Every now and then (Okay, fairly often, if I’m being honest), I have to pull myself out of a social media hole.
My Instagram screen time goal is set for an hour—don’t ask me how often I stick to it. For that, I blame my algorithm. It usually starts with spotting one item or outfit I envy. From there, I start clicking, saving, and clicking some more—until suddenly I’m scrolling through a random influencer’s friend’s cousin’s daughter who happens to be TikTok famous.
More often than not, I’m especially captivated by the bag collections of these internet-famous fashion stars. Occasionally, I have to remind myself to step back and remember that not everything online is as it seems—but I digress.
When Style Comes Before Practicality
Recently, I came across a photo of an influencer’s handbag collection. It was packed with tiny Chanel Mini Flaps, micro bags, and small shoulder bags. At first, I just wondered, “What on earth could fit in those bags? And where do you store your phone on a night (or day) out?”
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that fashion seems to outweigh function more and more these days.
Designers are catering to the “wow” factor rather than the core purpose of a handbag: carrying your essentials from place to place.
It got me thinking about the bags I own and the purpose they serve. I realized—and I’ve said this here before—that I often shape my belongings around my bags, rather than the other way around. And I started wondering: am I the only one who does this?
The Illusion of the Perfect Handbag
We give up a lot for fashion. While I don’t think we should have to, I can’t help but question whether the “perfect” bag even exists.
Perhaps we’ve just grown accustomed to our bags never being exactly right. I always notice some little flaw: the zipper is tricky, the interior too big so things get lost, the bag slightly heavy, or the strap a bit too short. Somehow, none of my bags ever feels truly flawless.
What do you think? Does the perfect bag even exist?
I have perfect bags for specific times in my life. I think the problem is how we define perfect. We want too much. We want a bag to end all cravings for new bags. Yet we would find it odd to never change the style of our clothing, or to have the same mindset at 20 as 70. Perfect is meeting you where you are at during a given period time. At least for me.
The perfect bag does exist when you get a bespoke that suits your wants and needs.
I think for many there is a big disconnect between the perfect fashion accessory bag and the perfect carry-all. Trying to meld “the look” with “the function” can be a decades-long journey as one hones in on their personal style and needs.
For me, I think I’ve finally hit that sweet spot with the Hermes Halzan!
I find myself using LV Alma a lot. It glides day-to-night. I did add a long strap though, injecting more energy. (Not a web strap, a thin leather one.)
But I can see Herbag being another “perfect” bag in form+functionality. But it needs to be the right, versatile kind of color way.
The Bottega Jodie Small is a flawless everyday bag, imo.
You inspired me to get my Teen Jodie out more often… I haven’t quite found my groove with it.
About 3 months ago, I came across the Louis Vuitton Wilshire PM online. There’s one video online. I went for it. Now, I have three. It’s my perfect bag. Both ladylike and casual which fits my style to a T. These are my only LV bags.
I just googled it. Yes that’s a really nice style. East-west perks it up. And you are right, it has a nice range. Happy for you!
Along with you and many other others here, I find my definition of the perfect bag changes over time. And to think we could just have one bag that was perfect and that would be it. It’s pretty funny for those of us that love handbags.
My hope is always to buy the perfect bag for what I’m buying it for, knowing it will never be perfect, but my standard these days for many things is “good enough” – that’s actually not a low standard, but it relieves the perfectionistic tendencies.
As others here have mentioned the time of life we’re in and how our external circumstances change make perfect different at times. After lockdown, and now WFH I find my need for bigger bags is much reduced. I’m loving small cross bodies and use those at least once every day. I still buy an occasional bigger bag, but brutal honesty is very helpful.
Thanks for the nice article.
Celine Boogie bag and the MaxMara Whitney.