Are 2 in 1 Bags The Way Forward?

I’ve found another amazing bag design that I really wanted to share with you. As is becoming obvious, I’m something of a bag lady. Handbags seem to overload my soul with joy, more so that pretty dresses or even shoes.

 I think its that idea of having a clean slate, of becoming somehow magically more organised and with more peace of mind that a new bag seems to hint at. Also, there’s no worries over fit or comfort - a new bag is not going to silently reproach you if you gain a few pounds!

I absolutely adore the Mulberry Willow bag, which combines a roomy tote with a detachable clutch purse, all complemented with the embossed leather and shiny brass postman’s lock features that declare the heritage and quality of the brand. I love anything with clever multiple uses and would dearly love a Willow of my very own, but sadly being on a realistic wage and saving up to move house means I don’t have a spare £1000 lying about to access one at the moment!

But I found this clever bag with a similar idea behind it when I was browsing the web for a lightweight tote that would be big enough to hold a change of clothes for an overnight trip to London myself and the husband are planning. We’re in town to sightsee and generally be tourists (I’m from London originally, but husby has never been there, bizarrely) and also to go to dinner and the opera in the evening, as I bought tickets for his birthday. 

 So I wanted a bag that would be roomy enough to hold some clothes and overnight stuff, but also light and portable – we’re trying to cram in a lot of stuff, so we’re arriving in London early, but won’t be checking into our hotel until later that day. I will be carrying that bag around with me all day, so it’s got to be portable. I do have a large weekend bag on wheels but its too cumbersome for this purpose.

If possible, I also wanted something stylish, that would look more like a large handbag than a holdall. 

This bag seems to be the answer to my prayers! It is a large leather tote style bag, and the two zips on the front can be opened to make more room as needed. I like the fact the bag maintains a really nice shape when the zips are opened, so they look deliberate, not like a design afterthought. There are also two sets of handles to give you the option to carry it in your hand, or sling it over your shoulder. It also features a detachable inner pouch section that can be used on its own as either a clutch bag or attaches to a long, cross-body strap to make a little shoulder or messenger bag.

Genius! Multiple uses really press my buttons. It’s the perfect bag for me on a city weekend break as its roomy but still looks smart, and I can use the clutch for going out in the evening. 

This bag would also be really great for those times when you go out straight after work -  you could leave the tote part holding your daytime stuff in the office and just detach the little bag for the drinks. Or for taking as your carry-on luggage on a plane, with multiple uses as a beach bag/ evening purse on holiday.

I ordered in the black, because I’m not keen on the shade of blue which is the other option, but I would love to see this in some other colours like a rich coral or a lime green. Like my perfect party bag,  I can see this becoming indispensable (at least until I can afford my Willow bag!)

The bag can be sourced via eBay from seller justforyou-2010.
What do you think? Are multiple-use bags the way forward?