For this month's 30 ways to wear post, I'm featuring another bag, this beautiful Rebecca Minkoff small Darren messenger in peony pink. A bag I've worn a lot more than 30 times, the pastel pink has been so versatile in my wardrobe!

30 Ways To Wear: Blush Pink Small Darren Satchel Bag

30 ways to wear blush pink bag pastel handbag rebecca minkoff small darren messenger bag awayfromblue blog

When I saw this bag during a browse of the David Jones sale I could not get it out of my head - so I had to buy it! I didn't think about how I would wear it, just how pretty it was. I have been pleasantly surprised to find it works with so many outfits in my wardrobe! The adjustable strap is a nice feature, although I do mostly wear it on the longest crossbody setting. I started out just trying this bag as a lovely pastel pink touch of colour with a neutral or monochrome outfit, but found over time blush pink goes with so much, and I'm so glad I stumbled across this bag in the sale! I'm really not sure why this messenger style was discontinued - the Darren is still available in other styles, but this original one will always be a true classic to me!

Cost Per Wear

I bought this bag back in October 2018, at over 50% off it was $240.78 as there was an extra discount on the sale price. At 44 wears to date, that's $5.47 a wear so far. Higher than the $1 a wear most people aim for, but given how often I reach for this bag and how much I love it, I have no doubt it will get to $1 a wear or less in time.

One thing to note is that the lighter colour has suffered from colour transfer - thankfully it was easily cleaned off. Since then I haven't had any further issues wearing this bag with denim or dark clothing, it's staying stain free.

Since I've worn this bag a lot more than 30 times, I tried to pick just my 30 favourite outfits to share.

30 Ways to Wear: Video Style

Pastel Pink Bag and Little Black Dress

4 outfit ideas pastel pink darren bag and little black dress awayfromblue

This was one of the first ways I started wearing this bag - pairing the pale pastel pink with a lot of black. A little black dress is perfect for that. The bag adds a nice colour that isn't too statement making like a brighter pink bag would be, and pink and black always go together nicely.

Blush Pink Bag With Blue Outfits

If you're read my blog occasionally you'll know that blue and pink is a colour combination I always love to wear - different shades of blue and pink work together so well! While navy blue is a frequent go-to with this blush pink Darren bag, you can see with these outfits that even lighter shades of blue look nice with the pastel pink.

Pastel Pink Bag With Monochromatic Neutral Outfits

4 ways to accessorise monochromatic neutral outfits with a blush pink bag awayfromtheblue

Just like the little black dress outfits above, neutral colours were a good starting point for me with this bag. Blacks and greys together create easy neutral outfits, and the pastel pink bag is a lovely way to inject a little colour with all those neutrals and otherwise monochromatic outfits.

Blush Pink Crossbody Bag and Purple

3 ways to wear rebecca minkoff darren messenger bag peony pink with purple awayfromblue

Although not something I wear as much as pink and blue, I do really like pink and purple in an outfit together. I just don't have many purple pieces in my wardrobe to pair this bag with! As you can see, the lilac tee is a firm favourite with this bag, I like the two pastel tones together.

Pastel Pink Bag Matching Other Pieces In An Outfit

4 ways to wear a pastel pink darren bag with matching pink pieces in an outfit awayfromblue

If you're really not too sure about what colours go with a pastel coloured bag like this Rebecca Minkoff Darren, try doing a little matchy-matchy! I find pink scarves, or even piece4s with a blush pink print in them, coordinate perfectly with this peony pink bag and make any outfit feel a bit more cohesive. I love that I have a pair of shorts that match the bag so well too!

Pink Bag Worn With Other Contrasting Shades of Pink

3 ways to wear blush pink bag with other shades of pink magenta berry fuchsia awayfromblue

If a little pink accessory looks good in an outfit, why not add even more pink? This was a fun colour combination to try, although I'd had this bag a while before attempting it! Trying two different shades of pink in the same outfit, from a deep berry blouse to a bright fuchsia dress, even the magenta kimono. The pastel pink works well with all other shades of pink I've tried it with! When I was trying this combination out I always wore it with other neutrals like black and white as you can see in these outfits.

