These Versatile Bags Go With Almost Everything

When it comes to bags, what’s most important, really? Maybe for some it’s about the luxury – our choice for “It” bag of this season has to be the Chanel Gabrielle – well-crafted pieces in the most luxurious of materials, in timeless and sophisticated styles hopefully, and not inspired by particular night market trends (ahem, Balenciaga).
But for most of us, on the months when it’s not time for our annual bonuses just yet, it’s all about what’s practical for our wallets. The ideal is bags that will go with most of our outfits, whether for work or play; it should work with a corporate outfit as easily as it does with a casual weekend ensemble. And all without costing a few months’ pay checks, please?
Bags like that are a somewhat rare find, so when we find ones that fit the above description, we’ll put down cash for them, fast. Our latest finds are from an unlikely source: the Samsonite Red Spring/Summer ’17 collection, and we say unexpected because we’d usually expect more of travel bags from the brand. However, some new iterations of the Eilyn range of bags in this new drop immediately stood out to us, for the clean, minimalistic style (always a winner in our books), and practical size.
 

There’s a backpack, bucket bag and shoulder bag, and while these are classic enough bag styles to begin with, here’s the thing: these are super versatile. The backpack can be used the regular way, with two shoulder straps, or carried via a single thick strap so it becomes a roomy hobo bag; the bucket bag comes with a long and short strap to be carried as a sling or handbag. As for the shoulder bag, it’s roomy enough to be the kind of bag you can just mindlessly throw everything in, complete with an external pocket to keep things like your phone and EZ-link card within easy reach.
With the ivory base paired with brown or black accents, these bags go with plenty of things indeed, as we prove below:

Clockwise from top left: Topshop Elbow Ripped Jacket, $116; Pull & Bear Text T-shirt, $29.90; Zara Shirt Skirt, $59.90; Vans x Kendra Dandy Authentic, $79, Samsonite Red Eilyn Backpack, $250.
 

Clockwise from top left: Kingsley Ryan Circle & Stick Drop Earrings, $25.34 on asos.com; Samsonite Red Cross Bag, $190; Mango Linen-Blend Striped Jumpsuit, $89.90; Aldo Myssi Heels, $189. 
 

Clockwise from top left: Uniqlo Crisp Cotton A-Line Shirt Dress, $49.90; Topshop Core Straw Floppy Hat, $46.90; Samsonite Red Eilyn Shoulder Bag, $220; Monica Vinader Siren Fine Chain Bracelet with Moonstone, $240; Charles & Keith Strappy Open-Toe Sandals, $49.90.