It’s my birthday. I’m 27 today. To celebrate this achievement in aging, I plan to reward myself with the purchase of a designer crossbody bag, and I’m just giddy about it!
You see. I’m always the girl with the GIANT purse on her arm at the most inconvenient times. In the stands at sporting events, cramming through the crowd at a bar, on foot for hours at festivals, at outdoorsy spots when designer-anything is inappropriate, and on vacations when all I really need is some cash, lipgloss, a room key and a cellphone… (Note the following as evidence.)
See, I really didn’t need the giant bag to tour DC, to shop in LA, to wander Vegas or to go to a bball game.
One reason I’m so excited about this purchase is that I’m going to be making it in VEGAS, when we are there in early October. They have every store imaginable and I can. not. wait. to buy it at the designer’s actual boutique (rather than online). I want to try it on and see it in person before purchasing. So, while I have to wait a full month before making my birthday purchase, it’s well worth it. It gives me more time to think…and get your advice! I’m kind of like Goldilocks with this one: I’m looking for a crossbody that’s just right.
- It needs to be small so it won’t ever get too heavy on my shoulders, but it can’t be too small either.
- It needs to be a color that goes with everything (I’m leaning toward dark tan, black and will consider beige).
- Its strap has to be the right length, allowing the purse to hit at my hip or lower.
- It can’t be something EVERYONE has (unless I also can’t live without it).
- And finally, the bag has to be a quality designer brand. I don’t buy a lot of purses; I invest in a select few that I’ll be proud to carry for years.
So, without further ado, here are the top contenders in my hunt for the perfect birthday crossbody…………WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GET?
My absolute first choice: I’m seriously in love with the Celine Luggage Tote, but since it’s super expensive, I might just get a mini!? It’s just as cute, but just, well, mini-er. Not sure of the cost, so I’ll stop by the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace (there’s a Celine boutique) t0 see all the colors it comes in and the price. I’m worried it’s still going to be like $2,000!
Celine Luggage Tote – Mini
My realistic, first choice: Is this going to be too big? Or since it’s a crossbody will it be okay? This really looks classic and versatile, and it’s GREAT leather quality.
Tory Burch ‘Amanda’ Leather Hobo (13″x10″) in Clay Beige via Nordstrom.com
It also comes in suede (too high maintenance), black (I already have a couple great black bags), and dark tan (leaning toward it…).
My true second choice: Love this one! And it is more along the lines of the size I want/need … realistically this is the best option … This just might be IT!
Tory Burch “Amanda” Crossbody Messenger via ToryBurch.com
My third choice: I love this size, color and I love TORY! Clearly. But I’m worried about the length of the strap … is this on the second to last peg or the second peg? Dunno… Also, I’m a little worried about whether the insides of this TB and the one above are too narrow for all my stuff?
Tory Burch ‘Amanda’ Foldover Crossbody Bag in Camel via Nordstrom.com
More contenders…
MARC BY MARC JACOBS ‘Classic Q – Little Ukita’ Shoulder Bag in Rum via Nordstrom.com – Love it, but EVERYONE has one like it right now.
Chloé – Marcie Crossbody Bag via Saks.com – This one is super cute, but a little small.
Kate Spade New York Kaelin Primrose Hill Crossbody Bag in Black via NeimanMarcus.com – Super cute and cheaper.
Burberry Crossbody Bag via Bloomingdales.com — Love this, obvi, but I do have a lot of Burberry already. Might be too much of a good thing…
Tory Burch Kipp Crossbody in red via NeimanMarcus.com —- Red would be AWESOME for Razorback games and this kind of would work as a clutch too … I kind of love it. And it’s CHEAPER!
And finally …
I think these will be a little too expensive but I love them anyway (wish the YSL came in black, tho).
OK, so I ask again…
WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GET?
Comment below to help me decide!
mrs. and the misc. 
For the record, I’ve had my Marc Jacobs for almost 2 years and still LOVE it.
PS: Happy Birthday!!!
Thanks for the bday wishes Kristen! And, yes, I LOVE that bag. Glad to know you’ve had it that long and still are in love with it! That’s a good sign! It’s one that I really want to see in person and try on over my shoulder! I’ll be sure to reveal what I got in Oct. when we get back.
Of the bags you posted, my favorite is the Tory Burch “Amanda” Crossbody Messenger.
That one was the very first crossbody I thought I wanted. I think it’s everything I need … but it’s a little boxy and the chain might get a little uncomfortable. I’m certainly going to try and find it when I’m in Vegas and see how it feels.
I didn’t know you were going to Vegas! When? Fun! What about this bag?
http://www.katespade.com/cobble-hill-little-minka/PXRU3677,default,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU3677_color=074&start=15&cgid=handbags-cross-body
I could talk about handbags all day long!
