March 2011 - PurseBlog

Balenciaga entices with their Arena Cross Pampille Mini

Mar 31, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I never turn to Balenciaga for bucket bags. But that all changed today after I saw the Arena Cross Pampille Mini in Barneys. The black version was on the shelf as well, but there was this gorgeous mint green option that I was coveting. Actually, I snapped a photo – here it is. I started to feel the itch when I laid eyes on the bag. The only thing that held me back was its size. While I appreciate a nice bucket bag, I need a long shoulder strap and a sizable body of the bag for it to work. And unfortunately, this Balenciaga bag does not get the job done.

However, if you want a smaller bucket bag with a 10″ shoulder drop the new Balenciaga Arena Cross Pampille Mini could work for you.

Kick spring into high gear with a patterned purse

Apr 2, 2011Mar 31, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Although much of the United States appears to be dealing with a late-arriving and unwelcome bout of winter weather, that doesn’t mean that it will never be warm again. (Or does it? Seriously, I’m starting to wonder.) Eventually, the sun will come out for good, or at least until October, and the temperatures will rise and we’ll all pull out the purchases that we’ve been hoarding for the past few weeks in anticipation of warm weather’s return.

With bright solids making up much of the season’s clothing trends, there’s never been a better time to experiment with accessories – everything from oversized jewelry to embellished shoes looks great against a background of solid color, but obviously, our favorite choice for an off-kilter spring accessory is a patterned bag. I’m not just talking about animal print, either; we’ve got choices for almost any budget and personal style, ranging from psychedelic flowers to pale abstraction. And, ok, one leopard bag for good measure.

Net-a-Porter and Prada team up for Runway to Green

Apr 3, 2011Mar 31, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Over dinner a couple of weekends ago, a friend asked me if it ever felt silly to write about fashion in the wake of human and environmental disasters like the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. And, truth be told, it can feel a little bit silly at times, just as I imagine most people who work in non-public service jobs feel when confronted with such a devastating world event. Things like fashion churn on nonetheless, and sometimes (although probably not as often as we could), we even find a way to help the planet at large.

Net-a-Porter recently teamed up with Vogue and a slew of amazing designers to coordinate the Runway to Green project, which included a charity auction and fashion show on March 29 and also features a limited edition run of Fall 2011 pieces available on Net-a-Porter.com for a limited time, all of which benefit a number of environmental charities. Our favorite pieces? The Prada Textured Leather Tote and Prada Mary Jane Boots, of course.

Want it Wednesday: Celine Classic Croco Flap Box Bag

Apr 3, 2011Mar 30, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Right now I can not stop crushing on the color yellow. Yellow signifies happiness not only for me but also for the majority of people. With such a bring and fun color, it is hard not to have it put a smile on your face. I’ve shared some of my yellow handbag picks in the past but I just found the ultimate yellow bag that I am totally wanting. Of course I have the impeccable ability to find the most expensive items everywhere I look, and this Celine bag is no different.

But I will not delve into the price. Ok fine, call me out, I am too scared to call Celine to ask because once they tell me the price I will know for sure I can’t buy this bag. Instead, I want to focus on its beauty. I can’t imagine anyone looking at the Celine Classic Croco Flap Box Bag and not having some part of them want this bag.

My black Hermes Birkin

Apr 3, 2011Mar 30, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Over the weekend we took a trip to Brooklyn to see our favorite Real Housewives of New York couple (look for their feature this Friday on PurseBlog!). After a delightful meet-up, we headed to brunch and then to explore Brooklyn. Here are a few things I learned: spring has only pretended to arrive because I was freezing, Brooklyn is much calmer than Manhattan, and you can see the most amazing views of NYC from Brooklyn. Obviously there is so much more to Brooklyn, but those three things stuck with me the most and clearly the most obvious.

