Life is Short…Buy the Bag!

Hello, my name is Kirsty and I’m a shopaholic…High street, designer and everything in between…accessories are my kryptonite! I have a borderline obsession handbags, shoes, belts…pretty much any kind of accessory and I have waaaayy too many (but really, is there such a thing?). This post is going to focus on handbags and my absolute favourites. Now I love a high street bargain as much as the next girl, but when it comes to bags, I can often be tempted to spend a bit more as I like a bag that can last season after season and can also take a bit of a battering without falling to pieces.

Here is a rundown of my favourites ( and believe me when I say I had many to choose from!)

My favourite handbag style is a big roomy shoulder bag that I can fit everything in…including the kitchen sink! My Fairfax and Favor Hurlingham tote bag is the one I use more than any other. The tan leather goes with anything and everything and it is so soft and roomy, I can fit all that I need and more without it bursting at the seams. The leather itself is buttery soft and but also structured enough to hold it’s shape. It also has a zip closure so I don’t have to worry about any sticky fingers reaching in to pinch my purse (or sweetie stash, that would also be devastating). Lastly, the straps are also the perfect length to wear comfortably over the shoulder. I’ve seen so many beautiful bags which have super short, stiff straps that only fit in the crook of the arm…I’m sorry, but I carry a lot of stuff and would end up with one Popeye bicep if I lugged it around like that all day. Seriously though, this bag is the dream, I love it so much and wish I had it in other colours! The Hurlingham is an older style but you could go for the Gatcombe or the Burford, which although suede and not leather, have a comfortable shoulder strap and a somewhat similar shape…roomy is the main thing here! They are both firmly on my wishlist (although both are unfortunately currently out of stock on the website).

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Another tote bag that I have been loving is my Henrietta Spencer Windsor basket bag. It is super casual and stylish with tan leather detailing and the straps pass the shoulder test! It’s very roomy and you can fit loads inside, plus it’s nicely structured without being too stiff. Although this is a very summery bag, I’ll definitely keep using this for walks on the beach, day trips, farmers markets etc. The only issue I have with this bag is the lack of zip fastening. The Windsor has a leather strap fastening but technically the bag does stay open so I don’t carry my purse or other valuables inside. The Windsor is an older design and Henrietta Spencer now offer The Somerset which is almost identical in design but includes a zip fastening which closes the bag completely making it much more secure. I want it. The Somerset is also currently on sale on the Henrietta Spencer website.

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The last of the large bags on this shortlist is my trusty Mulberry Oversized Alexa. I love this bag so much and have had it for nearly ten years now so although pricey, at least it’s holding up well and still has lots of life left in it. The tan leather is strong but flexible and allows me to pack a hella lot of stuff inside! It has a short sturdy handle on top of the bag and a detachable over the shoulder/ cross body strap which allows different options. It also has a flat fastening with the iconic postman’s lock and two further leather straps with magnetic fastenings. Fiddly to open and close but so worth it. The Alexa has been discontinued (sob) but there are always good second hand ones for sale online.

Moving on to a slightly smaller bag but back to Fairfax and Favor is my trusty black Windsor handbag. This bag has a suede interior as well as exterior and also leather side panels. There is also a mini version and travel bag size as well as multiple colour options, although I went for classic black, because like the tan, it goes with everything! The Windsor doesn’t pass the shoulder strap test at first, however, it does come with a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap and so all is right with the world again…I love having multiple options! It also has a flap fastening rather than a zip which isn’t ideal for me, however the bag itself is rigid enough that it stays closed and doesn’t fall open so I always feel secure when carrying it. As with all things F&F it has the instantly recognisable tassle and gold shield detailing. This isn’t a massive bag, and I can’t fit the likes of a laptop inside, but for every day use, I can easily fit in the essentials plus any bits I pick up while out and about. This bag is simple, classy and stylish and can be worn for daytime or evening, a definitely all rounder! The picture below is at a day at the races and it is perfect for such occasions! You can find The Windsor by clicking here.

