Satchels

I think I have a mild prejudice against Cole Haan handbags. For the middle price range, I like to go with lesser known designers that can’t be so easily found at your local department store. Still, if I saw you toting this Cole Haan Village ruched satchel, I would ogle and demand to know where you obtained it. I’ve said it before, but I love pretty much anything with pleats, and this bag has got cute girly pleating down to a tee. There’s just enough that it looks playful and interesting without evoking an aging pug. The shape of the bag is very feminine overall, and the pleating works with the whole look. The little ovular buckles and white stitching down the middle add even more details to fawn over. Add then the Hermes fan’s favorite orange, a really fun hue for summer, and you have one irresistible, vibrant, and ladylike bag. And of course even if you don’t go to Cole Haan for innovations in design, you can count on them for quality craftsmanship and materials, and I’m sure this bag is a steal for $395 through Neiman Marcus. It also comes in a lovely beige with darker stitching. Buy yours now and tote it with pride!

I’m really adoring this Zac Posen leather zip satchel. I don’t tend to buy white bags, and if you could see the floor of my dorm room, you’d understand why. The appeal of this bag is just what prevents me from pulling out the plastic for it – it’s beautifully, gorgeously clean! Eggshell white with little pure splashes of gold hardware, this bag is perfect for an enchanted spring and summer, where there is no dirt or evil. I’d love to see it worn with a lighter-than-air mint-green dress and white patent wedges. The shape is adorable, with little flounces at every edge, and Zac Posen’s signature hexagonal hardware is understated but perfectly in place. The strap is long enough to go over the shoulder for easy wear, and I’m falling in love with this bag the more I write about it! Must…stop…can’t…care…for…white…leather…! Sigh…if you’re tidier than me, by all means, pick up this beautiful satchel for $1,395 via Neiman Marcus, and please, be careful around ketchup and babies and inebriated friends.

I have said it at least 100 times in 100 different entries, the whole over-zealous monogram pattern does not do it for me. I want the beauty of the bag to attract the attention, not the logofied style. Even worse is designers who do not typically use a monogram pattern, or have not found success with one, using it like it is hip. Gag me. Upon first glance of the Michael Kors Jet Set Monogram Satchel, I thought of two things: ‘mmmmmkayyyyy’ by Mr. Mackey and Mary Kate Olsen. Those are two things you do not want a potential buyer to think of when looking at a Michael Kors bag. The shape is great, the leather trim is stunning, the push lock closure is cute, but the monogram-embossing makes me seriously laugh and want to gag all at once. Kors, stick to what you know works, simple bags without your initials splattered all over it. Especially when your initials will make people think of at least two totally opposite things. I mean really, who thinks of Michael Kors when they first see the initials MK? Not me. And that is not a good sign. Via eLuxury for $328.

Continuing on the bags that cost a small car, house, college tuition, etc, luxurious croc skins play a huge part in pricey bags. For an expensive handbag that states ‘I’m everyday chic but the real lux deal’, gaze at the Chloe Croc Paddington Satchel. An combination of the Paddington style that has permanently been etched into our brains and exotic chocolate crocodile, this handbag can easily work for daytime or evening wear. Golden hardware and studs accent the delicious chocolate croc. There is the signature padlock closure but I do wonder what this Paddington version is lined in. If this bag is merely lined in cloth, like the regular leather version, I will be beyond disappointed and utterly disgusted at the price. But the price! At just under $13k, this bag rivals that of an Hermes Birkin plus an extra $5k treat on the side (Hermes Kelly perhaps?) For the price, I am not sure the Paddington in any exotic is worth it. But if your money tree is growing nicely or you are just the biggest Chloe fan in the world, snatch the bag up quickly for a mere $12,880 through Saks.

