Stylish and Functional Handbags To Upgrade Your Looks
I have a confession that I’ve only shared with really close friends. I loathe the Telfar shopping bag. Before you click away from this article or write me off, hear me out. Telfar is a genius brand especially when it comes to marketing. The Rainbow pop-up in Brooklyn during this year’s New York Fashion Week is the perfect example. As for the products, I lean more towards the jewelry (especially the Telfar hoops), the leather baseball caps and I’m a huge fan of the Telfar camo sets. All of the aforementioned, I own and have used to style a few clients. I even love the brand’s communications team as they’re some of the most helpful and effective communicators in the business.
But that shopping bag - small, medium, large and in any color - is a no for me personally. While I could go on about bags that I don’t like, I’m offering a few that crossed my radar in hopes to spread a little more creativity and uniqueness in your personal style.
BRANDON BLACKWOOD
Probably the most obvious choices would be from New York-based designer Brandon Blackwood. We’ve seen his bags everywhere from TV to the red carpet. And if you’re a stickler for buying Black, it’s a great brand to tap into.
KARA
The NYC handbag label launched in 2013 by Sarah Law and has been seen on celebrities like Lucky Daye. Kara bags add glam to any look with coveted crystal bags. Although these crystal bags are ideal for a night out, they definitely don’t have to be limited to just your evening parties and get-togethers. Pairing them with an unexpected knit and relaxed denim is a welcome twist. Keep it casual with over-the-top accessories and make this your everyday purse.
BOYY
BOYY is the brainchild of husband and wife duo Jesse Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman, who founded the accessory brand in 2006. The hero buckle bag was popular on the streets during fashion weeks in 2019. A decade on and the bags come in a variety of styles—from tote, mini, crossbody and shoulder—to endless color ways to suit any personal style—from plain black and tan hues, to playful pastels and bold color-blocks.
Coperni
Arnaud Vaillant and Sébastien Meyer are the brains behind the Parisian label Coperni. From the moon bag to the swipe bag, the brand has been spotted on style gurus like Dua Lipa, Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner. Similar to Bottega Veneta, Coperni is another dream bag brand for minimalists.
Issey Miyake
The late Issey Miyake was the king of pleats and futuristic, yet sensible design. From his use of outrageous accordion shapes, hard-shell bodices and swooping, draped silhouettes to the understated geometry of his Bao Bao bag, Miyake’s work was often dramatic though never overdone.
