From Wild Card to Wardrobe Pet

...and other NAS-purchase musings...

It's finally been cool enough for me to wear a few more of my NAS beauties (though not, alas, my Vince turtleneck or my gilet -- those, I'll be wearing in the next weeks to a few planned events.) (The collection  is here: http://youlookfab.com/finds/co.....ction=3016)

So far, everything is working out brilliantly. I'm really happy with basics (undies and camis and socks and workout top and bras). You have already seen my love for the denim culottes. I wore my Halogen kick flares for a slightly casual dinner and they more than met my expectations. They're quite heavy-weight which will be welcome as temperatures dip. I've also had one chance to wear the Aquatalia booties, and they performed like a dream. My Dres came back from the seamstress and went into instant rotation -- these are a fabulous jean for me. 

I LOVE my new Soho watch (not NAS but purchased at the same time)-- it is replacing my old cuff which was all scratched and sadly not reparable. I haven't worn a watch in years, so this is a bit of a wild card and has become an instant workhorse. 

The biggest surprise? The Minkoff bag. You will remember that I was nervous about that one. It seemed to overwhelm my frame, I was used to and prefer structured bags, and so on. But this one reminded me of a much loved bag from my college days, so I thought it was worth the experiment. 

Lo and behold, I have fallen in love!

Before YLF I saw bags as strictly utilitarian and only ever carried one black one in winter or one straw one in summer (the same ratty one, for years on end). Since joining YLF I had moved on from that approach and I do have a smallish bag capsule -- but honestly? I like them for the way they add colour or offer bookending options to an outfit, and like them for function, but apart from that I'm not too interested in them. They are useful but don't inspire joy. And frankly, when I would hear women swoon over bags I didn't quite understand what the fuss was about. (Footwear heart flutters, now that is a different matter. But bags? Nah. They left me cold.) 

Now, I am tempted to donate all previous bags (except for evening clutches and my backpack and the useful Longchamp tote) in favour of this beauty! 

Minkoff Hobo, how do I love thee? Your rich port colour goes with almost everything in my closet. Your silver hardware echoes my hair and watch. Your wide strap is comfortable on my shoulder and the drop is perfect for me, allowing me to get easy access to transit card, phone, etc. Although I worried that everything would get lost inside you, that has not proved to be the case at all since I use little pouches for makeup etc. And you accept a tiny load (keys, phone, wallet, lipstick) as happily as a large load (all of the above plus laptop, chargers, sweater or scarf, water bottle, book, notebook, Kindle.) 

I literally do PET this bag throughout the day because the leather is so soft and the little fringes are nice to touch. 

Who knew that a soft unstructured bag would turn out to be my gateway to bag nirvana? 

Coming soon...a rather late K/R for another wild card item that you can see in my Collections if you are inclined....   :)

1
2
3
4
5
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

32 Comments

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Hey Suz,

    I'm so glad that you found your sweet spot. That bag is lovely and seems to be so you.

    I go through cycles wit my own bags and love texture so I can imagine the soft supple feel of yours.

    As always I love what you wear my favorite fit on this occasion is picture 2.

    This one makes my heart flutter. You look so all American.

  • Brooklyn replied 7 years ago

    I very much enjoyed your ode to your new handbag. I have often thought about penning an ode to Ombre or an ode to space dye. Or to velvet. Sigh! Anyhow, you look fabulous with your new pet. It does not overwhelm you at all. Great find!

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

    Gorgeous bag! I have also always been a shoe lover and, although I like bags, I haven't given them a large priority in my overall look. But I have been known to wander through the purse department at my Nordstrom Rack, petting the beautiful leather and sighing. Glad this is working out for you! Your looks are perfect!

  • Aquamarine replied 7 years ago

    You look fab in each outfit! Can't wait to see the rest of your NAS purchases in action.

    How much did you hem the Dres? I can't tell if you've rolled them in the picture or if that's where the hem ends.
    Still debating what to do with mine. (I'm on my phone so the photos are small and dark.)

  • Colette replied 7 years ago

    I'm so happy the purse worked out, it's really gorgeous. I love a purse that not only looks good but functions well. It really works so well with your outfits, which all look fab. Is that a butt vest I see in your collection?

  • Joy replied 7 years ago

    You look beautiful and polished in every outfit here. The Minkoff hobo looks natural , but lux. I'm not one to get excited about bags but am excited for you. I also used to see bags as only utilitarian pre-YLF and have added and replaced. Your bag has inspired me to pull out an unstructured burgundy suede bag to put into rotation. It is an old favorite that has survived (barely) purging before moving. Bookending with a find of burgundy Sweetie-style ankle boots for fall may work out well.

