We all have our "favourite" item in whatever category that may be.
This simple, black, nylon tote has been my most used bag since 2009 when I got it.
I didn't think of it as a favourite as it was free, simple, and highly utilitarian.
I mistakenly thought that one of my many other bags in my collection would have ranked higher than this black tote.
My most obvious "favourite"bag would be my Picnic Kelly bag.
My most obvious "favourite"bag would be my Picnic Kelly bag.
I love my garden party tote but it starts to change shape
if you put more than a 1 kg ( 2.2lbs) in the bag.
if you put more than a 1 kg ( 2.2lbs) in the bag.
I do take them all my bags out for a spin now and then but between my pockets and that black tote, it tends to be a once a fortnight appearance for them on a rotating schedule.
But I am in a crisis right now.
As you can see, my black tote has seen better days.
The zippers have either fallen off completely or come of one of its tracks and the inside lining is completely ripped.
I even put some red ribbon on as a pull that had fallen off three years ago and I was complimented on my stubbornness to use this bag by my mother.
But now that the bag actually has holes opening up at the bottom of the tote.
Not just one side - but one burrowing a hole steadily on each side.
I only found out because a pen fell out a few months ago.
But this bag is no longer in production and I am now panicking that I may have to retire my tote making me realise how much I have depended on this bag.
My only real option is the Longhcamp "pliage" bag in nylon but
I can't bear to get another bag when
I have a few languishing on the shelves.
My main problem is that I can rarely be bothered switching between bags. So I try to find one that fits all outfits. Which may be what you're experiencing... Your black nylon one kind of works with everything and is handy, so you stick with it. I say get the Pliages as you'll use it all the time.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing at your wicker kelly in its raincoat though. I don't tend to fret about the wicker one I have as rain isn't a daily occurrence here in Summer....
Have you tried a Maitai insert for the picnic? I bought a kelly insert that fits another tote bag I use in Summer and it is very hand for keeping the bags structure better, and also I can lift it in and out easily and switch it with another bag I use a bit.
Yes I have one of those inserts but it is quite a specific one and doesn't work with my other bags. I do think I might get the plague bc it is just a low maintenance bag. But I was going to throw my tote away but now am using it as my market bag. I can't move on I think until it is really gone!! The raincoat is just insurance just in case I get caught out while I am out suddenly. But yes switching between bags is the worst without inserts bc you always forget one thing!
DeleteOMG, you are hilarious !!!
ReplyDeleteI have a canvas one on order, send me an email
splenderosa@gmail.com
& I'll send you a pic to see if you like.
But, I absolutely understand. Tears ago I bought a giant Carlos Falchi black on black patchwork leather hobo-type bag in NYC. I've actually cried over that bag!!!
Yes we all have that bag we cry over don't we?
DeleteI have a canvas enviro bag from Waitrose that I cannot part with as I bought it on my first trip to London. I lug everything to and from work in it. I am dreading the day it's sturdy rope handles fall apart...
ReplyDeleteI love your alternate option bags! And the dustbags in the background... I am a terrible sticky beak.
SSG xxx
Yes Waitrose gave away those when the one near me reopened and it is quite handy. I used to be handbag fiend. still am actually xx
DeleteWow, your bag collections looks a lot like my shoe collection, which I've now had to put the breaks on, for obvious reasons.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain regarding your favorite tote. My mother gave me a cheapo reusable little bag when she visited the RA Byzantium exhibition several years ago. I love that bag and fold it up and tuck it into my handbag whenever I travel. So handy to whip out and place one's shopping in. It started to fall apart last year and I've not found another quite like it to replace. I mourn that bag so I wish you luck in finding a replacement for your well-loved tote.
Does one every stop a collection?! Those RA bags are well designed and I got one when I joined the RA and I quite like it too.
DeleteI fear I might be a hopeless collector for the rest of my life ... help!
DeleteDon't stop - how do you think museums came about if someone stopped collecting is what I say!
