Totes (Page 20)

Donna Karan Modern Pisces Soft Tote

I was rather nice to the Donna Karan Modern Aries Bag a while back and most of you that commented thought it was nice. I happen to still like that bag. It has a different appeal, it is rather simple, but the price is exorbitant. Now, Donna Karan is designed by Peter Speliopoulos, a talented former Cerruti designer, yet Donna Karan herself still contributes little subtleties or even entire new creations.

So which mastermind was behind this bag? Unfortunately, the Donna Karan Modern Pisces Soft Tote is totally simplistic, almost resembling a large potato sack. There is not much ingenuity, not much imagination, not much to this bag at all other than the hefty price tag. I am sure if I went to see the bag in person, actually felt the very soft leather, I would give a mini ooh or ahh. But for $1100 I expect more. Now if you all have been reading Purse Blog for a while, you know that I enjoy toned down bags, I enjoy the simplistic, but this really is too simplistic, even for me. I don’t doubt that the quality is great, that the leather is divine, that it would look good and have a nice slouch on my shoulder, I just can not bring myself to really liking it. So what do you think? Buy through Saks for $1,195.

For some reason, my eyes are always drawn to metallic handbags. Maybe it goes back to when I was little and had to stop and investigate all things shiny. If you didn’t have the same experience, I am sure you have seen how a little kid will stop in his/her tracks when something shiny catches their eye. This is how I felt when I saw the Salvatore Ferragamo Metallic Tote. Sadly, I only have one metallic handbag to my name; I definitely to expand my metallic handbag collection. In all reality, this purse might just be the one. The tote is made with metallic calfskin leather and boasts meticulously crafted handwoven handles. Open the zip closure and you will find the bag is lined with canvas (the design on the canvas is awesome), has an interior zip, cell phone and slip pockets. One of the best things about this handbag is its perfect combination of femininity and edge. A girlie girl, an edgy rocker chick, and anyone in between could rock this bag! Buy through Saks for $1,350.

Have any of you begun to notice that you’re starting to think of the holiday season? Maybe while you are window shopping or browsing the web, something catches your eye and you think “hey, this would be perfect for so and so”. I know there are some people out there who begin shopping months in advance. Actually, Megs and my grandmother picks things up year-round and holds on to them until the holidays. While others of us, read: ME, wait until just about the last minute to shop. Well, I have to say, I saw the Alexander McQueen Elvie Python Tote and thought, “you know, this would be a great gift”. The tote is all the rage right now and has been seen on several celebs and socialites. And we all know how amazing it is to be able to sport one of the celeb or socialite favorites on your arm.

Let’s take a minute to talk about the tote itself. First of all, when I look at it, my heart is happy. I love the overall look and feel of the bag. I know I’ve said it before, and I am sure to say it again, but it truly is the best when at first glance a bag just really catches your eye. The dark green python leather couldn’t be accented more perfectly than it is with the gold-tone hardware. (To me, in these images, the tote looks black, but it is said to be dark green, so I’ll take their word.) I think the tote would be carried best in hand or resting mid-arm, but I guess the two handles could even fit on your shoulder if you really wanted it to. At the same time, don’t do that, you need to show off this gorgeous bag! The flap over the top and gold clasp really add to the beauty of the bag. Open up the tote and you will find a small zipped pocket and fabulous brown suede lining. More than anything, this bag screams elegance, grace and sophistication, but not in a stuffy way. Who wouldn’t love receiving this as a gift? I guess the only drawback is the price; buy through Net-a-Porter for $5,380.

Buy Salvatore Ferragamo at Saks

Salvatore Ferragamo may be known for shoes, but the new line of handbags has me swooning. Not just a little bit of love, but there is a heavy amount of lust, or yearning, of floating on cloud 9. Part of the problem that many of us face with Ferragamo handbags is that we do not see the full line, the entire array. If only there were the entire collection available at Saks or Neiman Marcus, I know the sales online would sky rocket.

The Ferragamo office in NYC decided to tempt Purse Blog in a way that is just wrong, sending us the Salvatore Ferragamo Oversized Carlotta Alligator Tote to review.