Blush Pink Bag With With Other Pinks and Blue

3 colour trio outfit ideas blue pink and blush awayfromtheblue

This is a great example of how I've slowly tried more colour combinations with this bag! I could definitely categorise them some of the outfit formulas above. It's the blush pink and brighter pink outfit pieces combination, but this time instead of sticking with black and white pieces, I'm adding a little more colour and having the two different shades of pink, and a little bit of blue as well. Easy pairings I know that work well together, worn all at once to make a colourful new trio that I can try out in different outfits.

Rebecca Minkoff Peony Darren Bag and Skirts

4 ways to wear rebecca minkoff darren messenger peony pink with skirts awayfromtheblue

This is the best way to show the versatility of this bag - it works so well with all my outfits, as you've seen above. But while I worried the crossbody messenger style might feel too casual, I think it's perfect for the office too! It looks just as good with a maxi skirt as it does with a little denim skirt, or a pencil skirt for work. It really is such a versatile bag, and I'm glad I have it in my wardrobe!

Where To Buy Rebecca Minkoff Darren Messenger Bag:

More Outfit Ideas:

For more outfit inspiration and ideas, you can view all 44+ ways I've worn this bag in my blog archives, or browse the complete 30 wears series.

30 Ways To Wear: Slouchy Tan Knee High Boots

30 ways to wear tan slouchy knee high leather riding boots | awayfromtheblue blog

Cost Per Wear

I wish I could calculate the cost per wear with these boots! I know I purchased them in an ASOS sale back in 2012, that's when they first shows up on the blog. I can't find the ASOS order email letting me know how much they cost though which is a shame. They are a pair of boots I've worn in the colder months each year since I got them so I definitely feel I've gotten my money's worth from them! Even though I don't remember what I paid to calculate cost per wear. They have been worn over 47 times and as they are leather they hold up year after year!

Being petite I can never pull off over the knee boots, but these knee high ones are perfect as with a bit of slouch to them I can adjust them. Thick socks or leggings or jeans underneath help them stay in place if I want a less slouchy look and more hight. They work well in so many outfits! Here are just 30 of my favourites.

Tan Knee High Boots With Bare Legs And Dresses

4 ways to wear printed dresses with bare legs and knee high tan boots awayfromtheblue

Definitely my favourite way to wear these boots - although not my most frequently worn outfit combination with them. There are so few days a year where you can get away with bare legs and boots before it gets too cold, but it's such a nice combination I try to wear it when I can!

Knee High Boots Under Maxi Skirts and Dresses

3 ways to wear knee high boots under maxi dresses skirts awayfromblue

Knee high boots under a maxi skirt (or dress like in the middle outfit) definitely doesn't make the most of how cute the boots look, as they are hidden under the skirt! It's such a good way to make a summer maxi skirt work into colder weather though as the knee high leather helps keep your legs warm underneath the skirt!

Skinny Jeans Tucked Into Tan Knee High Boots

Jeans tucked into boots might be the most common way I've worn these knee high boots! Skinny jeans work best as they stay in place all day without riding up. It's a good way to make these boots a bit taller and less slouchy too, as the thick denim helps keep them pulled right up to my knees.

Knee High Boots With Dresses In Winter

6 ways to wear knee high slouchy tan leather boots with dresses awayfromblue

I do like trying to winterise my summer dresses - adding layers with jackets scarves, and of course leggings or tights! I like the contrast of black tights and leggings with the tan leather.

Tan Knee High Boots With Red Outfits

One colour combination you might have noticed a lot with these boots is red! I really like the neutral tan shade against red pieces in an outfit, as you can see in each of these 3 pics with the red tee, dress and jacket and scarf.

Tan Knee High Boots With Other Shades of Brown

5 outfit ideas tan knee high boots with brown pieces in outfits awayfromblue

I do like a bit of matchy-matchy - but I don't have anything else that matches this tan shade exactly. I think that other brown shades, from the lighter beige of the trench to the darker chocolate of that tee in the middle, work nicely with the neutral tan. I really like wearing other brown pies in my wardrobe with these boots, even if they aren't the same shade.

Tan Knee High Boots With Burgundy Outfits

4 burgundy outfit ideas with tan knee high boots awayfromblue

As much as I like red with these tan boots, I really lover burgundy even more! Even if it's just a small hint of burgundy like a scarf, or something larger like the jeans or dress, burgundy looks great paired with tan.