This weekend, I was washing my hands in the Delta Sky Club at DCA when I saw a woman whose outfit restored my faith in humanity.  She looked great in a grey dress and white blazer.  But the star of the show was her Cuyana bag.

Cuyana is a new(er) brand whose slogan is “Fewer, Better.”  They want women to buy fewer pieces of better quality, so that they can “invest” in well-made, classic pieces.  The lady in the Club and I both agreed that the pieces are great for two reasons: 1) they’re the perfect functional basics, and 2) they’re not heavily branded or logo-ed.

I own this Leather Travel Bag ($375).  When I bought it, I thought it was so beautiful and chic.  But I kept wondering, “Was this worth the money?”  And for the first few weeks, I thought I’d made a bad purchase because I almost never take trips short enough to use a weekender-size bag.

Then, I started using it as a plane/laptop bag.  And now, I’m obsessed.  It’s gorgeous, and incredibly functional.  I love the little extras like monogramming, the magnets that hold the exterior pocket closed, the chic hardware.  I can’t recommend it enough.

The other lady was carrying the Le Sud Overnight Bag ($215).  I did not think I’d like this bag when I saw it online.  In person, though, different story.

The mix of canvas and leather looks incredibly chic, as opposed to cheap.  The hardware and detailing looks elevated and expensive.  She was using it as a carry-on plane bag instead of carrying a purse. It was the perfect size for that purpose, not too big, not too small.

So if you want to save some money, this bad is a fabulous alternative to the leather bag.  It also comes in navy.

I truly adore the Cuyana bags.  They’re practical and attractive.  They look expensive, and feel expensive, without breaking the bank.  They also have a strong selection of styles including their new, all canvas Classic bags that are under-$200.

Need something under-$100?  Everlane has a chic Nylon Weekender that many readers swear by.

I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this, but since every time I write a glowing review of something, I inevitably get asked, I probably do.  This post is not sponsored.  I’ve never taken a dime from Cuyana, or even a free bag.  I bought the bag I carry with my own money.  Would I be against partnering with a great brand like Cuyana, no.  But this post is not sponsored or gifted, I just saw a great bag in an airport and thought I would remind readers how fabulous these bags are.

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