Quirky vintage clothes and accessories have been having their moment recently, and I couldn’t be happier. From antique jewelry to history- and period piece-inspired apparel, what many considered out of date (sometimes by a few centuries) is now back in style. And for those of us (like me) who have been happily collecting vintage-inspired pieces for years, this shift provides a convenient excuse to make over our closets even further. One of the first items I’m looking to “update?” My work bag, a shift facilitated by the creative minds at MCW Handmade.
All About the Burnout Velvet Laptop Work Bag
When it comes to finding a good work bag, I have a few requirements. It has to be wide enough for my laptop and stable enough that it won’t flop over the moment I place it on the ground. Ideally, it should have enough pockets to hide a treasure trove of daily necessities (keys, wallet, phone, etc.), writing instruments, accessories and other accoutrements—including, yes, smaller bags. And finally, a good work bag should mesh with my personal style.
MCW Handmade’s Burnout Velvet Jade Green Laptop Work Bag delivers on all counts. With 11 internal pockets, including card slots and pen/pencil sleeves, I can organize to my heart’s content. The large laptop pocket fits my computer and its rather bulky protective cover, a perk I appreciate immensely. Unlike some of the work bags I have found, it has both handles and a strap, allowing me to free up my hands while I walk. Plus, with six small brass feet at the bottom, I don’t have to worry as much about getting it dirty when setting it down.
My favorite parts of this modern-day take on the traditional carpetbag, however, are its closure and fabric. The hinged opening delivers the exact vintage carpetbag flair I’m looking for, while a leather strap and brass fastener offer security and aesthetic appeal. And the fabric, with its lovely green, yellow and red tones, is the exact flavor of unique and eye-catching I look for in my accessories.
Discover a Plethora of Style Options at MCW Handmade
In love with the style, but not the color? The jade green material that adorns this particular bag comes from one of the company’s newest collections, a series of burnout velvet revival fabrics that look like something straight out of the haunted mansion. In short, the perfect choice for spooky season. And, for those who would prefer something different altogether, there are plenty of other fabrics, from vintage florals to Halloween-inspired prints, to discover.
Like the array of fabric options, the bag styles on offer at MCW Handmade are diverse and plentiful. Products range from the historical to the contemporary, with chatelaine purses and Gladstone bags listed alongside backpacks and business totes. For many, having the ability to find exactly the style you’re looking for is another selling point for this unique business. But for myself, and many of my fellow vintage lovers, it may also make it that much harder to choose just one.
Behind the Carpetbags
The story of MCW Handmade begins in the early 2000s, with founder and designer Max C. Inspired by Victorian-era craftsmanship, he sought to create a modern take on the carpetbag, one just as durable and stylish as its predecessors. And thus, Max Carpetbag Works, the company’s original iteration, was born.
Today, led by the company’s current owner and designer, Park C., MCW Handmade’s mission to revive this everyday accessory continues in full force. To ensure each fabric is as unique as it is high-quality, leather, chenille and burnout velvet carpet fabrics are sourced from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) carpet factory. Then, under the hands of professional artisans, the extravagance of the Victorian period is brought to life through a combination of modern designs and age-old techniques.
Functional, eye-catching and wonderfully tactile, MCW Handmade products offer everything you could want in a bag. The myriad pockets deliver an organizational system ideal for the contemporary world, while the gorgeous fabrics revive the past in the present. Plus, no matter the style you choose, one thing remains constant: these bags are the perfect way to add a unique pop of style and elegance to your repertoire. So get ready to expand your collection by one (or two, or three), and find the bag you’ve been waiting for at MCW Handmade.
