Kate Spade makes an elegant, neutral flap bag

It seems like nearly every brand is making some version of the chain-handled flap bag notoriously popularized by Chanel decades ago, and for people who love the look but don’t want to pay Chanel prices, it couldn’t be more conveniently. Particularly when brands like Kate Spade get in on the fun – Spade’s ladylike aesthetic works perfectly with the scale and feel of a flap bag.

The Kate Spade Evangeline Shoudler Bag is an especially lovely specimen. The taupe color might skew a little bit into old lady territory, but I’m hoping that in person, it would be a very modern greige. If that were the case, I’d be able to get behind this bag 100%.

This bag may not be particularly glamourous or fun to buy, but it’s the sort of design that everyone woman should have in her wardrobe, just in case. It’s neutral, medium-sized and relatively trend-resistent, which means that should you need need to go to a job interview or other quasi-professional function in the future that didn’t require a large bag, this would be your go-to option. It’s not too showy or too obviously expensive like a Chanel flap bag, and the price is much more palatable. Buy through Zappos Couture for $395.