Marc Jacobs Handbags

The Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag line is for the rational people out there, the people with a budget that actually stick to it. No need to pinch pennies and wonder why your handbag costs your mortgage, just buy a great bag that will eventually be replaced by another. Admit it, you replace your handbags with your newest obsession and soon you forget some of the old gems you have. This makes handbag purchases seem absurd at times. While it may not be made with the most luxurious materials, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Aline Leather Tote is made beautifully. Tan grained leather with a funky oversized embossed button embellishment make this handbag laid back for everyday use. There is brass hardware, natural stitch detailing, and buckle detailed pockets on each end. The front of the bag also sports a large detail pocket. Plenty of pockets to separate all necessities. I love this handbag because it can be worn for this season, or the next, or the next, and you still can get your money’s worth. Buy through Net A Porter for $478.

This wallet is winking at all of us for a reason. The price tag is too good to be true, even if this is not your everyday wallet. Keep winking Marc by Marc Jacobs Pouch Pocket Wallet, because your two pouch pockets and inside sections show that you mean business. On the inside there is a zip fastening section for coins, a section for cards, and a place for notes. The outside pockets give off the wink effect with one sporting a zip fastening while the other sports a press stud fastening. The gold metallic leather is accented with gold hardware. Cheap and cute, via Net A Porter for $188.

Designer handbags under $500 are few and far between these days. It seems that any ‘bag deal’ looks juvenile or cheap, which is obviously not what any of us want. I am pleasantly surprised with the Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Quinn, for it has soft grained leather that appears lush and the aged brass hardware is the perfect touch. The padded leather shoulder straps offer comfort for the shoulder. On the outside there are additions to add a touch of style, including buckled straps at the sides, side pouch pockets, and rounded studs. Inside there is logo textile lining along with interior cell phone pocket, patch pocket, and zip pocket. Available in black or stone (taupe), this Marc Jacobs number is a perfect bag deal for anyone who does not wish to spend over $500 on a handbag. Buy through eLuxury for $448.

Here I am again, in yet another airport. I am not sure if you realize it, but the airport might as well be my second home. I am on a lay over in Charlotte right now (I took the 6 am flight, I am crazy), waiting for my flight back to Ohio. Lucky me, my flight is delayed over an hour. This means my lay over is long, I have more of a chance to be seen as the sun keeps shining, and it is not a pretty sight. I need more R&R. Of course, I made my way to a lovely corner and am looking for a new carry-on bag. That is my life, I really do obsess about bags. I realized my carry on is absolutely falling apart, yet I still can not justify buying anything nicer. I do need a bigger carry on, because dag gummit I will fit as much as humanly possibly under the seat in front of me. I am obsessing with the cheap leather bags Marc Jacobs has put out for his Marc line. The price is perfect and the lush leather and over sized dimensions make the Marc by Marc Jacobs Delancy Tote swoon worthy. The cognac leather is accented with brass hardware and features a removable leather shoulder strap. The slight pleating on each side adds a nice dimension, and I love the embossed luggage tag. This is truly an over sized bag, measuring 21.5″ W x 18.5″ H. Give me that and I will turn it into my Mary Poppins bag! Just under $700 via Net A Porter.

Edit: I thought this at first, but Silky’s comment made me realize I did not mention it! This Marc number closely resembles the Miu Miu pleated bags that were being designed for a while, especially the Miu Miu Nappa Soft Tote. Is it lack of brains by Marc, or flattering imitation?

Compare to the Miu Miu bag below!
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The petrol (blue-gray) color used for this leather hobo bag is stunning. It is a toned down blue, which makes it easy to wear often. But the two turnlock fastening pockets on the front of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Faridah Hobo Bag resemble the backside of someone wearing jeans, which is a negative attribute in a handbag. The hobo shape adds a slouchy feel and there is a zip fastening pocket at the top, one shoulder strap, brass hardware, and canvas lining. Can you look past the human like front pockets, or is it grabbing your attention in a bad way also? It is unfortunate, because I like front pockets. Just not sure they work out well on this bag. Buy through NAP for $438.

Fab or Drab?

