The bag that goes with everything

Several years ago I started searching for a bag that would fit my laptop but wasn’t too big to carry everyday. I ended up finding a ZAC Zac Posen Eartha bag with a purple calf-hair flap at Nordstrom Rack.

The calf-hair bag is awesome, but it was looking a little “well-loved” (a.k.a., totally beat up, but I’m never getting rid of it.) Calf-hair rubs raw under even the tiniest amount of friction and if I’m being honest I wore the calf-hair Eartha almost every day for three years and totally abused it.

My possibly unhealthy attachment to my calf-hair Eartha led to an obsession with finding a second Eartha that was entirely leather, therefore easy to oil and polish. I’ve received more compliments on just the clasp of my calf-hair Eartha than I’ve received for any bag in my whole life, so I knew I wasn’t parting with the square lock that is Eartha’s signature (she’s just Eartha now, not “the” Eartha.)

For some reason, Eartha regularly makes appearances at outlets like Nordstrom Rack or 6pm. The only way I can explain the abundance of discounted Earthas is that Zac Posen is known more for his evening gowns than his bags. But don’t be fooled – Eartha is sturdy, high quality leather and Mr. Posen deserves a top marks for delivering us a designer bag that is chic, timeless, classic and fresh with a price tag that’s friendly to the middle class.

There seems to have been an explosion in size, color and embellishments since I first pulled my Eartha out of the shelves a few years ago. There’s literally an Eartha for every lifestyle and look, including a star-studded Eartha that I’m in love with.

The second Eartha I welcomed into my life is a small cross-body Eartha in classic black with gold hardware and a strap with grommets. I’m happy to report it goes with everything.