Bags With A Silver Lining

You might not know who Jamie Lewis is (yet) but her brand is about to explode!  She is the girl boss behind the band new indie line JLEW Bags, also known as #bagswithasilverlining 😉 .  Jamie is not your typical bag designer,  she has an MBA from Columbia, went to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and can be found in a boxing gym breaking a sweat.  In other words, she is a bad-ass woman that just oozes girl power.  It’s no wonder why the brand’s other hashtag is #GirlsWithGuts.

This brand is her passion project and you can tell in every single detail of each bag.  The materials are sourced almost entirely in the USA and are made right in New York City.   Jamie has her hands in every detail of the company from design to fabrication to public relations -she is the heart and soul of it all.  Lewis came up with the concept for her design from lugging around multiple bags going from business meetings to the boxing gym.  There simply wasn’t anything big enough or fashionable enough to do double duty.  So she created her own.  Her D-I-Y attitude combined with infectious enthusiasm and attention to detail  makes me think of Jamie Lewis (JLEW) as a kindred spirit .  This girl is definitely not afraid to get her hands dirty.

The company is a sponsor of the US Women’s Olympian boxer Mikaela Mayer which is pretty cool.  JLEW even designed a special edition roll top bag inspired by Mayer.  Um, even cooler.  I love when women build each other up and support one another.  There’s something very empowering about it.

While the company launched just nine months ago, industry insiders have taken note already.  Glamour Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily and TMZ just to name a few. This post was really supposed to be just a product review but I had to share the back story about this brand.  It’s just too good.

The bags are said to be contemporary lifestyle bags that deliver form and function throughout the busy woman’s day.  My favorite style is the triangle top tote which looks like this on their website and comes in a variety of colors.

Of course, a snapshot of my day does look anywhere near as glam as the lady in the photo (we are #TeamNoSleep thanks our teething toddler who shall remain nameless). That doesn’t mean I should be juggling various bags that serve various purposes (purse, diaper bag etc).  I can’t tell you how many things I’ve forgotten or lost while transferring all of my things from one bag to the next throughout the day.  One bag that does it all is a big promise, so I put the triangle top tote to the test to report back to you guys.

For one full week, I only used this bag.

Here are the highlights and the deets on what was inside my bag.

Early morning sweat sesh:

Large water bottle, bag of protein powder and shaker, post workout snack, hand towel, headphones, change of clothes, change of shoes, notebook, pen, phone, wallet, hair ties, keys, makeup bag.  I still had lots of room.  Tons of compartments made it easy to stay organized.  I could have easily fit more if I needed to.

Preschool drop off (with toddler in tow):

Max’s lunchbox, changing pad, a couple of diapers, wipes, a bag of goldfish crackers,  phone,  sunblock, water bottle, small toy, keys, wallet, makeup bag.  I can’t tell you how many mothers and teachers stopped me to ask about this bag.  It really is a great teacher bag.  I can’t wait to use it for this upcoming school year.

Girls’ day by the pool:

Towel, sunblock, water bottle, flip flops, sunglasses, a bottle of savignon blanc (oops!), corkscrew, bathing suit, sarong, wallet, phone, keys, makeup bag, phone charger, small blue tooth speaker.   This bag definitely was a topic of conversation between the ladies.

Overnight anniversary getaway:

LBD, black heels, nude heels, jeans, top, pjs, bathing suit, sarong, clothes for the next day, straightening iron, curling iron, brush, hairspray, self tanner, toiletry bag, toothbrush, phone charger, jewelry, wallet, makeup bag, keys, phone.  This actually blew my mind.  I over-packed because I can never commit to an outfit (a little black dress with black heels or olive crop top, jeans and nude heels?) or a hairstyle (straight or curly?).  This bag allowed me bring a few options. Let me live lol!

Running errands:

Grocery list, pen, coupons, small packages to mail out, 18 small party favors, diaper, wipes, changing pad, phone, wallet, Dante’s juice cup, a dozen blush roses, makeup bag, wallet, keys, phone.  I was running around the day of a get together I was throwing at my house.  From getting a blowout to picking up the kids, buying favors, food shopping, stopping at a flower shop and post office this tote let me do it all without having to change bags.

Business Lunch In The City:

Laptop, charger, flats, blister block, wallet, phone charger, makeup bag, water bottle, sweater, notebook, pen, 2 cupcakes from Magnolias 😉  .  I carried all of these things around NYC and was so impressed at how comfortable it was considering the heavier items I shoved into it.  It is definitely a big bag but never felt cumbersome.  The large pockets inside kept my phone and wallet in their place so I wasn’t rummaging through it while trying to pay cab fare.

So obviously, this tote delivered.  I crammed my day into it and nobody would ever know.  Throughout my day to day activities, it always fit my essentials, no matter how ridiculous those “essentials” were (wine or two head to toe outfits).  I looked sleek and stylish the whole time.  The triangle top tote is really two bags in one.  A girl needs options ya know?

The design is sleek and simple but the attention to detail is anything but minimal.  Upon opening the box that the purse came in, I found a handwritten note from the designer herself.

The leather is super soft, and the handles are reinforced.  There are two huge elasticized pockets and smaller pockets for phone, keys, wallet, etc.  I discovered this chapstick inside the inside zipper pocket.

There is an exterior zipper compartment as well  (read about their zipper philosophy here, yes really).  My favorite feature is the clasp closure.  Totes usually remain open but when this baby is folded up, you can clasp it shut so your things are more secured.

Did I mention this tassel and boxing clove charm detail?  SO cute.  You can even clip it on your keys if fashion key chains are your thing.

And let’s not forget about that silver lining 🙂

I was sent this bag to review, but not otherwise paid to write this.  All opinions are my own.  For more about this rad new brand or to be the first chick in your circle to own a JLEW check out their website here.