Fendi keeps making me sad. I want to like Fendi, I want to embrace their new bags, but I rarely find myself doing so. And that is sad for so many reasons, one being that my Fendi Spy Bag was my first high end designer bag purchase.

After the Spy bag, Fendi brought us many other bags which we were happy to leave in the stores and off our arms. Recently, Fendi is sneaking in with some bags that we are liking, which gives us hope that Fendi is trying to get back into our hearts. The Fendi Peek-a-Boo Bag is the most recent popular bag from Fendi, being seen in many renditions and carried by celebrities. Let’s take a closer look at the Peek a Boo.

The black goat leather is offset with burnished silver-tone metal hardware. The shape of this handbag is very Birkin-esque, which many have noted upon seeing the bag. The bag has a slouchy appearance and many times is seen unclasped, which makes this purse look ‘messy’. I love that they finished the interior with gold leather, which shows a decadent finish on the inside as well as the outside. Buy through Net A Porter for $2,300.

Vote and tell us what you think of the Fendi Peek A Boo bag.

I’m sure this bag isn’t for everyone, but the kind of nerve it takes to combine two divergent textures like calfhair and sequins in order to create a single pattern is exactly what we should all expect from our highest-echelon designers. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won’t (I, for one, think that it really does here), but without people willing to make something ridiculous, we’re never going to see any innovation.

And in general, this bag is just sort of fabulous. It’s sequin and calfhair zebra print, and despite the bizarreness of that description, it’s really well-done. They used several different sizes of sequins in order to achieve the effect, and it worked out fantastically. I would wear this bag in a heartbeat, even though I’m sure many people would wag their fingers at me for it. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1800.

Net A Porter brings us some of their favorite handbags of the season. This group of three is a fashionable trio showing Miu Miu, Fendi and Lanvin. Our personal favorite is the Lanvin bag, with perfect gold stamped-python metallic leather.

Miu Miu Vitello Vintage Leather Clutch | $750

Fendi Fly Leather Shoulder Bag | $1,460

Anyway, yes, the bags! Some were amazing – the new soft leather Peekaboos with wood or clear plastic handles were among my favorites, and the addition of exposed stitching, combined with the different handle textures, gives the shape a sense of style that it was missing in its more staid initial iterations. The bags look touchable and a bit vintage, just like the rest of Karl Lagerfeld’s breezy, Parisian collection for the brand.

Other standouts were the Perspex beveled clutches, some completely clear, others with slight tints or exterior studding. The bags were, of course, shown with nothing inside of them, and putting anything in them would be kind of a shame, but how else are you supposed to carry them? They were beautiful and a tad whimsical as art objects, and if the stuff you carry inside your clutches is very beautiful, they might be a workable choice.

And on the other hand, some things just didn’t work at all. We saw leather totes in a variety of colors with an odd, pansy-embroidered snap-on linen cover that was not only puzzling but also not particularly attractive, and Fendi would have done well to omit those completely and add more of the delicious Peekaboo styles, along with a few of the other wood-framed clutches and bags, to the collection instead. They were almost distractingly bad, but ultimately the preponderance of beautiful bags won out.

                                            

Images via Style.com

And as luck would have it, Fendi saw fit to make a non-skunkified version for our significantly increased viewing pleasure, and as it turns out, the Fendi Peekaboo Roll Bag is not nearly as terrible as its hairy predecessor.

As it turns out, when you remove the fur, the bag is perfectly fine. It’s not dazzling, but it has the sort of blank-canvas appeal that means Fendi could turn it into a thousand different things, just like they did with their greatest success, the Baguette. I don’t think that this particular purse will get similarly launched into the fashion stratosphere, but they’ll probably find some fairly entertaining ways to adorn it, just like they did with the Peekaboo Satchel.

It’s non-offensive, the shape subscribes to one of the prevailing trends of the moment, and they could do some decent things with it, if they so chose. Looks like I’ve found a Fendi bag about which I don’t have a bunch of hater-y things to say. Surprising. Buy through Saks for $1460.

