Wearing the Fab Finds and a bag question

Here I am in my already-beloved Vionic loafers (I definitely need a second pair!) and the Wit and Wisdom utility pants from Angie's blog, plus the now almost ubiquitous pink denim jacket -- off to take my cat to the vet for his arthritis shot. 

These pants are very light weight cotton. This is a "stovepipe" wide leg, not flared at the bottom. I tend to prefer the A line versions of wide legs, but I like these, too. These are a false plain. It's hard to see, but there is a fun pocket detail of stripes going in a different direction. These pants have a ton of pockets -- great for gardeners! 

Now for the bag question: In the past few years, I had grown accustomed to carrying mostly small (ish) crossbody bags. Very convenient because they fit in my bike panniers easily, were lightweight, easy to travel with, etc. 

However, since my injury, I am finding ANY crossbody bag considerably less comfortable than it used to be. It doesn't matter which shoulder I use the strap on, really. The discomfort is the same. Backpacks are also a challenge, though I can manage for a short distance. 

This may or may not be a permanent change - it depends how I adapt to my new bionic part. :) In the meantime, the bag I am using most consistently and with the greatest comfort is this older Coach shoulder bag. (It also works as a crossbody with a strap, but I am not using it that way at the moment.) 

It seems counterintuitive that a shoulder bag woudl work better, but it seems to -- I can mostly carry it on the non-injured shoulder, for one thing. 

I would like to get a white or cream bag that is similar. Can anyone point me to one, ideally with silver hardware? I am sure they must exist...

Thanks for looking and any help you might provide! 

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18 Comments

  • Star (Lise) replied 1 week ago

    No bag advice but chiming in to tell you I love those pants. Such interesting pattern placement. I've always had a thing for striped pants in various iterations.

  • Angie replied 1 week ago

    And rocking these KILLER items, Suz! Stinking cute striped pants, and best loafers of your life :)

    Yes, you need another pair of those loafers. SOOOO good in our climate and for London. Covered feet!!! Sandals in London can be dodgy - lots of muck in the city and with tube transport. 

    URGH!! Crossbody challenges. So sorry :(

    Sooooo, I was going to suggest a shoulder bag - and you're doing that already. AND to keep your bag super lightweight. 

    Also wonder if a BELT bag can work. It's a crossbody with a different fit:

  • Janet replied 1 week ago

    Looking good, shoe twin! I'm wearing mine today, with my new Rag & Bone side stripe Miramar wide-leg pants and a white Athleta shirt. :-) 

    This is not the same kind of shape as your bag, but the Desigual I just bought is a shoulder bag, in a cream/off-white with silver hardware. I've been using it this week and really enjoy it! Lightweight, fits over the shoulder nicely, and zips from both sides, which is a nice touch. Faux leather, but a good one. 

    White and cream bags with silver hardware are not easy to find! 

  • pirouette replied 1 week ago

    I love the striped jeans so unusual and flattering. The pink jacket is a great idea for summer I would love to find a cropped pink jacket for summer. I have silver loafers not the same brand they are my Irish sandals as sandals are not needed here very much. You look very summery and fashionable. 

  • JAileen replied 1 week ago

    Those same striped pants were just delivered!  I haven’t even opened the package yet.  They look great on you, fingers crossed they work for me, too.

    That’s too bad about crossbody bags.  I wonder if eventually you will be able to use them.  In the meantime, what about an adjustable strap?  So it’s a shoulder bag now, but a crossbody later.  My favorite style is a tote with two little handles, and also a big long strap.  

  • Jaime replied 1 week ago

    You look fantastic Suz! No bag recommendations since all of mine are second hand, but interesting how your injury has impacted your style in this way. 

  • LJP replied 1 week ago

    For starters: bionic? Did you have a total shoulder replacement ? I admit I’m not up to date on the injury situation . Is this related to the bike accident ?

    Then to switch gears : I have to say that you are very skilled in choosing pieces for your wardrobe that fit in seamlessly . You are clearly able to approach purchasing with a clear and confident eye and I am in awe of that . We don’t share a style sensibility but I still admire what you choose and how you wear it .

