It makes a trendy handbag into a practical purse. East-West bags — the long, skinny silhouette popularized by Alaia’s $2,950 Le Teckel — can be horribly impractical. The slim body might be the trendiest shape right now, but I can’t imagine squeezing travel essentials like sunscreen or snacks into a purse built like a pencil case. But the Gabrielle Shoulder Bag from Parisa Wang makes this purse trend practical. Not only is it supremely roomy, but it also has lots of functional features like quick-access pockets and handles that feel comfortable enough on your shoulder for all-day wear.
The elongated shape makes the purse incredibly spacious. I fit a hard-shell sunglass case, a 3.4-ounce bottle of sunscreen, a granola bar, a wallet, a pack of Band-Aids, two lipsticks, a claw clip, and all my little essentials like keys and AirPods in the purse with lots of room to spare. It also has two exterior pockets on either side of the bag, which are perfect for storing quick-access items like tickets or travel documents.
It works from day trips to dinner reservations. Lots of practical purses tend to lean too heavily into function at the cost of form. But this bag, with its smooth leather and minimalist look, would be chic enough for a stop at a Parisian wine bar after your walking tour. We all know the look of a tourist with their many-pocketed fanny pack, but this purse won’t make you look like you came straight from a survivalist retreat. — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews
Meet the expert behind this guide:
Maria Yagoda, travel writer and style contributor: Maria is based in Brooklyn, where she covers travel and culture. It’s where these two fields intersect that she’s witnessed the latest style trends from across the globe. Whether she’s flying to Italy or venturing upstate, Maria is intuiting which travel accessories are a worthy investment for most people in terms of convenience, comfort, and aesthetics.
Learn how the Reviews team tests clothing, shoes, and accessories at Business Insider.
