5 bags I'll be wearing all spring and summer
With links to secondhand options so we can be twins!
Welcome to the Esther Studio newsletter! I’m Carly, PhD, a marketing professor and jewelry designer living in the Midwest. This newsletter is my bold, sincere, down-to-earth take on personal style. Thanks for being here. Consider subscribing so you don’t miss a post!
As the academic year winds down, I’ve been unceremoniously packing away most of my teaching clothes. It’s not that I don’t love these clothes, but I’m ready for a change. This semester has been especially busy for me, so as I exhale and shift into summer mode, I’m trying to dress the part. This means attending to one of my favorite clothing categories: handbags!
I usually switch out my bags on a day-to-day basis, but there are huge seasonal shifts in which ones I reach for. In the fall and winter, I’m deep in teaching mode and I need a bag that can stylishly haul around all my Work Stuff (i.e., snacks). In spring and summer, both my schedule and clothing are far more casual. This means my bags will either lean into the casual vibe, or add some fun or polish to balance things out.
In today’s post, I’m sharing five bags I’ll be wearing all spring and summer. My goal is to give you some warm-weather accessory inspiration in case you want to refresh your own collection.
That being said, over the past several months I’ve been realizing, more and more, that bags are one of the easiest and best things to thrift. One reason for this is that you can buy a bag online and not have to worry about whether it fits. There are some great deals to be had in both the trend-forward and vintage worlds, on all manner of secondhand shopping platforms.
For this reason, to encourage you to thrift with me, with each bag I mention below, I’ll be sharing links to current secondhand listings as well as guidance on how to navigate your options. Let me know if you snag anything from this curation!
1. Brown leather fringe tote
This bag doesn’t scream “summer,” I realize, but hear me out. It’s a recent addition to my wardrobe and I think it will be absolutely perfect for adding texture and interest to simple summer outfits (think: a midi skirt, t-shirt, and sandals).
The size is perfect for everyday essentials and then some, which means I have been using it for work but I know it will follow me into the city for a day of gallery-hopping. There are also several interior pockets to keep me organized.
If you see this bag and think you might not be enough of a cowgirl/cowperson to pull it off, I urge you to consider the power of fringe danglies blowing in the breeze on a warm day. This look is enough to bring out the country in anyone.
Secondhand scene
My bag is the B-Low the Belt “Twiggy.” There are a few Twiggys in black on Poshmark here and here. Apparently they also made a blue version and a camel version. Oh wait, here’s cream too!
You don’t have to look hard to find other enticing fringe options. Here’s a cute black fringe backpack from B-Low the Belt. This brown crossbody from Fossil is fun if you don’t need as much storage. And this woven crossbody would be amazing on someone with a boho vibe!
2. Nylon crossbody bag
If you’re a certain kind of online Millennial or Gen Z person, you know this bag at first glance. The Baggu crescent bag is a cultural staple for a reason. It’s lightweight, suspiciously roomy, waterproof, and washable. It’s stylish without being too trendy. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to adjust to your day’s outfit and mood - and the brand even sells a version with a longer strap for plus-sized folks!
My navy version (in medium) is rather subdued. The brand makes many colors and patterns, which rotate on a seasonal basis, so if you’re in the mood for something louder, you’re sure to find it. If you don’t need as much space, the small crescent bag is the girl for you. I happen to have one in red.
I use this bag for casual days around town, but it has really earned its keep by being a vacation bag. Last summer, I took it to New York City, San Diego, and Scotland, and it worked for pretty much every tourist context. It also folds up quite small to fit in a suitcase.
As you can tell, I’m a fan!
Secondhand scene
The internet is a sea of gently used medium crescents and their larger and smaller sisters. You really can’t go wrong! That being said, you’ll get gouged if you try to buy “rare” Baggu colors and patterns secondhand. A new medium crescent will set you back $56, but I have seen people charge $200 for in-demand styles. I would not advise you to do this, but please follow your heart.
In terms of my medium-sized picks, you can’t go wrong with candy apple red, but I also love bubblegum pink. If you don’t mind a little markup for the sake of a cute pattern, I love this wavy take on gingham.
In the small size, this baby-blue cutie is embroidered with some wonderfully girly imagery, while this black one is embroidered with multicolored hearts. Keeping to solid colors, this teal number has a matching teal strap.
3. Wicker picnic basket
A couple of summers ago, all the YouTube fashion folks were going nuts over basket bags. I gave into the hype and bought one that, unfortunately, ended up not really working for me. It was pretty big, a little unruly, and didn’t have any interior pockets.
Recently, when I walked into a thrift store and locked eyes with this Kate Spade picnic basket, I instantly knew it would make the perfect replacement for my ill-fated tote of yore (which has found a new home with one of my students).
This bag is more compact and sturdy. It even has little feet to protect the wicker. There’s a small inner pocket, but I haven’t felt the need to use it. The cloth top closes with a drawstring, which is all the safety I need for my daily suburban outings.
