Ever since I can remember, I visualize my mother toting around an over sized Louis Vuitton bag.  At first, say elementary school, I didn’t understand and thought it was just an ugly brown purse.  Fast forward several years…as I began to learn the value of quality and my love affair for designers started to blossom, a true understanding and respect for high quality items started to thrive.

I currently have 4 favorite bags:

1. Louis Vuitton Monogram Montorgueil GM

(handbag no longer available, but you can find the current LV Momogram collection here)

After carrying my mom’s hand-me-down Speedy 35 (here) since freshman year in high school, I was is desperate need of an upgrade.  After years of “research” (which I would also call extreme daydreaming), I landed on the Montorgueil GM.  My parents surprised me the evening before my undergraduate graduation in May of 2011 with this bad boy and I could not have been more ecstatic!  I still carry it as my main handbag on a daily basis.

Louis Vuitton is truly an iconic brand.  Every LV item or bag I have purchased has sincerely been of the utmost quality and detail.  This specific handbag is big enough to double as a tote when needed, but is perfectly sized for every day use.  The top opening is extremely large (which can be very helpful when attempting to find that one pesky item at the bottom of your bag) and the straps are placed so the bag sits neatly under my arm without being too tight.  I truly believe that for the rest of my life, an LV bag will remain my sidekick of a handbag, hands down.

B & I before a Dave Matthews Band concert (May 2014)

2. Tory Burch Reva Clutch

(similar here)

This is my go-to clutch and can easily go from dressed-down for a concert or festival to dressed-up for a date night or wedding.  The Tory Burch Reva collection is simple and elegant, which makes it versatile and chic (I also LOVE their ballet flats and wedges, see my top choices here and here).  I purchased this bag a few years ago, so the exact version is no longer available, but Tory Burch has continued to create versions of this design as their styles evolve.

My favorite feature of this clutch is that it comes with the long gold chain that can be used in various ways.  You can wear it long on one shoulder or cross body (as seen above), short chain  one shoulder (by crossing the chain inside of the bag), or as a clutch (by detaching the chain completely).  Brilliant!

3. Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote

(here)

I have owned a few items from the Le Pliage Longchamp collection over the years, but on my parent’s 30th anniversary trip last October, they had the pleasure of visiting the Palais Longchamp in Marsielle, France.  My mother being the overzealous gift giver that she is, thought it only appropriate to purchase a tote for each of us.

The entire Le Pliage nylon collection from Longchamp is simply elegant and very travel-friendly.  I love the size of this tote, as it can be used for a quick overnight trip to my parent’s or a girlfriend’s, or can double a an overflow bag for work supplies or extra flats (so I don’t have to walk down the block in my heels during the work week).  It is also a wonderful option for travel due to the fact that most of their pieces fold up into a travel-friendly size (image above, right).  You can easily stash it in your carry-on to use as extended storage while exploring your preferred destination.

4. Hobo cross body bag

(other Hobo cross body bags here)

This bag was an impulse purchase from TJ Maxx in Milledgeville, Georgia (where GCSU, our alma mater, is located).  Being a fan of the Hobo brand for several years, I knew the bags were made of high quality leather and radiate a unique, handcrafted vibe.  When I saw this bag in the clearance section of TJ Maxx (you all know what I’m talking about, the red tag screaming your name), I could not believe (A) that this bag was Hobo and in Milledgeville (a town that knows little to nothing of designers) and (B) that it was only $24.99.  I kid you not.  Find of the century.

As I wasn’t in the market for a new handbag, I was pleasantly surprised with the function and style that came with this handbag.  Not only is it a spunky blue color and a nifty shape, but it also is slightly larger than my Tory Burch Reva clutch, making it the perfect in between for when I need a cross body bag, but still have some bulkier items to carry (i.e. my makeup bag, seen in this post, sunglasses, etc.).  I love the edge this bag can add to any outfit, while still possessing quality and function.