    As to the bag situation ……I’m confused in my own right so have nothing to offer . My small bags are too small and my larger ones are too big . The price of leather bags now is making me blanch at the thought of buying but I could really use something myself . Have you checked out Louenhide ? ( Cdn ) or Quince ?

  • Sal replied 1 week ago

    You look great Suz and I echo Lisa's comment about purchasing new pieces that seamlessly work in your closet.

    I can't give too much advice re bags - I prefer a shoulder bag unless it is a very small cross body (essentials only).  If weight is an issue then some sort of nylon or something lightweight could be a good choice - much lighter than leather.  I find the main thing is the width of the strap (not too thin and not too wide...)

  • Lisa replied 1 week ago

    The loafers are a workhorse item, perfect fit and color for your wardrobe. I find loafers really hard to fit (and currently do not own any), so I say if budget allows duplicate!

    Such a pretty spring palette here with the striped bottoms and pink jacket. The fit is so good on you! You have an excellent eye for your wardrobe additions.

    Sorry I am no help for a new bag. My favorite crossbody is the Tumi Rumi/Rama, it's lightweight nylon and smaller in size, and the strap is comfortable. 

    I have found that sometimes outlet handbags have silver hardware while non-outlet bags do not. I've come across this in the past for Coach, Kate Spade, Tumi, and Michael Kors, the regular stores will have gold hardware and the outlet will have silver hardware. I recently added this Tumi Voyageur Rama crossbody from the outlet because the Voyageur Persia crossbody in the retail store is only gold hardware on the navy bags.

  • Gretchen replied 1 week ago

    Have you looked at Tory Burch? There's a long handle east-west bag, and it's small enough it might fit in your bike paniers. 

    Here's the Nordstrom link: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/to.....l/8026554?

    Also, 2nd hand might be a good idea if you aren't sure if this is a permanent switch to a shoulder bag. Maybe ReBag or TheRealReal?

  • Suz replied 1 week ago

    Thanks, everyone, for kind comments and ideas. You have got my mind percolating, a good thing! 

    First, though -- LisaP, I am sorry -- the "bionic" was a bit of hyperbole on my part. I didn't get a whole shoulder replacement (thank god) although it sometimes feels that way. ;) What I did get was a big honking plate of metal and some screws to hold my clavicle together. I am doing really well with range of motion, and have started some light resistance training again, and I am mostly pain-free -- except when I am not. ;)  There can be random moments when I'll get twinges for no apparent reason and other times when that side just feels tired, for want of a better way to put it, And what I find is that any kind of crossbody strap (especially resting on the affected shoulder, but even a crossbody going the opposite way) seems to affect the spot where I had surgery and makes it uncomfortable. 

    It's hard to know if this is temporary or more permanent. I'm hoping temporary, because I do get better day by day. but in the meantime, I need a bag. :) 

    Gretchen, that's a fun bag! But yes -- so pricey, so I love your idea of second hand. I'll be in Vancouver next week and I'm going to hunt in my favourite consignment shops. 

    Lisa, what a smart observation about Outlet vs. regular stores for bags! I should check a Coach outlet and may do so if I get a chance on my Vancouver trip. 

    Sal, I was wondering about fabric or nylon, too, although I don't think weight is really the problem, per se -- it seems to be more about weight distribution, if that makes sense. 

    Jaime, thanks. If we were in the same city, I'd be asking you to come bag shopping with me. 

    JAileen -- I hope the pants work for you! Let us know! I also like the idea of a convertible bag -- that's actually what my Coach bag is -- there is a strap to make it crossbody. 

    pirouette, thank you! I love your idea that silver loafers are Irish sandals! Perfect! 

    Janet,  shoe twin! I like your new bag! It is fun. It looks like it is sold out on Nordstrom (not that it would be in my price range there anyway with the conversion to CAD$) but it might be available in store somewhere. You get me on the silver hardware thing. Almost all my current bags are compromise bags because of the gold hardware, sob..

    Angie, a belt bag might potentially work but they feel a bit casual for what I want. Ok for days when I am going on a hike or something, but not for regular wear. (I know people do wear high end ones but for me they look so sporty.) 

    Star, thank you! 

