When I buy a bag, one of the biggest factors I take into consideration before taking the plunge is versatility. I want to know that I can wear my bag in multiple scenarios and that I can carry it nearly anywhere I go. Being able to dress a bag up or down has become a necessity for my bag purchases, and if I can’t wear a bag on different occasions, the likelihood is that I am not going to buy it.
Earlier this year I purchased a large Saint Laurent Envelope bag, which has subsequently become one of my favorite bags in my collection. I’ve downsized quite a bit of what I carry around on a day-to-day basis and the Envelope bag is the culprit of why I have taken a break from my beloved totes. I’ve raved about this bag before and have shown how I’ve styled it, but I have been carrying it nonstop recently and have realized just how much it goes with everything (including leggings!).
The Office
My office is business casual, which I am thankful for because I am not very formal. I paired my Envelope bag with a leopard print turtleneck under a black swing dress. It has gotten very cold in the DC area, so tights were a necessity. I opted to pair this outfit with a pair of black booties, but a pair of flats or knee-high boots would have worked as well.
Date Night
My husband and I are homebodies for the most part, but we love a good date night. We wanted to try a new restaurant in town, and my Saint Laurent Envelope bag was my bag of choice. I kept it casual in a pair of jeans, black booties, and a cheetah blouse. I also paired the look with my favorite red coat for a pop of color. The tan color of my Saint Laurent has me wanting to wear it with cheetah all day, every day.
Casual
I am not shy about the fact that I wish I could live in leggings and I wear them whenever possible. Last weekend was the opportune time because I was going on a mini road trip to get to a friend’s wedding. For the car ride, I kept it super casual in black leggings, Vans sneakers, a tank top and a camouflage jacket. I knew I wanted to wear a bag to elevate the look and the Saint Laurent Envelope definitely fit the bill. Even though the only people who saw me wear this were my husband and the people checking me into the hotel, I felt happy about being comfortable and having my beloved bag by my side. It’s a good reminder for me that a bag can make me feel dressed up, even in leggings.
I love my Saint Laurent Envelope bag so much and cannot recommend it more! Do you have a bag that you just can’t stop wearing on repeat?
Listen Guys and Gals, she is stating what she likes about her bag and how she wears it with different outfits. Honestly, these are some of the snarkiest, “mean girl” comments I have read in awhile. If she loves it then let her love it! She wasn’t asking “What do you think about my bag on my body”? She was asking “Do you have a bag that you just can’t stop wearing on repeat”? I’m sure that we all wear bags that someone doesn’t think flatters us; however, what would be your opinion if someone made nasty comments about it to your face? I feel that if everyone was honest it would hurt to some degree. Presumably, we are all adults, but why do “adults” feel that they need to be so bitchy and mean??!!??
I think the bag looks nice with your date night outfit…BUT the other two outfits killed me…
The bag looks so out of place with your casual outfit that it looks photoshopped in ?? And that huge logo to be used as a work bag is so gaudy! I kind of cringed looking at the photos
I agree with Etaile…but I do not even like the bag with the date night outfit – sorry 😀
If her bag looks “nice with her date night outfit” then how can it look “gaudy” as a work bag? She said her work atmosphere is casual so how can this bag not be perfect in a casual work environment? Also, for future reference your words are harsh; there is a nicer way to say things.
I don’t consider a huge gold logo “casual” or “workplace appropriate” (even in a relaxed setting). It’s just an opinion ? I’ll remember to be nicer next time, mom! Sorry about that ?
Blog pieces like these are great! It makes such a difference to see a bag outside of an (often sterile) retail setting. Thanks for making the effort!
And as an avid tote user, I’m marveling at the ease of your transition to a structured bag. My Prada shoulder bag goes everywhere with me (work, church, concert, dinner, drinks). The boxier options in my closet (LV Saint Germain, Delvaux Tempete) can languish for months!
I have the opposite issue. I mostly carry smaller, structured bags and I don’t even know what to do with my bigger bags anymore!
Your date night outfit is delightful. I think boxy structured bags look more formal and logos are fine in a non-judgemental workplace. Personally I prefer soft, non-structured bags with leggings but most of all I applaud your courage in opening yourself up to internet comments. Please don’t let the negative ones stop you.
Great choice for your date night ensemble. I agree that for leggings days a more casual bag would be a good look.
TOO BIG ON YOU
You look great in all 3 outfits!
It just doesn’t work…maybe a couple sizes smaller
I think you look great with your bag. I think if you like wear as you choose. I go on one date a year with my spouse so if I only saved my bags for date night I’m not doing my bags justice. Love the bag.
Something odd about the bag that I can’t put my finger on it. It looks like folded cardboard on a chain.
I am not a fan of the Envelope bag so I am probably biased but I think it is way too structured for the casual look and sort of ruins it. The bag looks pretty good with the date night look though for me for date night, I go a bit dressier but this bag could work with dressier. The bag is fine for an office but as styled here, it looks way too big for the wearer even though I am feeling the rest of the office look. The office outfit would definitely work at my most recent job but not at the stodgy Fortune 500 company or law firm that are my former employers
It is very large on your small frame! It looks more like an object you’ve chosen to lug around versus a practical accessory that compliments your outfit.
You look so stylish in all three outfits, I love the way you composed all these looks! Your hair is beautiful too, that doesn’t exactly hurt!
This bag is TDF. I love the oversized look of it too. You’ll be thankful for choosing this size the minute the current mini bag trend starts to fade.
I think Saint Laurent is the NEXT Chanel in terms of the ICONIC factor! If the brand keeps on maintaining the great price points along with superb quality then pretty soon it will be way ahead of Chanel as people will flock to the brand. So far it is doing great by releasing beautiful unique designs. I just hope they don’t come out with too many varieties that it gets confusing.
The bag’s colour is such a great neutral and you look great in all the 3 outfits with your bag. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense when pple said oh the bag is too big on your frame. If I have to carry a lot but I have a small body frame, do I carry multiple small bags at one go to carry all that I need just because a smaller bag looks better? Let’s own our own feelings and let others do what they love. If everyone thinks and looks the same then what is the point of this blog?
I think you look fantastic in all three outfits with this bag…and maybe I’m a little biased because I have it too and it is my absolute favorite! In fact, I just ordered it in Dark Smog, as well. I get more compliments on this bag! I really love the structure of this bag and find myself carrying it most of the time these days. I do switch to a tote with more casual outfits, and a YSL wallet-on-chain for dressier occasions. My standard “uniform” is dark jeans, boots, and a blouse, and I think this bag works great with those outfits.
Think you do a great job of showing the versatility of the bag. I love the color. I love big bags! Go big or go home 🙂