Just like trends ebb and flow, there are many of us whose style does the same, and I certainly fall into that category. 10 (or even 5) years is a long time, and depending on the point you are at in your life, those periods of time can feel like an eternity. Personally, I’ve grown immensely in the last 10 years, as 20 to 30 is an incredibly big jump and a pivotal point in one’s life. Jumping from young adulthood into being a fully self-sufficient woman, many things have changed in the last decade, including my style.
I started running religiously in college and as a result my style slowly morphed into being less dressy and refined, and more casual and sporty. It was a slow, yet easy transition as I would often stylize leggings or sneakers to make my life easier at the end of the day. I began loving and collecting sneakers more and more, and as my style morphed into what it is today, I began to gravitate towards different styles of bags too. Carryalls that were better suited for day to day wear and could be dressed down more often than up became staples in my closet.
Though I was able to make most of my bags transition along with me (while also parting with a few), I also acquired the majority of my collection as my style was evolving, and I definitely feel like everything I have now just works really well. That being said, I struggle to diversify my collection sometimes because I find certain styles to be too structured or stuffy to mesh with my laid back looks. Case in point, the Khaite Agnes bag.
I loved the Khaite Agnes bag at first site, and when I spotted it in beautiful dark brown, I immediately became even more obsessed. Maybe it’s that the leather looks so lush and soft, or maybe it’s that the shape is delicate and beautiful, but whatever it may be I simply adore this bag. I love the idea of a brand that’s a bit more under the radar and a style that’s slightly more nondescript, but I also don’t know what I would do with this bag.
How would I style it? Would it work with my day to day aesthetic? The structured, framed silhouette feels too dressy and ladylike for me, and typically when I shop I try to think about outfits I’d put together with item in question. I like to assess if it will work with things I already own to figure out if I’ll get enough use out of it or if I’d need a whole new wardrobe to make one thing work. If it’s the latter it’s usually a hard pass for me. And though I feel I should pass on this bag, I also feel like I’d do anything to make it work.
Have you ever been dead set on a bag that didn’t quite feel like you? Did you buy it or did you pass it by?
omg I suddenly found myself obsessed with the exact same bag! the suede looks so perfect, I WANT IT
Love this bag! I actually bought the Mansur Gavriel Elegant bag (similar vibe) in blush pink patent leather of all things…totally not my style. I’m a neutral, cross body, sometimes slouchy tote kinda gal. I’ve only used it once but it sure is nice to look at. As does this one…
Yes, Chanel Reissue. Always wanted, got it and nope doesn’t fit my life style but will keep it forever!
I love the idea of this bag, and it is one that I have been coveting for a while. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it would annoy me in practice. I do not like more than like 2 compartments. There are a lot of pockets and compartments. The structure doesn’t lend itself to putting that much stuff in there without a lot of purse Tetris. So it makes it the sort of bag I wouldn’t want to use day to day. And at that price it needs to be a daily driver. I’d end up being annoyed because I wouldn’t be able to fit oddly sized things I carry often (reusable bags, not optimized sizes of hand lotion……)
do you mind sharing how it doesn’t fit your lifestyle? people seem to say chanel reissue is so easy to use, casual, less formal than classic flap – would you say that’s true?
Yes what you stated above were what made me think it would fit my style perfectly. But then I didn’t know my style back then. Here are why I think it doesn’t fit my life style.
– I came to realized I don’t really love flap bag and double flap doesn’t help neither.
– I think it made me look older, dressier and too serious
– The metal strap is not my cup of tea. It is not painful to wear but not that comfortable either.
– Now I know that my style is a mix of casual and boho and I like to wear bag crossbody so is not really the nice way to carry this bag.
– Since before the pandemic I mostly work at home and less and less going out. And when I do I want something even more casual or just a simple clutch.
I do love the bag, and think that at some point I will enjoy using it more. No regret here.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! It’s a big decision and a lot of $$$$. I’ve always eyed the chevron reissue..
I thought “what a cute bag”, but at $1,880 it’s beyond my financial ability.
At least you recognize that, I’m like hmmm I can make that work for the price point (I really can’t)
Yes. I’ll experiment with a “cheap” version of a new shape to test it out. If It suits me I’ll consider buying a high end in the same style. If it doesn’t work out at least I didn’t spend a lot. It’s good to try new styles otherwise your wardrobe can become monotonous.
I 100% agree!
I love that idea!
I do the same. It’s my approach with styles I’m not sure will be functional and colors that intrigue but are I outside of my comfort zone.
I recently bought a bucket bag from Elizabeth & James, and I LOVE it. The bucket bag always gives me a bohemian vibe which is the complete opposite of my style (ie. I own 4 leather Moto jackets). I typically carry either utilitarian-esque bags or very ladylike. The utilitarian-style goes with my wardrobe. The ladylike style I will use to soften my outfits.
Personally I’m not a big fan of frame bags, so I wouldn’t prefer this either. However, I’d totally recommend Khaite’s Maude Crossbody (if you’d like Crossbody) or the Amelia Tote (if you’d prefer a tote) because Khaite’s leather is just too smooshy to let go.
The leather looks to die for!
It certainly seems like it!
To simply answer the title question, yes and I always ended up getting rid of it because that deep attraction wasn’t there from the get go. Bags are like men.
Ha! I love this comparison!
Why does the link go to Net-A-Porter instead of the brand’s website? I find many PB links do this. If a brand intrigues me, I want to explore their site with their full product range and story – not a reseller.
In the future please link directly to brand sites.
Is it really so difficult or inconvenient to just google the site you want? Some of us like shopping at resellers.
I find that usually when I buy a bag (shoes, sweater, dress) that is outside my usual style, it sits in my closet. Sometimes its works and I love it – but usually not.
Hi Kaitlin,
I have bought several bags over the course of my obsession with great bags that didn’t suit my style or my life (the privilege of getting older is that you have plenty of mistakes to recount.) I am always in a battle of who I want to be vs who I actually am. They generally end up in my closet looking a little lonely because I chose a different bag over them almost every time. Eventually, I end up giving most those bags away. However, I still have a few that every time I look at them I fall in love again, and I will take them out and use them for a day or so just because convenience and style be damned – it is love.
I’ve always loved handbags made on a “frame”. So classy, so 50’s Grace Kelly ladylike. Happy to see frame bags coming back!