drawing straws

on the ultimate spring staple

I feel like I’ve been waiting for spring for years, then it sprung out of nowhere.

With home renovations nearing its end, finally sensing some progress at work, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel after all.

And with that, the chaotic winter season comes to an end.

Hello straw bag conversations, I’ve missed you.

I’ve been browsing social media for years for the most appropriate straw bag, one where I won’t have to worry about it becoming misshapen, which will save me from paranoid thoughts about the bottom giving out on me. I pack full to the brim or carry barely any at all, so it has to fall within that “sweet spot” of totes, shoulder bags, crossbody purses of the rattan/straw/bamboo persuasion.

And since chopping off my hair, I’ve been wearing more hats in general; fedoras, buckets, made of stiff wool, straw, cotton; you name it, I adore it.

when searching for a straw bag I’m usually looking for…

• Comfort: it needs to sit comfortably on my shoulder

• Functionality: unless the hat is packable, I refuse to stuff it in my purse

• Flexibility: where I can toss it aside without worrying about it becoming dirty or torn

• Aesthetics: I like what I like, after all.

Their flagship store The Edit by Janessa Leoné is located at the Platform in Culver City.

I’ve discussed Janessa Leoné¹ and my respect for brands that stay true to their vision and commitment to giving back to the community. All of my hats are purchased with my own money from this brand and I love every one of them. Walking into the boutique, greeted by a welcoming sales associate and an elegant space is definitely an experience.

In their spring/summer ‘24 collection, the Teagan bucket is a must have for sunny weather. I have a big head (I wear size medium for bucket hats and large for stiff wool fedoras) and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the Teagan felt. The best thing is you can roll up the brim, and it is easily packable for travels.

I’ve always loved functionality of handbags; as someone who is always on the go, who carries essentially her whole life everywhere, it is such a treat to find something that serves multiple purposes.

The Tanner bag is roomy, light, and chic; the best part of this tote is how it features two straps (made from regenerative leather) that securely holds hats. To test its durability, I’ve carried:

• two books

• a laptop

• iPad

• two make up pouches

• a pencil case

• a black panama straw hat

In the end, it was fine; no contents spilled. The double strap feature was nice and I really liked how the bag itself is foldable. Typically for me personally, structure is nice, but in this case, it was a welcome change.

Clearly the grey color palette came calling; I am absolutely loving my COS cashmere sweater (in dark gray). Also I like mixing textures with shades of gray; the skirt is 100% silk by Anine Bing, the boots are by Essen the Label.

It is still a relatively new purchase, so I will share the contents of my purchase in another post. I should add that as someone who typically carries two bags (one for every day, another for work), toting around just this one is more than sufficient if you don’t feel like changing out purses for the week.

Let’s share favorite seasonal accessories in the comments: What is your go to spring/summer handbag?

1. No affiliate links are included in this Substack. I will not receive commission for items sold through this column. I purchased all items mentioned in this post and my reviews are honest takes on everything I bought.