Our bags reflect who we are. Ok, that might sound a little too philosophical but we’d be damned if it wasn’t true because after all, you can tell the personality of someone based on their bag’s contents. If it’s neatly organised, she’s a virgo. If it has tonnes of emergency things like bandages, deodorant or a mini first aid box, she’s probably your mom. And, if she’s carrying a bottle of alcohol at any given point in time, she might be your next best friend (we kid!).
But, instead of leaving you to your own devices to trawl the internet, we consulted Savina Chai (@savinachaiyj) aka another stylish chick from our little red dot who seems to know a little thing or two about what bags you should be investing in (seriously, she has a lot of bags).
Bonus? They range from homegrown local brands that won’t put a dent in your paycheck to everyday totes for all you boss babes to designer ones that are statement making.
Photo Credit: Instagram/SavinaChaiYj
READ MORE: SUMMER ’18 NEW SUNGLASSES TO BUY, PERFECTLY MATCHED FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE
Savina: It’s no secret that I love mini bags and the mini bag style is here to stay! I love bags that can be carried two ways, top handle and over the shoulder. I’ll always sling it over the shoulder in the day and hold it as a top handle at night for impromptu dinner dates!
Editor’s Tips: If you’ve been eating korean bbq or somehow landed yourself in a smoky room then your leather bag is definitely going to smell. Leave them out in a cool, dry spot in a corner of your home or under a ceiling fan to air out for a few hours.
READ MORE: SUMMER ’18 NEW SUNGLASSES TO BUY, PERFECTLY MATCHED FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE
Savina: Looking for the perfect work bag? This TDE version has got me through most work week. Fits my laptop, notepads, makeup and more! I love that it is a beautiful nude tone that complements our Asian skintone and matches most of my wardrobe. (Psst, looks great with blacks and whites).
Editor’s Tips: To clean up grimy or less-than-shiny hardware like zippers or clasps, Daiso has the best solution: it’s $2 magic erasers that work well to restore shine.
READ MORE: BEST FRAGRANCES THAT WILL GIVE YOU SUMMER VACATION VIBES
Savina: I love collecting bags with interesting textiles, hardware and designs. This bag features a resin handle and a beautiful crotchet body. This would look perfect with a simple black dress and nude heels. For a casual look, style the bag with a tee and denim jeans.
Editor’s Tips: This is a bit of a no-brainer but if you want to clean your bag by yourself (small amount of mild liquid soap + warm water + soft damp cloth), never wipe it against the grain but along the grain.
READ MORE: BEST FRAGRANCES THAT WILL GIVE YOU SUMMER VACATION VIBES
Savina: Drawing inspiration from vintage bags that my grandma used to carry, this is a modern day version of the classic lady bag. I love that you can carry it in two ways, with the clasp or without.
Editor’s Tips: If your bag has met an over-enthusiastically leaking pen, immediately use a white eraser on the spot without applying too much pressure. If the ink is already set, seriously, just bring it to a professional.
READ MORE: SUMMER ’18 NEW SUNGLASSES TO BUY, PERFECTLY MATCHED FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE
Savina: If you’re looking for a huge vacation bag that doubles up as a chic work bag, this is your answer. Heavy-duty, spacious and easy to style.
Editor’s Tips: If your bag is scuffed, stained or damage, it’s tempting to just treat it according to advice from wikihow.com. Unless you’re the Macgyver of repairing bags on your own, then seriously don’t. Just send it to a repair shop: we recommend Honest Crafters.
READ MORE: SUMMER ’18 NEW SUNGLASSES TO BUY, PERFECTLY MATCHED FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE
Savina: This bag reminds me of my favourite lucky charms cereal! Instead, the charms are classic icons of Paris, the city of romance. It’s all about logomania this season and this fanny bag features embossed logo nylon which makes it waterproof especially for the upcoming rainy season.
Editor’s Tips: To darken a bag naturally, wipe along the grain with a cloth soaked in coconut oil before leaving it to dry. Remember to use thin layers instead of dousing your bag in the oil and do a patch test inside prior to doing so.
READ MORE: BEST FRAGRANCES THAT WILL GIVE YOU SUMMER VACATION VIBES
Savina: I’ve been hunting for a satchel bag and got my eye on the new Loewe Gate Bag. This bag is an investment piece and you’ll know that it’s worth any penny as Loewe is known for its impeccable craftsmanship. This looks great for weekends, style it with cotton dresses and everyday basics.
Editor’s Tips: If your bag has a scuff and you’re not particularly bothered by it (major kudos), you can always buff a small amount of matching shoe polish over the area.
READ MORE: SUMMER ’18 NEW SUNGLASSES TO BUY, PERFECTLY MATCHED FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE
Savina: If you’re an avid collector of seasonal luxury bags, don’t miss out on the LV Bento Box bag. Drawing inspiration from a Chinese takeaway box, this bag is such a collectable! This makes a dinner bag that is eye-catching and chic!
Editor’s Tips: If the inside of your bag is starting to reek, place an uncapped container of baking soda inside it and transfer your bag into a dust bag, pillow case or enclosed area like a cupboard for the baking soda to absorb the odour.
READ MORE: BEST FRAGRANCES THAT WILL GIVE YOU SUMMER VACATION VIBES
Savina: This season is all about textures and reinterpretations of signature icons. LV’s latest New Wave bag has an interesting quilted design that comes in beautiful pops of colours with ‘Vuitton’ in a stylish art pop font. It would be great for styling it up on the weekends and for drinks with the girlfriends.
Editor’s Tips: For oil or grease stains that are very apparent on white bags, sprinkle baking soda generously on it before rubbing the powder into the spot. Let sit overnight and wipe off in the morning with a soft cloth.
READ MORE: SUMMER ’18 NEW SUNGLASSES TO BUY, PERFECTLY MATCHED FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE
Savina: This limited edition backpack, available only at MBS for a limited time only, is a special tribute to vacations on the beach. I love styling this with a white shirt, denim jeans and white sneakers. Perfect for end year vacations to Bali or even cities like Japan. The pink is unique and also eye-catching, look closely and you’ll find mini ‘double-C’s- printed on the denim fabric.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t store your bag properly, you’re bound to get dents. Simply stuff it with newspaper overnight to get rid of them and for deeper dents, leave it for up to three days.
READ MORE: BEST FRAGRANCES THAT WILL GIVE YOU SUMMER VACATION VIBES