Yves Saint Laurent Handbags

A little structure never hurt. And a sleek defined structure is the bag of a woman who means business, who wants to be taken seriously, and who is not messing around with her fashion or closet. At this point in my life I am enjoying not needing to go to a typical business suit, 9-5 job, but I still envy those who wear a head to toe business suit from time to time. Refined and gorgeous, the Yves Saint Laurent Uptown Small Bag emulates sophistication with its navy patent leather and gold tone hardware. Not to be worn over the shoulder, the bag has a mere 4½” double hand drop. The refined flap with turnlock closure is the perfect outside finishing touch along with the satin lining on the inside with two pockets. I do not want to go back to work that bad, but this still would make the most stunning accessory for the women on a mission. Via Saks for $1895.

Sure many people have had work done, but not everyone that has had some ‘alterations’ turns into a total wax doll with absolutely no facial expression, movement, or charisma. So welcome empty Ashlee Simpson to the scene, the younger sister of Jessica Simpson, in which both sisters seem to still be trying to find themselves. Closely resembling a wax doll or robot, the living-in-the-shadow-not-really-a-singer-merely-a-sister-of-a-celebrity stepped out in LA sporting a stunning YSL Patent Tribute Tote. Ashlee is a huge fan of YSL bags and has been seen carrying a few before, but now she has switched to the YSL Patent Leather Tribute Tote. At least the bag is chic. This version sports a crocodile like quilted patent leather with gold tone hardware. Available via Saks for $1195.

Total wax figure of Ashlee from head to toe below (but not)
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There are most likely two reasons why you do not own a crocodile handbag. Reason number one is that you are vehemently against the use of crocodile to make a handbag. Reason number two, which I fall into, is because you flat out can’t afford this luxury. Personally, I wish I fell into category number one. That would mean I just don’t want a croc bag. But in all reality, I pine for one. Hopefully that day will be soon, but if you fall into either categories there are bags out there that are embossed or have a pattern that looks like croc even though it is not the real thing. No worries, I won’t tell. Take the Yves Saint Laurent Medium Downtown Tote for example, which shows off quilted patent leather fused in a crocodile pattern. Looks convincing enough, sports trendy patent leather, and is in a very trendy bag. The Downtown Tote has been a favorite of many celebs because of its versatility and great shape. Brass hardware is used, along with an inside pocket, and lush suede and satin lining. Dimensions are 17″W X 14″H X 7″D. If you can’t truly croc, then try a faux-croc like this. Via Saks for $1895.

Ashlee gets a nose job, Jessica gets John Mayer, and now both enjoy pouting and looking woeful wherever they go. Poor Simpson sister’s, I sure do feel bad for them. Their little mansions, their little bank accounts, their little plastic surgeons, their little boyfriends. Boo-hoo. Perfectly matching woeful pouts, Jessica and Ashlee were snapped separately but acting as if they had the same feeling plastered on their face. My eyes scanned the pictures for their bags, and that is the true facet that I care for when it comes to these two gals. Ashlee was sporting a YSL Downtown Tote in red patent leather while Jessica was sporting a Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy. Buy the YSL Downtown Tote via Saks and the Louis Vuitton Speedy for $620.

Although I have never been pregnant, so I should not preach about preggers-looks, but the very-pregnant Salma Hayek is looking very-pregnant and a tad frumpy. But I will blame the hair on the humidity and the frumpy dress on maternity wear, so you are looking good preggy-Hayek. Salma brought it all together with her YSL Patent Leather Downtown Tote while shopping in Paris. The bag makes the outfit work, because it is after all sporting trendy patent leather in a great shape. Good luck to the expecting mom and love the bag! YSL Downtown Tote available via Saks.

Last week the sexiest woman alive (so says Esquire) had an appearance on the Letterman show. After taping the show, Jessica Biel greeted her fans and signed autographs wearing a fitted gray coat, a beautiful YSL bag, and red lipstick 3857673 shades too dark. She needs to get rid of that shade of lipstick, it really makes her look like a clown, but should keep on keeping on with the Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote. Biel opted for the white/ivory version which sports montana leather and goldtone hardware. Bag available via Saks for $1495 (though it looks as though Biel has a large version not medium; inquire further via YSL).

Picture of the bag after the jump!
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The past two days have been devoted to handbags that cost the price of a BMW, a nicer BMW, and a small house, but with a pinch on my arm and its all back to reality. This reality is, of course, still in the world of designer bags, but doesn’t that low 4 digit price tag look amazingly refreshing today? For an everyday tote which rides on the metallic wave trend, the Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Downtown Tote is a favorite. The Downtown Collection has been a hit thus far for YSL and the new colors of the hits keep rolling in. Metallic silver leather along with silver-tone hardware pair together in this funky tote. Front buckle strap detailing and front pockets give an added touch to an otherwise simple bag. I love the shape of this bag, which is perfect for everyday wear but will still provide you with some edge. Through Neiman Marcus for $1595.

