“Get yourself a good bag.”

The maternal self has been reminding me lately to try not to stray too far from the mainstream that I can’t swim back. A protective measure to ensure I can always still pass if I need to. For a normie. (That’s right, a normie.) 

For me, that means a good bag. A well crafted, versatile bag that fits my laptop, works for cycling and looks good on my arm. Practical, stylish, classic, well made, ethical - these are my metrics. I like the idea of it also being vegan, but I also long for a really beautiful saddle leather. I’m not exactly sure what it looks like yet, but I can see it in the corner of my eye; I’ll know it when I touch it.

I’ve always loved bags, all manner of them. Family legend even tells that it was because of my love of purses that I stood up from my crawl and started to walk, finding the posture more conducive to carrying multiple purses - usually at least three per arm. 

But as I transitioned from the pedestrian life to one on two wheels, the allure of the (usually vintage) elegant bag began to wane. As it did for other, non-bike friendly fashion choices. Skinny jeans over wide legs, boots over heels, wool over cotton, clean face over makeup, and the worst, helmets over jaunty hats. Each of these preferences were guided by the practicalities of cycle commuting, learned along the way as pants got stained and eaten in the bike chain, hearts almost arrested from slippery pedals and under-eyes were stained black from mascara. The hair was probably the most annoying at first - always flat from the helmet - until I discovered the art of twisting it up and smooshing it up under my helmet for a fuller do.

But there is a middle place between the waterproof black nylon messenger bag practical for a bike and the dainty pale pink rouched clutch practical for a garden party. Inside me there exists an affinity for both - function and fashion. So, I am on the hunt. Suggestions for rocks to overturn very much welcome.

(Source: lavagabonddame.blogspot.com, via fashionflorence)