Style Diary: Wardrobe Obsession #2 | Zebra Print Dumpling Bag

The first time I saw this type of bag was in a YouTube video by KarenBritChick. It was her wardrobe obsession before it became mine. She'd been hunting down the Bottega Veneta leather clutch version, which is no longer for sale, and finally got her hands on it pre-loved. It was the ultimate score and I was just as besotted with this zebra printed beauty as she was, but nowhere interested in paying a luxury price (around $2,000). As someone who always has something zebra-print in my wardrobe, this influenced me to add a bag to the roster. I already had a zebra-printed tote in black and gold (sequins), but didn't find it as versatile as I'd hoped when I purchased it. In the past decade that I've owned it, I may have worn it only once, but refuse to part with it. It's one of those things that you just know SOMEDAY you're going to be glad you have as the finishing accessory to an outfit. After this many years, though, it might be time to give SOMEDAY up, but I digress.

Despite looking at various shapes and styles of zebra print bags, I came full circle back around to the clutch/dumpling bag. Another influencer managed to find a dupe of the Bottega version on Amazon, which retailed for just under $40. As someone who hasn't paid over $30 for a bag (considered a splurge) in years, I needed some time to process the cost. Yes, in comparison to the original, $40 was a steal, but I relish the challenge of getting something for as affordable as possible. A couple of months later, my eyes always drifting to the bag sitting on the shelf in the background of several of this influencer's videos, I decided to go for it. I needed a nice black and white printed bag to add that special pop of something to outfits and decided this bag was going to be the one. While waiting for the Amazon bag to arrive, however, I found another cute black and white bag at TJ Maxx - not exactly zebra-print, but in the same vein and very much "Spring" appropriate. I convinced myself I'd only keep one bag, but they each fit such different style niches, I ended up keeping both.

There was just no way I could send THIS back! I mean, just LOOK at it!❤️

*affiliate link to bag*

She (yes, bags have a gender in the fashion world and they're all SHE - LOL) is stunning, extremely well-made, easy to clean and looks so much more than the $35 I paid. Even though I considered the possibility of keeping only one black and white bag, there was no way I could part with her...so chic, so versatile and very much FASHION! Bonus: It comes with a strap for use as a cross-body bag when necessary. Adding this item to my wardrobe is one of my top accessories for Spring, thus far; my latest wardrobe obsession!

I've already styled her up for this trench style look book and I'm super-excited to get her outside for all the seasons.