Hobos

Megs stumbled upon this pretty hoboesque bag yesterday. Keep in mind that was while I was kept at INS Level 2 (some immigrations agent thought I may have been an illegal worker in the US or something like that, almost causing us to miss our connection flight) and being interrogated about my trip. Fortunately, they didn’t drag my arse to Level 3, where an oversized Helga with latex gloves and lots of lube would have awaited me for a full-body cavity search, hoping to find some oh-so-secret information about f*ck-do-I-know-what. Oh splendid. I guess the INS does not like tourists travelling into their country too frequently, I really don’t know. Fortunately, they didn’t send me back, ‘cuz that would have sucked pretty big testicles. Aside from high stress levels and Megs’ uncertainty over what would happen to her boy, the delay had one good though. The lady had plenty of time to browse good ol’ American mags and catch up on the latest fashion jazz.

Perlina is a company that has yet to be mentioned ’round here, but considering their simplistic designs (that still manage to impress) their application range is very wide. Take for example the Rumor Two Pocket Slouch – looks like a winner to me. The leather gussets (the patches around the corners) and the two front pockets add flair, still not making it too busy looking. You have a choice of five shades, including the very popular pewter. Hence, mix-matching it with your wardrobe should not be much of a task. The bag also comes relatively cheap, $286 to be precise. You can grab them off Perlina’s online store or several brick & mortar retailers around the US.

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Lucky Saks, lucky us! Available only at Saks, the bag of all bags has finally arrived. Just kidding about it being a long-awaited bag! But you know how they say dogs look like their owners sometimes, well now I think purses look like dogs (which unfortunately may look like the owner also). I have found a bag that will finally match the owner of the Chinese Hairless dog. The Carlos Falchi Cashmere Crochet Hobo is one fine mess of a bag. The bag is cashmere embellished with a variety of colorful beads and metallic crochet. The strap has multi strands of slender leather, which is where the Chinese hairless dog comes into play. I just don’t like how random strands of leather are strung about in a wild non-sensical way on this bag. The bag does have a python-embossed leather bottom, which is sort of a shame that such a material is going to waste. Using python, cashmere, and leather are all beautiful, but when put together on this bag it screams out atrocity to me! I can’t help but look at it and immediately want to compare it to something horrible: like the Chinese hairless dog, or like a bead project I did in 3rd grade. So why don’t you all tell me what you think it looks like! Be creative!!

Oh yea, if you were wondering, the bag is only available through Saks for a whopping $775.

The slouch look is “in”. It’s a simple style that adds a glam touch to any bag you carry. I’ve fallen in love with quite a few of these style bags (like my new Paddy!!) and I think it is one of the looks of the season approaching us! Kooba is known for their classic Claudia bag, and they have now come out with the Kooba Chiara Hobo which is a smaller version of the Claudia. Bringing in the brass studs only further accentuates the supple calfskin leather. The bag is made of 100% calfskin leather, features gold metal hardware, a zippered closure, and twill lining with the signature Kooba lettering. The crescent hobo shape is chic and fits under the arm easily, which is always a plus in my book for ease of carrying. The bag measures about 17″ x 9″ x 4″, (which depends on the fullness of the bag). Fall into fall with this trendy style for $525 via eLuxury.

When I was little I do remember a time when the shiny glossy look was in style. At least I thought it was. I believe that was the time of the pleather shiny pants. Anyone else remember trying to pull that off? Well, if I am alone in that, then I really was way off on my own track- way out in right field. But I swear it was in style, and hey, my mom told me it was too! When I read the descriptions of bags, I don’t usually look for glossy leather. But the picture of it makes the bag look luxurious, and I really think this may *actually* be in-style.

The Marc Jacobs Collection Icy Leather Sienna is truly striking. This is one of those bags that is crying out for attention, rightfully so, and deserves all the glances it may get. The hobo-shaped shoulder bag is made of emerald grained leather with a fine polish which gives off the glossy look. There is polished metal hardware adorning the bag and two golden zippers under the bag to expand the width (who wouldn’t need that!) Adding a little fun to the bag is the snapped front flap pocket with golden padlock detail and the sumptuous suede interior with a zipped pocket and plaque inside. This gorgeous hobo is available through eLuxury for $975.

Sometimes all the leather and studs and ostrich and metal detailing and precious rabbit fur and silk are just overpowering. Don’t get me wrong, if you feel the need to buy me a new luxury bag, feel free to do so. But I do always love to incorporate a little bit of fun into the mix. This is why I love this Marc by Marc Jacobs Roxy Rose Brownie Hobo. Simply put, it is simple fun. This super slouchy tote feels like a blast from the past, because it sports an eighties-inspired print. Can’t touch it! But yeah, it is different and playful. The bag is even more downplayed with its two front pockets with ties and the long tied shoulder strap. The inside is also not a plain Jane- it is made of a matching interior and a bold, black-and-white MARC tag. The bag is a varying 14″ x 7″ x 3.5″ (varies because it’s capacity to expand with accessories) and costs $148 from eLuxury.

If you had $5,000 laying around, what would you do with it? Would you travel half way around the world, stay in a beautiful resort, pay off your bills, renovate part of your house, or would you spend it on one single handbag? Just one little handbag. So the assumption I have come to today is that women who can afford $5,000 all the time are loaded. Women who chose to spend $5,000 on a handbag that they may not really be able to afford, are purse lovers who put their love of the shoulder fashion before their smarts. I bow down to you women!

