Totes

I’ve resisted the fringe trend for quite a while now. I’ve posted a few examples of fringe bags that I like on PurseBlog Savvy over the past few months, but I wasn’t ready to come out and love the trend as a whole. I thought it was messy. I thought it was floppy. I thought it was a little too hippie-dippy for my personal taste. But then I saw Whitney Port carrying a fringe bag and my mind changed. Pretty much instantly.

And since then, I’ve decided that the fringe bag I’m mostly likely to invest in is the Linea Pelle Janis Fringe Tote. Unlike the rest of the Purse Blog crew, I’m not lucky enough to already have a fab Linea Pelle bag, but from what they’ve said, I know the leather on this one is going to be soft and wonderful and the bag will most likely be one I’ll find myself reaching for again and again. I think I like this bag above all other fringe bags because it’s so well-edited and comparatively understated. The fringe isn’t hanging from every last surface, it’s concentrated in the corners and a bit less cowgirl than carrying something covered in hanging bits of leather. Yes, ladies, I think this is the one for me. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $425.

I’ve had my eye on the Mulberry Roxanne A4 Tote ever since its first red patent leather iteration came out several seasons ago, and now that it’s back (and less expensive) in purple patent-coated canvas, I can’t help but fawn over it again.

One thing that I think Mulberry does very well with their bags is that they make them completely and totally functional. They seem to consider the purpose for which the bag will be used just as much as they consider the way that the bag will look, and what they end up with is a great collection of bags that can be used every day and for a variety of purposes. All kinds of women could have these bags in their closet. I have but one gripe with this bag in particular, and it’s purely aesthetic: the straps and the pocket flaps. They’re a different material, which I like for an accent, but I wish they were smooth instead of pebbled. The pebbling really, really bugs me. A lot. Other than that, though, I think purple patent will go with a lot more than you may realize. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $795.

Perfectly poised in a pretty azure blue, this pocket tote handbag from Hype is the perfect bag to pair with summer whites. The turquoise reminds us of the deepest blues of the seas surrounding our favorite Greek isles. The gloss of the snake embossed leather is a charming contrast to the gold tone hardware. The flap’s oversized clasp enclosure conceals a pocket and on the back side of the bag is a snap closure pocket perfect for keys or your mobile.The best part is the price, $177. Find the Hype azure snake embossed Jordan pocket detail tote and other handbags at Bluefly. Save $30 off your first order at Bluefly.com with Coupon Code – THEFIND30 . Good through June 30, 2009.

Via The Find

I’d like to begin by saying that I generally try to make an effort to appreciate innovation, even when it might lack in functionality. If no one attempts innovation in the first place, then we never have any new concepts for designers to eventually incorporate into bags that we can use in our everyday lives. Which is why I like the Miu Miu Basket Tote, at least in theory, if not in practice.

I think the uses for this bag, as it is, are fairly low. It would be an awfully chic grocery tote, should you need to run around the corner to grab a few things to make dinner. It might also make a decent pool tote, if you folded up your towel in the bottom to prevent your iPod headphones from dangling out. Miu Miu usually errs on the safe side with their bags so its nice to see them do something a bit different, but they fall short on practicality here. This bag would have been both innovative and functional if they had included some sort of soft leather lining inside – maybe in a cream or light grey, for maximum contrast. I would have left the lining loose instead of sticking it to the frame throughout the bag, which would leave the cage effect intact. That way, not only is the idea intact, but the bag is highly usable too. Miu Miu is halfway there, and I kind of like the idea so far. Buy through Bluefly for $660.

I really hate to admit that Heidi Montag inspired me to do or say or think ANYTHING, but in this case of the Yves Saint Laurent Y Tote, I have to admit, she did. I wrote about her carrying this particular bag a few days ago on Bag That Style, and ever since I saw it, I’ve been intrigued.

Megs, who identified the bag from Heidi’s pictures, was told by the ladies in the YSL forum that the bag was from last year and no longer available, but I love nothing more than a challenge. So I was delighted to find the black version on Bluefly today and thought that since I hadn’t seen the bag before, maybe you guys hadn’t either. And really, it’s worth seeing – the leather used is so drool-worthy that it almost makes me want to try and pet it through my computer screen.

Heidi apparently uses hers for traveling, and although I can’t support any other life decision that she’s ever made, I think this would make a great carry-on. It’s roomy and has two different handle options, depending on what else you’re carrying. I’d have to see it in person to decide if the leather is durable enough, but Heidi’s light-colored iteration looked pretty perfect after her flight back from Mexico. Buy through Bluefly for $1596.