    And thanks to those who mentioned my ability to make new items work with the old, or maybe just to wear my new items -- "working seamlessly" could mean either or both, I guess.

    I was about to brush off the compliment, but on reflection, I do think it's a closet superpower of sorts....to be able to sense how I might wear something as I try it on in store, or when buying online --- it's kind of like being able to imagine how an empty room will look with furnishings, maybe?

    But I actually think a lot of Fabbers have this ability, and Angie of course has it in superabundance. 

    I tend to think that if you have identified and have in place your personal essentials, it's a lot easier. So, you know when you're buying if you are filling a hole, and you also know what other items could potentially work with the piece. Of course sometimes, when you get an item home, it doesn't quite work as planned because proportions aren't quite right or the colours are a bit different than you remembered. But as often as not, you'll find a happy surprise instead -- unsuspected or unexpected pairings. 

  • Aquamarine replied 1 week ago

    Nice haul, and a great memory of the YLF gathering. Will especially keep the loafers in mind, and you know I’m a fan of the pink jacket.

    No particular advice on the bag, just surprised cross-body doesn’t work. I’ve developed shoulder issues, and for long wear, a cross-body is infinitely more comfortable for me. Have you looked into a sling bag? I like MZ Wallace’s Small Crosby Sling (there are three sizes). You can wear as a shoulder bag, too. They are very light weight, and come with three different straps: crossbody, shoulder, and belt. Lots of colors.

  • slim cat replied 1 week ago

    I had some minor problem with shoulder and got small Sakroots bag ( nylon probably and very light ) that could be worn either way. The smaller size limited the amount of things I put in the bag and eventually I felt better altogether. 
    Hopefully one of the jabbers suggestions will work for you - something lightweight and fun ;-) .
    Your outfit looks amazing - YLF!

  • Kyle replied 1 week ago

    Another fab outfit, Suz. Great pants that work wonderfully with the jacket and shoes. I picked up a pair for myself today at Nordstrom Rack. They were the last pair on clearance and I was thrilled that they fit with no heel slipping. Thank you for the recommendation.

    I suggest taking a look at both the Coach and Kate Spade online outlet stores. They are both carrying bags with silver hardware. Not a lot, mind you, but more than I’ve ever seen before. I bought a Teri bag at the Coach outlet in store that came with either silver or gold hardware. Quite surprising. Calvin Klein bags usually come with silver hardware, too, and I think Macy’s carries them, as does Amazon. I hope some of this helps!

  • Angie replied 5 days ago

    Suz, I was shopping at ECCO with a client, and of all places - they have KILLER bags! I have my eye on the Bowling Bag in the pink. It occurred to me that the style might work for you, since you can clutch the handles. The light blue has silver hardware. It is GORGEOUS!

    https://us.ecco.com/product/ec.....38;gad_cam

    Here's body belt bag that hangs differently. Look at the light blue:

    https://us.ecco.com/product/ec.....8320/90784

    And this little darling:

    https://us.ecco.com/product/ec.....0784?_gl=1*1k03udz*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&g

  • LJP replied 5 days ago

    What ?? Ecco does bags ? I have spent more than a few hours searching for a pale blue bag to replace one I have . These are pretty $$ in Cdn but very tempting . Ok I’m now on their Cdn website and there they are - I love all 3 . That said , I came home with a blue with silver hardware bag from Kate Spare which was more in my price range .

  • Suz replied 4 days ago

    LJP, Ecco's bags almost always go on sale at some point in the season. Not sure when, exactly. Thank you for the Kate Spade reference!

    Angie, these blue ones are gorgeous! I love them all. Alas, we have no Ecco stores any more so I probably can't try one in person but I can order one to try. Such a pretty colour. 

    Kyle, thank you for the suggestions -- i will check them out. 

    slim cat, thanks! I did try out a nylon bag this weekend for a short casual trip and it did help. 

    Aquamarine, I think crossbody is usually more comfortable, too. It is because of the surgery I have had -- I have a metal plate in my shoulder and the bag strap can rub it the wrong way. 

  • LJP replied 4 days ago

    There was an outlet store here very briefly a few years ago . I don’t think I ever went in . I do like having this new info/ resource though !

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