When you’re a fashion editor in cities like Los Angeles and New York, you leave your house ready to take on whatever the day brings. From meetings to post-work plans, you need a bag that holds everything—because let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than getting all the way to the office before realizing you forgot something crucial at home. And with city traffic being a nightmare on its own, doubling back just isn’t an option. Enter the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39. I mean, this thing is magical—it can hold your laptop, water bottle, makeup, snacks, a change of clothes, heels, secrets, you name it.
And Who What Wear assistant editor Ana Escalante knows a bit about it—the versatile bag has carried this Gen Z fashion girl through days of running around NYC. She’s perfected the art of pairing it with everything from casual downtown looks to polished Upper East Side ensembles, proving that the right accessory can elevate any outfit.
“When I head out of the house, I’m usually gone for the entire day. I’m hopping on the metro, stopping by the grocery store, picking up a sample, meeting a friend for dinner—I make a whole day out of it. So I love a workwear accessory that feels versatile. I want to be able to carry the essentials I need for the entire day. Not only does it have to hold a ton, it also has to look good. So the Brooklyn Bag is everything to me. I’m able to throw in my daily essentials and then some without worrying the bag will break or bend—its high-quality leather molds and stretches to whatever I put in it. This white tee, bomber jacket, and jeans look is a typical outfit I’ll wear if I’m having a busy day, and the bag fits in so well— it’s slouchy, cool, and incredibly downtown-coded.” — Ana Escalante, assistant editor
Shop the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
“I was amazed at how fast I was able to adapt to the Brooklyn Bag. I got compliments from work colleagues, friends, and strangers, and it certainly helps that it’s one of the most raved-about styles on social media right now. When it came to this look, I wanted to lean into the stereotypical fanciness of the Upper East Side, so I dressed up a bit. I embraced the “ladies-who-lunch” etiquette with a buttoned-up uniform consisting of a matching blazer and skirt set, frilly socks, and leather loafers. Of course, I’m a lady who does more than just lunch, so my Coach Brooklyn Bag included everything I needed to be productive for the day: my book, headphones, water bottle, and work laptop for an afternoon of emails and writing after I was done with my lunch on Madison Avenue.” — Escalante
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