The top 10
So back in 2019 I ranked my purse collection from my least favorite to most favorite. Well sometime late last year someone asked what my purse collection ranking looks like now (so thanks for that post idea). Since I’ve purchased quite a few new bags (and sold quite a few too), my list now looks different enough to warrant an update. So without further ado here are my bags ranked from least to most favorite:
23) Hermes Evelyne III PM: This is probably a shocker to see an Hermes bag being ranked least favorite. I purchased this bag in person because I got swept up in the experience of purchasing at the Hermes store, but I’ve only used this bag twice and I honestly don’t really love it. The Taurillon Clemence leather is a little too soft IMO (maybe this style in Epsom leather would be better—though they don’t make that anymore so you would have to find it secondhand). I’m keeping it for now but if I’m in a pinch for some bag funds, this bag will be out the door. A full review of the Hermes Evelyne III PM bag here. P.S. I’ve now sold it via eBay and have no regrets.
22) Vasic Bond Mini Bag: I bought this bag at the end of last year during one of Shopbop’s sales, and even though I love the look of it I’ve found that I never reached for it. It might be the openness of the bag (since it’s quite an open bucket bag) but I’m hesitant to use it in public. It’s also more of a hand-carry type of bag (though the straps can be adjusted to be carried crossbody or over the shoulder) and I like my bags to be mostly hands-free. Anyway we’ll see if I end up actually using the bag (and then I’d be comfortable writing a review), or if I end up selling it.
21) Longchamp medium tote: This bag was at the bottom of the list in 2018 and I had contemplated selling it but it’s still around! I use this bag mostly for Emi’s things (toys usually) when traveling. It’s useful so I’m keeping it for now.
20) Balenciaga Work Bag: I used to have a lot of Balenciaga bags like this (it’s actually the bag that got me addicted to high-end purses and started my former PurseForum addiction). I’ve sold them all a long time ago, but I purchased this bag used on the Fashionphile (because of nostalgia and the fact that they go for such good prices now). I don’t think they’ll ever come back in style (they’re sooo 2000s) but I’m keeping this one out of sentimentality.
19) Longchamp Weekender: I also use this bag for traveling and it used to be my personal item bag before I got the Everlane Weekender (below). Now whenever we take road trips, the Everlane bag is for all my stuff and this is for all of Emi’s.
18) Mansur Gavriel Mini Travel Crossbody bag (no longer sold): I consistently used this bag for the first 9 months of 2021, and love that this lightweight bag can hold a ton of things. I replaced it with the Celine Blade Bag which I prefer for its more compact style (but the Celine is quite a bit heavier when empty). This is currently the only MG bag in my collection and I don’t plan to part with it anytime soon. Full review of the Mansur Gavriel Mini Travel bag here.
17) Cafune Stance Bag: I love the classical look of this simple bag from Hong Kong brand Cafune. I had always wanted an Hermes Kelly bag in the 25 size (well I did have a very vintage one in the 32 size that I never used and thus sold ages ago), and I figured if I ended up using this Stance bag a lot (which has a similar shape without being a copy of the Kelly bag) then I could justify the purchase of the Hermes. Well I don’t actually use it a lot since I tend to favor my more casual and less structured bags (hello Hermes Lindy and Celine soft cube bag). But I’m still holding onto this one since it’s so well made and works well if I do need a more formal-looking structured bag. My full review of the Cafune Stance bag here.
16) Everlane ReNew Transit Bag: I got this bag secondhand from Crossroads. It’s my only sporty crossbody bag so I find I use it on the occasion I need a durable, lightweight, and handsfree bag. I’ve used it on a rainy day at Disneyland and for hiking. I love that it can fit all the essentials (because I’ve tried some crossbody fanny pack style bags that hardly fit anything). I also like the many compartments, so it’s easy to get organized.
15) Everlane Tote (no longer sold): I sold my large Longchamp tote (granted it was fairly worn out) once I got this bag since it’s just like the Longchamp one (in size, though the Everlane totes doesn’t fold up as nicely as the Longchamp one). Since I’m not really a tote person, I don’t carry it very often. But it’s useful to have when traveling or when I need to carry a lot of things for Emi. It’s currently being used weekly as Emi’s swim bag for her Monday swim lessons lol. You can read my review of this Everlane tote here.
14) Everlane ReNew Transit Weekender (reviewed here): This is my travel bag for both flying (in a past life and maybe in the future someday *sigh*) and driving. It’s lightweight, durable, and very easy to organize. I’ve tried several travel bags (including one from Cuyana and one from Lo & Sons) and this is hands-down the best IMO. I just recently used it again (and loved it again) when we went to Yosemite for spring break.
13) Chanel Medium Flap (featured in the post comparing vintage Chanel caviar leather to new Caviar leather): This was a gift from my mom on my 30th birthday so it’s the one bag I would never sell. And now I plan on passing it on to my kid eventually (hope she likes Chanel!). I only use this bag for special nights (mostly weddings), so as you can imagine this baby hasn’t been out and about for quite awhile.
12) Vintage Dior clutch/bag: This bag used to be my grandmother’s so I’m keeping it for sentimental reasons. I hardly use it though since I’m not really a clutch person. And again where would I use a clutch these days?
