For an East Coaster, winter is truly a brutal time of year. The weather can be so unpredictable during winter, and freezing rain and snow are naturally a frequent occurrence this time of year. As any fashion lover knows, water damage is detrimental to keeping handbags in pristine condition, and I constantly find myself checking the weather forecast to avoid damaging any of my bags. I’ve mentioned that I don’t baby my bags too much, and while that is true for the most part, I have to admit I really hate water spots on my bags. I try to avoid exposing my handbags to water as much as possible, particularly when it’s a really delicate material like vachetta or suede. My Louis Vuitton Delightful has three prominent water spots on the top of the handle that drive me crazy—they are just such an eye sore that can’t be unseen. I’ve been known to throw handbags into plastic bags to avoid water spots in unexpected wet weather, and I’ve gotten my fair share of looks from strangers as a result. Let me live, people!
I love a gorgeous winter white or jewel colored bag during the coldest season of the year, but sometimes I have to be more practical: a word I don’t like to use when describing any of my accessories. I rarely purchase items because they’re practical, and because of that I have found myself shorthanded for bags I’m comfortable getting wet when the forecast predicts rain or snow. Having to decide which bags I’m okay with using in bad weather feels like I’m playing favorites, and I don’t want to volunteer my bags as tribute in The Weather Games any longer.
When you love handbags as much as I do, one would think I own way more water resistant bags than I actually do. Most of my bags absorb water rather than resist it, and I find that any time there is inclement weather I pull out my Tory Burch Gemini Tote. While I love that tote for being so durable in wet weather, I need to expand my arsenal of water resistant bags. I want to go out of my way to blend functionality and style while I’m on the hunt for a practical bag that I can wear in dreary weather. I like to have options in my closet, and right now I am just majorly slacking in the durable winter category of my wardrobe. Luckily for me, practical doesn’t have to translate to boring, especially since I learned that saffiano leather is water resistant.
I’ve listed my cute but functional picks that won’t have you stressing out in snow, sleet, or rain. No need to carry a plastic back up bag any longer with these choices. Do you have a go-to bag that you use in wet weather? I’d love to hear about it.
Eric Javits Kena Woven Resistant Tote
Prada Saffiano Leather Camera Bag
Marc Jacobs Little Big Shot Saffiano Leather Tote
MZ Wallace Crosby Tote
See by Chloé Flo Nylon Tote
Senreve Maestra Bag
Longchamp Anemone Medium Nylon Tote
Senreve Doctor Bag
Rains Field Backpack
STAUD PVC Tote
Isn’t LV canvas kind of waterproof too? I was thinking about buying a canvas LV bag (no vachetta obviously) to use on bad weather days, is that wrong thinking?
The canvas is waterproof but if you’re buying the monogram print, the vachetta leather on the handles can have water marks.
LV canvas is waterproof indeed. A lot of people use the Damier Ébène collection for winter / bad weather.
Agree! I was sure I’d see at least one LV DE canvas offering. We didn’t need to have two from Senreve. And what is the “guitar strap” on the Marc Jacobs bag made of? If it’s just canvas, it’s not waterproof.
This almost reads as an “AD-not an AD” for Senreve, with 2 bags out of a lineup of 10 from their brand and the illustration for the post featuring Senreve too. Clearly the brand is pushing their bags in as very subtle manner through social media but the reviews on purse forum are horrendous.
Agreed about Senreve. I don’t have a problem with Senreve marketing to sell their products… it just get tiresome to see all the youtubers gifted the bags at the same time and then to see them all over the Purse Blog.
Not an AD, we’ve just found their bags to hold up well in all weather! I get what you’re saying though, I see their bags all over as well
Finally: Eric Javits.
Bao Bao Issey Miyake is PVC and would probably good in the rain? I’m not sure as I don’t have one.
No because there is mesh that holds the PVC triangles together
I have an old Gucci crossbody that is coated canvas and it’s wonderful for bad weather. Also a fan of the Prada Saffiano leather too.
I reach out for my Longchamp nylon totes when it’s raining.
My favorite wet-weather bag is LeSportSac crossbody
I tell ya, nothing beats the rain like a Prada nylon backpack and a Longchamp tote ?
The Goyard St Louis is also great for rainy days.
Hermes Herbag in berline canvas is great as well! I also don’t worry too much about watermarks on LV vachetta trim since it will all patina over time and blend together.
I was caught in a pouring rain when using my black Balenciaga city for the first time. In a minute it was soaking wet and I thought it was ruined. As soon as I got home I cleaned it with a white cloth and filled the inside with white paper towels. It was dripping water and nearly felt like cardboard. But I was surprised to see it totally back to normal when it dryed. It reminded me that when I was a teen aged girl and I was not yet using designer bags but only good quality leather bags, I did not care whether it rained or not. I used my bags everyday whether it rained or not and I can’t remember ever ruining one. Now that I use designer bags I am more cautious of the weather and there are bags I will not use if it rains, like those in fragile lambskin, exotic skins, box leather, etc. For instance I will not wear my Chanel lambskin bags, but I never met any issue with those in caviar leather.