The Power of a Bag

My favorite investment bags, plus the best on the market now.

I’ve always been a bag person.

As a little girl, I’d tiptoe into my mom’s closet like I was entering a museum. I didn’t care much about the dresses or the shoes—my eyes went straight to the bags.

The Row Margaux—its availability is limited and fluctuant. A good alternative is her sister, Marlo.

I’d run my fingers over the leathers, open each one to inspect the lining and the pockets, and then—my favorite part—flip them over to check for the feet. My mom always pointed them out. “See these little metal studs? That’s a sign of a quality bag.”

Probably my most worn bag this year—the three bag Park tote by The Row. Perfect size. I use it for work (holds a laptop), but it’s over-the-shoulder strap makes it great for kids and travel. Works with everything.

In theory, you can roll out of bed in loungewear, pull on a baseball cap, and still look entirely put-together—if there’s a beautiful bag hanging at your side. The bag is the outfit. That’s the power of a good one.

This photo of this Savette bag doesn’t do it justice. The color/quality is stunning. I asked my husband to guess it’s price and he said $5k. Then again, it’s my husband—what does he know.

This Loro Piana tote was my favorite spring/summer splurge this year.

I’ve seen it happen more than once—someone swears they “aren’t a bag person” until they find one they truly love. And then, something shifts. It’s not just their outfit that looks different; it’s them. They’re converted to a bag person.

My friend, Kristin, told me I turned her into a bag person—but it wasn’t me. It was these Toteme buckle bags (black here, the light suede here).

The braided t-lock back by Toteme, which can be worn as a clutch by removing the strap. I also have the larger size in black.

Even any photo, before I notice the person’s sweater or the shoes, my eye catches the bag before anything else.

Bags are it. They’re worth investing in.

My first Row bag the one above: the park bag, size medium. Holds everything you need for daytime, but I often wear it like a clutch (like above) in the evening.

Especially certain brands. The Row, for example—not only timeless and meticulously made, but they hold their value (The Margaux, the ’90s Bag, and the Park have the strongest resell for what you buy it for, but often increase).

The Row’s 90s bag has a high resale value—either going for or above what you purchased for.

That said, The Row isn’t what I’d call “accessible”. Toteme has gorgeous options that still feel elevated—and while they’re still pricey, they’re a bit more accessible with a strong resale value. Khaite, Métier, and Savette bags are always on my radar, too.

My latest favorite: The Row’s Jouve, i.e., the new banana bag (which I also own, but it feels a bit small for me these days). A video below.

While I believe in buying less but better, there’s room for every budget and style in the world of great bags. Other brands with kinder price points: Aesther Ekme, Mansur Gavriel, Cuyana.

Toteme’s Black T-Lock

Because here’s the truth: you don’t need a closet full of everything. But a single great bag? Consider it the single most powerful object in your closet.

MINI BAGS

HUNTING SEASON BAG | MÉTIER BAG | THE ROW 90s BAG | SAVETTE BAG | THE ROW SATIN BAG | TOTEME CLUTCH

SHOULDER BAGS

AESTHER EKME BAG | THE ROW MEDIUM PARK BAG | TOTEME CROC BUCKLE BAG | MANSUR GAVRIEL BAG | KHAITE BAG | THE ROW JOUVE BAG

TOTES

THE ROW LARGE PARK BAG | TOTEME CROC TOTE | KHAITE TOTE | TOTEME BUCKLE TOTE | MÉTIER CANVAS LEATHER TOTE | THE ROW MARLO 12 INCH

The totes, shoulder bags, and mini bags I’m loving right now—yours to browse, covet, or carry.

xx Megan