Amanda Mull April 13, 2011 Savvy

I have never appreciated crossbody bags as much as I do after a trip to New York

You guys, I hate to break it to you, but New York City requires kind of a lot of walking. I knew this intellectually, of course, and I’ve been to New York many times in the past, but my weekend jaunt to this city recently reminded me of just how different getting around will be once I move out of car-dependent Atlanta and into my new home on the Upper East Side. It’s going to be a transition, to put it mildly.

I’ve written before of the necessity of changing my bag wardrobe to fit my impending lifestyle shift, but never has it been more obvious that such a change needs to happen quickly. I have four and a half weeks until my moving date, and the slight panic that I’m feeling might be alleviated with the acquisition of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Natasha Crossbody, don’t you think?

The thing is, I never really realized how much more convenient life without a car would be with the help of a truly hands-free bag. Sure, my roster of shoulder bags may seem nearly hands-free, but I find myself holding and adjusting my hobos and totes much more often than my mini crossbodies. The only problem is that all of the crossbodies I have right now are truly mini.

This bag, however, is the perfect medium size. It’s not so large that it will weigh you down and give you a wonky strap-boob by cutting across your body, but it’s not so small that you can’t throw some non-essentials in there with your keys, wallet and sunglasses. In this lovely shade of turquoise, I feel like this bag could keep me delightfully hands-free for my first summer in the city. Plus, I dare you to beat the price. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $350.

Lulugurl

I love this bag….it was a toss-up between the smaller RM quilted affair and this bag…it is soo cool and such a nice colour!!!
Stephanie

I absolutely LOVE this bag, and it’s a gorgeous color!
edoardo

I understand and agree with your post ;D

http://fashiondoesntexist.blogspot.com/
atee

i have this bag in the camel/caramel color.. and i love it!! it’s my go-to bag when i’m out and want to be “hands-free”.. it’s an essential in my wardrobe!!!!!
Laura

I have this bag and love it! Awesome for shopping handsfree and it does hold more than you think.
Staci

Amanda, I love the color! It’s perfect for the big city!
Marianna

On behalf of my home state and city, I want to say YAY! and Welcome to NY! This MJ is the perfect city bag for when you want to get around free and easy without jostling and adjusting. I love the color and the idea of not getting that weird wonky strap boob makes it all the more appealing. You may just see me walking past you with the same bag cross my body!
Norman Lee Boughman III

Love the bag, hate the color.
windy

got one in exactly the same color..i totally love it !
Kerri Estella

I have never shared a sentiment so deeply in my LIFE. I’ve been spending at least two weekends a month in the city for the last few months and my first weekend, I spent waddling around in my snowsuit desperately searching for the perfect crossbody that would let me shove my hands in my fur-lined pockets and leave them there forever.

Amanda, thank you for finding it.
justa9url

I totally understand the “wonky strap-boob” as you put it, I love the ease of using crossbody bags but it’s really difficult to find a crossbody big enough to hold all my stuff (and I like to carry everything) without doing that.

I used to use the Coach swingpacks and they were okay but still not big enough but now I’ve got a RM MAC and I love it! It’s basically my go to crossbody that can fit almost all my necessities including sunglasses (I find a way to squeeze in the case as well).

However, with a jacket, I can wear any crossbody! XD
rose60610

Delightful little bag!
DJ

I hate to sound negative but I’m really tired of hearing about NY NY NY.

Cute bag tho. Love the color.
- http://www.purseblog.com/ Amanda Mull
  
  Hey, you’re the “I hate to be negative” guy from Manbag Monday! I know you! Why be negative if you hate it so much?
  
  If something is going on in my life, it comes through here. Megs and I talk about stuff like that because it affects how we perceive and review things. Major lifestyle changes tend to change how you think about how you dress yourself and the things you use every day, so the way I evaluate a design and how I pick things to review is in a bit of flux at the moment, and it’s because I’m moving. That’s why it’s mentioned every now and then – it affects the content of the blog.
  - 19yearslater
    
    I hate to sound positive, but I LOVE hearing about NY, NY, NY. It allows me to live vicariously. I adore MBMJ by the way, the quality+price+cute really can’t be beat.
  - PhotoGirl
    
    I LOVE hearing about New York! I think a lot of us are sharing this adventure with you, Amanda.
    
    Listen, I have a relatively normal life and most of the watches, bags, etc., that are featured here are completely out of the realm of possibility for me. Frankly, I don’t kow how you ladies do it. But a trip to New York? Living and working there? OK. That’s something I can relate to and love hearing about. I hope you’ll continue to share your life with us as you see fit.
    
