The White Bag

There is a mischievous luxury in buying expensive things made of white leather and not giving a hoot whether or not they get soiled.

Prada Saffiano leather briefcase in cera (Italian for wax), which I think is the most glorious shade of warm white. It is what I'd call a dark white, if such a thing exists; I'd previously been worried that a stark white bag would distastefully stick out against my predominantly black everyday wardrobe, but this mellow shade does nothing but add a touch of light creaminess to my dreary, weary cold-weather clothes.

The structured and textured Saffiano leather, very similar to Hermès epsom leather, resists scratches and allows the bag to gently weather over time, as opposed to having it garishly scuff when accidentally scratched. The padlock is a welcome indulgent touch.

Big-label designers would often create handsome bags and neglect to place nary a zipped pocket inside. It's nice to see that Prada didn't skimp on interior functionality with an abundance of three pen holders, two zipped pockets, a card flap, and a phone pocket, all in matching leather.

trying on some toys: bone keychain from Opening Ceremony, robot from a shop in St. Paul de Vence

I've spent the past couple of years trying to outgrow going for big-ticket items from mainstream labels in favor of hunting for unique pieces by more obscure designers, but the it's greedy Asian in me that just can't help but hoard bags.