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And now to the diddly little bags. Now I’m going to be honest here, I am a nightmare with clutch bags…I absolutely cannot be trusted and would regularly come home without my bag, keys, purse and phone. I am a nightmare. So, rather than growing up and becoming a responsible adult, I made the decision to only use bags that I can literally strap onto myself and therefore, reduce the risk of losing…and what can I say, it’s worked (so far, and I really hope I haven’t just jinxed myself). Now you probably won’t be surprised to hear that a couple of my favourites come from none other than Fairfax and Favor (no, I’m not on commission). What can I say? They make a bloody good handbag! My first purchase was The Highcliffe, a mix of tan suede and dark brown leather is inspired by the classic cartridge bag and it is beautiful. It features a detachable cross body strap (in my case this will never, ever be removed), magnetic button closure and the gold F&F shield. For someone who usually carries so much, I can’t fit a lot in this bag, however, it is plenty big enough for the essentials…phone, purse, keys, lip balm etc. It also comes in navy but as usual I went for tan because, have I said before? It goes with everything.

Also on this list is the Loxley Mini, a small, structured bag which can easily be used for day and night. I have this in…shock…black, but it comes in a variety of colours including a two tone, tan and navy combo. This is my favourite cross body bag right now as it is so simple and classy and perfect for an evening out (although I’m starting to wonder if I can remember what that even is anymore). Made from black suede and leather with a shiny gold buckle clasp which features the F&F logo, this bag is perfectly understated. It comes with an adjustable, detachable strap as well as a handle on the top so can can basically wear it any way, cross body, over the shoulder, in hand or as a clutch…F&F nail it again. This is my go-to bag for evenings out and dinner dates as well as the odd night out when I’m feeling confident enough that I won’t lose it!

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Next on the list and the latest addition to my bag collection is my Salthouse England Adira cross body bag. I was lucky enough to win this beauty in a competition and I can confirm it’s as pretty as it looks in the pictures. The leather look material is so soft, I genuinely just sat stroking it when it first arrived. I chose the tempting toffee which is a rich tan but it also comes in black. The Adira has an adjustable strap with gold chain detail as well as a matching tassle. Although the Salthouse England name is stamped in gold across the front, it is very subtle and just adds a little extra to the design. This is a small bag so, like the others, can’t fit everything and more inside but it is absolutely big enough for the essentials! I’m just sad that the summer has been a no-go as I’ve not had the chance to use this nearly as much as I’d have liked! Although currently out of stock, you can find the Adira and some other rather lovely designs on the Salthouse website which you can find here.

Now the last item on this list is not an everyday bag but something I feel should definitely be included, and that is my trusty Joules Paddington holdall. I bought this at the beginning of last year and it has been on every trip with me since…including my weekends at home, which was pretty much every weekend before lockdown. I love the red checked tweed fabric, it is so different to any others I have seen! It comes with a detachable shoulder strap and has a leather bottom so it doesn’t get wrecked being put down here, there and everywhere. You can pack a huge amount into the bag, with more than enough space for a weekend away (including a hairdryer, bag of skincare and make-up bag). No this bag doesn’t go with everything unlike all my black and tan options, but it’s a travel bag so in all honesty, I don’t care…and I will continue taking it everywhere until it literally falls apart. This particular design is not on sale anymore, however, there is a rather lovely new design in a navy and green check (I don’t need another, I don’t need another) which can be found here on the Joules website.

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So that brings me to the end of my list and, if anything, it has made me realise that I rarely seem to splash out on a bag that isn’t black or tan! I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a bad thing though…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! As for what I am currently lusting after? Well, I am definitely hoping to add the F&F Burford tote to my collection and I have also been obsessed with the Mulberry Medium Lily for I don’t know how many years now…I just haven’t plucked the courage to part with that much cash yet, but hey, a girl can dream can’t she? I’d love to hear your thoughts on these handbags and of course, any that haven’t been mentioned!

Until next time,

Kirsty x