Designer Handbags (Page 29)

Well, I suppose you aren’t a superstar unless you carry a furry animal-esqe bag around. Dolce & Gabbana may be the reason any of us think that. I know there is huge controversy over the use of fur, and feel free to vent your love or hate of the topic nicely, but fur or no fur, I don’t like this bag. The Dolce & Gabbana “Miss Superstar” Mini Bag is ornately over done with mink-fur and uses an exotic watersnake belt to only add a little more exoticism. If the clutch were done a little more classy or maybe done a little less, I may somewhat like it. This clutch merely reminds me of the class pet I took care of one summer, a dark brown guinea pig. The clutch also has a detachable chain if you’d like to carry it, a kiss lock closure, goldtone hardware, and satin lining. The measurements of this fur ball are 5 “H X 7″W X 5″W. No, thanks. I will pass. But if this thingie is for you- check it out via Saks for $575 (or just buy a guinea pig for about $30 instead).

If you have found your way here, or are one of our many loyal readers (you are well loved!), then you may just be a Diva. Diva seems to be a word that is taken condescendingly. Let’s take the example from Urban Dictionary, who labels a Diva as “a bitchy woman that must have her way exactly, or no way at all. often rude and belittles people, believes that everyone is beneath her and thinks that she is so much more loved than what she really is. Selfish, spoiled, and overly dramatic.” Oh no they didn’t!! A Diva to me may be a tad needy, but she is more of a fashion chic. (If you’d like to give your own definition of Diva- post it on the forum here!!)

So whether or not we find the word Diva to be positive or negative, there is a bag that labels you just that if you carry it. It is not from the ornate detailing or showy design, but the word diva is actually stitched on the bag. The Jana Feifer JAM Large “Diva” Leather Bowler Bag was seen on ‘VH1 Divas’ as Celebrity Gifts and labels the carrier a diva right away. Again, this may be a good or a bad thing. If the definition of diva for many men is like the one above, then you may scare some guys off. Nevertheless, the bag is kinda fun. Stitched on the front in yellow, green, orange and fuchsia, is the word “diva”. The rest of the bag is made with soft lambskin leather and contrasting orange leather trim and straps. Surprisingly the bag looks somewhat cute to take to the gym (umm maybe without the word diva on it though ). Inside you will find a zipper compartment, and suede lining. This bowler measures 13 1/2″W x 10″H x 5 1/2″D. You be the judge of this bag, but by the looks of the sale price (80% off), my guess would be that the word diva slapped onto any bag may scare many men away. Buy it through Adasa for $79.99 (marked down from a whopping $399.95).

And last on the list for this Viewer’s Choice Monday is the request for some Ted Baker. Issmom, a loyal member of the Purse Forum, wrote: “He’s a British designer I mostly knew for his men’s shirts but his bags are really cute and well priced. The one I’ve attached is a great alternative to a Kooba and its only $220. The website is www.tedbaker.com and you can click on womenswear and then bags. Great stuff. “Issmom, thanks so much for the info- many of us would love to learn about designers with beautiful bags that don’t cost us a car payment. The Ted Baker Day Bag Plait Handle is quite the beautiful tan leather bag with no information to go along with it. For now, we can just look at the beauty of the bag and wonder about the specs (unless any of you have any more info). Buy this bag for $220 through Ted Baker’s official site.

While much of the Midwest is experiencing an Indian summer, the brutal inevitable winter is on its way. Hopefully I will make it back to the lovely land of sunshine and beautiful beaches before then- 2 weeks with no power still = ridiculous. I know how to enjoy winter-wonderland, but not brutal bitter cold winter with no sun and grey skies. I’ll pass. Lucky for all of us, many designers are already ready for spring. Again, this always confuses me when I was still able to wear open toed sandals today. But I can not let any of you refrain from thinking ahead to the bag of your spring dreams. Speaking of which, Neiman Marcus has given us a peek at some top trends for spring. I’ll be the first one to tell you that I am in love.

The Miu Miu Framed Leather Bag has the capacity to make its way into many of your hearts for this spring. The bag is made of luscious brown leather and accented with silver metal hardware and studs. Best part about the bag is the framed top shape and the knotted shoulder strap. I’m a little skeptical about the bamboo-carved wooden clasp. That seems to be hit or miss. Worse case scenario, you buy the bag because you love the shape, color, design, and later you accidentally chisel off the bamboo clasp or hit it very hard with a hammer- by accident of course. There is also a Miu Miu logo plate on front of the pleated body. Inside you will find a classic spring lining, linen, and an inside zip pocket. The size may fit perfectly into the medium bag category and fit under your arm quite beautifully after a rugged winter (5 1/2″H x 11″W x 3 1/2″D). If you feel the need to think so far ahead to spring, then maybe you should consider pre-ordering this beauty via Neiman Marcus for $695. If you have a hard time waiting for things to come, embrace yourself. This bag will be shipped no later than 02/22/2006. Whew.

