I’ve told this story before, but it’s one worth revisiting, especially on our 4th annual national handbag Day. I’m continuously asked, “Why bags?” and the truth is I’ve loved bags because I was young. everyone assumes I came from a family where my mother was a bag lover as well, but that wasn’t the case. Sure, she’s come around now, but growing up, my mother was busy shuffling four kids to and from school and sports and making dinner every night. (Yep, she’s very mom, and I’m fairly certain that even though I’ll be a good mom, I won’t be able to match her mothering excellence.)
A lot of my love for bags has to finish with growing up in South Florida, where the bag game is strong, and trying to find something that would make my outfit stand out. I went to private school and wore a common uniform, and before and after school every day I was at swim practice, so my hair was always slightly green, smelled of chlorine, and in a messy bun. having a good handbag made me feel like I would be able to show my personal style a little and dress up my common look. I remember the first time I laid my eyes on the trainer Pochette, I was in seventh grade and became obsessed. (Also, I bet numerous of you had this bag too, so let me know in the comments below!) It was the first bag I wanted, and I started to cut it out of every magazine I saw it in and take trips to the mall to stare at it.
My mother and father eventually broke down and purchased me the bag in the classic tan trainer shade with the old signature C pattern, and in the interest of fairness, they got one for my sister, too, even though she wasn’t nearly as interested. I carried that bag all over with me, and on the weekends, after swim practice, I’d choose my friends to the mall to eat an Auntie Anne’s pretzel and “shop,” that little bag perched proudly on my shoulder. That trainer bag started it all, and fast-forward nearly 20 years later and I’m still a handbag lover, still a trainer girl, and still talking about my love of designer bags daily.
It’s fitting then that not only is trainer a brand I still adore, but also have the pleasure of working with. From that tiny little take on bag in seventh grade to the brand’s new collections under Stuart Vevers, I’ve stuck with Coach. Lately, I’ve been carrying the trainer Rogue Bag, and I am obsessed with the deep jewel-hued fall colors and the trainer Varsity Jackets–for real, if no one ever gave you their varsity jacket in high school or college (hands up over here), doesn’t this seem like the most stylish nostalgic piece?
What was your first designer bag ever and how did you end up loving bags?