The 10 Bags Amanda Wants Right Now, Summer 2018 Edition

We’re reaching the end of sale season, which means something else significant for the bag-buying market: most of the stuff in stores is pretty new, and there’s a wide selection to pick from. Because we tend to do a lot of browsing as a biproduct of our work here, Megs, Kaitlin and I always have running informal lists of bags we’d snatch in a second, given an unlimited budget, and peak shopping season is the most fun time to contemplate doing that. Below, I’ve listed my own fantasy wish list, complete with some of the more, uh, controversial market trends. Check them out below and let us know what you’d pick up right now.

Céline Made In Tote
$1,500 via Céline

The “made in” stamp is a design element in almost all high-end handbags that we almost never talk about on an aesthetic level, which is what makes this new tote, one of the last new designs to be released under the creative oversight of the legendary Phoebe Philo, feel so chic and clever.

Chanel Shipping Container Minaudiere
$11,200 via Chanel

Speaking of chic and clever: these ultra-expensive Chanel minaudieres modeled to look like industrial shipping containers have engendered some strong opinions, but I’ve adored them ever since I spotted one on the runway. Unlike most novelty clutches, this one seems more like a comment on the nature of the global economy than something that’s just cute for cute’s sake, which is the case with most novelty clutches. It should go without saying that I will never actually own this bag, but I enjoy it nonetheless, especially compared to other things in its genre.

Cult Gaia Mini Angelou Bag
$298 via Shopbop

This bag is like the vintage find you always hope to happen across in a secondhand store, but just never quite manage to locate. It looks like it would be so pleasant to touch and move so beautifully, and the beautiful jade color would be an awesome accent to any neutral dress for a special party or wedding.

Fendi Small Runaway Shopper Tote
$2,270 via farfetch.com

I carried a Fendi logo-print wallet for years, which means that not only have I loved the print for a long time, but its resurgence triggers enormous nostalgia for me. The little version of the Runaway shopper feels like nothing else Fendi makes, and the combination of it and the nostalgic logo are a perfect balance for me. The fact that the bag also comes with a crossbody strap the icing on the cake.

Gucci Ophidia Bag
$1,390 via Gucci

I’ve mentioned it many times before, but I’ve had my eye on this little bag since it came out. Maybe one day I’ll pull the trigger.

Louis Vuitton Neonoe Bag
$1,590 via Louis Vuitton

Objectively speaking, I’d use a Neonoe lined in a different color much more frequently, but right now, for whatever reason, I’m just really into the hot pink!

Mansur Gavriel Double Zip Crossbody Bag
$495 via Bergdorf Goodman

This is cheating (a little bit) because I already have this bag in black, but it’s so lightweight and useful that I’ve been carrying it a lot lately and wanted to share. The only downside is that because it has two compartments and is so light, you have to make sure to keep stuff in both sides or it tilts.

Prada Fluo Fanny Pack
$970 via Prada

My love on fanny packs is well-documented, and as soon as I saw this version being carried crossbody by Adwoa Aboah, I knew I was in love. It might be my favorite piece on the whole list.

Saint Laurent Loulou Shoulder Bag
$1,950 via Nordstrom

I’m a little tired of Saint Laurent’s schtick, but I do really like the relatively new Loulou line. This smaller size can be carried with the chain strap doubled, but I’d lengthen it out to a single strap for cross-body wear.

Wicker Wings Kuai Tote
$435 via Net-a-Porter

I have loved the resurgence of basket-inspired bags for summer, but I’ve never personally indulged in the trend because I felt like the natural-hued bags didn’t really blend well with my mostly black, mostly minimalist wardrobe. This bag is exactly the thing I need to bridge that aesthetic gap.