Grown Up.

For years now, I have been on the hunt for the perfect “grown up” leather bag.  I’ve loved my Louis Vuitton Neverfull (amongst its many virtues: sturdiness; structure; and wear-with-anything elegance), but I want something elegant and leather that feels like more than an everyday tote.  I want something that say, “Hello, Madame.”

When I was in Aspen, my sister and I hit up all the high end stores around town, drooling over Valentino dresses and shoes (my sister is investing in these badboys for the fall season), nodding knowingly at the many chic every day pieces at Pitkin County Dry Goods, and contemplating twin investments in Burberry trench coats.

But then I stopped dead in my tracks at Fendi.

I had never been into a Fendi before.  I thought of them vaguely as a purveyor of high-end sunglasses and expensive day dresses for socialites with hefty trust funds.  But guys.  Have you known about the Fendi Peekaboo tote all along and never told me?

What the hell.

This is my ultimate of ultimate dream bags of my life.

It is, tragically, close to $5000.  Which means I will be saving up for this badboy for a long time.  I especially love the top one below ($4,700) with the tortoise accent.  The salesladies were quick to assure me that this was a “very, very rare” style, a “limited-edition” variation on the classic that I had to act on quickly or I would lose out.  (All in hushed, knowing tones.)

But there are many variations, including this one in army green with pink lining ($4,250); this one with blue and red accents ($4,500), and this black one with crocodile lining ($4,550):

It also comes in smaller sizes — including a medium, a mini, and a micro.  But only the large and in charge style will do for this maximalist.  Shoot.  I guess I’ll set my sights on it for a big milestone birthday — 35, 40, 45.  Something to aspire to.  In the meantime, a few more realistic options I am seriously contemplating:

+Rochas tote ($1,675) in the most sophisticated color of gray.  Also love their straight-forward black tote ($1,275).

+Black Givenchy carry-all ($1,080) — this feels fierce in a “I listen to Yeezus” kind of way.

+I’ve been watching Sophie Hulme with measured interest.  I adore this sophisticated, more toned down version of her normally heavy-on-the-hardware styles, and it looks far more expensive than its $895 price tag.

+Mansur Gavriel totes have been all.the.rage. for the past few seasons.  Hard to get your hands on one of their famous bucket bags ($595), and their totes ($585) are also seriously sophisticated.

+This Balenciaga tote in its rich burgundy hue looks oh-so-sophisticated ($2,295).

+The Annabel Ingall tote ($465) is a fabulous, elegant pick for everyday wear.

+I’ve been carrying a monogrammed Cuyana tote ($195) in pearl gray for most of the summer, and it’s a fantastic work tote — roomy enough for a laptop, lightweight enough to stuff it to the gills, and it goes with everything.  I also liked that the price tag wasn’t too steep because I tend to go through work totes pretty quickly since I travel frequently and schlep a ton of stuff around in it.

What’s your go-to bag?!