It's the New Yorker in Me: 28 Cool and Practical Bags Perfect for Schlepping
New Yorkers are experts at fitting their entire lives into their bags. When you're commuting to the office at 9 a.m., with a spin class booked for 6 p.m., and drinks with friends after, schlepping becomes a lifestyle. And it seems to be a transferable skill, too. I moved to the West Coast three years ago, and I'm still packing a day's worth of outfits and an abridged skincare routine in my purse. I know the fashion world is still riding high on the mini bag trend, but it's time to get practical—as far as weekdays are concerned, the bigger the bag, the better.
You quickly realize a few things once packing everything becomes your daily ritual. For example, the cutest bags are ill-equipped for the task of schlepping, and sourcing bags that are both stylish and functional is an art. As someone with years of experience, I assembled the coolest bags suitable for the task. Whether the object is to be hands-free or find a bag that works for the office and everything in between, you'll find it all ahead.
For the carless commuter, a bag that doesn't require hands is the dream.
I like to use the summer as an excuse to get experimental with fabrics. This denim shopper is a cool alternative to leather and raffia.
Even BY FAR (the purveyors of minibags) has acknowledged the power of a good tote.
Sign me up for all the nylon bags—the material is waterproof (perfect for beach trips) and highly packable (so you can squish it into a fancier bag once you're done).
A Dragon Diffusion bag is on every fashion editor's wish list.
I'll gladly take anything from Maryam Nassir Zadeh if it's on sale. This is also perfect for grabbing groceries.
For those that prefer a more hands-free approach.
Proof that your "personal item" bag can also look incredibly chic.
I can't get over this combination of suede and contrast-stitching, the entire thing looks so luxe.
Coach is firmly entrenched in my NYC overpacking origin story, so it only makes sense that the brand made the list.
From the soft leather to the unusual shape, there are so many reasons to love this.
A Margiela bag is a cool-girl calling card.
This delicate blue is so on point for the summer.
For added variety, try a bucket bag shape like this one from Hunting Season.
When schlepping becomes a lifestyle, it makes sense to upgrade, right?
Lemaire's Croissant bag is pricey, but it's a classic that can be worn on repeat. It's well worth the splurge, in my opinion.
Up next: The Allure of the "Midrange"
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter where she started working atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times.
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