11) Verlein Ana Bag: I originally forgot to add this bag to my lineup (oops) because it isn’t stored with my other bags in the closet. I use this bag weekly for the farmer’s market so it’s hung up by the door. I love this easy-to-wear, easy-to-use, easy-to-clean bag, thus it’s my most used bag outside of the one I use daily (currently my Valextra ranked #2 below). If you’re looking for a fairly priced, high-quality crossbody bag I highly recommend checking out this brand from the Czech Republic!
10) Chanel small crossbody flap : I purchased this bag in London at the end of our Europe trip. This is probably the most useable Chanel I’ve purchased and I wear it often when going out. It holds just the essentials and can be dressed up or dressed down. And unlike the regular flap bags, which have a strap length that at the longest makes for a short awkward crossbody, the chain on this one is long and it’s a very comfortable crossbody length. Plus there’s a strip of leather that makes carrying it crossbody comfortable (instead of having the chain dig into my shoulder and leaving marks).
9) Hermes Lindy (reviewed here): This was my holy grail bag for over a decade, and I finally purchased it about five years ago. And it was everything I had dreamt it would be. It’s my second Hermes bag (my first being a vintage Kelly that I had in my collection awhile ago), but I love it as if it was my first. This bag is a lot more functional for me than the Kelly since the Lindy is a more casual bag. I love that I can carry it two different ways (over the shoulder with the joining strap or by the handles), and even though it’s a high-end bag the leather is durable and not fragile at all. It’s the best of all worlds: functional, luxurious, and discreet. I carried it the other day and still get compliments even though it’s gotten a bit slouchier with use.
8) Polene Beri bag: The design of this bag led me back to Polene (after my not-so-great experience returning the numero un nano), and I have no regrets. It’s a well-made bag that’s fun yet different. It’s also functional for the times you only need essentials and it’s comfortable to carry. I foresee myself having this bag for a long time to come.
7) Celine Nano Belt Bag : I’ve always loved the design and shape of the Celine Belt bag (and have purchased the Mini, Micro and now the Nano size—I’m like a crazy Celine Belt bag Goldilocks). I unfortunately sold my Mini bag before I started seriously blogging but I reviewed the Micro Belt bag here and did a comparison post between the Micro and Nano here. Now I have just the Nano and it’s the perfect size for my essentials without weighing me down!
6) Fendi By The Way bag: I reviewed the bag here and I’ve had this bag for over 8 years (the bag I’ve had the longest). Even though it was never a popular style, it works really well for my lifestyle (durable leather, easy to organize and multiple ways to carry it). And back in 2020 it was also my go to pandemic purse because I could sort my high-touch items away from my less-touched items (and thus could sanitize only the essentials—lol remember those days?). I am never letting this bag go.
5) Celine Blade Bag: This is my most recent secondhand Celine purchase and I still love it. I find I don’t carry it as much anymore since I don’t have a toddler in tow every time I go out (yippee for preschool). But I still love it’s softness and beauty. You can find my Celine Blade bag review here.
4) Ree Projects Mini Ann bag: Even though this bag is relatively new (I just got it in February), I’ve been using it constantly. I really love this bag: I love how it’s compact but can still hold quite a bit. I also love the durable leather and unique design. You can read my full review of the Ree Projects Mini Ann bag here.
Top 3
3) Hermes Roulis 23: So admittedly I don’t carry this bag much, but that’s because this is the crown jewel of my collection and I only use it for special occasions. Also since the leather is quite fragile (though oh so lovely), I baby the bag quite a bit. I have yet to write a review of this bag but I promise it’s the next bag review on the list.
2) Valextra Bucket bag: This bag has been my go-to bag lately when I want to carry a lot of things. It’s so easy to sling over my shoulder and I love how it easily tucks under my arm when wearing it crossbody. I never lose my phone in this bag because I have a designated pocket in the front for it. I’m currently using a Samora felt bag organizer (originally purchased to be used with my Hermes Evelyne bag) to keep it all neat and I love it. I rarely fumble for things even though this bag is huge. It can carry my water bottle and a book (a prerequisite these days). I do have to say that I’m using it so much that the corners have started to soften but I’m ok with that because that’s just the sign of a well-loved bag. You can find my review of the Valextra bucket bag here.
1) Celine Soft Cube (reviewed here): This has always been and might always be my favorite bag. I carry it every year for about 3-4 months, and yet it still looks as good as the day I got it (no creases or distortion to the bag even with the all the usage). The bag can hold quite a few things in its soft cube shape, but it’s lightweight and very easy to carry. I wrote a post about it after 100 wears here, but I could probably write one about it now after 250 wears (but it would really be the same since nothing has changed). Who would have thought the MVP of my bag collection would be a green bag, but yep I wear it with everything (it goes with everything) and I never tire of it.
And whew, that’s all of them. I think I have about the same number of bags as I did back in 2019, but the players have definitely changed. Since bags are always my favorite (don’t ask me why, I won’t be able to explain it to you), I foresee myself writing a collection ranking every couple of years. But as of right now I’m very happy with my collection and there’s nothing on my wishlist. I’m just very grateful for the abundance that I have.