The Edit: Big-Ass Bags

Perfect for hauling your entire life around in.

According to the New York Times, the bag of the summer is a BAB – Big-Ass Bag. I, for one, am thrilled, having been a connoisseur of BABs since I was about in seventh grade.

I was that kid in middle school that had a purse, and refused to use a backpack (too pedestrian) opting instead of a combination of tote bags and giant shoulder bags that absolutely, irrevocably ruined my posture.

These days my go-to is my trusty Madewell bucket tote, which holds a shocking amount (including my lunch, a book, another smaller purse, my Baggu, my Kindle, snacks, three or four different kinds of headphones… you get the gist).

My criteria for a BAB is as follows:

• Bigger on the inside (like the TARDIS).

• Has at least one inner compartment where I can stash my phone, keys, and wallet.

• Can hold, at minimum, a book (hardcover), my lunch, keys, phone, phone charger, claw clip, smaller pouch with assorted hair and makeup accessories, dog leash, my travel toiletries bag in a pinch, my over-ear headphones, and my iPad.

• Bonus points if it can also hold my laptop, a sweater or light jacket, and a water bottle.

• The straps don’t dig into my shoulder OR slide off it constantly.

• It must be cute. :)

So, without further ado, here is a collection of twelve totes & satchels worthy of being called a BAB.

Bags, left to right, top to bottom:

1. J. Crew, $178

2. Target, $30

3. Ame & Lulu, $88

4. Loeffler Randall, $125

5. Baggu, $46

6. Gap, $50

7. Target, $30

8. Madewell, $168

9. Quince, $150

10. Loeffler Randall, $175

11. Beis, $148

12. Out of Print, $22

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And before you go – a poll! Which bookish post do you want to see this week? Substack polls have a strict character limit for options, so here are the options in full:

1. Books That Feel Like a Florence + the Machine Song

2. What to Read Next Based on Your Favorite Emily Henry Book

3. Cult-Centric Book Recs

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