DeleteAdmire your persistence and faithfulness to a loved bag. Sometimes keep things beyond use-by date too and then feel guilty when I read about need for decluttering. G even worse - jumpers,shirts and ties he's liked since before the flood.
ReplyDeleteAdmit to having heaps of totes too - almost always carry one with fold-up brollly and pashmina inside - and of course when travelling. My faves for that are definitely nylon pliages: they're light, strong and zip up securely so you don't lose precious small things in X ray tunnel. Have one normal size in black and really big one (still within carry-on regs though) in red (matches suitcases) in case check-in people complain about how much hand luggage. Can then stash shoulder bag in it with other things, like duty free - and lo, one bag!
Other faves for beach/summer are the fab cheap French market basket, and a bit more dressy - collection of Vanessa Bruno cabas in strong linen with spangles on handles and strips near base (black, grey, dark blue, animal print browns and beiges, amber) - most were seasonal colours/designs bought in LBM June sales. So much cheaper - the amber is latest, from this June, and matches perfectly with Stella McCartney necklace, oversized Perspex chain in amber - also from the LBM sale - about one quarter original price (from 2015 I think)! Love it but sometimes tricky to take off.
Good luck with decision-making! Pammie xx
Oh yes I don't think I have been trying so hard to make a bag work. I need to work on actually getting rid of it. Yes the pliage is popular for a reason isn't it? The cabas bags are very popular so I might have a look to see as I have never tried one.x
DeleteHi Pammie & Naomi, I'd just like to say snap regarding the red large size pliage. Mine's a real workhorse. Love it. Don't have to be precious with it and can take it almost anywhere. And boy has it been everywhere - also I'm a bag within a bag lady too.
DeletePulled out a fold up bag out of my small cross body bag at a lunch on the weekend to put in some things I'd bought & a friend said what else do you have in there & I laughed & pulled out a small tape measure ( need a few things for home & easier to measure things up). Disbelief from my friend.
The death of a favorite is hard. Good luck with decisions. Had a large "pleather" beautiful pink tote which I hauled everywhere for a couple of years. I swear every time some one complimented me on it, it would form a new crack on its handles or the lining would rip. Pleather doesn't die gracefully - it just revealed its roots. Den xxx
Den and Naomi
DeleteAgree the nylon pliage was a brilliant invention - and so good for travel or major shopping (not supermarket) expeditions. The top zip makes it so secure. At other times though I love my Vanessa Bruno cabas. They come in three sizes and usually a nice range of regular neutralish colours plus every season there are special colours. On our latest trip I bought our DiL a mid size light-mid grey cabas with sparkling silver sequins on handles and around base. It's very her. She loves it and took it for the first time to a wedding we all went to - so she could carry extra things for our grand-girls - but not look like a bag lady. It worked. She looked fab.
Sometimes think I might buy an LV neverful - but they don't have a top zip, so not secure enough for air travel. Lots of French girls carry them, even (specially the lighter coloured one) to the beach.
Would look a bit excessive on an Oz beach but is really chic on the Cote d'Azur. The hotel where we always stay in Antibes presented us with large complimentary hessian beach bags (nicely lined) with bamboo handles. Printed quite stylishly in black with name of hotel beach club. Can't really see us using them but brought them home because it was such a nice thoughtful gesture by the hotel (I'm good friends with the super lovely concierge of the golden keys variety) - and it would have been dreadful to have left them behind - would have seemed terribly churlish. So now they take up cupboard space but instead of seeing just bags - I see kindness and all the lovely staff who treat us like royalty. Best wishes, pammie xxx
Den, I took the bag on my holiday as its last swan song but still sneak in a few more but today there was stuff hiding underneath a lining and i can't find my credit card so now i have to let go already!! xx
DeletePammie I know what you mean about the leather cord pull which is tedious for me to knot and then unknot. I love hessian bags and have used one in the past to its demise as well. They do tend do last a few years tops though
DeleteEbay the bags you don't use.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to eBay but not my thing.
DeleteBig fan of MZ Wallace bags...everything has a place and can be easily found, lightweight, sturdy, and pretty.
ReplyDeleteI don't know this - must google now!
