coach Tabby Messenger 19 handbag is that it reminds me of the glove tanned leather of the 1990s. While not as thick, you can care for it the same way you did back in the day. The leather scratches a bit when it’s new, then the scratches blend into the leather and create a beautiful patina. If you get scratches right away, embrace them! They will eventually fade away and the leather on your bag will turn into a beautiful patina which only adds to the value and beauty of the overall bag. This is only on select colors, some of the colors offer pebble leather or canvas.

what fits inside coach tabby messenger 19 handbag

The interior of the Coach Tabby Messenger 19 handbag offers a slim pocket which is perfect for notes and receipts. If you plan to make room in the bag by not carrying a wallet, you can use the pocket for cash, credit cards, and ID. There is a snap on the pocket which can secure what you slip inside.

In addition to the interior pocket, there are two outside pockets. On the backside of the bag, there is an opera ticket pocket. Unlike old school opera ticket pockets, this one has a clean, magnetic closure. Love that! You can rest assured your tickets will be secure.

The other exterior pocket is on the front of the bag and can fit small items. This can free up space inside the main compartment of the bag or offer additional space. I haven’t used it yet, but it looks like a good spot for kleenex! This exterior pocket has a small snap closure, again, offering a secure spot for items you don’t want to fall out of your bag.

Speaking of security, the main closure, which is the “C” logo you see on the front of the bag, has a push button for security. This is a good, overall bag for keeping pickpockets away. Love that for travel, festivals, and public transportation!

So, as you can tell, I love my Coach Tabby Messenger 19! I plan to wear her quite often. You can find the Coach Tabby Messenger 19 in an array of colors. Which color if your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

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