  • Janet replied 7 years ago

    Fab! You look great and happy, and how nice that all your new things work so well. And such a great bag too! I just got a Minkoff bag, on sale, because my old black bag doesn't feel quite right for most days where I am now, stylewise. The old one is a quilted style with a chain and leather strap, which is nice, but I was feeling the need for an alternative in black that was a little more casual and less structured. Minkoff makes nice bags. I love the color of your hobo!

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    That is a gorgeous bag Suz!  I would love to pet it.  I like bags but I don't go crazy over them.  But a beautiful one like that I would happily put in my collection.
    You did very well at the NAS.  I can't wait to see your next wildcard.

  • Karie replied 7 years ago

    I love to hear success stories! Aren't leather bags wonderful? I picked up a Longchamp leather bag this season and I love the feel of real leather.
    You did very well at NAS!

  • kkards replied 7 years ago

    i love a good wildcard to workhorse story! fab bag! (and i love a good bookcase --and yours is fab as well!)

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    I'm making a bag lady out of you yet!

    Your new wardrobe pet couldn't be more perfect, Suz. You look casually chic in all these outfits. LOVE. 

  • Jenn replied 7 years ago

    I love that you took a risk and found a perfect bag! This just goes to show that it pays to leave our comfort zone on occasion, as there are wonderful rewards to be had!

    I absolutely love your outfit #2 here and quite like #5 as well. You've inspired me to think about adding another long cardigan.

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    OK, that sounds like a great bag, and it looks good on you. I've been thinking seriously about replacing my everyday Kate Spade backpack bag and this looks perfect. It's a shoulder bag, has two outside zip pockets, and comes in black. It's just what I've been looking for and it's on sale. 

  • replied 7 years ago

    You know I love your bag. The only reason I passed on it is that I felt the budget would be better spent on footwear.

    I also really like the touch of bling of your watch. I have a leather strap watch but I'm thinking a sliver watch would be dressier, which is sort of where my style is going these days.

    My favourite of your outfits is the one with the long cardigan. The proportions are great. So now I'm also thinking about adding a long cardi to my winter wardrobe. I like that yours is a little thicker.

    Thanks for all the inspiration Suz! It is great to have a style sista!

  • Traci replied 7 years ago

    Sometimes you don't know until  you try.  I'm glad  you tried.

    Now that you've lived with it for a bit, are you finding you're putting it on the floor often?  That was my hesitation in snatching it up when I saw it briefly pop back up on nordstrom.com.  I like to hang my handbag on the back of my chair and if it won't hang it ends up on the floor and then that seems unsanitary.  I have a very spurious definition of what is and isn't unsanitary, so this is no comment on anyone else's habits, just my own weird rules.

    And finally, you are looking amazing these days!  Going shorter and grayer was absolutely the right choice.  I love seeing how it has just elevated everything about your look.

  • Kaelyn replied 7 years ago

    Hooray for the perfect bag! I'm extremely picky about them, so I own very few. I was never one to swoon over them, either, and although I have an appreciation for a nice looking one, I still put function first.

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    I've never been a bag person either but your new bag is gorgeous. My problem is that mine are seen so seldom with my outfit. I drive to work where I stash it under my desk until I drive home. The only time I really worry about how a bag looks with my outfit is when we travel and do a lot of walking and using public transportation.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Sara, that makes perfect sense. I realized since joining YLF that a bag is pretty integral to my outdoor look since I walk all the time. 

    Kaelyn, I think function trumps for me as well and it's ideal if I can have both!

    Traci, thank you for the kind words. So far, I am hooking the bag on chairs and it has not had to go onto the floor at all. I feel much the same way as you about that, by the way. 

    High five, Smittie! And thank you. I am like you -- shoes first and then bag. I had purchased boots in previous years so now it was bag time. I really like the longer sweaters, too. This grey one is three seasons old now from BR. It's a bit "pilly" but the texture makes it less noticeable. It's not thick, exactly, but definitely textured. 

    Bonnie, the sale price on the black is irresistible! It's a good deal at that price for sure. I must warn you that the two functional zip pockets may not be as functional as you hope -- I would find it difficult to put something in the side of the bag because it's really not a lot of space there and I'd worry about things dropping out if I unzipped it. But perhaps I haven't thought creatively enough. A water bottle might work there, for instance. 

