callum When you write about purses for a living, you see a lot, and I imply A lot of bags. In the 5+ years that I’ve been working for PureBlog, coupled with my prior experience working in the luxury handbag sector, I’ve seen my fair share of handbags, and I’ve seen them at practically every price point. It takes a lot for me to be wowed, and I’ve shared before that there have been times during which I just wasn’t all that thrilled by bags. So when a small take on bag that’s not even priced at the 3-figure mark impresses me, it should be shared, right? You guessed it, I’m talking about the JW Pei Gabbi bag.
Now, my knowledge of the Gabbi bag is nothing new. found on Lucy Hale, Gigi Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski, to name a few, we’ve covered it best here on PurseBlog already. But, it was not until my friend got her very own Gabbi bag in ivory that I actually understood the hype.
Lucy Hale
Emily Ratajkowski
JW Pei is an AAPI-owned accessories brand based out of Los Angeles. founded by a husband and wife duo, the brand was created due to the belief that fashion ought to be easy and available to all. While an simple and easy style is at the heart of all that JW Pei stands for, so is sustainability, and the brand boasts its use of vegan leather and recycled plastic. But, the brand’s ethos is really an added bonus, and it is the bags themselves that do the talking.
The Gabbi bag’s shape is extremely of the moment—it’s sleek, streamlined, and fits nicely over the shoulder, as a ’90s-inspired silhouette should. It has a minimalist feel but with a twist—its scrunchie top handle. Its styling potential is practically endless, and it works well dressed up or down, thanks to its easy shape and size. Seeing the bag in person gave me a whole new appreciation for this budget-friendly little lady. and while the Gabbi’s large color palette is an easy sell, especially if you want to add a few colors to your handbag rotation without breaking the bank, seeing the bag up close and in person in ivory is what finally sold it for me.
Truth be told, yes, you can tell that the bag is made from vegan leather as it both looks and feels different, but I was amazed by the bag’s overall quality given its budget-friendly price point. For a grab-and-go bag that can easily be thrown over your take on à la Emily style, it’s easy to understand why the Gabbi has become an unlikely It-Bag.
Shop the JW Pei Gabby Bag ($79)
image through @jwpei_official