One Good Bag With a Gilet-Shaped Trick Up Its Sleeve

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What’s better than a beautifully constructed cross-body sling bag come fall? A beautifully constructed cross-body sling bag with a built-in hood, that’s what. In a world where everything moves at a million miles an hour, apparently even our bags are being asked to do more. And with hybrids popping up all over the place, from sneaker-loafers to, well, whatever this is, it was only a matter of time before our accessories got in on the fun, too.

I’d been rockin’ ’round with a humble $5 tote I picked up God knows when for the last while. It’s got a decent amount of room, a slightly vintage-y feel and has served me well enough. But then côte&ciel’s Reno entered the picture, or more specifically, my Instagram ads, and I started wondering if maybe I’d been asking too little of my bags.

For starters, there’s the tweed. In this anthracite colorway, it feels less like something you’d sling over your shoulder on the way out the door and more like something you’d actually want to be seen wearing. Then there’s the shape, which is where things start to get interesting. A quick unzip and unfold later, and suddenly, you’ve got a fully fledged gilet on your hands (or back, to be specific). And, because apparently that wasn’t enough, there’s a neat little hood tucked in there too. 

On paper, a bag that turns into a gilet sounds like the sort of thing you’d find in a very niche episode of Shark Tank. In practice, it’s kind of brilliant. T-shirt on, weather takes a turn, suddenly you’ve got a hood and an extra layer without having had to carry either around all day. Convenient? Yes. Slightly ridiculous? Also yes.

And honestly, that’s what makes it work. Fashion has spent the last few years asking why something has to be just one thing, so this feels like a pretty natural next step. Is it a bag? Is it a vest? Is it outerwear? At this point, who cares. It’s all three.

Suddenly, my $5 tote is looking a little less like a wardrobe staple and a little more like a cry for help.

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