My Purse Collection — Musings of a Modern Mermaid

Welcome back everyone! Apologies for not posting when I said I was going to, but once again I was having computer issues. But here we are now! Today I wanted to share my favorite accessory and the thing I spend the most money on when it comes to fashion: purses. Bags and purses were my first fashion love (followed closely by shoes and hoodies) and I have a decent collection these days that I am pretty proud of. Over the past few years I have gotten rid of bags that I just didn’t use and have really paired them down to the ones I use super often, and have made a list of others I’m looking for! In these weird financial times, it is all about controlling spending. I tend to carry my whole life around in my purses with me, but I do have a couple tiny ones I use for going on (remember back when that was a thing?) or going to concerts (I mis you live music!) or any thing else that didn’t require a lot. Most of these bags are older but I will find some similar ones you guys can shop in case you see something you really like!

This bag has been around for a while. Not the oldest on this list but easily the second oldest. I used this tote style bag as a school bag a lot in my freshman year of college and it was a favorite of mine in Chicago. I had enough space so that I could lug around whatever I needed for the day; it went to work and school and back, as well as got lugged around the rest of the city on any day excursion I may have taken. I can fit all my regular things in it (phone, keys, wallet, chapstick) as well as a camera, water bottle, snacks and I can shove my jacket in here if I don’t need the extra layer. It is one of my favorite day bags to use just in daily life. It is real suede that has held up to the tests of weather and time, and the navy color has faded ever so slightly. I honestly even love it more just a little more worn looking.

This is the bag I have had for the longest here in this collection. This is the first bag I bought for myself that was more than a $20 purse from Target. It was my gift to myself after working my first full-time job the summer after I graduated from high school. It is vegan leather and is my most used bag. It never worked well for school since it is taller and skinner as opposed to a wider bag (like the one above) but it goes to and from with me most other places. My planner (yes I still use a paper planner, leave me alone) fits in here, along with all of my pens, wallet, phone, keys, a snack, and a little bag I keep that has all the essentials in so I don’t lose them in the depths of this purse. The silver detailing matches most of the other details on clothes I wear and matches most of the jewelry I wear. The fringe gives whatever I am wearing a little extra something. Plus it’s black so it goes with everything.

This is my go-to bag when I need something a little smaller. I use this little bucket bag when I need something less than my fringe bag, but more than a clutch. I use it mostly for when I travel to my mom’s house or to Kevin’s (my boyfriend) parents’ house when we will be doing a lot less daily life and a lot more vacation life. This is perfect to fit all my daily needs, but can also comfortably fit a book to read while I lounge by the pool or the lake. I can even fit a little sunscreen in here. It is truly the best little catch-all. It is real suede as well, so when the light leather gets stained, it is pretty easy to clean.

This is one of my favorites because a close friend of our family brought it back from Italy! It’s real leather, and while you can get similar ones in the states, this one is Italian and hold a special place for me. This is one I will never let go and will pay for it to get fixed. It also comes with a crossbody strap that can be clipped on to the larger tote, or the smaller bag it came with that can be clipped on to the inside of the bag as well to create a little pouch. I have used this for school, work, travel, and more! It is a great bag to fill up with whatever crap you have.

This is my current favorite bag. Maybe just because it is the newest, maybe it’s because I saved for it for a long time, or maybe it’s because I could live out of it, but I love this bag. I used this for school a lot this last year because it fits my laptop and all the books I needed. Since it is real leather and has a zip closure, it was perfect for being able to withstand the Oregon rain. None of my stuff ever got wet and the leather dried so quickly. It is amazing to travel with and even just to haul all of your stuff back and forth from wherever you are going and coming from. Plus, the backpack straps can come off and you can turn the bag into a crossbody, or you can get rid of them all together to make the bag a shoulder bag!

I got this bag as a gift a few years ago for Christmas and it is made from seatbelts! How cool is that?! I love using this bag for going out to the bars or a concert because it is the perfect size for all of your essentials, has a crossbody strap so you don’t have to carry a clutch, and it zips closed. It really is the perfect thing for going out and about.

I hope this post was helpful and enjoyable for you guys! I’ve linked everything that is still available and then linked similar items when they weren’t available! See you tomorrow for a fashion shoot! Stay safe lovelies.

Madey