1. Coach shoulder bag // 2. The Cambridge Satchel Company shoulder bag // 3. MICHAEL Michael Kors monogrammed tote // 4. Loeffler Randall navy blue handbag // 5. Kate Spade tote bag // 6. Madewell orange tote
Dear Andi,
I am on the hunt for a new handbag and was hoping you could recommend a few good places/ designers to look at. I want something that is classic, medium in size that I can use for a while. Crossbody/shoulder is also ideal considering I will be strapping a baby to my chest any day now. JCrew has some nice bags right now, and of course the 3.1 Phillip Lim bag you have is awesome. I’m just curious if you would point me in any other directions?
-Nancy, NYC
Dear Nancy,
I certainly can recommend a few options that are both classic and can work for someone with a new baby that wants something a bit more stylish than the typical diaper bag. The top handle bag with a cross-body strap is not only the ideal silhouette for this fall, but they also are perfect to be hands free when you are also toting a baby!
While I can wax poetically about designer bags that may be what you would normally want and are so tempting like Celine and Saint Laurent, the reality is that with a new baby, those would become pieces solely for display in your closet. Designers like Michael Kors, Coach, and of course J.Crew have reasonable price points that you won’t be afraid to stuff it with baby wipes.
Also, if you’re a fan of my 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag but don’t want to break the bank with a new baby coming, check out his new bag collection for Target. For $54.99, you can’t beat this for a baby bag—or feel guilty when there’s spit up on it.
The cross-body strap on all of these bags is also ideal if you plan on going back to work, as you can remove it or tuck it in when you want to look professional or even take your bag into the evening hours.
{See additional picks below}
Thank you so much, Liz! You are spot on, as always. I am definitely tempted by the likes of Celine, but concerned that by the time I could get some real use out of it, we’ll be a few seasons past. Your suggestions are right up my alley. Thanks, Hun!
That Madewell tote isn’t my usual style at all but it’s SO SO beautiful–I’m obsessed!!