Away From Blue | Aussie Mum Style, Away From The Blue Jeans Rut

I couldn't resist snapping up this little purple mini MAB tote bag in a Shopbop sale 3 years ago. It's been a great addition to my wardrobe over the years, and today I'm celebrating it by making it the star of this month's 30 ways to wear post. Each month I take something from my wardrobe I've worn 30 times or more and make a roundup post showing the different ways you can wear it.

30 Ways To Wear: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAB Tote Bag In Plum

30 Ways To Wear The Rebecca Minkoff MIni MAB Tote Bag in Plum Purple: Styling Ideas | awayfromblue

Cost Per Wear

This bag was on sale for $146.25, although I don't recall if it was AUD or USD and the receipt doesn't tell me. Given that it's been worn over 50 times since then, it's getting good cost per wear! $2.71 per wear so far, and that will go down the longer I use the bag. It still looks new! It has a lot more wears to go to get the magic '$1 per wear' people aim for, but I know I will hit that with it eventually. I'm pleased with the cost per wear so far.

30 Ways To Wear A Mini MAB Tote: Video Style

Purple Bag As A Pop Of Colour

how to wear a purple bag with a neutral outfit as a pop of colour | awayfromblue

The easiest way to wear a purple bag - or any colourful bag! - is to keep your outfit neutral and let the bag be the pop of colour. This plum purple mini MAB tote works so well with black and grey outfits. You can continue on the colourful theme with a necklace like I have in the first outfit, or just keep things simple and let the bag be the only bit of colour like I have in the other outfits.

Purple Bag To Accessorise A Pink Outfit

pink outfit ideas with a purple mini mab tote bag | away from blue

Pink and purple is a colour combination I love to wear together! You'll see it pop up in the other categories too. This purple bag works so nicely when wearing something pink in your outfit. From head to toe pink in a maxi dress, berry pink tops, or a subtle pink printed cami, this purple bag is a wonderful accessory.

Blue Clothes and Purple Bag

ways to wear a purple mini mab tote bag with a blue outfit | awayfromblue

Blue and purple is another go-to colour combination for me, especially as I wear so much blue! Just like with the pink outfits above, this purple bag matches with head-to-toe blue in a maxi dress, or more subtle blues like a navy tee or a chambray maxi skirt.

Matching A Purple Bag to Purple Pieces In Your Outfit

matchy matchy purple outfits with plum rebecca minkoff mini mab tote bag | awayfromtheblue

I will always love a big of matchy-matchy! Even if the shades are slightly different, I think this purple bag looks great worn with other purple pieces in an outfit to tie it all together. You could have a little touch of purple through a tee or tank, or a bolder mix with purple jeans or a purple cardigan - and matching purple accessories! If you love a colour it makes sense to wear a lot of it in one outfit!

Plain Purple Mini MAB Tote Bag With Prints

purple mini mab tote bag with printed outfits | away from the blue

This cute little boxy tote is so simple to pair with a printed outfit. The plain, block colour means you don't have to worry about patterns clashing. You can do a bit of print mixing like I have in the first outfit, or you can keep things simple and stick to one pattern piece.

Purple Mini MAB Tote Bag In Winter

rebecca minkoff purple mini mab tote bag and winter layers | away from the blue

If you are trying to make the most of your wardrobe year round like I am, you'll find that bags can be worn in any season! This plum purple bag was purchased in the Australian spring of 2015, which means it was an American autumn / winter bag. I've found the colour so easy to wear year round! From simple summer shorts outfits to these layered winter ones, it really works in any season! One thing to note though is that the bag doesn't completely seal up, o maybe not a good idea on a snowy or wet day!

Purple Mini MAB Tote Bag In Pregnancy

4 pregnancy outfit ideas with Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote bag | awayfromblue

I do love closing out these 30 ways to wear posts with pregnancy photos, it's so nice looking back on the baby bump! And it proves a very important point I bring up when buying bags - they are always going to fit and look good no matter what! This cute little purple MAB tote is the perfect example - it's holding its structured shape well and it's seen me through 3 years of wear with many more wears left in it!

What's In My Bag: Rebecca MInkoff Mini MAB Tote Bag:

Where To Buy The Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAB Tote Bag:

Under $50: Stocking Fillers

You might not be able to get them a luxe handbag under $50, but you can get some fun accessories! Think of inside their bag: pouches to organise things inside or mini emergency / first aid kits. You can give them pieces to add to the exterior of their current handbag too, with luggage tags or bag charms. You can always get them a book relating to the brand they love, or a general fashion / handbag one. For someone who has absolutely everything, there's always the raincoat for handbags!

Under $100: Handbag Related Gifts

You might not be able to score a bag for under $100, but you can pick up a SLG (small leather good) from their favourite mid-range designer. Think key holders, coin purses and card holders! Kate Spade, Coach, Rebecca Minkoff, Furla, Sophie Hulme and Tory Burch are good brands to look at. Of course for those same designers you might have luck second hand shopping to find a used bag in this price range. See the note about second hand shopping at the end.

Under $250: Beautiful Bags For A Bigger Budget

Shopbop and Nordstrom have a wide range of bags and you might be able to score one on sale to bring it down to your budget. Wallets are a good pick at this price point. You can also look at the same mid-range designers above. Kate Spade and Rebecca Minkoff often have bags under $250, as do Madewell.

Under $500: Handbag Splurges For That Special Someone

If they've hinted, or they've outright told you they are saving up for a special bag, this would be the perfect splurge! An idea gift for a close friend or family member who you want to treat. At this price point, you could get a luxe brand like Chloe or Balenciaga second hand, or something a little smaller like a SLG brand new. You could also get a top range bag from the previously listed designers at lower price points. If you're unsure what colour to get, best to stick to a neutral colour so it easily works with the recipients wardrobe and will be a classic they can treasure for years to come.

Second Hand Shopping

Second hand shopping is a great way to find a bag they love at a price more suited to your budget. Do your due diligence on researching condition so you know exactly what signs of wear there will be on the bag of their dreams. Buying from sites like The Real Real or Fashionphile that guarantee authenticity are good ways to go too.

I hope you found this list useful and it's given you some wonderful gift ideas! There's lots of time to buy now before Christmas and surprise someone with the perfect gift. It's even better to purchase now with the Cyber Weekend and Black Friday sales. I've shared some of the best bag related ones below!

Shopbop Buy More Save More Sale

Use coupon code 'MORE18' for 15% off orders over $200 all the way up to 25% off orders over $800! Includes sale items too, for extra discounts.

Rebecca Minkoff Thanksgiving Sale

Get an extra 25% off orders over $100 at Rebecca Minkoff when you use discount code 'THX25'
Or use code 'THX30' for 30% off your $200+ order!

David Jones Cyber Monday Sale
Get 20% off a selected range of bags, and free standard shipping (Monday only!)

Looking at the higher end handbag gifts? Try these sales!

Luisaviaroma

Get an extra 20% off sale items with the discount code 'BF20'!

The Outnet

Get up to 80% off in their sale, no coupon code needed!

MyTheresa

Shop 30% off selected items for black Friday with code 'BLACK30'

Do you have any handbags on your Christmas list this year? Of course I'd be thrilled with anything on this list, I would never say no to another handbag!

Linking up with Sunday Reflections, On Mondays We Link Up.

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