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how many times have you read a blog or watched a video about the bags everyone needs in their closet? more times than you can count, i’m guessing. now, how many times have those bags lasted more than a season or two and actually vibed with your personal aesthetic? you can probably count that on one hand. it can be challenging for wallets and purses and clutches to be a perfect fit for everyone — and yet some styles just seem to stick. why is that?
as a bag designer, i can tell you right now that a bag with staying power has two things going for it: simplicity and functionality. a simple, versatile form that works with a variety of fashions is a boon to anyone’s wardrobe. add to fashion some actual functionality, i.e. a good-looking, well-made bag you can depend on to hold your essentials for years, and people of every style will flock to it.
history shows us that some styles of bag are more enduring than others, so let’s get into it!
before we do a full dive into longtime, versatile fashion essentials, so let’s briefly define ‘essential.’ from a bag designer’s point of view, an essential bag is one you’ll end up carrying time and time again, month after month and even year after year. a literal timeless classic. in other words, trends will come and go but a timeless classic works no matter what happens to be hot at the moment.
a timeless classic can be a color — black never, ever goes out of style. or it can be a beloved pattern — leopard has been a constant in fashion for decades. (so has camo.) and, of course, certain styles of bag have become so popular that they never went away. the bucket bag, for instance, first appeared in the 1940s and is a style that’s still in demand to this day.
no matter your personal style, history shows that you can safely rely on the following wallets and purses (and clutches) to become your style staples.
first invented in the mid-40s, the handled tote is definitely here to stay. i really can’t understate the universal appealof tote bags. their draw is pretty obvious: they’re a true workhorse, offering a large, open space for piling in whatever you need to bring with you for the day. this makes them exceptionally versatile. perfect for work, workouts or travel. — just throw in your stuff and go!
when i introduced the first shortyLOVE tote, i felt i had to correct the failure many totes suffer from: the open top. i adore totes but used to get so frustrated when one would tip over and spill its guts. so i designed in a sturdy top zipper to our medium-sized tillie tote to make iti smarter., problem solved! then i added a few details to make it even better: a flat, structured bottom for easy loading, clever pockets inside and out for organization (including water bottle pockets!), and used a soft but durable, water-resistant nylon to make it comfortable to carry and easy to maintain.. totes genius. you’ll use tillie all the time!
when i introduced our wave quilt collection, i knew right away i’d need to include a great tote, and looked at ways to make it a little different from the tillie. voila! the wave quilted ranger crossbody tote. yes, just like it sounds, it’s a tote you don’t always have to tote — it comes with a removable crossbody strap, so you can free your hands when you need to (ideal for airports)! a total gem. this large tote bag is surprisingly lightweight for its ample size, and features all that lovely organization you want and need on the go. it even supports our colorful boardwalk straps, making it even more versatile wardrobe staple.
the first wallets popped up in the 1600s when paper money was introduced. the clutch dates back at least 700 years, but the style we know so well today got its start in the 1920s during the flapper era — a glittering, bedazzled, beguiling accessory for occasions. after countless style iterations, what the wallet and the clutch have in common today is that both are most often hand-held, tucked under your arm or carried inside larger purses.
given the enduring popularity of both forms, how would i improve on the wallet or clutch so in ways that made sense for modern life? i decided on combining their functionality, designing our
jetty wallet-clutch that it offers the best of both worlds: a streamlined, slim-profile, no-flap, no-bulk exterior with a gusset that creates just enough depth for a phone and minimal essentials (lip gloss, for instance) inside, as well as slots for ID and credit cards, a compartment for cash and a zipped pocket. then i added rfid-blocking to protect against identity theft — a necessity in this day and age. i gave it a high-quality metal zipper that opens wide, with a blush interior that helps you spot what you need. shortyLOVE style is relaxed and designed for every day, which in the case of the jetty is helped along by the satisfying memory foam padding and spot-clean nylon that stands up to use. available in an array of colorways, the jetty is truly a fashion essential for every style.
the very first bag known to man: a utilitarian animal skin or plant fiber pouch designed about 5,000 years ago. at some point in antiquity, someone thought to attach a strap and that pouch could suddenly hang from your neck or waistbelt. maybe that was the first time ‘hands-free is the only way to be’ was spoken in regard to wallets and purses and clutches? we’ll never know for sure! during the enlightenment in europe, the strap of a more refined and delicate silk or velvet pouch was commonly worn cross-body by both women and men — design-wise, that hasn’t changed for centuries, because it works.
i knew when starting my own line of bags that a crossbody bag was a must. the most basic form is successful for a reason: it’s easy to wear and frees your hands. to take that popular style and evolve it to be completely shortyLOVE, i did three things: 1. design using a soft, high-quality, easy-wearing nylon for comfort and durability with an everyday, relaxed aesthetic. 2. streamline the design to eliminate busy design elements, so that it works with whatever you’re wearing — keep it simple! 3. offer a range of sizes so that you have the right capacity for your day — creating a fashion essential for every style and size.
much like other wallets, purses and clutches, i recommend choosing a crossbody size that matches your needs. just carrying essentials? the shorthand phone bag is small but mighty, providing the perfect amount of space to carry and organize your phone, credit cards and small whats-its for errands, dog walks or a coffee date with friends. another option for carrying less: our small cruiser, which also functions as an on-the-go wallet and phone bag. need to go big, like for work or travel? when you have to lug a lot, lug it well with our large wonder. no added weight, sits comfortably at your hip and has adjustable and removable straps for added comfort and style — a helpful, modern wonder! for the perfect everyday size, you can’t go wrong with our bestselling, medium-sized amuse, but we do also offer the wave quilted cruiser crossbody and chic little marcel crossbody bucket bag. why so many crossbody options? because we all love them!
be smart when you invest in a new bag. avoid trendiness and go with a stylish, hardworking tote, an organized wallet-clutch or a chic crossbody that’s sized just right. history proves that these are the fashion essentials that endure for every style. so now just need to select from the many wallets, purses and clutches out there and find your perfect bag.
xo — sloane
