Bag envy

I have a serious case of bag love. Shoes I could take or leave, bags are when I get a bit silly about what is justifiably ok to purchase - it is amazing how convincing that voice in my head is that says on loop that I need a Mulberry Lily/Del Rey/Tillie in this season's colours. Everyone has their thing & I am not alone in my utter love of all things bag shaped.
It got me thinking about what is it about my leather friend that I covet so much? I love the smell, the structure, the sheer design of bags and how they transform how you carry yourself & your outfit. I change my bag daily to reflect my mood & feel incomplete without my trusty companion by my side.
It got me thinking about the bags that have influenced and inspired me over the years. What do you think of my picks? Or are you a shoe person?

1. Marc Jacobs classic tote - This was my first ever serious purchase when I graduated from University. I loved the classic lines, pockets on the front and buttery soft leather. His name was Francko (am I the only one that names bags?), he has been relegated to my bag cupboard for a while but remains a favourite none the less. source

2. Hermes Kelly bag - designed in the 1930s by Robert Dumas, the bag is iconic and oozes sophistication. Since Grace Kelly sported one around Cannes in 1956 it has topped many a waiting list for fashionistas. For me it has been a source of inspiration with the simple lines, emphasis on the beautiful leather finish and ultimate in luxury feel, it trumps the Birkin, for me as most desired bag.  source

3. And so my love of bags began, the Mulberry Bayswater. Shamefully I have a few of these, they are just so easy to use and unlike some bags, my battered oldest Mulberry looks the best in my opinion. The leather is supple and ages in a way that I can only aspire to. I am a bit miffed at Mulberry's rise to the epitome of 'fashion', for me they were about heritage, craftsmanship and an amazing product. It doesn't stop me lusting after a new bag every season, with the Del Rey's oval shape teasing me currently.  source

4. The class Chanel 2.55. This much copied, much lusted after bag epitomises all that is chic about French fashion. From 1955, the interlocking 'CCs' have represented luxury & a hefty price tag. Fact of day - the chain straps were revolutionary at the time and Coco was inspired by soldier's backpacks. It was also said that the small pocket inside the bag was where she had kept her old love letters. It is on my 'would love to own list' but I do hate the proliferation of copies to the market. source

5. Originally designed in 1997, the Fendi baguette was the original IT bag. It was one of the first designer bags that I noticed. It nearly had it's own seat at the coffee shop in Sex and The City, it was when you knew that Carrie's wardrobe was nothing to do with her income. This little bag has come in every colour and embellishment imaginable. Huge creative talents such as Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst have even designed one. It will go down in bag history as a defining moment for me.  source

6. All things vintage, I love old, slightly pre-loved bags. I have shelves full of them. Vintage bags made it into my list because I adore the history and nostalgia tied up in them. I love grabbing a leather clutch, or my old alligator skin clutch for a night out - it makes me stand differently and adds confidence to my outfit. I have a huge carpet bag that I use everyday for carting my work stuff around, as well as acting as my Mary Poppins bag, I love how the leather is lightly scratched and battered, it feels like it had a whole other life before I came along.  source

7. Lulu Guiness 'lips clutch bag'. This iconic bag just stands out for me, it represents the playfulness & creativity of British fashion. With a starting price tag of £245 upwards, this little bag comes in every colour, print and texture imaginable. I think it just screams fun and would add a certain, 'I don't take myself too seriously nod' to any outfit, imagine black tie dinner accompanied by Lulu's lips bag. source

8.The Balenciaga Motorcycle Le Dix bag has been around for more than a decade and is still a blogger favourite, The Blonde Salad I am looking at you. With its multiple zips, studs and stitched handle, the many sizes available made it an easy to carry and easy to use bag. From the classic black and buttery brown to citrus and pastel colours this bag has graced the arm of many a model & fashion die hard. It is also one of the most copied bags I have ever seen. I think the real Balenciaga bags are easy to spot, the fakes have a shine to the leather and look more cracked than lovingly distressed. Staring at this picture is making me yearn to go uncover my own baby Balenciaga in a soft grey shade. source

9. No bag list would be complete without a nod to Louis Vuitton. One of the most valuable brands in the world. Since the 19th century the company have prided themselves on making their luggage by hand with a focus on quality and craftsmanship (each trunk has an individual serial number & takes 60 hours to make). As one of the most instantly recognisable bags I fall in and out of love with them. I was lucky enough to find a vintage Louis Vuitton satchel in a market in France, I love his leather and structured look but for fear of looking like I am trying too hard I don't actually like to use him too often. LV love or hate?  source

10. The Cambridge Satchel Company took a classic, school bag shape and made it modern and relevant again. Tapping into the vintage love of current trends, the company used the classic Oxford and Cambridge satchel design to re-introduce a classic to the marketplace. It started in 2008 as a small homemade business but became a must have accessory by bloggers. The bag comes in every shade imaginable from pillar box red to fluro yellow, I must be a puritan at heart but I love the caramel coloured brown one. It is a practical, sensible option that I am sure I would have hated with a passion as a kid, nowadays I can't get enough of them  source

So there we have it, these are my top ten bags *I reserve the right to add to them, my mind is now thinking about all the Miu Miu designs I love* what does everyone think, any you could do without or have I missed any pivotal must have bags? Off to organise my bag cupboard now. xxx