SPOILER ALERT: THEY’RE ALL MY FAVORITE!

PARKER CLAY

WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY DO + WHY I CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF them

If you’ve been around these parts for a bit, you’ve probably seen me mention Parker Clay a time or two (or ten ha!). They’re one of my favorite brands, both for the incredible products they make and their even more incredible mission.

I found out about the brand quite by accident. I was at an event in NYC, and the gift bag was actually given in one of their bags, the Omo Overnight Bag to be exact. To be honest, I didn’t even notice the brand name at first, but I instantly noticed the high quality of the material and how well the bag was made. It quickly became a non-negotiable for traveling, which I was doing a lot of at the time. With every trip I took it on, I continued to be more and more impressed with just how well the bag was made and how well it held up. It magically seemed to get better with each trip! And it looked so good, all well toting around (an unnecessary amount of) my belongings. Just to give you an idea of how much it actually holds, I let Dave borrow it for Hawaii and he packed for an entire week in that one bag. Safe to say the bag had us both hooked (and it was a struggle for me to get my Omo back from Dave after that trip! Ha!).

Throughout this time, I had started to find out more about the brand and even connected with their team. I quickly went from loving a bag to loving the whole brand. Because, you see, as I mentioned up above, it’s not just an incredible bag, it’s an incredible brand making an incredible impact through incredible bags.

If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, let me give you a little summary. They’re based in Santa Barbara, but all of their bags are ethically made from premium sustainable Ethiopian leather (you can read about their leather here) at their factory (Yes, they own it!) in Ethiopia, where they employee 200+ people, 80% of who are women. These at-risk women, many who have been rescued out of prostitution and/or have limited opportunities available to them, are being empowered and educated with job skills, trainings, classes and livable wages, among other things, and all in a safe and dignified workplace. Just one example of the many things that Parker Clay does is that they pay the wages in USD to protect against fluctuating currency AND they recalculate the wages every year to be sure it’s always a living wage. Another example, they’ve recently added “Financial Literacy” training to their program of available trainings. This has allowed employees to better understand how to take the wages they’re earning at Parker Clay and save and plan for their future as well as provide for their families, be it their parents or their children. As if that isn’t already enough, they’re also devoted to sustainable practices, doing things like committing to planting 5000 trees this year as part of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Challenge. When they say a better bag for a better world, they really, truly mean that in all the ways possible.

And that’s just a very small tip of the iceberg. To be completely honest, I feel like no matter what I write, my words can hardly do justice to all of Parker Clay’s remarkable work, so I highly encourage you find out more about their mission and impact by reading their “Impact” page as well as their story and their process. It will give you more details and stats and give you a deeper insight into everything they’re doing, and tbh, make you fall in love with the brand and their products even more. Because it’s not just a bag, it’s an impact.

One last thing, I love that on each product they list the hours of impact that that specific product creates for their team in Ethiopia. Not only do I appreciate that transparency, I love knowing just how much of a difference my purchase is actually making. I’ve made sure to include that information, as well, under each of my bags listed, below.

My hope with this post, and my continued sharing of their products, is that you can get to know the brand better and fall in love with them and everything they’re doing the way that I have! As always, let me know if you have any questions about the brand, the bags, need help making selections or picking colors, etc.

P.S. Shop directly through this link, or any of the links below, and don’t forget to use my code PC-ALYSSA15 to get 15% off your order!

available in: black, rust brown, jade

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 2

The cutest little pouch! Perfect to carry on its own, or great to hold smaller items (So you don’t lose them!) and throw it in a larger purse, a tote, backpack, travel bag, etc. for when you’re on-the-go. For every day, I use mine to hold things like extra hair ties, makeup, chapstick, etc. and then just throw it in whatever bag I happening to be using for the day.

available in: black, rust brown, jade

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 3

The big sister pouch to the Mulu mini, which I’m just as big a fan of! While the mini is great for everyday use, I love the regular sized pouch for travel. It truly holds so much (like all of my makeup and makeup brushes and hair clips and more, which you can see from the picture above, is a whole lot), so it’s great for keeping all sorts of bits and bobs organized and in one place. Just pop the bag in a carry-on, duffle bag or suitcase and you’re good to go!

available in: black, rust brown + olive green

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 10

I know I say this about every Parker Clay bag, but this one may truly be my favorite, favorite, favorite. I basically haven’t taken it off since I got it. It’s just so perfect for holding the everyday essentials, being on-the-go and hands-free and looking totally chic while doing so!

available in: black, rust brown + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 4

I love this backpack! It feels very fresh, sleek, modern and updated, yet it still has the same space, storage and portability you’d expect from a backpack. In other words, it’s kind of like a backpack-meets-handbag. It works just as well for an outdoor adventure as it does for a day spent running around the city, and really anything in-between.

