

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
I spent the first half of the summer with my parents in Brooklyn, New York. And like most people during these strange times, my go-to look became a pair of easy leggings and a sporty workout top (a half-hearted attempt to stay motivated for my virtual pilates classes). Gone were the days where I experimented with fashion, but the more I sunk into my athleisure hole, the more I missed the fun of getting dressed.
As we entered the dog days of summer, however, a combination of factors, from the 89-degree weather to New York City cautiously re-opening, reinvigorated my fashion senses. I was ready to shed my workout attire for classic denim and bright accessories to pick up my style game. Though I remained true to my pre-quarantine look with pieces like classic denim and sneakers, one welcome change to my wardrobe was in my accessories. Now that my day-to-day no longer requires dashing around the city (just one of the benefits of WFH!), all I needed—whether it's a Monday walk by the East River or a Saturday night on a city rooftop—was a smart and small crossbody bag.
When it comes to bags, the crossbody is the definition of functional meets playful, and these days I’m turning to my Kate Spade New York's spade flower jacquard drum bag. The circular silhouette fits more than you’d think, and it’s the perfect size for all my essentials—from keys and sunglasses to my credit card holder and the necessary hand sanitizer. Inside, there are slots for your credit cards and IDs so you can forego carrying a wallet altogether. Genius.
Since the whimsical spade flower motif (created by joining together four spades of the brand's signature logo) and colors on the bag already make a statement, it dresses up all my plain summer outfits—from a tee and denim shorts to a white dress. I’ve worn this bag while I biked across the Williamsburg bridge and I’ve brought it along with me to picnics at the park. As fall approaches, I know this trusty bag will continue to carry me through the seasons with effortless style.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at MarieClaire.com, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's also had many opportunities to write content in other areas such as beauty, food, tech, and even home. Her previous fashion stints include POPSUGAR and Cosmopolitan.
-
Refill That Empty Makeup Bag with Ulta's Fall Haul Event
Up to 40 percent off your favorites, this weekend only.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dies at 90
The liberal icon was the longest-serving woman in the Senate, known for championing gun control as well as protecting the environment and reproductive rights.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich
-
Power Pick: The Sneaker That We're Wearing With All Our Fall ’Fits
It’s ultra comfortable.
By Anneliese Henderson
-
Red Club X Cartier Is Offering Invaluable Support for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
By Sara Holzman
-
Yara Shahidi Joins Forces With Cartier Women's Initiative to Empower Entrepreneurs
"Giving back is essential to existing in the world."
By Sara Holzman
-
Fashion Test Drive: Chloe's Top-Handle Penelope Bag
This eye-catching bag also does good for the planet.
By Sara Holzman
-
Mindy Kaling's Custom Jonathan Simkhai Gown Is a Nod to Chanel Couture
"I feel so confident in this gown."
By Sara Holzman
-
Fashion Test Drive: Isabel Marant's Oskan Moon Bag
"The key word is versatility."
By Sara Holzman
-
What I Wear to Work: Poppy Harlow
The CNN host's key to a great wardrobe? Borrowing from her stylish friends.
By Sara Holzman
-
The Making of Ariana DeBose's Custom Versace Gown
"When I first saw it, I was left speechless."
By Sara Holzman
-
What I Wear to Work: Silvia and Sofia Tcherassi
"Waking up early in the morning is a must."
By Sara Holzman