Kendall, that one is kind of plain, but I love Kate Spade. PS: Vegas is with my dad and stepmom for just some fun family time. We’re going in early Oct. Should be really fun! I can’t wait for the shopping!
Happy Birthday Lindsey! I can totally picture you sporting the Tory Burch ‘Amanda’ Leather Hobo in the beige, although the dark tan is also very wearable and just different enough to get noticed. I have to say, I also love the YSL in that unexpected ?plum/raspberry? color. Unfortunately, it looks like it might be a little small.
Oh no! I need an edit button. Spelled you name like another Lindsay I know.
Jen! I so glad u like the hobo! I am totally into it! And the YSL is amazing but prob far to expensive. I’m def. leaning toward the hobo but we’ll just have to see once in holding it in person! Yay. 🙂
Nice blog post! My two favorites are Celine Luggage Tote & Burberry one:) Let us know which one you decide to go for!
Daiva, thanks! I so wish I could afford a Celine hehe, but I went this this crossbody (in black) instead:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/tory-burch-clutch-amanda-logo?ID=685340&cm_mmc=Google_PLA-_-tory+burch+handbags-_-45670034464-_-mkwid_45670034464&gclid=CNX3gtuEz7QCFUWnPAodNmkAzA
It wasn’t one of the ones in this post, but when I saw it, I knew it was the one. It is smaller than I originally wanted, but I haven’t stopped carrying since getting back from Vegas. Who knew crossbody bags were so amazing!? hehe
It’s beautiful! I love the color;)
Reblogged this on mrs. & the misc. and commented:
UPDATE: I went with THIS as my new crossbody bag!
http://www.toryburch.com/AMANDA-CLUTCH-%7C-BLACK–%7C-001/886762449994,default,pd.html?CAMPID=gproductads&gclid=CI_JhYur3LQCFYKPPAod4lkAlQ
It’s been great. I absolutely love it and the fact that I can convert it to a large clutch for fancy functions!
I like them all, but I confess: I have never understood the contemporary obsession with handbags! I paid $200 for a Chloe knockoff (made in Korea and indistinguishable from those sold in the US) in Beijing and have never used it. It’s too big! I chose it partly because the name was not easily found; I don’t like to do free advertising for brands. The friend I traveled withhad been willing to pay the clerks’ asking prices, but after I got mine for 1/8 of the original asking price, she was able to buy the eight she just had to have at the 1/8 price!
I have learned to live with ever-small bags, partly because big ones dominate an otherwise great self-presentation and because I admire self-discipline.
To each his own — and I really like your choice. I should have started this post with a Happy Birthday, Lindsay. You will always be a fashionista, even after you’re a mommy, I predict. Nothing wrong with that! I love you and am glad you are such a happy woman….at the ripe old age of 27! I wish that you are just as happy at age 87 or so:-)
Yeah I’m a self-proclaimed label whore. Haha you’re a better person than me on that regard! And I def. am happy! Ps: bday was in August – this was a “update”/re-post today. But thank u! It was a good one!
Oh! I wish you a Happy BELATED Birthday! I hope all your dreams came true and so happy for you, so, did you treat yourself to a beautiful purse? I love them all, I would have difficulties deciding too 😉 Love the “Tory Burch ‘Amanda’ Foldover Crossbody Bag” and the “Tory Burch ‘Amanda’ Leather Hobo” because they are classy and keep them for years and I have something similar too 🙂
Thanks girl! I did end up treating myself and this is what I got: http://www.toryburch.com/AMANDA-CLUTCH-%7C-BLACK–%7C-001/886762449994,default,pd.html?CAMPID=gproductads&gclid=CI_JhYur3LQCFYKPPAod4lkAlQ
I like them all. But I’ve been to the Tory Burch showroom in Vegas, and it would be memorable to have anything from there! (Salesperson told me it was designed to be like her closet at home. I could only wish for a closet like that!) Good luck on making the selection you like best. You can’t go wrong with any of them! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
Her stores ARE so beautiful and colorful! But I didn’t know they were styled like her closets. That’s so cool! Anyway, here is the crossbody I went with: http://www.toryburch.com/AMANDA-CLUTCH-%7C-BLACK–%7C-001/886762449994,default,pd.html?CAMPID=gproductads&gclid=CI_JhYur3LQCFYKPPAod4lkAlQ
Celine will probably be CRAZY expensive you’re right, but its very trendy right now. As always I love Tory Burch, and I think if you’re trying to downsize, the 2nd black one is great! Its day/ night appropriate, big enough to fit phone/wallet/sunglasses but you wont be carrying too much and its great durability!
good luck!
xx
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