Fashion Resolution

Not everyone believes in the effectiveness of new year resolutions but for me, they've worked well. I don't think that it's because of the clean slate of a new year, rather once I resolve to do something I usually follow through. When it comes to my fashion choices, I've continued to evolve over the years, becoming much more confident in what I'm willing to wear as well as more crisp with regard to my look.

I've gone from conservative, casual and if I may say so myself, somewhat dowdy in my late teens and early twenties, to my version of sophisticated with a little bit of edge. Of course I still love my casual clothes, they're just more fashion forward than they used to be.

As you've probably noticed by now, I tend to favor more mid-priced brands like BCBG MaxAzria and J.Crew that fit my style sensibility and budget. While I may covet designer clothes on occasion, I rarely find myself able to justify the expense especially when I can find good quality pieces for much less.

However, I've found myself splurging on a few designer pieces over the last couple of years. There is a marked difference in craftsmanship and raw materials between high, mid and low end brands especially when it comes to shoes and bags. And so it is that I've decided to invest in a standout classic black bag this year. I want something that can fit any occasion from day to night and for me that means a structured leather bag with gold tone hardware that has both a top handle and a strap for versatility.

I also have one other caveat, I don't want a bag with a flashy logo which apparently is hard to find in designer brands like Louis Vuitton or Saint Laurent. While Celine and Givenchy bags tend to be a little bit more understated in that regard, they are so popular that they still stand out too much for my taste. I think I've found what I'm looking for with this Byredo Seema satchel. Now I just need to pull the trigger.

Credit: Photo from Barneys