Do you remember the song, “he was a one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater”? I’m not sure if that song or Barney made purple my not so favorite color, but I’m finding a reason to love purple as of today. Marc Jacobs is always making me smile and making my heart melt. He also helps to make my pay check melt away month by month. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Beth Leather Bag and Beth Leather Flap Clutch are both squelching my dislike of purple and also making my wish list continue to grow out the door.

Let me start with the Marc by March Jacobs Beth Leather Bag which is riveting with its shape and structure. To try to help with a great explanation of this bag, I will leave it to eLux who said, “Shaped similar to a retro bowling bag, Marc’s little tote gets a style all its own with a topstitched leather bow on the outer flap pocket. Nickel studs and a nickel-and-enamel MJ plaque call attention to the overall charm. Finished with a roomy interior lined in striped cotton.” The size of the bag is quite cute, but the leather bow is even better. The bag is made from beautiful grained Beth leather in blackberry and is accented with shiny nickel hardware. The front is where the fun is at. There is a front pocket with the oh-so-coy leather bow and a nickel-and-enamel MJ plaque. The leather shoulder straps are more of hand straps with only a 5″ drop. Final dimensions of this chic purple people eater are 9.5″ x 7″ x 5.5″. Buy it for what seems to be a not too pricey price (compared to many other bags we all love) for $328 via eLuxury. **If you don’t believe me on the beauty of this bag, check it out on the model (sorry for the COB in there!)

To make a matching addition option that I can not resist, my best friend Marc designed the Marc by Marc Jacobs Beth Leather Flap Clutch. Whether you chose to tuck this clutch away in your posh bag, or to carry it by itself to show your sense of style to the world, Marc’s great clutch is just one more reason why my lust in life is handbags and purses. The blackberry grained leather is beautifully finished with a topstitched bow detail and brushed nickel studs. Again, while a bow seems too girly to want on a clutch, it suits this clutch perfectly for me. To add a little something extra to the bow, there is a nickel-and-enamel MJ plaque on the bow. The gusseted leather interior of the clutch should keep you happy with its robust list of compartments: there are eight credit card slots for all of you spending plastic pleasure, a zipped coin pocket, and a flat pocket under the flap. Sizing in at 7.5″ x 4″ x 1″, this clutch is a purple plus in my book. Actually, I think I may just need to do a little pre-Holiday shopping for… me. Buy this cutie through eLuxury for $168.

When a name hits the spot more than the bag, you know something is wrong. It is true though. Sometimes the name given to a bag is just too good to pass up. Too funny, too clever, too witty. As much as the Juicy Couture English School Girl Velour Day Dreamer is not a bag that I’m going to be running out to the store to buy anytime soon, the name sure is clever. Actually, rather than use this bag as an everyday bag, I think it would be a cute diaper bag. The bag is made of Juicy soft velour and trimmed in grained leather. Juicy has a way with words. On this bag the phrase “Juicy State of Mind” is embroidered on the front, and accented with golden studs and sparkling rhinestones. The outside of the bag is fun with its many additions. There is also a satin ribbon laced through beautiful goldtone grommets which give the bag a cinch top. There is also an elasticized side pocket. Good news for your arm is that the shoulder straps are wide and made of grained leather- durable and easy to carry is always a plus. Inside you will find Juicy logo lining and an interior gold leather zip pocket which says “Shop!” As if we needed a pocket to tell us what to do! So when I first began on this bag, I mentioned the name. How bout that name? Juicy Couture English School Girl Velour Day Dreamer sounds naughty and flirty. I know I was a Catholic school girl, and that is still used as a Halloween costume because it is that pure girl with naughty thoughts, and I’m wondering if Juicy was looking to make anyone think the same with the name of this bag. Either way, this bag is still going to be available via eLuxury for a reasonable $175.

I have this thing for bags that have dangling parts. That sure didn’t sound right, but you kinda know what I mean. These kinds of bag ensure that no matter how lame or boring an event, you will have something to do. Yes, I may be juvenile, but it keeps me from just standing up and leaving when I know I am not supposed to. This is where the Chan Luu Ring Charm Handbag comes in handy. Made of silk and embellished with circular and ring charms, this bag could keep just about anyone entertained. Now, I’m not quite sure I could take it to a black or white tie event (chances are NO), but to any other boring dinner party, why not?! The handle is also different than the usual- the handles on this playful bag are circular horn bangle handles. Maybe I’m a bit too old for this bag, but I know there are plenty of people out there who would love this bag. You can choose between black with horn charms or ivory with mother-of-pearl charms. There is pretty much no defined shape with the bag, but there is an interior zip pocket. The price was a little surprising, but then again this is a silk bag and quite fun and flirty. Nab this “No More Party Boredom” bag for $150 via Vivre.