Eileen Fisher harem pants | made in the US
James Perse slub button front shirt | made in the US
Emerson Fry slides | gift from Emerson Fry to review
Everlane Petra tote in Gesso | purchased with referral credits at Everlane
Margot Wolf necklace | made in the US
This outfit is a bit of a cheat, because I’m not actually wearing it today; it was an outfit I snapped from last week, but didn’t post. Today, I’m flying back from a quick weekend trip to Orlando to visit my dad, step-mom and sister, who was also going to be there for the weekend.
On the plane today, I’m wearing my Goldsign jeans, James Perse casual tee and James Perse long fleece cardigan with my Emerson slides, AND my new Everlane Petra tote (which is exactly what I wore Friday flying out).
I’ll save my weekend packing list for another day, because today I just want to talk quickly about the Petra tote in Gesso. I’m EXTREMELY happy with it. I was originally going to get it in black, because, well, I always default to black, but I really just fell in love with the light gray for spring, and thought why not? I have a black tote that I love already, so why not add something lighter instead of a duplicate?
I used it as my carry-on tote for this trip, and then as my handbag while in Florida. I prefer to carry it with all black outfits; I like the contrast. I didn’t like it much with this outfit, to be honest. It’s large, but I needed it, because it was ridiculously hot in Orlando this weekend, and I ended up carrying one or two water bottles, my scarf or sweater for being inside in the air conditioning, along with my “essentials” like wallet, a few pouches, sunglasses and snacks. Of course, it’s large enough to hold everything comfortably and wear over my shoulder.
We were out a lot over the weekend, mostly at the Winter Park sidewalk arts festival, as my step-mom is a volunteer and board member as well as a patron, so we had access to a “patrons” tent where we could sit and enjoy cold beverages and food (Shake Shack!!) and get a break from the heat and walking around. So, Petra got a LOT of use, and held up nicely.
I did NOT treat my bag with anything yet, honestly, I’ve never done that, and I’m not even sure what to use. I’ve heard good things about Apple Guard, but treating leather always makes me nervous because I don’t want to discolor it, or change it in any way. I’d love suggestions for products to treat light leather if you have any!
She made it out unscathed, without a scratch or a mark on her, even from being on the floor under the seat on the plane. As a carry-on tote for the plane, the Petra is great, although without a top zipper, so it can’t be secured, which is a small issue. Not ideal, I guess, for the plane, but not a deal-breaker for me.
Overall, I’m ridiculously happy with the Petra tote in Gesso; I’m so glad I didn’t get the black. How boring! 😉
That is such a nice bag! I’d like a similar style in tan for spring, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be real leather. I need quite a lot of new items for my spring wardrobe and I have a small budget, so I have to make some priorites 🙂
Come to think of it, I don’t even own a black bag!
Meltonian spray works great on everything! I have used it on light-colored, soft leather (Kate Spade purse), satin shoes for my wedding, dark leather purses, etc. Apple Guard is also good, but I can’t remember if I have used it on my lighter color items. 🙂
This outfit looks great. The thought of harem pants usually makes me cringe but you’re one of few people who actually looks good in them.
CONGRATS on getting a bag that isn’t black! I know it’s really hard not to default to black, but it looks great with your black and white outfits!
Kudos for NOT buying the black bag! The “gesso” color complements your black and white outfit beautifully. As a fellow only-black handbag person, I know how hard it is to eschew the color. It seems so practical (and it is) but one can have too much of it.
In a similar vein, I recently bought a light gray bag (Matt and Nat “Sloan” in “dusk”) and I love it more and more. And now that I’ve tried a little color, I’m beginning to look at handbags in a wider palette range. I think they could be an easy way to draw some color into my mostly black & white wardrobe without compromising my neutral dressing principles.
The gray is really great with this outfit, and especially as a summer bag. I think contrast is always good! I would take a little warmth right now!!!
i was glad for the warmth, but wasn’t quite ready for 90 degrees…and we were outside in it A LOT. which also sort of messed with my VERY minimal packing for this trip. but more on that later 😉
thank you!
and yes, i do think bags are a nice way to add a little color without compromising on a otherwise “neutral” color palette. i’ve had very light pink bags before, and i loved them with black/white/gray. of course this one is also neutral, but not black…so different for me anyway!!
The bag and your outfit look great – said jealously from NYC, where temps this morning were in the 20s. STILL. As much as I’m a fiend for black clothes, shoes, etc., I like a non-block bag sometimes, as long as it goes with black – which I guess is pretty much anything.
Though Grechen, how does an open tote like the Petra work for you as an airplane carry-on? Don’t you need to stow it under the seat or overhead? I have visions of all my stuff spilling out … I also don’t think I’d be comfortable running around an airport on slides, but they sure are easy to slip on and off for security checks. The leather on those looks completely yummy 🙂
i use the petra as a carry-on tote/my “personal” item, so i stow it under the seat in front of me and put my carry-on suitcase overhead. the fact that it doesn’t close is an issue, definitely, but only for airline travel – i’d NEVEr close it otherwise. honestly, it doesn’t concern me THAT much, because i always keep my eye on it, and my foot close so i can tell if it moves, or whatever (weird…) – and i make sure it’s standing upright nicely and pushed closed before we take off.
inside the bag are two side pockets with snaps, so i put my wallet, phone and anything else valueable inside there so they are more “secure” generally.
the slides are insane for the airport!! so comfortable, and easy to slip on and off at security, although this time, i didn’t have to do that once. i do always carry socks to put on on the plane since my feet get cold, but they’re really easy to walk in, in my opinion, (although i wouldn’t want to RUN in them or anything!) as long as they fit correctly.
I find really hot weather to be the worst for minimal packing, unless you’re going to the beach and just wear a swimsuit and coverup all the time. Otherwise I want something clean and fresh to change into after schlepping around in the heat, so I feel you on that.
YES. this times a million.
i did actually bring enough to change into , but then, because i’m flying as a standby passenger on a guest pass, i got stuck in orlando for an extra day and didn’t have anything “extra” that was clean to wear, as i usually do.. in heat like this, you can definitely NOT count on wearing things more than once…
I love those pants (and the bag, but the pants take the cake for me)! I’m definitely a neutral bag sort of person. That grey color you chose is lovely; I always default to the saddle/chestnut color that is so popular and somehow remains a neutral, despite being a warm brown. I bought a lovely tote called the “Librarian Tote” via Sississipahaw Leather recently, and I just adore it.
Ok, so this Petra folds down. Good to know. I got a little confused when they introduced the “Casual Petra,” which looked like the slouchier one. Now I’m not sure what the difference is, other than cosmetic touches. I’ve been tempted by this bag (I love its clean lines) and sometimes convince myself that I “need” a lightweight carryall. But the truth is that an open tote probably isn’t practical or secure enough for my life. The gesso is a really fab color for spring/summer. Good choice 🙂
Oh – and the Casual Petra has no pockets inside. So I’d never seriously consider that one. I was drawn to its yummy-leather slouchiness, however.
under the seat in front of me, i just push the tops down over the bag so it’s sort of closed, if that makes sense. it’s not secure at all, but i haven’t had a problem with it. and now that i’ve used it constantly for 4 days, it’s softened up nicely and is a great combo between slouchy and structured IMO.
cuyana has one coming that’s a zip top on april 1st – http://www.cuyana.com/collections/spring-2015.html