what I bought in February
a true one-buy month!
After January’s kick-off to my “low-buy” year, I knew February would have to look different. Back in New York, I rejoiced at the chance to dress for consistently chilly weather with my full wardrobe available again. It feels like I have a bounty of clothes (and I do)! I’m all stocked up on sweaters, shoes, and button-up shirts. There are only a couple categories where I still find myself thinking “If only I had…” rather than being overwhelmed by the amount of choice I do have. I’d like one miniskirt to wear with tights and one midi/maxi skirt to wear with or without tights. I also felt like I could use another purse or bag.
I went to a Broadway show earlier in the month and was in the city for most of the day. I loved the outfit I chose, but my dirty New Yorker tote bag really took the outfit down a couple notches. A purse is also easier to shop for secondhand than a skirt (which I’ve been looking for unsuccessfully for years). So a purse it was. My approximate specifications were: leather or suede, silver hardware or none (already have a similar-sized bag with gold hardware), the ability to wear over shoulder or crossbody, and big enough to fit a book inside.
I began by spending a lot of time on the RealReal, which is a good place to start if you only have a general idea of what you’re looking for. It’s a more curated selection than just typing in “leather bag” on eBay, which yields an ungodly amount of results.
The RealReal is also a good way to discover brands and figure out what you might want to search for elsewhere. (Also, I think it was
who suggested using the RealReal to see how certain styles and brands age over time—brilliant!) I added some of my favorites to my Indyx to see how well they might work with the rest of my clothes.
There was a certain Tod’s bag I saw in a few different colors and sizes—I wasn’t opposed to the black version, but wondered if I could find the bigger size in a more fun color. I loved this rusty suede one (still do!), but it was smaller than I wanted, so I removed it from consideration. Then I checked eBay and Poshmark now that I had a specific brand and style in mind. This bright red version drew me in.
It arrived in a dust bag, lovingly stuffed with tissue paper. It was in perfect condition, but a little more structured than I’d envisioned, and the zippered opening at the top meant that it wasn’t quite as easy to fill up as I’d hoped. (Nothing to do with the accuracy of the description, just some factors that are more difficult to determine online.) It did, however, fulfill the initial brief reasonably well, the pop of red is fun (especially as my nails are painted the same color right now), and I was able to fit a hardcover book in there, even if there wasn’t room for much else.
Later in the month, I rented a Sandro bag (which I’m still holding onto) and felt a twinge of regret about the Tod’s purchase. Its capacity, while not quite up to Mary Poppins’s standards, is deceptively substantial, and I find the simple magnetic closure at the top incredibly convenient. The burgundy shade feels more complementary and less aggressive than that bright red, and I’ve found myself reaching for the Sandro purse as my everyday bag (even though it has gold hardware.) But it doesn’t mean I don’t like the Tod’s bag, and I don’t feel any pressure to buy the Sandro one just yet (certainly not at the price it’s available for now!)
I do think this ‘one item a month’ structure is the perfect format for me. It feels more intentional than restrictive, and I’m enjoying weighing my options rather than panic-buying immediately upon finding something I like.
If you, too, are in the market for a FUN RED LEATHER BAG that isn’t just for parties or fancy events1 and that can hold a New Yorker tote bag’s worth of stuff, here are some options:
One of my first posts was about wedding guest bags!
That’s a gorgeous bag, love the colour!💕
Love your bag and thought process— and that I’m not the only one who makes bags pass the book test