DeleteGet the pliage today you need it! Think of those small holes developing, you're going to lose something out the bottom of that bag. It's been good to you so say a nice good bye and thank it profusely as that magic tidy-up lady Marie Kondo would have you do.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't feel guilty because you have other bags in storage, it sounds like you really need a large tote for everyday life. Love your picnic kelly bag though, bestill my heart.
I am crazy for handbags but my favourite is my dark brown LV empreinte speedy, it's so easy to carry and actually holds a fair bit. But I only use it fall and winter because of the colour.
Let us know how you do buying the pliage, XO
I think I do...And yes holes and the lining and it's just a mess bc I took it on holiday and everything was everywhere. Yes maybe I need to do a thanks so much but I get very sentimental Dani!! Speedy's are also useful and know many who are so loyal to it. Will let you know xx
DeleteFavorite line item in the Christina Estrada living expenses during divorce proceedings from Saudi Billionaire was the $100,000/year for 8 handbags....was wondering if she has a sister.
ReplyDeleteThat was her smallest expenditure too! Half the time these people never get paid though.
DeleteDONOT DUMP the GARDEN BAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am not getting rid of anything!!! :)
DeleteI agree with Dani, time to get a new tote bag!! I had a Longchamps Pliage for a long time but use it so much it sprouted holes in the bottom. I eventually replaced it with a Japanese cotton canvas tote bag. Now I am thinking of replacing that one too but no idea with what. I love handbags but shopping for a new one is an exercise in frustration. I may have to try my hand at designing my own....!
ReplyDeleteSo far the pliage seems the top runner - cotton gets dirty really easy. My tote only just recently got dirty bc I thrashed it on holiday and was even harsher than usual bc I knew I was going to get rid of it. I think that while there are plenty of decorative bags the minute you go utilitarian the bags go a big shapeless or like a man's briefcase so I do think you should design something - ps i like shoulder bags to keep hands free!
DeleteYou have a lovely collection of bags there, Naomi.You should keep them all. I love your Evelyne - I hadn't really considered one before, but I am quite tempted. I do sell stuff I no longer want on eBay - I'm ruthless in getting rid of bags I've gone off (all my Mulberry and Anya Hindmarch). Currently, I just have my H Picotin and loads of Susannah Hunter bags - not to everyone's taste but I adore them.
ReplyDeleteOh I am definitely keeping them all! But I feel a bit odd getting another one. If you sell stuff I must say you should def try vestiaire. Thats where most of my friends get rid of their stuff and they seem to get much better prices even though they take higher fees. I love the picotin! It's one of my favourites but will google hunter bags Sue
DeleteI have an armada of LL Bean boat totes and I love them. They do get dirty easily but it doesn't bother me as I wash them fairly often. Though I could see how they would be inferior for air travel. So basically I am no help.
ReplyDeleteLL Bean isn't sold here - But I had one of those similar totes and they are so useful and i use that style for the market instead of handheld bags which only cut into your palm if you carry more than a bag of salad!
DeleteWhat about a black nylon Prada?
ReplyDeleteOMG - yes - i used to have one in the 90's and I might still have it stored in my mother's closet somewhere! but today i just got the burgundy pliage but next trip i shall go rummaging Kathy :)
DeleteI must say that picnic Kelly bag is adorable but I can appreciate your frustration with its high maintenance. When it's not in use I'm sure it features beautifully as decor in your closet/home xx
ReplyDeleteJust LOVE how you've described your love for Italy.
ReplyDelete"It is the type of fondness you feel for someone you used to fancy but you knew would only end up in heartbreak and endless attempts of breaking up trying to free yourself from the dysfunctional co-dependency before you finally regain your senses."
so clever!
I rescued my old plague from the dress up box because it's so hard to find a lightweight tote (mine has a tiny hole worn in the corner.) Best of luck on your hunt for a replacement! The picnic Kelly is beautiful! But it's not for schlepping things from the market.
ReplyDeleteLts of thanks for sharing this charming blog with us. Cotton bags Suppliers India
ReplyDelete