Totes

I’m usually a bit dubious when Bottega Veneta decides to layer a pattern on top of their signature intrecciato woven leather. The material itself is so beautiful and luxurious that it seem a waste to mask it, and often the extra patterns compete with the weave’s natural lines.

This time, though, I think they got it right – the argyle pattern of the Bottega Veneta Argyle Veneta Intrec Argyle Boston Bag works on its own and with the weaving.

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It’s a testament to a bag’s inherent beauty and good design if the color it’s featured in is baby puke brown and I still absolutely love it. I’m opposed to all forms and iterations of brown and tan, but the Gucci G Wave Large Leather Tote is easily beautiful enough to shine through a color choice that I may not particularly care for (and that a lot of people may really like).

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Back in June, we found out that Jimmy Choo was going to be releasing a line this fall in conjunction with Elton John’s AIDS charity, and now the first vestiges of that limited edition line are making their way to market for pre-order. Everything from flip-flops to clutches will be available, but the centerpiece of the effort is the Jimmy Choo Project PEP Glazed Canvas Tote.

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I’m having a vintage moment lately. Last weekend, I spent 3 hours on Friday afternoon looking for vintage art deco costume jewelry on eBay. I really want a 70s faux fur jacket. The Stephen Sprouse collection for Louis Vuitton won me over long ago. And then this morning, I was lucky enough to find the utterly charming Chanel Vintage Le Train Bag.

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Giddy up, cowgirl. The Jimmy Choo Isola Shopper is ready for a rootin’ tootin’ good time. And I hope you don’t expect me to continue writing like that for the rest of the post, because I think it would make my head explode.

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I know that Valextra is much-lauded as a brand of staid and classic bags that are extremely well-made out of the finest leathers, but…I just don’t get it. I can’t wrap my head around it.

It seems like I’ve seen the Valextra Babila Top Handle everywhere – on celebrities, as one of Barneys.com’s much-lauded “obsessions,” at the finest stores. But I can’t help but find them unbearably plain and dull – the emperor appears to have no clothes.

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We’ve had some harsh words to say over the past month or so about Prada’s fall handbag collection. Some of them are covered in fur, some of them are unfortunate combinations of velvet and nylon, and a lot of them look a little “grandma.”

As a result, I’m not sure if I’m being more charitable to the Prada Craquele Tote than I would be otherwise. It’s easy to argue that it’s a pretty decent bag when compared to the line’s other fall offerings, though.

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Once upon a time, in the 1980s, MCM was, like, a thing. Or at least that’s what I gather – I was still wearing diapers for much of that time period. They seemed to be fond of making logo-covered fabric bags, which were so obviously recognizable that they became easily dated when they went out of style.

Well, MCM is back with a new look, and it has nothing to do with their 80s logo’d messes. They’re collaborating with new designers to update their image, and the MCM Giornio Tote, designed by Marc Jacobs alum and Gryson owner Joy Gryson, is a strong statement of modernity.

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First and foremost, I want to say that I totally respect the reasoning behind why Stella McCartney does not use leather in her bags. It’s hard to find people that walk the walk as much as they talk the talk, particularly when it could have a significant impact on their business, and she does. Of course, when your dad is a Beatle, I’m not sure that you’re as concerned about things that might affect your bottom line as much as the average person might be.

That being said, I wish she didn’t stick to doggedly to her principles, because I would absolutely love the Stella McCartney Chain-Detail Tote if it was real leather.

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Another day, another studded bag. If you’re sick of this trend, wait a month – you’ll be more sick of it. I promise. But as it stands now, I still love it, and I’m still happy to write about it. Studs have not jumped the shark just yet.

And despite my lack of love for shiny gold hardware, and in particular shiny gold studs, I can’t help but enjoy the Be & D Garbo Convertible Tote. Even though it’s over the top and a bit gaudy, the bag just works.

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