sadly, not currently available any longer

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 2

I feel like I say this about every Parker Clay bag, but I’m obsessed with this bag. Like all the heart eyes for this one! I mean, is it not the sleekest, chicest bag ever?! There are no pockets or zippers, so not only does it look modern and streamlined, it’s also super lightweight and not bulky at all, yet it’s still large enough to hold a decent amount of things. While I’d definitely grab this more for a dressy outfit/a date night/evening out, it could also just as easily be dressed down and paired with a weekend casual or brunch outfit. It really is super versatile. That + how slim and sleek it is would also make this the perfect travel bag as it wouldn’t take up much room or weight in a bag and you could wear it many different ways.

available in: black, rust brown + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 4

I’m obsessed with this little cutie. It’s modern, sleek and lightweight thanks to a lack of pockets, zippers or tags. The mini size makes it perfect for when you need just the essentials, you know, wallet, keys, phone, lip gloss, making it perfect for casual outfits, running errands and weekend things (think brunch, grabbing coffee, farmer’s market run). I mean, honestly, name a cuter bucket bag than this one. I’ll wait.

available in: black, rust brown

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 7

I love the look of this backpack! It just the cutest and chicest little thing! So perfect for every day, running around + keeping you organized while on-the-go!

available in: black + rust brown

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 4

This beauty is one of Parker Clays newest bags, and the newest bag to join my own Parker Clay collection and I’m in love *insert heart eyes emoji*. It’s the perfect bag to keep you looking effortlessly pulled together and organized for farmer’s market runs to errands and everything in between. There’s also the ability to add a shoulder strap to the bag and Parker Clay even has a few cute options (here and here) that you can purchase separately.

You can see more of the Merkato shopper featured here in this post.

available in: clay red, black

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 12

I love a good bucket bag! And let me tell you, this is one is a good one! It is so incredibly roomy, I swear I could fit my entire life in here (and then some). In other words, it’s great when I need to be out and about and have a place to hold all the things, but maybe want something a little more compact than a tote bag. I also like that this bag can be casual, great for work or dressed up, making it great for a day-to-night or desk-to-dinner option. And, while I’m not a mom, I feel like this would even make a great compact and chic on-the-go diaper bag option. And, regardless of how you choose to use this bag, let’s not forget about the unique and stunning brick red color. I mean, you know I’m a neutrals girl through and through but even I can’t get enough of this one!

You can see more of the Emma bucket bag featured here in this post.

available in: black, clay red + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 5

This is one of those clutches that I reach for again and again. Of course, I’m obsessed with the color, but I just love how that little bit of gold from the handle really elevates this bag to a whole other level. It’s also super versatile because you can use it folded like a clutch, or use it full-sized for a more casual vibe and/or when you need to carry more than just a few essentials with you.

available in: black, rust brown, dark brown, navy + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 5

As you can probably guess by the fact that I have this clutch in not one, but two, colors, I love this little clutch. It’s great when you need more than a wallet, but not quite a full bag. I also love traveling with it because it’s super lightweight and I can keep a few essentials in it, then easily transfer to whatever bag I need, i.e. my tote for traveling to a bag for going out.

available in: black, rust brown + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 2

This is my go-to every day wallet, especially if I’m just grabbing coffee or running a quick errand. It’s just big enough to hold my license, my main card and a little cash. It’s also great for throwing in a clutch or smaller bag for when you’re going out and don’t want to bring your whole wallet. I don’t know about you but my regular wallet would never fit in my evening bags and it was always so frustrating either trying to cram it in, taking a bulkier bag than I would want or just throwing everything loosely in a clutch and have it just floating around while I was out and about (can’t tell you how many things I lost because of this). Anyways, this little card wallet solves all those issues.

available in: black, rust brown + dark brown

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 15

The bag that started it all, my OG Parker Clay favorite. So well made, so sturdy, holds so much, holds up so well. Trust me when I say you will not find a better overnight bag.

available in: black, rust brown, dark brown + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 4

A classic, well-made tote, I love this for when I’m running errands and I need to bring more than just the essentials (i.e. we’re shopping for home things and I need my notebook, inspo, pens, etc.)

available in: black, rust brown, dark brown, navy, bone + sand

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 7

This backpack is great for someone who is on-the-go, for travelers and for mom’s (I’d totally use this as a baby/diaper bag if we had a child). I especially like this for traveling and exploring, when I want to be hands free and/or so I can easily hold my camera and shoot photos.

available in: black, dark brown + rust brown

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 5

A perfect mid-size tote bag that securely holds everything you need; if we still lived in NYC this would be a bag that would be out and about with me almost every day, as it’s roomy, you can either carry it as a tote or a crossbody and the zipper ensures everything inside stays safe.

available in: black, dark brown + rust brown

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 8

One of my favorite bags to take on a plane as it’s roomy enough to hold everything I need, it has several zipped pockets to keep things separate but accessible and zips up so you don’t have to worry about losing anything (you know, when your bag slides around under the seat, or is that just me??!).

available in: black + rust brown

hours of empowerment created for their team in Ethiopia: 4

For when you need a step up from the card wallet and something to hold a little more, this wallet is your answer. It’s a perfect size + it zips so you don’t have to worry about losing anything.