shoulder bags

5 mid priced handbag brands to know

 in Handbags / Shopping  tagged apc / aspinal / demellier / mansur gavriel / sezane / shoulder bags by

5 mid-priced handbag brands to know from top left: lizard print shoulder bag / neutral shoulder bag / teal shoulder bag / black top handle bucket bag / croc print top handle bag / neutral bucket bag /

The anonymous handbag is the current IT bag, and with that being said, you don’t have to break the bank to carry the ultimate bag of the moment. There are so many fabulous, mid-priced handbag brands out there. So, I curated five of my favorite brands you may not have heard of yet. Although, if you have been following this blog and IT bags, you are no stranger to Mansur Gavriel! They are quite well known! But I digress. . .

What makes a chic, anonymous IT bag this year? Well, let’s break that down. The ultimate anonymous handbag is made from high quality materials and is crafted with exquisite craftsmanship. There are no loud logos; of course, brands and designers will put their logo somewhere, so your bag will have a stamp or small logo of some sort. The logo should not be the design of the bag; if you know what I mean.

There are quite a few mid-priced handbag brands out there, but some offer better quality and style than others. My five favorite mid-priced brands, not including Coach because I assume you already know they offer high quality and classic styles, are as follows, in alphabetical order.

APC

APC offers clean, classic styling and high-quality craftsmanship on their handbags. In addition, they are more affordable than other brands with the same quality. Love that!

Aspinal

Aspinal is another brand which offers clean lines, classic styles, and high quality. I might start repeating myself when describing these brands! haha

DeMellier

If you have been following along, you know I love my DeMellier bag! I wear it quite often, and the quality is top notch. I love their chic styles too.

Mansur Gavriel

Well, as you know, we are nearing ten years of my Mansur Gavriel obsession. They offer fabulous handbag styles which are classic, as well as high quality craftsmanship.

Sezane

Sezane is also a chic brand with high quality handbags. Love!

There you have it! Five fabulous mid-priced handbag brands to know and love. They all offer chic styles with high quality craftsmanship.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Coach Tabby Messenger 19 review

 in Handbags  tagged coach / cross body bags / handbag reviews / reviews / shoulder bags by
Coach Tabby Messenger 19 review

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.

coach tabby messenger 19 interior
coach tabby messenger 19 review
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

coach tabby messenger 19 review styled with jeans

Tory Burch Mini Ella Bio tote review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged cross body bags / eco chic / handbag reviews / reviews / shoulder bags / tory burch / totes by
tory burch mini ella bio tote review

pictured: Tory Burch Mini Ella Bio tote / spring nail polish / bracelet /

How cute is the new Mini Ella Bio tote from Tory Burch! It is adorable! This little mini tote features Tory Burch’s classic tote styling with her full size logo on the front, simple lines, and simple straps. It resembles the tote bags Tory Burch has been designing for years and years, but this time, it is made from an eco-friendly material which is dubbed “the bio tote.” Love that!

As designers and brands work towards a more environmentally friendly manufacturing environment, they are also working hard to find materials which are environmentally friendly and downright eco-chic. While we see mostly new and emerging brands working with these modern fabrications, it is incredibly important to see a major designer work with an environmentally friendly material and create an IT bag people will get excited to buy and wear. I am thrilled to see this right now!

The Tory Burch Ella Bio tote collection is available in multiple sizes, but for spring 2023, I decided I wanted a little mini tote in a neutral hue, so I picked out the Mini Ella Bio tote and I am in love! This cute little tote snuggly fits my wallet, keys, lipstick, and iPhone without room to spare. The detachable cross body strap can be worn over the shoulder, or cross body, depending on your current mood. This bag can also be worn hand-held or on your forearm. Love that!

For the spring 2023 season, the Tory Burch Mini Ella Bio tote in available in neutral hues, as well as seasonal brights. I have a feeling the neutral hues will remain in her regular collection, and we will see new seasonal colors every year. This is a simple, practical, eco-friendly handbag, so I have a feeling it will sell well, and become popular. I might have to pick up a black one in a large size! Love!

Shop the Tory Burch Mini Ella Bio tote online:

What do you think of the new bio tote collection from Tory Burch? Are you excited for this new era of environmentally friendly materials in handbags? I know I am!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy