#30Wears: Balenciaga Red Velo Cross Body Bag

During my 6 months without shopping, I'm aiming to get 30 wears out of as many pieces in my wardrobe as possible. Every month I'll be sharing 30 ways to wear something, from my huge archive of over 5 years of daily outfit photos.

This month it is the Balenciaga coquelicot (poppy red) Velo bag.

30 Wears: Balenciaga Coquelicot Velo Bag

Sharing an accessory this time: the Balenciaga coquelicot Velo bag. I bought this in 2011 and it has been worn over 50 times. (More if you include the year I wore it pre-blog). It ages so well too, very little wear and tear after years of use. Just like the black maxi skirt I featured for last month's 30 wears, it was hard narrowing this post down to just 30 outfits. The velo fits so much inside it's a great bag for many different occasions.

10 Ways to Wear a Balenciaga Velo Bag with a Skirt

The Balenciaga Velo bag looks great with any kind of skirt. Pencil skirts for work, skater skirts or maxi skirts for casual Friday or the weekend. I like wearing it with black skirts as it really pops.

10 Ways to Wear a Red Balenciaga Velo Bag with Denim

While some people worry about denim transfer with Balenciaga bags, I water and stain proof all my bags before I use them and I've never had a problem with my jeans rubbing off onto the leather. I've worn the Balenciaga velo bag with skinny jeans and shorts, the poppy red colour is perfect with all kinds of denim. It doesn't just have to be your standard blue jeans, printed jeans and even red jeans work quite well.

10 More Ways to Wear a Balenciaga Velo Bag

The Balenciaga Velo works just as well with a casual outfit as it does an office outfit. Printed dresses or black skinny pants, it really is a versatile bag. While some people might worry the bag is too slouchy and casual for office wear, it holds so much it makes perfect sense to take to work. The bright red colour is a nice pick-me-up when you sit it on your desk too!

I love handbags, they are my favourite accessory and I have quite a lot. While Balenciaga is one of the more expensive bag brands I have I do think they are worth the money and worth saving up for. That's why I have so many! I've included a few preloved Balenciaga bags below that are a little more wallet friendly, as well as some other brands.

Similar red leather cross body bags:

If you're unsure if you should buy the Balenciaga velo or another Balenciaga style, this video answers that question for you and compares a few of the common Balenciaga moto line bags.





Want more outfit ideas with the red Balenciaga Velo bag? All 50+ wears of the Balenciaga Velo in my archives.

If you enjoyed this 30 wears post I'm always happy to hear your suggestions for what clothing item or accessory to feature next!


Linking up with Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion, Friday Faves, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday, Modest Monday, Mix It Monday, Start the Week Stylish, Monday Mode, On Trend.

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#30Wears: Black Jersey Maxi Skirt and #6MonthsWithoutShopping

Introducing a new 30 Wears series on the blog and outlining my 6 months without shopping challenge.

Why 30 Wears?

This all came about after watching a documentary on netflix: 'The True Cost'. If you haven't seen it yet I recommend it. It's a really interesting look at fast fashion. While I watched the movie last year it got me thinking more about my shopping habits.

With #30wears, before you buy anything, you ask yourself "would I wear it 30 times?". I already have my "if I buy it I need to wear it twice that month" rule to ensure I wear new purchases immediately and that they will be versatile in my wardrobe. I browsed my blog archives and was surprised that even pieces I thought I'd worn frequently hadn't been worn 30 times. In 2017, I'm going to focus more on wearing and enjoying what I already own and try hit 30 wears on as much as I can. This new 30 Wears series will initially be a monthly series. I will review as I go and post more frequently if I make faster progress on my goals.

#6MonthsWithoutShopping Challenge

It's no secret that I have a lot of clothes. Probably more than average. To get anywhere near 30 wears for everything have to stop buying new things and just focus on wearing and enjoying what I already own. So I set myself the #6monthsWithoutShopping challenge.  The rules:

• No clothing or accessory purchases in the first 6 months of 2017.
• Gifts (or products provided through blog partnerships) will be allowed and disclosed.
• Attempt to achieve #30wears with as many clothing pieces as possible over the 6 months.
• Any clothing that's donated, sold or falls apart can't be replaced until the 6 months is over.
• Food, makeup, skincare, undies, kids clothes and gifts for others is allowed. The ban is only on clothes and accessories for myself.

I asked for and received a lot of gift cards for Christmas. At the end of the 6 months there will probably be a massive shopping trip celebrating the completion and using the gift cards, as I will not be spending them during the challenge. Hopefully I'll be shopping with an updated clothing wishlist and just buying what I need.

30 Wears: Black Jersey Maxi Skirt

Kicking off One Item, #30Wears is my beautiful Jeanswest black jersey maxi skirt. My sister bought this for me at the end of 2013, and I've worn it 39 times over the past 3 years. It works out to an average of at least once a month. It was actually difficult picking just 30 times I've worn this skirt to share, I really like it. I'ts starting to get quite worn now (not surprising given the number of wears) and so I picked up a replacement in the boxing day sales.

10 Ways to Wear a Black Maxi Skirt in Pregnancy

From the first trimester all the way through to 39 weeks, this comfortable elastic waist maxi skirt has seen me through two pregnancies. Elastic waist skirts are my favourite. So forgiving in the postpartum days too.

10 Ways to Wear a Black Maxi Skirt in Winter

I wear my maxi-skirts year round. Here are some outfit ideas for layering with a maxi skirt in winter weather. Scarves and leather jackets are perfect with a skirt.

10 More Ways to Wear Black  Maxi Skirt

Maxi skirts work year-round for so many different occasions, they are one of my must-have wardrobe items.

I've done No Buy July and No Spender September before, but never tried 6 months without shopping. Have you achieved it or considered it? Any advice?

If you enjoyed this 30 Wears post as well I'd love your suggestion for what clothing or accessory item to feature next!

Linking up with What I Wore, Fashion Files, Thursday Moda, Fabulous Friday, Fun Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Friday Faves, Passion for Fashion, Modest Monday.

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