totes

JCrew Berkeley Bucket bag review

September 18, 2024 in Handbags tagged bucket bag / casual style / handbag reviews / jcrew / outfits / totes by Bay Area Fashionista

wearing: statement earrings / lipstick / turtleneck sweater / wide leg jeans (sold out, also love this pair) / fall nail polish / bucket bag / Mary Jane flats /

I finally broke down and bought a suede bag! Of course, I was quite hesitant, so I bought a hybrid which is suede on one side, and leather on the other. I have to admit, I am in love!

J.Crew has a really popular bucket bag named the Berkeley Bucket Bag. It comes in a large range of colors, as well as this suede and leather combo bag. I decided to buy it because I felt like the bag fit into the north/south tote trend without being a large tote, and it also fit into the slouchy bucket bag trend; well, because it is actually a bucket bag. haha

Instead of my usual handbag review where I show what fits inside, I figured you would already know that daily purse essentials will fit inside this bag. In addition to my wallet, lipstick, keys, phone, and Kleenex, this J.Crew Berkeley Bucket Bag can fit gloves and a snow hat on cold days, as well as a scarf, snacks, and a water bottle. It is really roomy!

Inside the J.Crew Berkeley Bucket Bag, the bag is wide open. For small objects you don’t want to lose, I would recommend adding a small pouch or clutch to keep things organized. In order to secure the bag, there is a tie at the top. I have not used the tie; I tend to just leave the bag open. If I go somewhere where pickpocketing is a concern, I will use a pouch for small items, place a scarf on the top of the bag and tie it to secure it.

I love the slouchy look and feel of this bucket bag. Plus, it is priced under $200, love that! So, if you are looking for a handbag which is affordable yet fits into multiple handbag trends for fall, this is the one! There are plenty of colors to choose from and it has the look of a north/south tote, a bucket bag, and can fit into the role of a medium hobo bag; despite not looking like a hobo bag. Love!

This will be a fun bag to carry throughout the fall season, and beyond!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Fall 2024 handbag trends

August 21, 2024 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends tagged fall 2024 / hobos / shoulder bags / totes by Bay Area Fashionista

Fall 2024 handbag trends from top left: top handle bag / hobo handbag / medium box bag / north/south tote / east/west satchel / olive tote /

We are in luck this fall 2024 season! The handbag trends are building on what many of us already have in our closet from recent seasons. So, if you have had your eye on a handbag, you still have time to snap it up and move it from your wish list to your wardrobe. Love that!

Fall 2024 is all about the anonymous handbag. We are looking at a surge in north/south totes and east/west satchels. The color palette is traditional with neutral hues, black, olive, burgundy/maroon, and winter white. Logo’s are still staying stored in the back of our closets, and high quality, simple silhouettes are reigning supreme.

When it comes to handbags, look for a color or colors you feel will blend with the majority of your closet. Investing in a dark red or olive-type green will give you a traditional handbag you will wear every fall season. So, don’t feel guilty getting an autumn hue, it will have longevity!

The handbag trends we are seeing for the fall 2024 are also perfect investment handbags. Since they are not trendy or fleeting colors, they can stay in our wardrobe for years and get continued use. The silhouettes are also timeless and should give us a lot of wear right now and as we move into the new year. None of these styles are hyper-trendy, so we don’t need to worry about spending money on a new bag for fall. Love that!

Speaking of spending money, the hottest brands, designers and styles right now won’t break the bank. You can get an IT style for under $1000. In fact, emerging designers and relatively unknown brands are having a moment. So, investing in a high-quality bag with a simple, chic silhouette is hot right now. Of course, brands such as Coach, Mansur Gavriel, and Songmont are also continuing to be hot right now too. Love!

Shop the fall 2024 handbag trends online:

I have been wearing my east/west satchels non-stop and plan to invest in a north/south tote for fall 2024. Which fall 2024 handbag trends are you loving right now?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Straw handbags summer 2024

June 24, 2024 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends tagged clutches / shoulder bags / summer 2024 / totes by Bay Area Fashionista

Straw handbags for summer from top left: customizable tote / turtle clutch / white and straw shoulder bag / tan and straw shoulder bag (under $100) / small tote bag / straw bag (under $100) /

Every summer there are fun and fabulous straw handbags to elevate our outfits into something which evokes travel, or just adds some texture to our overall look. For summer 2024, instead of the usual tote bags, designers and brands have included at least one straw or canvas handbag to their collections, so right now, natural fiber bags are everywhere!

Straw handbags can be worn on the streets this summer 2024 season. Yup, that’s right! You can rock your natural fiber on the streets of Manhattan, the beaches of Hawaii, and everywhere in between. Love that!

My current straw handbag collection consists of two tote bags, one customizable tote bag with the words “Jet Set” stitched in, and one slightly larger tote from Loewe. I wear them both! Now, I am eyeing a shoulder bag for when I want to be hands free. There are a lot of choices this summer, and I love that fact that there are several fabulous styles priced under $100. That’s incredible!

I also feel like I need that turtle clutch pictured above in my life. Isn’t it cute! Love!

Shop straw handbag for summer 2024 online:

Which style of straw handbag are you eyeing for summer 2024? Or do you already have at least one in your collection from previous summer seasons?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

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