Typically, I would prefer Jimmy Choo on my feet, but every so often Choo releases a bag that I fall for. I fall for it in the way that I enjoy looking at it, appreciate the craftsmanship, but will never buy it. Does that make it a bad handbag? Maybe that just means my bank account needs to totally lust for a bag to buy it, not just enjoy it. Either way, I am strongly ‘enjoying’ the Jimmy Choo Leather & Suede Satchel because of its laid back style, use of sheen calfskin alongside soft suede, and funky hardware. From the front view, the bag looks a bit bland, but shown from the side I love it. I’d wear it right to the resort or to the country club, heck, I’d wear it to the grocery store. You would have to be a bit careful with the bag, being that it is light in color and suede is harder to care for. If you could bring it into your handbag cycle, it would be a totally chic sporty bag. Side pockets, double shoulder straps, and a top zip closure finish off the bag. Dimensions are 10″H X 15″L X 6½”W. I am not running out to buy the bag, but I do ‘enjoy’ it thoroughly! Through Saks for $1895.

Front picture after the jump!
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While most of the country and world are in heaps upon heaps of snow, I have been enjoying crisp and perfect 80 degree weather in South Florida. Don’t think I am rubbing it in, because I am merely here to heal my broken arm that I got while in the bitter cold; so I definitely feel your pain! Why don’t we all get on the same page and begin lusting after spring and summer bags. Nothing says warm weather like a tinge of green alongside a burlap body, like found in the Miu Miu Burlap Leather Drawstring Satchel. This bag is simple but lovely for the warm weather and completely durable for extensive everyday wear. The shoulder strap also sports the caribou leather with gold tone hardware. Simple but perfectly fun, measuring 14″H X 16″L X 5″W this bag is available via Saks for $795.

If you a celeb junkie, you will have seen on Access Hollywood and read on your favorite Celeb Gossip Site that Jessica Simpson had quite rowdy crowd following her the other day; rowdy enough to need a beat down involving batons and handcuffs. What is the big deal about her? Was it her new handbag perhaps? Walking out of the shopping center as if nothing phases her and as if she literally has no idea what goes on around her, Jessica Simpson sported a stunning Derek Lam Violet Satchel. My closet hangs and loves Derek Lam and my hand could learn to do the same with this stunning grained and pebbled leather satchel with aged brass hardware. The signature mark on this bag is the engraved metal ring with two ram heads on the front. Buy it through eLuxury for $1950.

Watch the video of the ordeal here if you are reaaaaally bored.

Assuming that I get married, have kids, and at least one of my kids is a girl; my future daughter will be a handbag addict, whether she wants to or not. Many of the fabulous women on tPF have indulged their little girls with all sorts of mini designer bags, and I won’t even lie, if I could, I would. For a pre-teen, the Juicy Couture Terry Stripe Small Bowler can have any drippy and gloppy lip gloss without a huge worry of the bag being ruined. The color scheme is perfect, with blue, yellow, and white striped terry cloth with a vinyl anchor Bumble Bee appliqué. On first glance, this bag was just another Juicy bag atrocity, but with a little more thought, it would be the perfect gift for a younger girl. Anyone need a gift idea- try this! Via eLuxury for $165.

Perhaps it’s that I’ve washed one too many practice football jerseys… but I’m not in love with the “cutout details” on the Miu Miu Large Nappa Leather Satchel. Come on you washers-of-the-jerseys, you know what I mean. Such a strong resemblance to the hole-y fabric of the infamous practice jersey on the beautiful bag, I don’t think so. Other than that, pretty style and comfortable looking shape along with a removable shoulder strap. Via Saks for $1,495.

*This post brought to you by my very own mom, Jane!! She hopes some other mom’s out there can relate to the late night laundry you all did for your kids *

Granted I have not stepped foot in the gym in a while, but when I decide to go back (after my indefinite hiatus) I would love to carry a retro athletic bag. The Lacoste Sailing Boston Satchel embarks on an athletic journey with a retro chocolate and burnt orange color pattern and large body. Granted this bag is touted as a satchel, but I would inevitably use it as my athletic bag to have all my friends laugh at me and my choice of work out bag. Mostly a cotton body but trimmed in leather, the bag features a top zip closure, internal zip pocket, and polyester lining. Dimensions are 12″W x 8″H x 7″D which makes it the perfect athletic bag or carry on if this workout hiatus continues. Buy it through Nordstrom for $220.