How a Crossbody Bag Helped Me Rediscover My Style

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 (opens in new tab) 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.