    Love the bag, too. I’m not normally a crossbody type, but in a big city such a bag makes perfect sense, I think.
    
    PS: I wouldn’t have imagined you as the UES type. Interesting! :)
  - http://www.purseblog.com/ Amanda Mull
    
    Thanks you guys – I’m glad that not everyone is sick of me yet!
    
    And PhotoGirl, I’m not exactly sure that I’m really an UES girl, but a friend who already lives there had an opening in her apartment and it was too perfect to pass up – exactly the time I wanted to move, at the lower end of my price range, etc. The neighborhood is really cute and not at all what I thought of when I heard the words “Upper East Side,” probably because I’m a little further to the northeast than Barneys and Bergdorfs. Most of the people in my building seem to be in my age range and there are tons of bars and restaurants nearby. Plus it’s a tad quieter than downtown or Williamsburg, so hopefully that will make the transition a little smoother. I’m super excited about it!
    
    Although I did spot three Hermes bags on my street last weekend, so it’s not entirely non-Upper East Side-y :-)
- shueaddict
  
  Actually I do want to hear more of NY NY NY. Amanda puts a lot of herself in the blogs and this is definitely one of the reasons I follow her .
  
  Keep the NY coming !!!
MizzJ

Go for it!! This is a classic for a reason and that color is fabulous!

http://highmaintenancewoman.blogspot.com
Kat

I prefer my MBMJ Classic Q Hillier Hobo. I like that I have the option to either wear it crossbody, or as a shoulder bag.

http://dontaskmetosmile.wordpress.com
- Ashleyg
  
  I’m with you on that hobo- mainly because I carry my life in my bag. Love the color of Amanda’s pick though!!!
Cathy Fitz

I love the color and am surprised by how much I like the bag. Good price point, too.
Maggie

So pretty!!!
Lynda

I absolutely adore Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Natasha Crossbody! The color is also great!
christine

cute bag!
Jenny in Jacquard

I’ve been looking for the perfect crossbody to get my feet wet, but have yet to find the perfect size and shape! I love the color of this MxMJ bag, but I’m not so sure about the shape. I’m more of a structured form kind of gal, and the Natasha looks a little too frumpy for me.

http://www.jennyinjacquard.wordpress.com
lisa m.

We so have to same taste in bags! I have been mulling over this one for a while. LOVE the color!
Swissaus

I have this bag in port and it’s such a great bag at such a great price. I have a shopping trip in NY in June and this will be the bag that I’ll be taking with me : )
mia

LOL Thats so funny you say that because ME TOO!!!
ponyexpressway

i have one and love it!!!!
Lorie

I love this bag and the color too! I think this may make it into my wardrobe even though I live 50 miles past civilization.

I love hearing about your move, Amanda. I’m getting to live vicariously through you – sigh – oh to be young, fashionable, talented and fabulous and moving to the big city all on your own. I so envy you and wish you every happiness and success there!
Mochababe73

I learned that lesson when I spent two weeks in Washington D.C. as well, but I had already prepared myself. I bought a Kenneth Cole (not Reaction) crossbody hobo bag. It had the long crossbody strap with the short shoulder strap. I loved it because once I got to where I was going, I could wear it the regular way.
We did alot of walking and taking the train. We are moving in June. Maybe this is an East Coast thing because I never needed one in the South except to go to my boys’ sports activities.
I like the color on this, but it still looks a little small for my needs. I have children, and they have stuff.
kapuryong

i wish i can have that bag.. i want caramel color!
bindc

I’m a mbmj and Marc Jacobs girl so of course I say go for it. That color is great too. I love my TT crossbody (because I like the thicker strap and the ease of adjusting the strap too). You totally need to buy the bag. And then share modeling pictures :).
Rina Red

The colour is fabulous! every one should own a bright colored hang bag in their closet..and if you have not own one (like me)…why not start with this bag? I have been eyeing this bag for quite a while now…really love the color and I love crossbody bags! This is definitely in my wish list :)
susan

this is the same color as my RM MAC! i’d say this kind of crossbody is completely necessary both in summer (when you don’t want to be all sweaty and carting a ton of crap around the city) and in the winter (when your down-coated arms are so thickly layered you can barely get a shoulder bag up on your shoulder).

enjoy NY! i love it here! it definitely requires a new bag and shoe wardrobe!
Mommy needs a new bag

I have been stalking this exact bag and colour – thanks for featuring it!