I can’t believe that I’ve been curating my bag collection for over 14 years! At 28 years old that’s half of my life. Though I consider my first big bag to be my Louis Vuitton Speedy as it was the first bag I received as a young adult, my first premier designer bag was really my mini Dior Saddle Bag. I was only a kid in a middle school when I decided that I must have that bag, and I saved up every penny of my babysitting money and my small allowance to be able to buy it for myself. It’s crazy to think of how my bag collection has grown since then. I have about 20 bags now, a good mix of designer and contemporary. I’ve sold off 3 bags that I didn’t use but other than that I find it really, really hard to part with any of my bags. My mini Dior Saddle bag is the perfect example of why I never want to part with a bag! Until this year, it had been ten years since I last carried that bag at my Senior Prom, yet something inside me would not let her go. Boy am I glad I didn’t!
Though I used my little Dior bag just yesterday, it sat collecting dust in my closet for ten whole years, which got me thinking. What bag out of my current collection would I keep to carry for the rest of my life if I could only have just one? I love all of my bags so the choice is tough, but currently, the only bag in my closet that is and has remained a classic is my Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 25. Last week I dug deep into my bag bin to take her out for a whirl alongside my new leopard dress and tan teddy coat. I really adored the outfit overall and it made me miss the days when I would carry that bag everyday! I hadn’t used it in probably over a year, and I resolved to carry it more this year. It’s a true classic and at ten years old I guess it’s considered vintage at this point? I’m confident in saying that I would be comfortable carrying that bag everyday for the rest of my bag-loving years if I had to, though I will say I’m glad I don’t actually have to pick just ONE! If you had to pick one bag in your current collection to be your one and only for life, which one would you pick?
My vintage black Hermes Kelly 32. I find myself carrying it a lot because it’s roomy, can be worn crossbody if necessary, and it has such a great classic look.
OMG I can’t choose! It’d be like choosing a favorite child.
Birkin 25cm black ghw. ben with me for ages before the 25cm craze 2007 i think…. perfect always and aside from an evening clutch can go with everything so…. i don’t think i would need any other bag ever.
I don’t own one but I think that I would pick a black Hermes Kelly, 30cm maybe? 35? 25? Never tried one on, would pick the one that looks best on me! With palladium hardware. Whatever leather that is most durable.
oooh great choice!
A black Chanel classic flap. Can be dressed up or down, carried any season (or in day or evening), and always projects a certain cachet
No question — my LV Trevi PM. It’s a beautifully constructed DE bag with details like pleating and folds, round (not flat) handles, the right shoulder strap length, and even a zipper that deters pickpockets. Plus it’s waterproof and will hold a surprising amount without being bulky.
Grey botkier camera bag. (I’m not a big spender. But I’d consider spending if I could only have one. And it would be simple small black back. Maybe a kelly or SDJ. Or just a black camera bag)
Played a game with my friends the other night at dinner, but it was about shoes. If you could only wear three pairs of your current shoes for the rest of your life…
I’m with P, a black Hermes Kelly. Or pretty much any classic Hermes bag. I don’t own a Kelly, but would run out and buy one if this new rule gets put in place. Just let me know because I have been looking for a rock solid justification to convince my husband that I NEED a Kelly. 🙂
I’ve had a black,Chanel, medium flap, caviar with shw for 20 years-so would choose that one. Surprisingly, still looks pretty good! It cost $1198. in those days which I thought was a king’s ransom and decided to hold on to it, no matter what!
My Mon Monogram Louis Vuitton Neverfull
This is the hardest question ever!!! Just ONE?!!!?? I find it hard to choose a top five!
It’d have to be a black bag. Either my black drummed leather Celine Nano Luggage OR my black lambskin chevron Chanel bucket. They hold all I need in a day. And I’d use LuLu Lemon tote or Strand Bookstore tote for extras.
Givenchy Pandora or maybe just my Longchamp backpack.
It would have to be my longchamp 2.0 crossbody bag. Gorgeous and lightweight. So versatile and polished looking. Love this bag to bits!
Speedy 25 bandouliere all the way … I own one in the empriente leather and adore it because it’s so, so pretty and it’s very “daily drive” functional paired with my bag organizer!
I second this choice. My speedy b 25 empriente. Fits everything but can be dressed up too. 3 way wear. A red that is just so beautiful. ?
LV Sofia Coppola PM!
id like to plead the fifth
Instinct told me it would be my Gucci Disco Soho bag. It looks small but it can fit a lot including a small umbrella. I love it and have it in 3 colors.