Pringle of Scotland may not be a name that everyone knows, but it might be a name everyone should learn. Once merely a luxury knitwear manufacturer (from Scotland, duh), they’ve now been acquired by new owners (in Hong Kong, I believe) and are trying to create a larger brand identity for themselves. I don’t know how long they’ve been doing handbags, although I suspect that they’re fairly new to the market, but the Pringle of Scotland Kasia Slouch Tote makes a formidable (and enviable) first impression. Clearly, celebs like Rachel Bilson (pictured here curtousey of JustJared) have already added the bag to their handbag collection.

At a glance, it’s a black bag. Look closer, however; the detail work is nothing less than amazing. The 4 stripes on the front are knotted and woven in shades of grey and black leather so intricately that I MUST see this bag in person. I don’t know if it’s hand-constructed or not, but if not, they’ve certainly done a great job of making it look as though it was; the slightly rough edges and slight variation in the knots would make me feel like my bag was the only one like it in the world. The leather also looks incredibly thick and soft – and is that a suede lining I see? The bag’s description says that’s it’s ultra-lightweight – can that be? A suede lining on a bag that doesn’t make my arm want to fall off of my body? What kind of magic are these people DOING over in Scotland? Either way, the brand can be had through Net-a-porter.com (they’ve got some cute clothes, too!) and I look forward to seeing MUCH more from this brand’s handbag line in the future. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2,500.

Longchamp Legende Patent Shopper

Longchamp is known for their Nylon Foldable Totes. You have seen them many times before, a favorite of many, and perfect for traveling. In fact, Longchamp Nylon Foldable Totes have been used by some as outer covers for their holy grail bags (some have told us about using it for their Birkins). In my mind, Longchamp is nylon bags. But this is far from the truth. Longchamp also makes leather bags, and you know what, I like them!

The handheld handbag movement is in full force for fall and the Longchamp Legende Patent Shopper fits the bill. What I love most about this bag is the vivid and bold blue hue, dubbed duck blue. The rich hue of blue is ultimately calming and soothing while being the perfect attention grabber. The style of the bag is rather simple, nothing amazing, but very usable. There is a tab accent, double outside front zip pockets, and a zip top closure. Measurements are 14½”W X 10¼”H X 5½”D. This bag was a pleasant surprise as I, like many, associated Longchamp with nylon bags. Buy through Saks for $900.

Believe it or not, Vlad and I rarely (if ever) go to the beach. We made a move from Columbus, Ohio, which is far from the beach, to living less than 2 miles from the beach. But we never go. Now if Vlad reads this, he is going to go bananas. This is a sore subject. He says he wants to go to the beach so badly, but that only comes up when it is raining, we are working, or it is like 150 degrees outside. I continue to try to explain that people who live right by the beach don’t usually go that often. It is some kind of phenomenon. I rather go to a resort with a pool that looks at the beach, but not go on the sand etc. But I still need a new beach bag, and despite the fact that autumn handbags are out, people in Florida can use a beach bag practically anytime of the year.

Now for a beach bag, I will go a little crazy with the pattern, get something a little nuts. I have never been a huge Emilio Pucci fan when it comes to handbags, but for a beach bag, the designs are perfect. The Emilio Pucci Large Print Weekend Tote will fit a towel and all other beach/pool necessities, while adding the perfect eye-popping color and design. I take everything with me to the beach; phone, iPod, waters, food, snacks, sunglasses, contact solution, change of clothes. You name it, I pack it. I grew up around the beach, I know what may be needed when going to the beach (though my list may change since I rarely appear on the sand anymore). But this bag I love. It would look amazing with my new Maya Bikini. The handles are designed with patent leather, which is fairly durable when it comes to wear. The top has a zip closure, which is a must for a beach or pool bag, and an inside zip pocket. Dimensions are 23″W X 15½”H X 8″D. Now we come to the price issue. This is definitely expensive if you are just to use it for the beach or pool, but if you live right near the beach, it may be much more justifiable. Buy through Saks for $840.