3 Easy Outfit Ideas for the Silly Little Pouch Trend

As a former full-time Accessories Director, I’ve built quite a bag collection over the years. I’ve always loved handbags because, while they serve the practical purpose of carrying necessities, they can also elevate an outfit that might otherwise feel casual, adding a touch of polish, status, and style. As an impressionable teen in the 2000s, a designer bag paired with sweats really meant something to me.

Whether it’s growing up or simply refining my taste, I think it’s good for me to step away from obvious status symbols every now and then. That’s not to dismiss any of my designer pieces, but because I love accessories so much, I don’t always want to wear something too fancy or showy. I’m always looking for a discreet yet stylish handbag for daily use.

Recently, I’ve waxed poetic about Hervé Chapelier’s simple two-tone nylon totes and have remained a lifelong fan of New England–based Lindquist Object’s vibrant leather pieces as understated handbag options. I also rediscovered a 12-year-old leather Baggu pouch, which I usually reserve for resort vacations, as another subtle bag choice. With “silly little pouches” flooding runways and street style galleries, I’m happy to embrace the ease of this kind of bag, especially during transitional seasons.

Personally, I’ve stayed away from the cloth versions, which feel a little too “fragrance-counter gift with purchase” for me. Maybe they also trigger a memory from my intern days: after I picked up a Chanel bag an unnamed editor had purchased, she “gifted” me the dust bag because she had “so many of these already,” while also reminding me that “you know, it’s not a real Chanel bag…” As if I’d try to pass it off as one. I thanked her and told her I’d use it to carry my lunch.