Sometimes, a bag just doesn’t make sense until you see it on someone. I’ve seen the Anya Hindmarch Bathurst Bag on plenty of retail websites, and I’ve always found it a bit confusing; Why the big strap? Why make the big strap a different color? It’s a nice bag, of course, but it didn’t quite click for me until I saw someone carrying the black version with its blue strap (it also comes with a tonal black strap) in front of me on Madison Avenue over the weekend.
Shoulder Bags
As much fun as It Bags and logos can be from time to time, sometimes you just want to fly under the radar. Maybe it’s a situation in which something conspicuous isn’t appropriate (think a professional event or job interview), or maybe you’re just not feeling particularly flashy. Good taste is, well, always in good taste. Luxury handbags are rarely inconspicuous, though – even tween starlets are carrying Celine these days.
Everyone knows the name Ralph Lauren, but few handbag lovers associate the brand with great bags. While Ralph Lauren has designed some beauties like the Ricky, the majority of their handbags slide far below the radar and are not acknowledged by the accessories community at large. It’s a pity; Ralph Lauren is so expansive and major that you would assume the brand would churn out beautiful purses as well.
Calling all animal print lovers, this is an animal print handbag you do not want to miss out on. While procrastinating on doing my ever-so-interesting homework (hopefully my professors aren’t reading this), the Tory Burch Medium Haircalf Top Bag caught my eye. It’s the perfect accessory that can be used all year round, and it’ll give any outfit that double-take factor.
In case you hadn’t heard, Dolce & Gabbana is shutting down its little sister line D&G after Spring 2012. That means that the D&G clothes, handbags and shoes in store right now are the last we’ll ever see. (Until the line has a Versus-like revival in 10 or 15 years, of course.) If these three D&G Printed Quilted Twill Bags are any indication, the brand intends to go out with a bang instead of a whimper.
Isabel Marant Melly Embroidered Bag, $1235. Isabel Marant Malou Emebellished Suede Clutch, $1080. Both via Net-a-Porter.
Watch out, I’m about to commit fashion blasphemy: I find Isabel Marant a bit tedious. I like her clothing on an aesthetic level, of course. There’s a reason that every supermodel and editor this side of Berlin is photographed wearing Marant almost constantly; her work is impeccable.
Pierre Hardy Leather Clutch, $700. Pierre Hardy Suede and Patent Shoulder Bag, $1350. Both via Net-a-Porter.
For most of you, Pierre Hardy isn’t a new name by a long shot. The French designer is largely famous for his footwear, and his gloriously modern wedges in particular are what garner most of the (well-deserved) attention that comes his way. But what about Hardy’s handbags?
With all the attention that Celine’s immaculate Classic Box Bags have received, one would think that more designers at every price level would be jumping on the bandwagon to give the look a shot. Some have, to be sure, there are a few companies who I expected to see make the effort sooner.
Jil Sander is one such brand, and I feel as though I’ve been waiting to see the Jil Sander Lady Crossbody for at least two seasons.
Alexander McQueen Wicca Velvet-Covered Leather Shoulder Bag, $1365 via Net-a-Porter
Designers seem to be trying to make velvet happen once again for fall, and despite being a child of the 90s and an unashamed fan of the era’s grungy, highly questionable fashion, I’ve been slow to warm to the almost-trend. I remember having velvet T-shirts and dresses too vividly in elementary school for velvet to be an automatic winner in my mind as an adult.
Loewe Flamenco Bag, $1726 via Matches in green and orange
If you’ve never seen a Loewe (pronounced Low-AY-vay) bag in person and they brand is available in your area, I’d encourage you to seek them out for a test drive around the department store or boutique of your choice. I still can’t understand why so many starlets choose to carry the canvas version of the company’s Amazona bag; leather is where the bags shine most brightly.
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