And when I woke up today and saw the Fendi Skunk Fur Peekaboo Bag sitting in the New Arrivals section of Saks, I knew that today was going to be a good day.

Ladies and gents, posts about these kinds of bags are my favorite to write. This bag is so terrifically awful that the words almost come too easily. Not only is it one of those puffball, shapeless fur bags that are so unfashionable, but it’s made out of a skunk. SKUNK.

What exactly is it about a skunk that says “luxurious” or “aspirational?” I don’t have a single positive association with the word, except for maybe Pepe Le Pew, the Frenchie cartoon skunk of my childhood, and I don’t want to see him made into a bag. And for anyone that has never smelled one of these things…the only way I can describe it is a combination of rotten eggs and hot garbage. Why anyone would want to be seen in public swinging a dead one from her arm is beyond my admittedly feeble levels of comprehension.

Even if the fur is soft, I can’t imagine it being a top seller. Maybe they don’t have skunks in Italy, and the designers were unfamiliar with how the animals smell before their pelts are removed and shipped to them. I don’t know, but it’s a smell that makes dogs sad, and dogs like to sniff all kinds of terrible things. I suppose that “terrible” is really the only way to describe this, after all. Buy through Saks for $1970.

The juxtaposition of the blush leather with the black trim and light gold chain handle gives the bag a more authentically retro look than just a solid color by itself. At the same time, the combination is positively Parisian, giving the bag an obvious audience in fashion’s many Francophiles (and probably not staving off any of the nagging Chanel comparisons any time soon). The proportion of the bag is petite enough to be worn to a fancy dinner or cocktail party, but I could also easily see it paired with dark denim and a cashmere sweater for fall and winter. I think you can get something more interesting for the price, but if you like this look, the bag is indeed pretty cute. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1395.

With a satin front, black leather lining and silver tone trim, this clutch is surely a head turner. Besides the price, the only thing I am not a fan of is the fastening top; it just doesn’t fit with the rest of the bag. But, I might be able to look past that and go back to focusing on the fact that I actually found a flirty Fendi bag I wouldn’t mind carrying around. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2140.

It feels just like Sex and the City did, which is to say it doesn’t feel new. Fendi, as a brand, seems to be stuck circa 1999 in their accessories department, and although the baguettes are an important part of handbag history, I wish they’d innovate a little more. The Spy bag was great, of course, and a lot of people liked the B-Bag, but if you’re only producing two popular handbags per decade, you need to get with the program. As a brand, they’ve got such amazing resources and possibilities, I’m not sure why they’re still living in the past. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2140.

The Spy is one of the few Fendi handbags that truly had people going ga-ga. Wait lists piled up with people willing to shell out over $2,000 for a handbag. And a few years ago, not all handbags broke into the $2,000 range like they do today. Everyone HAD TO have their Spy bag, and Fendi caught on and released countless renditions of the Spy (mink, denim, beaded, jeweled, you name it!). But is the Spy fame over? After I saw this Black Fendi Spy Bag on Saks I thought how lonely it looked there. No “Sold Out” written underneath it. Just a hidden Spy bag looking rather lonely on the Saks website. Buy through Saks for $2,250.

What do you think about the Spy Bag: Love it or Leave it?

Is this just a waste of perfectly good python? I don’t know, maybe it is me, but something doesn’t seem right here. The Fendi Python Baguette Bag uses gorgeous python but also uses too many colors. Or maybe not? I am thinking that you would have to wear a very very very simple outfit with this handbag. I will say that if you do wear, perhaps, your favorite little black dress, this handbag could be a gorgeous accent. Yet, I fear that upon closer inspection, the bag is still a miss. The shoulder bag has detachable straps and gold hardware. So, help me out here (but ignore the price, for this help), what do you think about this bag? And now to the gasp factor, the price. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $3200.

