Just like in August's haul video, I've only included things I've purchased, but I was given more things I wanted to share here. As part of my brand rep role for Fashion Scarf Girl on Instagram, I was gifted some scarves to wear. You might have seen these pop up on Instagram over the month, but they haven't appeared on the blog yet. As always, I'll disclose when an item was sent to me to wear (marked c/o). There's another one I was given too but I haven't worn that yet!
Why I Bought It
I go into this in a little more detail in the video.
Somewhat predictably, the allure of the Jeanswest sale was too strong and while I avoided it for September, I caved on the very first day of October and went in 'just to look' while out with my sister, which turned into a try on session and some purchases..
It's been a LONG time since I've ordered anything from The Iconic - last time was in their boxing day sale almost 2 years ago! Was overdue a shop there!
With the majority of my purchases being early in the month, it was easy to mostly achieve my goal of wearing things twice in the month I purchase them! That dress is the exception - I haven't even worn it once as I've decided to set it aside for Christmas day. I know it's early to plan Christmas outfits, but I know a dress like that needs a special debut! I'm happy with it not meeting my 'wear twice in the month I buy it rule' as I know it's going to be worn a lot after Christmas.
What was your favourite piece of everything I bought?
A what's in my bag post with a bit of a difference!
You might recall I mentioned a very inspiring and moving talk by Rochelle at the blogger's brunch a few months ago. Rochelle runs Share the Dignity, a charity that aims to provide women across Australia with access to sanitary products.
Just grab one of your gently used bags you no longer need, or buy a new one, and fill it up to give to a woman or girl at need over Christmas. It's an impactful way you can help women who are homeless, at risk, or experiencing domestic violence. You fill it with new essentials like pads or tampons, other hygiene products, and little (non-food) treats to let a someone in need know they are being thought of at Christmas.
I shared the bag I chose to donate in the video below, along with what I filled it with and why!
The Gabi bag was an obvious choice! As I discussed in the video, it's my kind of bag with multiple ways you can wear it. I love bags you can wear multiple ways! Someone will be thrilled to get this at Christmas. (Checkout the video to see what it looks like worn).
Each of the handbags available for purchase on the site is named after one of the women who have been helped by the campaign. The Gabi bag is named because of a lovely lady who donated to the campaign in 2017. Gabi herself was homeless the year before and had benefited from the campaign, and she wanted to give back the next year.
Gabi's story is so inspiring and shows you that you don't need a large budget, just a large heart to get involved with the campaign.
Ways You Can Help:
Why not shop the share the dignity website to find some Christmas gifts? The majority of the bags and clutches are PU faux leather and vegan friendly, and all proceeds help fund the charity programs.
Share the campaign with your friends/family.
Start putting a bag together of your own to donate. See my tips below.
What Should You Include In Your Handbag Donation?
As well as the items you saw in the video, these are some helpful suggestions for things you could include.
Start buying now so that you can take advantage of sales and specials on products to make the most of your budget.
Try Kmart or eBay for cheap but cheerful accessories, look out for specials on hygiene products at Priceline and don't forget you can pick up some extras with your weekly shop at Coles or Woolworths, both have a good selection of products and often sales.
You will be able to drop off your donation between 16th November and 2nd December 2018, so you have plenty of time to get shopping.
Have you donated to #ItsInTheBag before? What did or would you put in your bag?
This black Balenciaga part time bag will always be a classic to me. Even with the giant silver hardware being discontinued and replaced with smaller, lighter hardware, I think the bag is timeless. It's easily been worn over 100 times, over 70 on the blog. It's definitely due to be celebrated with a post showing 30 different ways to wear it.
Note: No haul video or post as I managed to complete #noSpenderSeptember with no fashion purchases for the month!
30 Ways To Wear: Balenciaga Black Part Time Bag
Cost Per Wear
Once again, another item I find tricky to calculate cost per wear of. I know how much I paid for it all the way back in December 2010, as I still have the emails from the London Balenciaga boutique. It's all in pounds though, and almost 8 years later I don't remember what it converted to! It was over 1,000 pounds at the time, so I have a lot more wears left to go to hit the magical '$1 per wear' figure most people seem to aim for when calculating cost per wear. I fully expect to have this bag for a lifetime though so I might hit that 1,000 wears one day!
I know expensive bags aren't for everyone. Some people splurge more on clothes, or shoes, or holidays, or cars, or jewelry, and some people are just saving up so they have some money to splurge! But hopefully this post still gives you some outfit ideas for how you could wear a similar black bag of your own.
30 Ways To Wear A Balenciaga Part Time Bag: Video Style
Balenciaga Part Time Bag and Dresses
You can really see the versatility of the part time bag in these 5 outfits! It's a very large, slouchy bag so not the usual piece you think of when wearing a dress (I usually go for smaller bags) but it works so well with so many dresses. You can see it in a mix of seasons, and a mix of dress styles, looking fab with each one.
Part Time Bag and Jeans
Skinny jeans are my go-to style, and while I have worn this bag with other kinds of denim, my favourite 4 were these outfits with my trusty skinny jeans. There's something about the slouchy Balenciaga leather paired with denim that I just love, and so this part time bag is frequently worn with jeans.
Balenciaga Black Part Time Bag and Monochrome Outfits
You might know from reading my blog that I am a big an of bright handbags! I love a pop of colour with a handbag against a monochrome outfit, but with this black part time bag you can use it to let other parts of your outfit shine. From the bold and colourful scarves in the first and third outfit, or just letting the cheerful print be the statement part of the outfit with the dress in the middle there. It's good to have a neutral black bag to tie in with a monochrome back or grey outfit.
Balenciaga Bag and Printed Pieces
This bag is such an easy piece to grab when you're wearing something printed. You don't have to worry about matching it to colours in the print, or that it won't go with the print. A black bag just goes with whatever you have on and you don't need to worry about coordinating it with printed pieces in your outfit.
Part Time Bag and Print Mixing
Of course with a neutral black bag, you can go all out with your outfit, mixing different colours and prints together. While my favourite thing to do is to add a printed scarf to an outfit for a bit of mixing, you can achieve this by wearing two different printed items of clothing together too like in the first outfit.
Balenciaga Part Time In Summer
You will see me wearing all of my bags year-round on this blog! I don't keep things set aside for different seasons, preferring to wear and enjoy the handbags all year. That means a big black bag works perfectly in summer for me. I don't think you have to stick to lighter coloured handbags just because it's summer.
Black Part Time Bag in Winter
Of course, despite working year round, a black bag is undeniably a winter staple. It works with any kind of layers you put together, being a classic neutral shade. With all of the darker layers that tend to get worn around winter, a black bag is a great piece to have in your wardrobe.
Balenciaga Part Time Bag in Pregnancy
A frequent feature in these posts, pregnancy outfits! I like including them in these wrap-ups as it shows you why I invest in my handbags. Clothes quickly stop fitting in pregnancy, somes shoes follow suit, but handbags and accessories always work and I'm glad I get to have these photos with my baby bumps to look back on.
