In this bi-weekly series, our editors will show you the items they're "wearing to death," whether it's a basic white T-shirt or an ultra-trendy jumpsuit. Get yourself (and your credit card) ready for guilt-free shopping.

My first trip to Paris was when I was fresh out of college and on a Eurotrip with two friends (we bounced around London, Paris, and Barcelona). The three of us stayed in hostels, researched the most budget-friendly places to eat, and did some window shopping on the Champs-Elysées. Paris was lovely, but expensive for a graduate student. They dreamed of the day when they could wander into a designer or vintage store and buy something without draining their debit accounts.

It wasn't until a few years into my first job and a full-fledged credit card that I could afford to buy a designer bag. (Because in New York, you walk everywhere you go, and designer shoes break.) The bag would be my first expensive, self rewarding purchase as a working woman. Of all the options I had been tracking for months, there was only one bag I wanted: the Givenchy Antigona, small size, black. I forget how I heard about this bag, but perhaps I saw it on a celebrity or in a magazine. But I had a feeling that this sophisticated handbag would not go out of style as quickly as other bags. I knew none of my friends had this cute bag, and the idea of owning something different from the more obvious designer monogrammed tote bags excited me.

Around this time, my sister was planning a vacation in Europe, one of which was Paris. When she told me she had shopping plans and asked me if there was anything I wanted, I knew exactly what to request. I asked her to bring me a Givenchy Antigona. The store had several styles, and bless her soul, she tried on a variety and sent me an email so I could see what it looked like. I opted for the most versatile, classic black, and decided on the pebble leather material for durability. And the Antigona became the second most-used bag in my closet (the first being a sad work tote bag I'd rather forget)

Despite its compact appearance, the Antigona holds a lot. It can carry a water bottle, umbrella, books, workout clothes, and a change of sneakers (a must during New York Fashion Week) without compromising its structured form. With a detachable strap, this handbag can be carried in a variety of ways, but my favorite is diagonally across the body. I could drop it on the floor or get soaked by the occasional rain (and snow) storm. The pebble leather even hides the scratches the bag has accumulated, and aside from the wear on the straps, the handbag looks almost brand new. Whether I'm traveling, at a fashion event, or out with friends, this bag is my default black bag.

I love taking this bag to New York Fashion Week:

In Japan, the deer weren't as interested in my bag as crackers, which is fine. Nevertheless, I recommend investing in your own antigona. And you don't have to go to Europe to find this style. Choose from the following options.

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