If ever I’ve seen a good reason to have kids, it’s the page of stuff that Saks was calling a collection of reasonable Mother’s Day presents. Sure, there were some things that most kids could have pooled their money and afforded to get for mom, but then there were some things that were absolutely redonkulous (I feel that that’s the only correct term). The most out-of-this-world? The Zagliani Tomodachi Crocodile Tote. This thing is stunningly freakin’ gorgeous, and if having a couple of munchkins would mean that I might, one day, be given something even half as awesome as this bag, then that’s reason enough for me (ok, so maybe not, but go with the joke here, folks). It would take some rich kiddos to put together their piggy banks for this beauty, though, so it might be time for mothers everywhere to increase allowances for the foreseeable future. Buy through Saks for $10,500.

This is possibly the most luxurious laptop bag I’ve ever seen, even if it is slightly boring. I know that the Bottega Veneta Buckle Tote isn’t advertised as a computer bag per se, but if I’ve ever seen a designer handbag that would be more perfectly suited for that purpose, I’m having trouble recalling it now.

And by calling this a laptop bag, I don’t mean that as an insult. Far from it, in fact. This is modern society, after all, and the vast majority of women that will consider purchasing this bag will be women that worked hard to make the money that they’ll be spending. Acknowledging these women and giving them high-end options for their work bags is something that far more designers should be doing. Even if Bottega Veneta didn’t intend this bag for such utilitarian purposes, I think it would be perfect for the job. Plus, knowing of BV what I do, I bet the leather is flawless and soft and made of unicorn hides. Buy through Saks for $1850.

Ladies, I’ve done it. I’ve done the impossible, and now we can all rejoice and hold hands and sign songs of happiness. I’ve found a Chloe bag at a somewhat reasonable price point. I thought that this was a feat I would never accomplish, but today I dared to dream, and when I opened my eyes, the Chloe Victoria Tote stood before me.

And it’s…perfectly serviceable and at least as nice as some of their designs that are much more expensive. We’re not breaking new ground here, design-wise, but the leather does look quite nice (if a bit too glazed and shiny for my taste) and the bag looks like it would be enormously functional and useful for women with all kinds of different personal tastes and lifestyles. I could see it on everyone from a working mom to a downtown hipster, and at the somewhat reasonable price point (for Chloe), a lot more people will be able to consider adding it to their collections than with most of the brand’s other bags. I can’t find anything to dislike here, and I even tend to like the shades of tan that Chloe uses, as much to my own surprise as anyone else’s. Buy through Saks for $1295.

I kept getting emails with a ton of hoopla about Stella McCartney having an exclusive line for Net A Porter. Then I saw some of it and it made me wonder what the fuss was about. Stella McCartney is so hit or miss for me and while some of her designs are simple and I love them some are so simple they end up being simpleton and just blah. One of her exclusive designs for NAP is the Stella McCartney Cloud Print Shopper which features the Sir Peter Blake cloud print on this lightly colored canvas shopper.

I need to break down this bag, my likes and dislikes until I can reach a conclusion. I like that it is light and whimsical and I like the clouds. I don’t like that it is light colored which can easily lead to dirt showing and that it looks childish. Also on the cons, the closeup view of this bag shows an odd pattern of the paint on the canvas, which looks gray and dirty. I suppose if I were to have a child this could be a cute beach tote or playground bag, but again having a child means messes and dirt, and this bag would go downhill fast once it shows wear especially since the inside is white. Overall I give this a 4/10 on my generous scale, because it is not heinous but I can’t imagine many people running out to buy this either. Am I off or on? Buy through Net A Porter for $185.

I think it is fair to say that we typically feature handbags that will set you back more than just a penny or two. And while over at Purse Blog Savvy we focus on a different price point, I do like to switch things up a bit from time to time. So when I found the Eric Javits Dunemere Large Tote, I figured it would not only be a great bag to share, but it would also give that internal budget a mini-break.

It is true, I’ve been on a bit of a beach tote kick. I don’t have any beach getaway plans for this summer (do any of you – please give me ideas!!!) but I am always checking out new sunglasses, swimsuits and beach totes! So, this large striped metallic tote certainly popped out as a nice beach bag option! Ample storage space and pockets provide compartments and storage space for just about anything you tote to the beach (or on daily errands). And of course, you can use this bag in so many different situations. Yes, let me know what you think about this bag, but also tell me about your summer plans – I need ideas!!! Buy through Saks for $345.