Image via FabSugar

If you are going to mirror your fashion after an Olsen twin, by all means pick Ashley Olsen. Mary Kate looks like a train wreck most of the time and although Ashley’s style manifests some deep rooted anger at times (kidding!) it is totally wearable. Take this laid back outfit for example; a frilly white blouse, peek-a-boo lacy bra, studded belt, skinny black jeans, ballet flats, and of course, an unbelievably hot everyday handbag. Wearable, just like I said. Being toted in Ashley’s arm is the stunning Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Bag. I have nothing but love for this bag, which can be worn across your body or on your arm and features a chic turn lock closure. Check out the bag via Neiman Marcus for $1795 and the rest of Ashley’s style breakdown Via FabSugar.

Yves Saint Laurent has been pushing the Downtown bag like it’s the new Muse with what looks like middling results. The Downtown doesn’t speckle the pages of tabloids, and I don’t see it dangling from a fashionably clothed arm every time I venture into Hollywood. I’m actually pretty fond of the shape. It’s interesting, and I totally understand the name. The built-in slouch has a certain bustle-coolly-through-the-crowds attitude. That said, this Downtown leopard print media tote is the first incarnation of the Downtown that has really caught my eye. The leopard print is divine. Leopard has been spotting the entire span of fashion goods for a while now, but I find that a perfect leopard print is hard to come by. I love the way the spots condense in the middle of the bag and spread out towards the sides. I love that no two spots are identical. The very leopard print looks organic, even though I know it’s just printed on calfskin. The white accents are also nice, and I appreciate the understated hardware on this outspoken bag. Will you carry this one Downtown? Pre-order from Neiman Marcus for $2,195.00 for delivery in April.

By nerdphanie, resident Shopping Nerd.

I don’t know about you, but when I fall in love with a particular handbag at first sight, it often doesn’t last. I liken it to the crushes I had in Junior High School. Sometimes, when you fall hard and fast, you hit the ground with such force that when you wake up, your face cold from the cement slab, you come to your senses. Such is the same with me and handbags. Those, in which I fall hard for, often don’t hold my attention and are destined for the dustbag. The guilt I feel when they peek out saying, “take me out to play today,” causes as much guilt as me brushing aside the advances of an eighth grade drummer I worked so arduously to gain his attention.

I gave the YSL Mombasa the quick once-over – ho-hum. A deer horn attached to the top of leather shaped somewhat like the water canteens we used to wear in Grammar School plays back at School No. 9 in Clifton, NJ, acting out Paul Bunyan and Davy Crockett. Yawn. Plus, a deer’s antler? How impractical is that? Could it withstand hours on a shoulder while slumming at the local mall? Plus, I already had a deer horn in my collection. OK, it came out of our car grill by our mechanic after an unfortunate accident with a deer on a back country road who was “in the rut” (huntspeak for ‘in heat’). But for some odd reason, I was drawn back to the bag and being the good librarian’s daughter and my obsession with researching anything to death to avoid “work”, I learned more, appreciated the unique bag and discovered it would be or is already considered a “classic.”

As one who has to stretch each purse dollar, that prediction of it’s classic status was the bait that drew me closer, circling, and giving me the hook, the justification to plunk down my cash at hand. And when I saw Nicole Richie carrying the purse, daintily in front of her walking into some club or restaurant, I had to have it. It became an obsession. The sleek design fits in perfectly with the Texas tendency to add a little Western flair without strapping on a cell-phone sized belt buckle. The YSL Mombasa is understated and gives just enough tweak to jeans for a day of running errands to enough class for a night out on the town. The deer horns YSL uses in the Tom Ford-designed bags popularized by Gwyneth Paltrow are are naturally shed. Whew! And, yes, the balance on the shoulder is quite comfortable and can be carried for hours as you browse through the sales racks. The smooth leather with four triangular pieces is handsome and durable and quite roomy. And, unlike the crush I had on one young drummer in my Junior High School band, my love affair has lasted much longer and is much more satisfying. The bag can be found at YSL boutiques and at Styledrops for $1111. And the waitlist that sometimes went back six months when the bag was introduced in 2001 is available in various leathers, colors and styles. It is one of the last bags designed by Tom Ford since he departed YSL.

Contributed by guest blogger, coachwife6

Check out Nicole Richie with her YSL Mombasa after the jump!
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