3 Chic Bag Styles That Can Pull Any Outfit Together

The below is from editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike's weekly newsletter, Self Checkout. Subscribe here.

With close to 20 years in the fashion industry, I’ve not only seen it all—but also know how to parse through the endless sea of stuff. What’s worth buying? What’s not? In Self Checkout, you’ll find my highly specific recommendations with a few picks from my most knowledgeable, stylish friends.

This week’s newsletter, similar to last week’s, also comes by special request: chic bags for a hands-free summer. “I saw someone with a sad backpack, ruining an otherwise very cute look,” a friend texted me. An inspired way of saying that accessories matter. Don’t be this person…shop my many selects below!

Spacious Backpacks

I don’t own a ton of backpacks myself. I do see the benefit in an equal distribution of weight, especially if you’re a mom who has to catch something at any given moment and you don’t want your bag to fly off your shoulder. Each of these is big enough to hold necessary warm-weather essentials like sunscreen, hand sanitizer, snacks, sunglasses, and headphones.

Functional Crossbody Bags

This is my absolute favorite bag category. Yes, crossbody bags work for summer, but the best ones have a long enough strap that you can also wear with a bulky coat once temperatures drop again. They’re even better if they come with a top handle (the best design, if you ask me).

Hands-Free Fanny Packs

There’s something so freeing about a fanny pack during the summer. Just roomy enough to hold keys, wallet, and phone, but not too bulky that you’ll get bogged down with the unnecessary. These are my favorites for running around on hot weekend days.

P.S. When I mentioned the topic of this week’s newsletter, another friend said I had to add the Loewe Puzzle bag fanny pack. While it’s an investment, it's fashion industry veteran-approved.

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