While the time of “it” bags is surely over, there are still hit bags that continue to grab our attention each season. Last year we were all handbag-star-struck by the Chloe Paraty bag. First spotted on Katie Holmes, the bag could not stop generating buzz. Who is it by? When it is available? Is there a wait list? Everyone had to have this particular Chloe Bag.

Elsie is quite a unique name, and I actually know two Elsies and one Elsa, so I’m a bit biased. But the Chloé Elsie Lurex Shoulder Bag is not quite as unique as the name. Sure, it has a bit of exotic, with its alligator print, but that’s about the extent of its exotic and unique identity. However, if you want a classy, classic bag and are tired of Chanel, then this is certainly a great choice.

From time to time I find myself going back to a given handbag over and over again. A few months back, Amanda mentioned the Chloe Kathleen Shoulder Bag in her post about the blue handbag trend. And from that point forward, this is one bag I can’t get out of my mind. I go back and forth thinking that I love it, I want it, I kinda like it, I need it and so on, and so on.

I’ve said it before and I’ll happily say it again: Chloe uses some of the most drool-worthy leather of any brand on the market. It’s thick, it’s soft, and it manages to convey both of those characteristics both in person and in photos. It is often also arm-achingly heavy, but sometimes we have to suffer for fashion, ok? I know my Stam has given me a sore shoulder once or twice…

Anyway!

In all honesty, the Chloe Paddington is probably why I’m here today. It was the first designer handbag to totally capture my attention when I started to become interested in bags circa 2005, and although I never had the funds to buy one back then, I searched eBay daily, hoping for a good deal on my elusive cream-colored Paddy. And I wasn’t the only one that caught the Paddington fever – fashion magazines dubbed it the fastest-selling bag in history and our Purse Forum, then in its infancy, talked non-stop of ways to acquire one.

Chloe always sticks out in my mind as a brand that takes a hit handbag and makes as many variations to cash in as humanly possible. Not that I blame them – if you’ve created something good, you have every right to reap the benefits of that. Let the haters hate – It Bags don’t design themselves, after all.

Another reason that I sometimes like when Chloe does this is that occasionally I like the derivative bags better than I like the original.

I’m not sure about the Chloe Heloise Small Hobo. Like, I’m just really, really not sure. Let’s hash it out: the braiding on the handle is, in my opinion, genius. The thick braiding gives the bag heft while still retaining a sort of girlishness, like a thick elementary-school plait. I also can’t get enough of the tiny, tiny pocket on the front of the hobo.

Have you ever seen a woman in the mall or wherever who is impeccably coifed and seems to just have that air of luxury about her? If you know whom I am talking about, because we have all seen her, this Chloé Sally Calf Leather Shoulder Bag is what she’d be carrying. Doesn’t it just exude a quiet sophistication? The structure especially points towards times past where people just didn’t walk around in sweatpants or ripped jeans, but where polished was a must.

Ladies, I’ve done it. I’ve done the impossible, and now we can all rejoice and hold hands and sign songs of happiness. I’ve found a Chloe bag at a somewhat reasonable price point. I thought that this was a feat I would never accomplish, but today I dared to dream, and when I opened my eyes, the Chloe Victoria Tote stood before me.

I’ve never owned a Chloe bag before, but I’d really like to before my bag days are over. They’re a bit out of my current price range, but I’ve fondled many of their bags at stores in the past few years, and their leather quality and feel never cease to amaze me. Why can’t all high-end bag manufacturers use leather that thick and soft and wonderful?