Our Bags Are An Extension of Ourselves, But What Makes a Bag Feel Like ‘You?’

“It’s very me,” I told a friend after showing off my latest handbag acquisition. Said friend studied my bag (more on that soon, promise!) and immediately nodded her head in agreement.

Though not a handbag or a luxury brand aficionado, my friend, who has a unique and ultra-curated personal style herself, immediately understood. Relaxed and casual, yet sleek and chic enough to feel fashionable, with a fun metallic finish, the bag felt quintessentially me at first glance.

Our bags are not only an essential part of our lives, meant to carry our most precious cargo from place to place, but they’re also an extension of ourselves. Those who have that innate love for bags and love for collecting know what I mean. A bag is so much more than just a bag, but what makes a bag really feel like you?

Do You Define Your Personal Style?

For starters, when it comes to our clothing and accessories feeling like true extensions/expressions of oneself, it often comes from how you describe your personal style (whether you realize it or not). Are you more modern preppy or classic preppy? Maybe you’re sporty yet elevated or casual yet cool. Personal style is such a unique, individual thing. Something very different for everyone.

Be your own inspiration. Try new things, embrace change, and don’t get too caught up in wearing all the trends in all the ways they are meant to be worn. It can be hard to feel like your style is truly personal when an almost-constant stream of outfits, products, and trends are coming at us from every angle, but style evolves with time, and I’ve found that the older I get, the less I care about what other people think.

When You Know, You Just Know

I wear what I like when I like, and as long as it makes me feel good, I am happy. Getting older has helped me explain how I dress in many ways by embracing my individuality and ever-changing mood. The older I get, the more I realize that I don’t have to fit into a certain box. My style isn’t necessarily something I can specifically describe or define, but I always know when something just feels like me.

While last year I asked if you’ve ever bought a bag that didn’t necessarily fit your style, musing on how much I loved the ladylike look of the Khaite Agnes bag but wasn’t sure if it really would work with my day to day. These days, I’ve come to realize if I’ve I’m having any doubts or second-guessing, the item probably isn’t for me.

When I know, I just know, and even in the last year, I’ve evolved even further toward trusting my gut/intuition.

What do you think? Can you define what makes a bag feel like you?