Fashion

These Bold Bags Are Dopamine Dressing On Steroids — & Your Spring Closet Needs One

Get ready for the endorphin rush.

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If you’ve ever felt excitement as you slipped into a special-occasion outfit, then you’ve experienced fashion’s ability to impact your mood. The newest drop from Consuela’s spring 2024 collection taps into that magic, leaning into founder Conni Reed’s “Art Of The Unmatched” design philosophy. The Austin, Texas-based brand mixes bright colors and creative prints in every new release to trigger joy and confidence each time you reach for a bag.

Color Brought To Life

Consuela’s use of rainbow hues is no accident: Color impacts your physical and mental well-being, which is why the brand relies on saturated shades for its designs — to make a bag that literally makes you feel better when you carry it. Just as the bright colors serve a purpose, so does the practice of collage that’s seen on Conseula bags. The combinations of patterns are meant to mirror the unique tapestry that makes up your inner world and unique lived experience — in fact, the brand turns out up to 20 versions of its best-selling Classic Tote each season to reflect the diversity of its community.

Consuela also seeks to uplift its tradespeople and suppliers, including artisans in Mexico who specialize in the traditional embroidery, beadwork, and paper mâché that make these designs one-of-a-kind.

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From vibrant floral totes offered in a range of materials to compact carryalls that splash out in animal print, ahead you’ll find the happiest pieces from Consuela’s spring collection.

A Sophisticated Tote In A Playful Mix Of Textures & Prints

If you’re dipping a toe in the waters of dopamine dressing, the Michelle market tote is an accessible entry point that’ll still spark some serious joy. It features a relatively neutral palette thanks to half the bag being quilted white patent leather, with a classic zebra print accented by embroidered roses. Optimized for your daily commute, it’s big enough for a 16-inch laptop with a roomy main area that includes a full-length zippered compartment and a smaller zip pocket, plus a lanyard so you’re never hunting for your keys.

This Punchy Bag That Carries It All (& Folds Down Flat)

Big enough for picnic blankets yet so compact you could stuff it into a backpack, the Frutti jumbo tote does it all. It’s made from the brand’s proprietary ConsuelaCloth, which was inspired by Mexican oilcloth and engineered to be lightweight yet sturdy, and water-resistant enough to wipe clean. This also creates a bag that collapses down completely for storage, making it a great extra to have on-hand. There’s an optional base insert for stability if you’re hauling heavy loads, and dual straps on the sides let you carry it by hand or slung over one shoulder.

A Vibrant Crossbody That Pulls Double Duty

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Millie crossbody bag was made for going hands-free in the brand’s signature ConsuelaCloth. This “wallet on a chain” style includes an optional wristlet strap that gives you multiple ways to carry it. There’s plenty of room inside for true essentials, like an ID window and six card slots plus two small zippered pockets. For more immediate needs, like your phone, there’s an external zip pocket to keep thing secure yet accessible.

The Brand’s Signature Tote In Custom Embroidery

The Classic Tote is a Consuela icon. It’s made from patent leather that will keep its shape over time — the Rita is glossy black, but you’ll find plenty of other colors on Consuela’s website — and is custom embroidered in Mexico in a rainbow of neon hues that really pop against the background. Synthetic panels on the side and a bright interior with striped woven straps layer on texture and color to create that signature collage effect, but the Rita promises to be practical with plenty of space for a tablet and two interior pockets to keep small items wrangled.

A Multi-Piece Wristlet Set For Traveling Light

The CoCo Combi is an easy way to carry the absolute essentials. This three-piece set includes the brand’s CoCo wristlet pouch, the detachable Rosie wristlet strap, and a leather card case — perfect for running out the door for a quick errand or transitioning your small necessities easily between bags. The CoCo pouch and Rosie wristlet are both made from ConsuelaCloth to be lightweight and super-vibrant, with natural leather trim and backing for durability. Meanwhile, the card case is made from Diego leather with five slots and a secure snap closure; plus, there’s a D-ring that snaps everything together so you can be out the door in a flash.

A Bold Floral Bag To Run Your Prettiest Errands Yet

Shown in Consuela’s Mandy pattern, the Basic tote is an on-the-go workhorse. Made from packable ConsuelaCloth, it’s a great size to keep in your trunk or stashed in another bag for impromptu errands, where the spill-resistant coated fabric performs like a champ whether you’re hauling groceries or flowers. There’s an optional base insert if you need more structure, and a small Diego leather logo patch that will develop its own natural patina with time.

A Bright Patent Leather Crossbody With Neon Floral Embroidery

A crossbody with room to spare, the Mango bag can go all day. Structured cobalt blue patent leather is covered with one of Consuela’s signature designs rendered in neon embroidery that matches the adjustable woven strap, which is fully detachable if you want to use the bag as an oversize clutch. There’s a main compartment with plenty of space for a small tablet and two interior slip pockets, while a zippered closure keeps everything secure when you’re on the move.

A Palm Beach-Pretty Sunglasses Case

If you’re not one for a bright purse, then a colorful daily accessory you can toss in every bag may be just the dopamine boost you need. The Summer sunglasses case brings to mind flamingo pool floats and feels as cheerful as Elle Woods thanks to its bubblegum pink finish with sparkly silver stars. Much like Ms. Woods, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Beneath its magnetic closure is a soft mesh lining to keep prescription lenses scratch-free, plus an inspirational message embossed on the natural leather trim.

There’s more than one reason to feel good when you’re carrying a Consuela design — and it’s not just the bright colors. Through the brand’s It’s Not About The Bag program you can nominate women who inspire you for the Viva Babe Award. They’ll be gifted their very own Consuela bags in celebration of their strength and kindness as a way of thanking them for the good they do in the world.

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