Long Live A Reasonable Investment

On Abel founder Kelsey Lim's take-everywhere bag

Blissfully heading out the door in a wool sweater and loafers these last few weeks. Autumnal dressing is really the best. Christian and I spent a weekend on Governors Island, where I achieved my highest Oura sleep score to date! God, the tailend of your twenties is a wild time.

A few stories, one I’ve been working on forever and the other a part of a fun little series I’m working on with Vogue, came out last week. Here’s the Strategist piece on Ugg clogs. And here’s the scarf styling story. I featured two former Long Live guests (hi Kate + Heather!) and the brilliant founder Kelsey Lim! Here she is again to talk not jewelry (which she’s a mastermind of), not scarves, but her beloved bag.

How long have you had this piece?
After months of searching for the perfect everyday black bag — and a few additional months spent hemming and hawing over the purchase — I pulled the trigger in 2019.

Where did it come from?
This is the Sling Backpack by Lotuff Leather. Lotuff is a small RI-based company that hand-makes its products using traditional techniques and meticulously sources the leather it uses. They had been a brand I’d admired from afar for a while because of their commitment to craftsmanship, as well as their company culture and values.

It was such a big purchase for me I actually reached out to see if I could visit their studio in person while I was in Providence (where they’re based) on a trip. They let me come by and I got to meet members of their team/see them at work, and they actually let me pick the exact hide they would use to make my bag!

Beyond loving the bag design itself, that visit absolutely sealed the deal. I still think it’s so special that I got to have that human interaction when making this purchase, and it’s honestly something I think of often.

How much did you pay for it?
$840 ($914.55 with tax) which, at the time, was the most I had ever spent on one item and felt terrifying! Ultimately I felt at peace with the decision though, since I knew I was making an investment and that I would have this bag for the rest of my life.

Over time I’ve found myself starting to define a personal set of parameters for myself: the only items I ever really let myself splurge on are 1) bags, 2) shoes, 3) coats, and 4) fine jewelry. This is because not only is it socially acceptable to wear these types of items multiple times a week/every day (I’m all about cost-per-wear!), but they are also items where more $$$ actually can result in greater quality. So this bag passed the test, obviously!

How do you wear it?
Besides my own pieces of jewelry, this is the only item I’ll truly chuck on (can one “chuck on” a bag?) without giving a second thought, regardless of what I’m wearing. It’s almost invisible to me, if that makes sense… it’s been literally by my side for so long that it’s as though it’s become a part of me, an accessory the way that one’s hair is. Does that make sense?

That might sound unsexy, but if it does I think it’s only in the same way a marriage or long-term partnership is simultaneously unsexy and romantic — your partner is the ride or die you love whether they’re sick on the floor with food poisoning or dressed to the nines for a special date. The weathered patina the leather of my bag is developing is not unlike the wrinkles on a face you’ve made smile over decades of laughter. And isn’t that true love?

What does it represent?
To me, this bag represents my first “adult” purchase — an investment item that I sought out, researched, saved up for, and bought. It also represents a shift in my behaviors and mindset as a consumer.

When I was younger I used to buy cheap fast fashion that I’d wear once and never wear again, or the pieces would quickly fall apart due to their cheap construction. I’m not too hard on myself about it in retrospect because it’s what was accessible to me during that phase of my life, and I also think it’s the type of lesson one learns over time. But now that I have a better understanding of the true value of quality and am increasingly aware of the environmental and social costs of capitalism, I’m trying to be more deliberate and discerning with my purchases.

I want to be consistent in my conduct as both a consumer and a creator, so as someone currently building their own company, this bag serves as a daily reminder of those values.

Kelsey is so cool and for extra credit, here are my favorite Abel pieces. last-min gift shoppers: don’t be that person this holiday season.

I love the Tilt Signet ring for a bff or yourself. I always wear a signet I bought myself as an undergrad graduation gift. The setting feels so cool.

The length of the PENDULUM II NECKLACE makes it perfect for someone you’ve been gifting jewelry to forever. There’s always more real estate!

This is a test to see if Christian reads this far down: I want the ARP Earrings for Christmas, please. I know I agreed to be practical and ask for a Dyson fan but I changed my mind <3

Archived Outfit

The design of Kelsey’s bag makes it impossible to replicate, but let’s find some more affordable options to test out a backpack for yourself.

I really like the zipper on this one! It’s $200 on Noihsaf.

Little leather Ralph Lauren option for $40 on eBay!

Vintage Coach forever! This is navy and $38 on eBay.

Uh! Love Old Kate Spade nylon. This is $39 on eBay.

Honorable Mentions

More recs next week! The Hearth Display team is in town, so I’m busy working IRL with my fab co-workers and such. Email me if you want early access to preorders. 😉

Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x