I hopped out of the car to have Vlad snap a photo of me with my black Hermes Birkin. I love this bag. It is the 35cm size so I can really fit a ton of items in there and it the epitome of casual meets chic. This is one of the bags in my collection that works with every outfit and literally can do no fashion wrong.

Pay homage to the Bronx Zoo cobra with a Jimmy Choo snake bag

Mar 30, 2011 by Amanda Mull

If you spend as much time on the Internet as we do (for your sanity’s sake, we hope you don’t), you’ve surely heard that a poisonous cobra has escaped from the Bronx Zoo and is now amusing and terrifying much of New York City. No one has any idea where the snake has crept off to, but now has its own hilarious Twitter account and has taken the place of Charlie Sheen as the Internet meme du jour. The Bronx Zoo cobra is doing all the winning now, Mr. Sheen.

There’s only one proper way to celebrate this slithering little wastrel, and no, it’s not with a snakeskin handbag. That would probably just upset him, and if you were to come across a poisonous cobra, the last thing you would want to do is hurt his feelings. (Or worse, make him think that you want to catch him and make him into a tasteful evening bag.) No, ladies, you need to immortalize the Bronx Zoo cobra in gemstones with the help of the Jimmy Choo Candice Snake Suede Clutch. I think there’s a “snake charming” pun in here somewhere.

PurseBlog Asks: Do you like Chloe’s new emblem?

Mar 29, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

[poll id=”76″]

Fill in the blank: The Matthew Williamson Fringed Sequined Bag is…

Mar 29, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Fill in the blank below: The Matthew Williamson Fringed Sequined Silk Bag is _______.

Marni takes texture to another level

Mar 29, 2011 by Amanda Mull

Texture is one of the big fashion words on everyone’s lips this year, which means that finding a unique way to incorporate it into your wardrobe is going to be a big challenge in a few months. Most of you seemed a bit tepid toward the prevailing ideas about python and its many uses, and I can’t say I blame you – I saw enough snakeskin during the Fall 2011 shows that I’d be perfectly happy if I didn’t see it again until 2012.

Thank god, though, that we can always rely on Marni to give us an uncommon take on a common idea. The Marni Studded Leather Shoulder Bag makes a bold texture statement without being a slave to one trend or another, and it does that while being neutral and functional enough to use every day. This bag has enough personality to not appeal to absolutely everyone, but who wants to carry a bag that can be seen on the shoulder of every other woman walking down the street? Certainly not me. (Unless it’s a Celine Luggage Tote, of course. Then GIMME GIMME GIMME. Ahem. But that’s beside the point!)

Spring into the season with a bright exotic bag

Mar 28, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

As I sit on my couch and look out the window, a bright blue sunny sky is all I see over NYC right now. Only problem is that it is still cold. I am sure for many of you these temperatures are not that bad, but I’m a Florida transplant and my fingers are almost too cold to type. You think I’m kidding? I’m not – take a peek at what I look like as I try to work today.

Anyhow, back to the bags. I may still be bundling up with a warm winter coat but I have spring on my mind. And for spring one of the major trends is having a bright bold ladylike bag adorning your arm. I would love to infuse color and an exotic skin into my collection with the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Chain-Strap Shoulder Bag.

New at Net-A-Porter 3.28.11

Mar 28, 2011 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Find out what bags are new at Net-A-Porter today!

Valentino shows some restraint

Mar 28, 2011 by Amanda Mull

If brevity is the soul of wit, what’s the soul of fashion? I like maximalism as much as anyone (in fact, probably far more than most people), but the grandiosity of it can feel exhausting from time to time. The trends toward layering textures, colors and prints are some of my favorite fads in years, but that doesn’t mean I can’t look at the Valentino Satin Bow Box Clutch and think that it seems positively refreshing by comparison.

Valentino often goes maximal with its accessories, so the subtle charms of this little clutch are even more welcome. From the perfect shade of blush to the expertly obscured slot for hand-carry, this is an evening bag that doesn’t try to overshadow whatever beautiful dress with which you’ve surely paired it.