    Jenn, thank you. The long cardigans are great. These ones are a bit above my knee, so not truly maxi, and it seems to be a versatile length for me. 

    Angie, I think you will make a bag lady of me for sure!

    Kkards, Karie, Style Fan, thank you!

    Janet -- I love your new bag!

    Joy, can't wait to see your outfits and jealous that you found some burgundy Sweetie style boots!!

    Colette --- shhhhhhhhhh!! ;)

    Aquamarine -- I think I hemmed the Dres a bit much because I can't really roll them with my booties now. I can and do roll them with my flat sneakers but like the longer length with the booties. It was my own error, but overall I think it will work out okay. The seemed to hang reasonable well even without the roll and there is something good about the sleeker look as well. 

    Robin, Brooklyn, Ledonna -- thank you all. And please so write odes to your true loves!! 

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    Isn't it funny how an unexpected item becomes so beloved. I'm glad it's worked out so well for you.

    For my birthday present, I returned the Skagen bags and ordered a new bag. I won't say just yet, but it's a newish color for me too! It's taking forever to drive cross country.

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    Delighted to see that you and your new bag are working out so well! I always default to a biggish hobo so I understand your enthusiasm. I don't like to put mine on the floor either - apart from not knowing the state of the floor, I have never lost my old school New Yorker fear of having it stolen. Most likely I would just step on it myself. But I digress, you look radiant. Your hair is amazing!

  • Runcarla replied 7 years ago

    Glad your bag is working out for you! I hold my maroon Rudsack bag in similar high regard. The wide strap is very comfortable.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    The watch and bag are beautiful signature items for you, Suz. They look perfect with each of these outfits. They do go with everything! To read your gushing about your new bag makes me happy. I'm so glad it worked out this way. I have carried my Rebecca Minkoff backpack more than I imagined I would, since I have other bags I pretty much adore, too. I would say my backpack is in a class by itself.

  • replied 7 years ago

    I am glad the bag worked out for you.  It is the softness and feel of leather that attracts me.  I am very tactile.  

  • Chris987 replied 7 years ago

    Wow, wardrobe pet indeed! You are quoting/channeling Elizabeth Barrett Browning, talking about Nirvana, and saying you PET the bag. Next you will tell us that you are feeding it expensive boutique leather treatment and buying it a special little plaid and lace bed to tuck it into at night  :-) You are clearly smitten. It's a lovely bag and the joy it brings you is very clear. Your descriptions of the softness of the leather are palpable. Isn't it great when this happens? All the other items are great on you also.

    Janet you articulated perfectly what I've been thinking about in terms of a black bag "my old black bag doesn't feel quite right for most days where I am now, stylewise". Love the Minkoff one you posted.

  • Elizabeth P replied 7 years ago

    Oh, Suz, Suz, Suz.....

    Your description and the way this bag looks on you made me think "oh, I wonder if it comes in black" because believe it or not, I don't have a black tote type bag, and have been thinking that I would like one.  Yup, one is now on its way to me.  Thank you!  (I think....)

  • AJ replied 7 years ago

    The wine color goes beautifully with your wardrobe.  Great find!  

    (I might be in the minority, but I find most leather bags to be too heavy.)

  • Lyn D. replied 7 years ago

    Looking Good Suz!
    I must take my wine coloured bag out for a spin soon too.
    I hear you about bags not being on the same level as shoes, although the right one can make you feel great!

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    So glad that bag worked out for you! It is really beautiful.

  • tulle replied 7 years ago

    Great new wardrobe, Suz.  Your hair just seems to snap everything into focus, doesn't it?  As for that gorgeous handbag, please forgive me if I say:  Told you so!

  • Maneera replied 7 years ago

    May I say-----I'm not surprised! I loved that bag the moment I saw it :)

    You're looking particularly radiant these days, Suz. Love all outfits!

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    I am so pleased it worked out for you...I am not quite a bag person yet while I have three day bags and I am happy with them, I haven't quite switched over.  One day maybe :)

    You look gorgeous and the bag complements each outfit.

  • Eliza replied 7 years ago

    Suz- you really worked NAS this year and your finds are fab. Love that bag and totally get how workable that color is for folks like us who lean to blues and fuschias and berries. It looks great on you! Also, your hair is beautiful! Love how it is shaped and the color is terrific on you. I am guessing that taking the warmer yellow tones out of the picture has made your cooler color palette work even more easily. Bravo! 

You need to be logged in to comment