Valentino Handbags

Thank you Valentino, for continuing to bring us beautiful feminine designs. Valentino handbags have become synonymous with floral and bow embellishments. Most of the time I see Valentino do this, they get it right. I was always a fan of the Rose Shopper but it never looked like it would fit as comfortably as I would like my handbag to fit.

But the Valentino Petal Leather Hobo Bag is hands down stunning. We saw Hilary Duff with this bag on Gossip Girl and it caught my attention. Nice, comfortable hobo shape, romantic ruffles: all the makings of a great handbag.

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I keep finding myself drawn into Valentino bags. The continuous use of whimsical bows and feminine touches is so appealing. However, Valentino is not immune to having an off bag and this bag may be an example. Animal print bags really put me on the fence typically. I do not own an animal print bag, I seem to always find something I do not like about each of the ones I see.

The Valentino Leopard Print Goat Hair Bag brings together a leather bow detail at the front of the bag with a leopard-print goat hair body. Leopard print is a popular animal print that when put on a handbag usually skates a fine line between fabulous and trashy.

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I am not ashamed to admit that when I was first becoming enthralled with the fashion world I had the hardest time remembering if it was Valentino bags or Versace bags that I adored/despised. There is a clear difference between the two brands and their styles. To be honest, it saddens me that I have not seen a decent Versace bag in the longest time. But Valentino captivates me. Valentino bags continue to play on femininity and elegance.

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Sometimes, a little bit of bad taste is the best thing that you can add to an outfit. There’s nothing worse than looking too perfect, too precious, and like you’re trying way too hard. Personality is to be embraced and celebrated in personal style, not avoided.

Admittedly, the Valentino Paillette-Embellished Tote is what you might consider a heaping helping of bad taste. And you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. In fact, I can’t think of one compelling reason that you would be. But it makes me smile anyway, and sometimes, isn’t that what’s important?

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In stark contrast to my enthusiasm for embellishment of all types (and of the industrial type in particular) for fall and winter, I can’t help but swoon upon seeing the Valentino Bow Hobo. It’s incredibly simple, monochromatic, without external hardware, and conspicuously lacking some of the outer intricacies for which Valentino handbags are so often known. And despite all of that, or perhaps because of it, I think I’m in love.

Of all the bags on display to molest at fine department stores, Valentino bags are my favorite to pick up and feel. The quality of materials used in their bags continues to surprise and delight me, even after eight solid months of writing about handbags for 40 hours per week. And when you combine their obscenely soft leathers with a design so deconstructed, so slouchy, so irresistibly French-looking (despite the fact that the brand itself is Italian), you come up with a bag like this: gorgeous, casually elegant, and not trying too hard in the least. The amount of style contained in this simple hobo clearly adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Buy through Saks for $1895.

I like to cuddle. Even from a young age, I’d fall asleep with a stuffed animal and would hold it tight! I didn’t really drag around a blanket, but a stuffed animal (”Bear Bear”) went with me everywhere. Long story short and many years later I still have a soft spot in my heart for things that seem smooshy and soft. Thus, you can see why I am one who continues to love soft, smooshy and downright touchable handbags. Sure, there is a time and a place for everything, but certain bags catch my eye instantly!

The Valentino Small Loop Hobo Shoulder Bag boasts gorgeous color as well as leather that I can’t help but wanting to touch! First of all, I love the lack of structure here. There is a fine line between lack of structure and sloppy and this bag hits the nail on the head. This bag says no nonsense and fashionable all in one swoop. Pair the bag with your newly purchased boyfriend jeans and a t-shirt or a more form fitting outfit and the bag will still stand out. Without much effort, this Valentino bag just made itself onto my “bags worth saving up for” list. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1385.01.

In the case of the Valentino Catch Satchel, I don’t even really want to talk about the bag. It’s kind of boring and I feel like it’s already been done a thousand times, and the patent black doesn’t feel particularly current in a season when thick, matte biker leather has become the thing to have.

What I want to talk about it the clasp (is it a clasp? Actually I don’t think it is) on the front. It’s a crystal-encrusted Valentino logo, and the part of me that has somewhat questionable (ok, tacky) taste absolutely loves it. And then I wonder – why don’t more designers do hardware like this? It gives the front of the bag a shimmer that normal, shiny silver hardware could never replicate, and it’s delightfully whimsical and silly-feeling (and I mean silly in a good way, I assure you). So maybe they should try again with the bag, and leave the super sparkly stuff on the front like it is. Even if it’s questionably tasteful. Buy through Nordstrom for $1895.

There are few more joyous occasions in fashion than Paris Couture Week, although this year’s flamboyant celebration of clothing and artistry has been somewhat hampered by the depressed economy and the impending departure of one of the genre’s greatest voices, Christian Lacroix. The fact that he was able to put on a show at all is the big story of the week; suppliers and industry friends helped the designer piece together a last-minute collection and presentation for what could be his last couture show if his brand doesn’t find a backer quickly. It demonstrates an odd sort of collegiality among fashion industry workers that many on the outside looking in might overlook in the midst of so much glitz and fabulousness – it takes an army of people to make this happen for us a few times a year, and they work extremely long hours for really modest pay. That so many of them donated their time, skills and goods to Lacroix to put together what may be his final show is kind of touching, particularly in an industry known for ego and elitism. He’s not the only one to put on a show for fashion editors and couture customers this week, though – we’ve got a rundown of the best looks from the best shows, after the jump.

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Sweet heavens, I don’t know what has come over me… I actually love this bag! I am not usually one for an over the top frilly bag. I know a lot of you would disagree with me, but hey, that’s just the way I am. However, today, if I didn’t have some sort of self restraint I actually might go out and buy this bag. As of late, Valentino has been adorning many of its bag with rose-like features. While some of these bags are a little over the top for me, I am rather happy with this one.

The Valentino Rosier Tote is a lovely way to express your feminine side. Earlier this year, we covered the Valentino Floral Applique Satchel which reminds me quite a bit of this bag, except for the color. This particular tote is adorned with gorgeous silk taffeta roses. The patent leather trim is actually a perfect contrast against the silk roses. While we are in the midst of the Summer months, I can see this bag getting plenty of use. Whether you carry it to a park, to dinner, even to a BBQ, this bag would be a perfect accent to any outfit. Plus, since the color scheme is on the darker side, you can actually try and pull this look off during the Fall and perhaps even the Winter! Buy through Saks for $1950.

If you’re a regular PurseBlog reader, then you know we’ve covered the Valentino Rose Vertigo Shopper in the past. I gave it a rave back then in a shade of Barbie pink, and I thought it was worth a revisit for fall.

We don’t normally revisit bags, but this bag demonstrates better than any other bag I can think of how the change of a color can change a bag’s entire look. In hot pink, the bag was like something Elle Woods would wear in Legally Blonde – flamboyant, over-the-top, and ultra girly. When you take the exact same bag with the same sumptuous leather and change it to a medium grey, though, the bag’s mood changes completely. It’s still utterly fabulous, but the effect is very different. Instead of being girly and glam, the bag is edgy and hip, which would appeal to an entirely different consumer. Plus, the wonderful grey would look amazing with jeans and a sleek sweater when cold weather arrives since the color gives the bag a more casual profile. How the bag differs from one color to the next is a reminder to us all how much just one thing can change a bag’s entire appeal. Buy through Nordstrom for $2395.