If there’s one factor Who What Put on editors are notoriously choosy about, it is purses. I communicate for all of my coworkers after I say we’ve got good style in purses, and we’re not afraid to spend an excessive amount of of our paychecks on actually attractive designer variations once they warrant being bought. Sneakers, denims, sweaters, and extra style objects can all be each inexpensive and ridiculously expensive-looking. Actually, a few of my favourite items price me subsequent to nothing (however you’d by no means realize it by them). Luggage, although, are sometimes the exception. You may inform when the leather-based is not as excessive of high quality or the zippers are all the time getting caught. It sucks, I do know, particularly given how purse costs are rising of late. Hope is not all misplaced, although. Not when the bag I am right here to inform you about exists.
Earlier this month, Freja—the inexpensive, vegan-leather purse model beloved by Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lawrence, and Katie Holmes—debuted its long-awaited Mercer bag. The east-west shoulder bag is available in three of Freja’s traditional shade choices—espresso, oat, and black—and options all the identical traits that style’s most-wanted purses possess, however with out the ridiculously excessive price ticket. Like all of Freja’s bag choices, the Mercer is shockingly affordable price-wise at simply $298. You learn that proper: It is doable to purchase a home made, on-trend purse, product of pebbled vegan ultrafiber leather-based, for lower than $300. I might name {that a} trendy (style) miracle.
I have been a fan of Freja for years, getting my first Caroline bag in 2021. I carried it all over the place, fielding questions and compliments alongside the best way. When folks requested the place they may get it and the way a lot it price, they have been shocked to find its worth. In individual much more than on-line, it seems to be like a designer purse. The model’s founder and artistic director, Jenny Lei, did not minimize any corners. In any case, she based the model out of frustration and want—she could not discover a tote bag that regarded stylish, elegant, and complicated. “The place have been the attractive, understated totes crafted with consideration to the little particulars?” she requested herself early on. She did not need to make one more bag model, however the extra she thought of it, the extra she felt the trade was in want of 1 that really checked off girls’s containers. Care, affordability, and practicality have been all thought of within the making of Freja, none of which have been misplaced because the model’s been picked up by celebrities, content material creators, editors, and extra.
Although I belief Lei’s designs implicitly, I nonetheless wished to place Freja’s latest bag to the check. And luckily, the model obliged. When the three choices arrived at WWW’s workplace, each editor in that day fought to take one dwelling and check out it out. The oat shade was by far the favourite. Although, I personally ended up grabbing black (go determine). My coworker, affiliate style editor Nikki Chwatt, gained the oat model and went on to type it a number of methods all through her evaluate of the Mercer bag.
Nikki’s evaluate:
“For the previous few months, I’ve had my eyes set on shopping for an east-west bag attributable to its refined, eye-catching, and timeless type. Whereas so many stylish designer choices can be found, none match my price range till I found Freja’s new Mercer Bag. I cherished the elegant and minimalist design and felt assured it will be a top quality buy as a result of my coworkers raved in regards to the model’s different types, such because the Caroline and Chrystie. And I used to be proper. After getting my arms on the brand new Mercer within the oat shade, I may see and really feel the distinctive and considerate craftsmanship that went into it. The vegan materials is thick and buttery smooth, resembling leather-based, and the skinny rolled straps positioned towards the center of the bag add a wonderful sculptural aspect.”
“The great thing about this bag lies not simply in its seems to be however in its versatility. I’ve already styled it with the whole lot from denims with a blazer to a skirt with a sweater, and it elevates every outfit effortlessly. Plus, it’s extremely purposeful. It has a two-zipper design, making it simple to open and shut, and two inside pockets to assist manage belongings. There’s ample room for all my necessities, together with a big pockets, a small water bottle, hand sanitizer, and a mini make-up pouch. The Mercer Bag checks all of the containers for type and practicality, and I can’t wait to proceed getting compliments on it and exploring new methods to put on it.” — Nikki Chwatt, affiliate style editor
Store Nikki’s bag:
Freja New York
Mercer Bag Oat
My evaluate:
Even earlier than I took the black model of the Mercer out for a spin, I knew it was going to exceed my expectations. The form is the whole lot I have been looking for—an east-west shoulder bag that really matches what I would like it to suit whereas wanting ridiculously elegant. Black baggage can generally be boring, in my view, particularly once they lack daring {hardware} or particulars, however this one is the other. It has such minute however impactful particulars and actually does look good with each outfit—and I attempted on a number of them.
To correctly evaluate the Mercer, I introduced it all over the place with me for a full (and busy) week. It accompanied me to lunch at The Nook Retailer, aka Taylor Swift’s new favourite restaurant in SoHo, a few thousand style occasions and previews, the fitness center, the workplace, a late-night dinner at Lucien in East Village, and rather more. As Nikki mentioned, the double zipper made grabbing my keys, lip balm, sun shades, and pockets simple, even after I had far too many issues in my arms. The duel straps match leisurely on the shoulder. Although, I do want they have been a bit longer for coat season. (The deal with drop is 6.5 inches.) In these moments, I carried my Mercer as a clutch, palming it such as you would a baguette or a extremely cute long-haired dachshund, which proved to be simply as stylish.
My first outing with the black Mercer noticed me styling outfits for one more story tied to velvet, so I paired it with a high-neck tank high and a crimson velvet column skirt by Blazé Milano. The skirt was to be the focus of the look, so this bag, with its minimal branding and low-key silhouette, was simply the best accent. Later within the week, I paired it with a button-down shirt, classic Levi’s, and an extra-long cashmere wrap coat. I additionally carried it with my favourite Khaite velvet puff-sleeve high, a smooth swimsuit, and a slip gown worn with a cashmere sweater. Principally, it goes with the whole lot, which means you will not must resolve what bag to hold in accordance with your outfit every morning. You actually solely want this one.
Satisfied but? Scroll down to buy Freja’s Mercer bag earlier than it sells out (which it can). Or if one other Freja bag has caught your eye, seize a type of as an alternative. Belief me, they’re all well worth the very manageable price.
Store extra Mercer baggage:
Freja New York
Mercer Bag Black
Freja New York
Mercer Bag Espresso
Store extra Freja baggage:
Freja New York
Caroline Bag Oat
Freja New York
Mini Chrystie Pistachio
Freja New York
Caroline Bag Espresso
Freja New York
Mini Chrystie Bag Black
Freja New York
Linnea Tote Black
Freja New York
Mini Chrystie Oat
Freja New York
Bucket Bag Pistachio
Freja New York
Chrystie Bag Oat
Freja New York
Paloma Tote Taupe
Freja New York
Lafayette Tote Oat
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