Since I’ve been wearing it out and about, I’ve noticed it’s a real Personality Bag and an attention-grabber. People will comment on it, in a positive way, and that leads to all sorts of conversations about thrifting. It’s been nice.
This bag was a huge lesson in seeing potential in what could be viewed as “broken.” It’s missing the crossbody strap. I don’t know if it even needs that strap, to be honest, as I love the top handles. I ended up making little charms for the left-behind D-rings, and they make the bag feel more personal. A wonderful thrift find!
With straw and wicker bags, more than others, I would consider your needs and preferences. I’ve noted that construction, closures, and size make a difference. There is also a consideration I can only describe as “level of floppiness.” My personal recommendation is to err on the smaller side for everyday, but there are some fun larger options if your day includes a trip to the beach.
Secondhand scene
You can find “my” Kate Spade wicker bag - with different cloth patterns - here and here, albeit the prices ($200) are quite a bit more than the $30 I paid at my local thrift!
We can do better than that. Here’s a little cutie with a pearl handle for $35. I love the black leather trim on this one for $75. The chunky vibe of this one, for $40, feels different somehow.
That being said, if you’re looking to really splurge, this Kate Spade frog is perfection. I’ll take one for each hand.
4. Quilted cotton tote bag
As much as I love a leather bag, if you’re doing any sort of clomping around on an especially hot day, the material can feel a bit heavy. For those occasions, I’ll be reaching for this quilted cotton tote bag I recently purchased from none other than Vera Bradley.
This is not a cool-girl brand, but my cool-girl students have informed me she’s due for a comeback, and I’ll bite.
I must have missed Vera Bradley’s original reign - maybe she wasn’t big in Canada? - but my internet sleuthing tells me the company dates back to 1982 and was a hit among sorority girls in the oughts.
I love the happy patterns and sturdy construction. Everything feels substantial and considered.
This green floral motif is so summer-coded that it fits only a specific time on the calendar, so I’m determined to get lots of use out of it.
One delightful surprise about this bag is the ample pocket situation. There is a small exterior pocket that fits my phone perfectly, and there are multiple interior pockets - one with a zipper, and a few without. This stops the rather large main compartment from becoming a black hole for your belongings.
Secondhand scene
Vera’s secondhand options are endless, but I think the challenge comes in picking a pattern. Many of the brand’s shapes and patterns feel a bit dated, but among the selection are some real treasures. You’ve gotta scroll a bit to find what you’re drawn to. No matter, as this is a fun activity. I’ve picked out a few fun options in different shapes and sizes for all sorts of summer adventures!
This red one has lots of pockets and a zipper closure.
Pink and green is a perfect color combination. Is that ruffle trim on the pocket?
Purple and green paisley with a toggle closure.
Classic floral in fuchsia, orange, and green!
I think this blue and pink floral number is my favorite.
5. Hand-me-down evening bag
I have a soft spot for granny-coded evening bags.
I’ve been fortunate to receive several hand-me-downs from both of my late grandmothers, and I’ll cherish them forever.
I’ve been reaching for this floral jacquard cutie quite a bit recently. Admittedly, I don’t leave my house in the evenings very much, but that doesn’t stop me from carting this bag around for daytime activities, like a recent graduation brunch.
It has a chain handle and what I’ve learned is called a “kiss” closure. The pouch is just big enough for the essentials, and carrying it by hand makes me feel whimsical yet somehow also proper.
One approach to styling this type of bag is to not worry too much about how it matches with everything else. It can dress up a more casual outfit or, as I tried above, ground a high-contrast outfit. I also love pairing the floral pattern with other patterns. I think wearing it in a way that breaks my grandmothers’ fashion rules is a way of keeping it modern and playful.
This bag isn’t new to me, but it’s only in the past year that it’s become a part of my bag rotation. From this experience, I’ve learned that it’s okay to hold onto sentimental pieces that don’t serve much of a purpose. One day they might, but even if they don’t, it’s nice to have a physical connection to the past. I think of my grandmother every time I wear this bag, and I love that.
Secondhand scene
If you want to get grandma-chic style but you’re lacking the hand-me-downs, the internet is here for you. I found some cute options in jacquard and other fabrics, just waiting for your next trip to the grocery store.
I’d say this one is my bag’s sister. What about beaded bags? We’ve got this one in black with a silver chain, and here’s a sweet lil white sequined number. I’m extremely tempted by this orange leather clutch.
Summertime, I’m ready for you
Phew, that was fun!
I hope you can sense my enthusiasm for the wide-open, warm-weather months ahead. It’s definitely going to be a nice change, and I look forward to keeping you posted on all the outfits. In the meantime, I’d love to hear about what you’re excited for this summer. What will you be doing, and what handbag(s) will you be wearing? Let me know in the comments below!