However, realistically it might be my Longchamp Le Pliage Neo in black. Though the Disco fits a lot, it doesn’t work for me as a travel bag. The Longchamp also has the advantage of being lightweight which means no shoulder pains and waterproof which can weather rain and snow. It looks nice enough to work as an office bag and you can wear it crossbody if you want to look casual. It really is a versatile little thing.
The Row Hunting 9.
birk
My Birkin 40.
LV Graceful PM in Damier Ebene with attached cross-body strap.
This would be a tough race between a black SHW M Reg Alexa and LC Le Pliage Medium Cuir. Not sure who would win. Probably Alexa, since I can fit my everyday essentials in it and it also works for evenings.
…maybe one of my Herve Chapelier nylon totes? Made in France. Hardy as all out 🙂
Same here – my Speedy 30 (I need the extra space) bandolier in damier ebene would be my choice. Durable, goes with everything and fits a ton.
Proenza Schouler PS1, in medium gunmetal leather and hardware.
easy : black gucci nymphea in the small size
Black Kelly 25/28 sellier Epsom with palladium hardware, Black birkin 25 Epsom palladium, or Constance 24 Black Epsom with palladium or rose gold hardware.
I really like the durability and structure Epsom gives the bag. Although I’m careful with my bags so I could do with and but box calf really but in a Kelly it would HAVE to be sellier style, regardless of the leather. Not into slouchy relaxed looks.
My Launer London Royale in ruby red patent. She’s utterly perfect.
My Chanel Classic Flap Bag—jumbo size, GHW, can be dressed up and down, I actually have a hard time once I wear it to try to get it off and go for something else because its looks great with everything and instantly “chic up” any outfit. My second choice would be my Balenciaga City- large with rose gold hardware- I just love it and its so so comfy and fits everything and easy to carry 🙂
Perhaps a bit dramatic but this is literally how I feel every time I go on a trip, haha.
My medium Chloe Marcie bag. I love my Louis bags but the Marcie is the perfect size, goes with everything and is the best bag I have ever bought. I know a lot of people think it’s out of style but it’s unique, I don’t see many other people with it and it looks great whether I am dressed up or down. My damier speedy 25 comes in a close 2nd.
Balenciaga city for sure!
Tough choice. Neverfull in damier ebene or my Black Antigona.
I would say my Chanel medium flap bag (black/SHW) is my HG that I would never sell or let go of…for pratical purposes, and because I travel so much for work, my neverfull has been my most used bag. Six years and going strong.
Delvaux Le Pin, black
Hmm either my Fendi Boston bag or Alexander McQueen Heroine… both are favorites
My Chanel Boy bag. Can be used for pretty much every thing I guess except very formal events :0 Mine is the medium so it does not hold much. Would love to have Classic Jumbo. I think that would be more suitable.
My Chanel Diana medium size. I bought a small one to sell but hated having to part with it. So when a medium came along I just kept it. It’s a good size and being black it’s more versatile. There’s just something about it that screams true love for me.
Mine would have to be a small Lady Dior or Diorama bag.
My DA Lous Vuitton Hampstead. Holds everything, sturdy, yet elegant!
I’d have to say my Kelly 28 in this lovely blue gray. At first, I didn’t think I’d like the hassle of opening & closing the thing, but I quickly adapted. For my petite & short frame, this size has been just perfect. It fits everything I can think of to carry, & I find myself frequently reaching for it, when considering my handbag closet choices. I would love a Kelly 28 in any color, really! But, if I had a Chanel classic flap bag in black, that would probably be a better choice, like others have mentioned. I’m in no hurry to get one (especially with the recent issues, pointed out on this blog with Chanel), but “Hello!” – Gucci is having a moment!! So much to choose from, so little time & resources, I have at this stage of my life! Sigh! But it all started with a hand-me-down Gucci I snagged from my wealthy college roommate, who wanted the next latest thing…….back in 1985! Ha!
Im planning to get a Speedy 25 in Azur this summer. This article and comments prove I’m right. 😛 One bag is too difficult. But experience with my collection of designer & contemporary bags has told me – mid-sized shoulder bag which is most expensive, neutral with a dash of character would be my go to bag!
Balenciaga Day Hobo. I even carried it when I was hiking lol.
Just got back from Spain with a great Hermes story. We started in Madrid and I was offered an 18 cm black Constance. We then went to Barcelona and I was offered a 25 cm black Kelly bag! I’ve been collecting for years and appreciate how difficult it is to acquire these bags. I would definitely carry my new Kelly with crossbody cavale strap as my one and only.
Shoot ME First!!! Sadly I couldn’t choose…
Not easy for me as I have both designer & contemporary bags. Don’t think I can choose as I change my bag every 4 to 6 weeks to rotate my bags.