I am a notorious over-packer. If there is a club that meets out there named ‘Over-packers anonymous’ I would be in it. I’m that person that thinks every shirt I own will be cute on my vacation. I even over-pack to come home where a) I have clothes here still and b) I typically live in a bikini. And with the one carry one, and one purse rule, I push the limits. My one carry on weighs more than my checked-in bag. My ‘purse’ knocks people’s heads off as I stroll down the isle. Sure, my shoulder and body hurts after carrying these from airport to airport, but by-golly I will not leave anything behind. So I am loving the Marc by Marc Jacobs Nylon Tote because it is a lightweight material, a huge bag, and does not cost as much as my typical carry on ‘purse’. The quilted logo lettering is hard to decipher on the pink nylon body. There is a tag on the front deemed a ‘workwear’ tag. Large pockets can be found on the sides, there are knot details at each handle, and a magnetic closure finishes off the bag. On the inside, more organizational pockets make me smile; including a zipper pocket and two patch pockets. The dimensions are large, measuring in at 18″H x 17″L x 5.5″D. Yes, this bag is huge, but for the price and considering the way I use my carry-on purse, this would be ideal. Take that airlines! Buy for a mere $178 at Shop Bop.
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What is that I see? Pebble-grain leather that looks lush from Marc Jacobs? Ok I am just giving Marc a hard time. We all know that he is a creative genius that merely flops from time to time (sometimes worse and more often than others). But Marc has his groove thing back with the Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Groovee design. The leather looks divine and sturdy, the brass hardware offers a perfect touch, and the removable flat leather shoulder strap makes the bag convertible and practical. I love the simple touch of the pinktuck pleat detail on the front, back, and side. While the inside is merely lined with textile lining, I am not let-down by it much because the price point is quite low for a well made leather bag. Also the inside features a patch pocket, cell phone pocket, and leather-trimmed zip pocket. Finishing off a new groove, the measurements are 17″x 9.5″x 6″. Oddly delightful from Marc Jacobs. And wait until you catch this price… $498 at eLuxury. Under $500 = a bargain.

Why ruin a good thing? Marc, you had people liking your Stam. People were buying it and wearing it. Even some of the ‘why-are-they-even-celebs’ celebs were sporting it. And then you had to go and ruin it. You had to decide to make it hideous and repulsive. You had to make me look at it and laugh then cringe then throw up a little in my mouth. This is the Marc Jacobs Python Patchwork Stam which is fugly done-up with frosty metallic blue python. The golden hardware paired with the blue python spells out capital Tacky. And the price, it is not even free. Oh no, it is going to set you back $4000 at Saks. This is a total joke, right

While Fendi has recently released an atrocious line, their B Bag has been making many fashionistas smile for a few seasons now. Marc Jacobs seems to think he can take the shape of an already made bag and make it his own. But who does the double front pockets/buckle better? Would you go for the Fendi Caviar B Bag or the Marc by Marc Jacobs Faridah Shoulder Bag? They are both very different, but upon quick glance they look similar. One is super cheap (and looks it too if you ask me) and one is super expensive (but still may look cheap with the ‘caviar’ finish).

Would you go for the Marc Jacobs bag ( $328 via NAP ) or the Fendi B Bag ( $3550 via NAP ) or say heck no to both?

While we all have different budgets, in the world of designer handbags, a handbag under $700 seems overly reasonable to me. I am sitting here praising this leather bag so much and still a little in shock and awe that it is indeed Marc Jacobs, from the cheaper line, MARC. Typically from MARC we see cotton bags and linen with flowers and just easy to throw around (ok many time atrocities that are cheap nonetheless). But this new line is on point. First there was the cute yellow wristlet, now there is the MARC by Marc Jacobs Pleated Handbag which is not only cute but even sophisticated. Touted the Delancey style, this handbag radiated lush chocolate leather with simple and slight pleating at the top along with gold tone hardware. The shoulder strap is detachable which leaves the option of just using the buckled top handles. The lining is nothing special, but that is fine by me seeing that Chloe Paddington’s merely sport cotton lining also. Measuring 19″H x 21 1/2″W x 5″D, this is a cheap and chic bag that is a viable work bag option. Pre order at Neiman Marcus for $698.