Last month, I spotted a bag on Polyvore that I thought would be just perfect for a Hill Staffer.  Big enough to tote files, shoes, etc., but not so big that you could house a Sudanese family in it.  It was called the Modalu London Medium Bristol bag, and I decided to bookmark the page for a later post.  Then, I promptly forgot about it.

Fast forward four weeks and one Royal Wedding later, and the Bristol bag is the new IT! bag thanks to one Philippa Middleton.  The bag is so in demand thanks to Britain’s sister-in-waiting, that it got a name change to, what else, The Pippa.  Imagine that, Pippa Middleton is the new Jane Birkin.

Modalu Bristol Bag (149 British Pounds, so $250 or so)

This right here is my Mother’s dream purse. She’s been searching for it for 15 years.  She calls the Magic Bag, because she’s never been able to find one that fits all of her endless criteria.  Let’s knock em down, shall we?

Outer zip pockets for keys, ID, cell phone? Check.

Multiple, Internal pockets for pens, notepads, tissues, etc? Check.

Internal dividers (or in this case, three separately zipped pockets)? Check and check.

A shoulder strap? Check.

Top handles? Check.

Simple design without a monogram print or a medallion logo plaque in sight? Check.

Silver hardware? F–k.  But come on, it’s a pale brushed gold.  You can’t abandon an entire handbag just for that!  Oh, wait.  I forgot that I was talking about my Mother, a woman so obsessed with white metal and averse to yellow metal that her first AOL handle (in 1995) was JustSilver.  

Dammit.

Well, for all of you reasonable people, who will love and adore this bag, you’re welcome.  And hopefully, these Middleton sisters will continue to bring the goods.  Because while neither of them has ground breaking style, I’m always up for a few chic affordable basics.