For some reason high end handbag designer, the flight of the ostrich has taken off. Actually, I believe ostriches do not fly. But they sure are appealing for the fashion industry to use when designing high end handbags and purses. All of my purse lovers know the brand Luella very well by now. Let’s mix together the name Luella with the supple and extravagant ostrich skin, the trend of studs and grommets, and the divine hue of purple, into a sexy hobo shape. The Luella Diana Ostrich Hobo flaunts itself with quite a bold statement. The hobo is made of supple purple ostrich which is accented with golden hardware and studs. The adjustable shoulder strap is an attention grabber with buckles and allover grommets. The hobo is an open top with stud trim and fringed tassels and grommet trim on side flap pockets with padlock accents. If you look at the size (7 3/4″H x 12 1/2″W x 7″D) and the price, you may realize you are paying quite a bit per inch. The bag is ready for you via Nieman Marcus for $4,995.

After I did a lovely write up on the gorgeous Fendi bags that do exist, I feel totally let-down by this hideous number. I’m going to take a stab at what happened here. Karl Lagerfeld spent this past winter in North Dakota in the mountains and never once had human interaction. Then he proceeded to become so lonely that he made friends with a squirrel, let’s call him Chuckles. So then as Karlito began to experience worse and worse winter woes, he decided he had nothing left to do but slaughter his squirrel friend, Chuckles, and use him for a design on his new Fendi Suede Hobo. Yes, that sounds about right. This bag had me laughing so hard trying to figure out what was going on that I think I burned enough calories to consider this hysteric attack my work out for the day (at least I will tell myself that). What a joke. This bag is being called, “A hip hobo with that must-have logo and a playful squirrel—another Fendi signature”. Oh how I beg to differ. The bag has the tiny zucchino logo pattern splattered all over it on brown suede. Then comes the biggest mess: a dark brown/orange/green suede squirrel appliqué with black topstitching and none other than a gray fox fur tail on the front of the bag. My question is, if you are going to use a squirrel picture, why not just slab the tail on there too? Seeing that squirrels are always road kill, can’t we just send Karl Lagerfeld out to I-95 to scoop some tails up? Here is the astonishing part. This Fendi Suede Hobo is on pre-order for $2,040 at Neiman Marcus. All I have left to say is poor Chuckles. R.I.P.

Spartacus was gorgeous right? The man I mean. I think so. Or maybe that is just how they portrayed him in the movies. But I do know that Brad Pitt looked amazingly gorgeous in Troy. Actually many of my guy friends (including you Vlad!) not only admitted to finding Brad Pitt gorgeous, but also admitted to watching the movie just for him. Yes, you men out there do actually judge other men. We all know it. And it is OK. So when I think of this Yves Saint Laurent Sparte Hobo, I am seriously reminded of Troy or Joan of Ark or Spartacus. I just could never see myself wearing it. The bag looks ancient. I am supposing that was the point, but still, not my style.

The YSL Sparte Hobo features front sided metallic leather fringe with goldtone hardware while the rest of the handbag is made of suede. The shoulder strap has adjustable buckles which you can alter to be as long as short as you like. If you are preparing to run around Troy with the bag, make sure you tighten the straps. The hobo has a hidden magnetic snap closure and is lined in satin and has an inside zip pocket. Sizing in at a burly 11″H X 12″L X 1″W this ancient bag can be yours for $995 at Saks.

Never thought I would like to sit on a plane with a landing gear problem. But this time, fate actually gave me the right cards to play with, causing a one day delay for my flight back to Germany and enabling me to stay for one more day with the one I love. Score!!! Let’s hope today’s ride will not be malfunctioning on me, I think I’ve used up a good portion of my good luck yesterday…

I’m sure you’ve been to a museum before and stood in front of a painting, a very influencial piece of “art” that makes you wonder just what the painter was on when he spewed that crap on the canvas. And even moreso, you wonder just what the heck it’s supposed to depict. Personally, I don’t see jack in abstraction, ever. Neither do I know what Emilio Pucci was thinking when he designed this Printed Nylon Hobo. I like the shape, very cute, but the print is just too abstract for my taste. The hobo is adorned with silver metal hardware and has an adjustable black leather shoulder strap to hold on to. If the unique print floats your boat, you can pre-order this italian bag for $235 through Neiman Marcus.

Another pearl that we stumbled upon in the Bal Harbour Gucci store was the Gucci Medium Hobo that had just been released to the public eye and isn’t even available on their official site yet. The shape accords the pictured fuchsia ostrich hobo, the material was different. Its leather was entirely covered with their new horsebit emboss and came in either a darker brown shade or more of a burgundy red. Completed was the gorgeous $1080 hobo with single strap, zip-top closure, bamboo ring details, bamboo ornament zipper pull, embossed Gucci script logo on strap, studs, and an inside zip pocket. Megs fell in love immediately, but had to pull out of a possible impulse buy once reality settled back in. We will try to hunt down a picture of the gorgeous leather and report on it later. In the meanwhile, I would really recommend the pictured Gucci Ostrich Hobo. The bag is currently on sale from almost $4k down to $2,300 and available directly through Gucci. I got a little touchy with the bag and was positively surprised about the supple and soft appeal of the quality ostrich leather. If you dig pink and have a thing for feathered bird leather, grab it while it’s hot!