What? What is this that I see? Might it be a Fendi handbag worth looking at? I’ve found myself trying to rationalize why Fendi goes in certain directions. But I am getting to the point where I am beginning to think this is not a brand you can always make sense of. However, I will say, I am totally liking the sleek design on the Fendi Satin Forever Clutch. In fact, I would dare to say that I might actually love this clutch! First and foremost, as I’ve already mentioned, this handbag is sleek. The fine satin and patent leather trip with gold metal hardware all work extremely well together. Then, add the flap top with two securing double F-fasteners (which are totally understated and thus extremely elegant) round the clutch out. Open the clutch and you will find a two-compartment interior with a patch pocket and more gorgeous satin lining. Of course, you might be saying “nice clutch, but grey is too boring”, fear not, it comes in a bold red too! Buy through eLuxury for $835.

Yesterday, as not to jinx the Buckeyes, I did not wrote about how anxious we were to watch the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl game. Two previous years of BCS embarrassment and this year was going to be different (at least the entire Buckeye nation hoped). But alas, with the final seconds and plays of the games, we lost. An entirely devastating loss for the team and for all of the loyal fans, which Ohio State is known for. And today I am feeling blah already about it. I actually woke up thinking about what Ohio State could have done differently, which completely shows that every bit of athlete still exists deep down in my body. Shopping always makes it feel a little better. And while I am not buying a handbag today, rather on the hunt for my wedding day shoes, a classic pink clutch has my spirits lifted a bit.

The house of Fendi is known for their iconic bags. Some of their designs are total misses, even renditions of iconic bags. But the Fendi Patent Baguette has turned into a classic favorite and the pink patent version is a fem hit. The crinkled patent leather looks stunning in a light and airy pink hue. There is polished gold metal hardware and a cool belted handle with logo engraved buckle attachments. Along with the handle this bag includes an additional shoulder strap. There are many different ways to carry this bag; shoulder bag, handbag, clutch. And the size is substantial enough to carry many of your needs and wants, 16″x 9″x 3″. I am not always super-fan of Fendi, but this rendition would be beautiful for spring. Buy through eLuxury for $1430.

And we still love our Buckeyes!

Fendi Selleria Hobo Shoulder Bag

Do you ever have those days where you to not see the light of day, as in you do not leave your house? Not because you are sick or can’t, you just choose not to. Yesterday was one of those days for me. I did, however, force myself to get out and stop by Pier 1 in the evening to see if there were any good Halloween decorations left. After that I came home and online shopped at JCrew. Sure, I could have gone to the store, but no need. And really, have you seen the new clothing updated at JCrew? Why buy a $500 couture shirt when there are $68 shirts at JCrew that look great? That is what I say at least. And I opted for some big floral prints. With a busy outfit, your handbag has to be completely simple and toned down. Avoid prints and busy combinations of materials. That seems obvious. But you should also avoid too many pockets, buckles, and outside adornments when pairing a bag with a busy outfit.

I haven’t loved a Fendi bag in quite some time. And I was hoping this bag would change my mind on Fendi, but it is unimaginative to me. The Fendi Selleria Hobo Shoulder Bag at least gives a bland palette, only sporting navy leather with contrast topstitching. I do love the gold hardware which really offsets the navy leather. There is also a woven shoulder strap and top zip. What do you think, too bland or just right? Buy through Net A Porter for $1560.

P.S. I realize that Shannon already covered this bag, but I wanted to give a different take on this bag!

Fendi Denim Spy Bag

The Fendi Spy bag was once one of the biggest “it” bags of it bag history. Remember the days of it bagdom? I do. Those days have come and gone, for the most part, and now handbags are sought after that have stay power rather than float our boat for 2 weeks. I still own and sometimes use my Honey Fendi Spy Bag. It is a stunning color and I adore it. But the Spy bag had such a huge high that now many think it has hit a low. I am not quite part of the many, but I do enjoy seeing some of the Spy Bag atrocities that Fendi designs season after season (come on, give it up!!).

But a very simple change can work out well, as seen on the Fendi Denim Spy Bag. This bag is certain simplicity, with the change being the material re-configured in denim and accented with leather. I know what you all will say, the price is ridiculous for a denim bag. But this is Fendi. What else do you expect? There is the famous hidden coin purse, double top handles, and the foldover flap closure with wristlet accent. Worth the price or over-hyped? Buy through Saks for $1550.