January 2010 - Page 4

TopShop Zip Detail Clutch

May 9, 2011Jan 21, 2010 by Amanda Mull

I’m a big fan and supporter of The Cheap Clutch. It has an important role in my life and takes up a sizable portion of my bag collection. The Cheap Clutches are the go-to bags when you may or may not be heading to a bar or club of somewhat ill repute, which is to say, someplace where the bartenders aren’t fastidious about wiping up the spilled vodka and cranberry before you put down your bag.

In those situations (and in those establishments), only The Cheap Clutch will do. I could never stomach the thought of taking a bag that cost more than $200 out at night when I knew I was going to a bar or club, because I’m simply not willing to put myself in the position to ruin something that I spent that much money on. That’s where something like the TopShop Zip Detail Clutch comes in.

Basil Racuk Hard Brief

Jan 21, 2010 by Amanda Mull

With all of the men’s shows happening in Europe this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about manbags. Historically they’ve been a fashion staple, but much like hats, they fell out of favor in the second half of the last century. At least in a small way, however, they appear to be back and gaining leverage over the past few years.

And where there’s an opportunity to sell things, those trying to sell an expensive version of those things can’t be far behind. There are now more choices for luxury manbags than ever before, and my personal favorite (of the day, anyway) is the Basil Racuk Hard Brief.

Botkier Venice Feed Bag Crossbody

May 9, 2011Jan 21, 2010 by Amanda Mull

How excited am I that Botkier decided to bring back their awesome Venice line for another season? Really effing excited. I’ve seen the spring bags and I love them.

The Venice bags have been my favorites from Botkier since the lovely Bianca line, and I couldn’t be happier to see them in new shapes and colors for spring. An early favorite for me is the Botkier Venice Feed Bag Crossbody, a combination of the season’s hottest shape with the zipper details that made me love the line so much in the first place.

Bottega Veneta Leather Fringe Shoulder Bag

Jan 21, 2010Jan 21, 2010 by Shannon Mahoney

You might want to sit down, if you aren’t already. At first, I was really excited to see the Bottega Veneta Leather Fringe Shoulder Bag. But then, I saw it and I became extremely conflicted. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I am totally in love with the leather Bottega Veneta uses on its handbags. It is always supple, always gorgeous and always bumps up the bag design to the next level.

That lovely leather is can be seen on this bag as well. However, I am a bit concerned that it looks, hmmm, a bit unfinished. Yet, as soon as I type those words I go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and begin to think that this pattern is an eccentric and unique play on the intrecciato weaving and slight fringe.

Bottega Veneta Oversized Intrecciato Shopper

Jan 21, 2010Jan 21, 2010 by Amanda Mull

We talk a lot about Bottega Veneta, and for good reason. They’re doing some of the most interesting things with some of the best materials on the marketplace, and their bags often have an element of visual trickery with them that I find delightful. If a designer can find a way to make a bag more than the sum of its parts, then he or she has done her job.

The fine folks at BV do their jobs very, very well. Their bags may not fit your personal style (they often don’t fit mine), but it’s hard to argue that they’re not at least producing some of the more interesting products on the high-end marketplace. The Bottega Veneta Oversized Intrecciato Shopper for example, features a weave within a weave that still has me trying to figure out exactly how the designers pulled it off.

Kate Spade Gramercy Park Thomas Crossbody Bag

May 9, 2011Jan 21, 2010 by Shannon Mahoney

Oh, Kate Spade. There is one thing I know for sure about Kate Spade handbags; there really is something out there for just about everyone. Some bags are better for more of a mature age group while others can even be carried by teenagers, including those not on Gossip Girl. The other great thing about this wide spectrum of designs and patterns is that many of them cross over age groups. Just like this one.

Master of Disguise, Part Deux

Jan 20, 2010 by Vlad Dusil

Marc by Marc Jacobs Zippy Nylon Shopper

May 9, 2011Jan 20, 2010 by Anna Cooperberg

Re-usable bags, though they’re not all the rage as they once were, are now being used much more than before. The trend has passed, sure, but the concept is still being used. Case in point- I have yet to walk into a supermarket without spotting at least a few reusable-bag toting shoppers.

In my opinion, the simplest type of reusable bag is that which folds up to fit neatly inside of your bag. And better yet, Marc by Marc Jacobs has jumped on this bandwagon with the Marc by Marc Jacobs Zippy Nylon Shopper. It has all the kitty cuteness of the whimsical Marc by Marc prints, but all the utility of a traditional shopper. And hopefully it’s just as durable; I’d expect as much for this price.

Mulberry Alexa Satchel

Jan 20, 2010Jan 20, 2010 by Amanda Mull

The era of the all-encompassing It Bag has mostly come and gone, and with the breadth of designer possibilities available, more individualized trends usually rule the day. That is, of course, unless we’re talking about the Mulberry Alexa Satchel. If It Bags still exist, it absolutely deserves the moniker.

Named after It Girl Alexa Chung, this little number has been on the minds of fashionistas both in the US and across the pond since we initially saw Chung wearing it months and months ago. And really, is there a better way to attract attention for your new bag than by naming it after a rising star and then giving her one to carry everywhere? I think not.

See by Chloe Grasshopper Oversized Tote

May 9, 2011Jan 20, 2010 by Amanda Mull

I know that this is from the same line as the last See by Chloe bag that I really liked, but I feel that this one is sufficiently functionally different that I can write about it again, right? Of course. And even if it’s not, I’m doing it anyway.

Even though I’ve been out of college for two years this spring (eep!), my brain still instinctively looks at things like the See by Chloe Grasshopper Oversized Tote and thinks, “Ooo, that would be a great school bag, I bet I could fit my laptop in there.” Doh. I never take my laptop anywhere anymore (ok, well that’s a lie – sometimes I take it into my bathroom and sit it on my toilet lid so I can watch old episodes of Gossip Girl while I take a bubble bath, but that’s not relevant here), but for everyone that does something besides sit on the couch all day, this might be exactly what you need.

Marc Jacobs Kate Lock Hobo

Jan 20, 2010Jan 20, 2010 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Marc Jacobs is doing something quirky and cool with his spring bag collection and we are loving it! Last night I posted on our Twitter and Facebook asking people what handbag they have passed up recently and regret it. While I could think of a few, I had this nagging image in the back of my mind, of a totally off-the-wall Marc Jacobs bag that somehow is speaking to me.

Do you remember the Marc Jacobs Fluorescent Tweed Bag? It is completely tacky, over-done, and lovely. Yes, I said lovely. Why am I feeling so drawn to this crazy mish-mash of tweed, patent leather, and colorful baubbles? I don’t know. But I adore that bag.

See by Chloe Grasshopper Cross Body Bag

Apr 30, 2014Jan 20, 2010 by Shannon Mahoney

Once again, there is just something about this bag that I really like. I think that last sentence is one that you have become all too familiar with me writing, so I vow to try and switch it up, but folks, it is true. There are some bags you absolutely love right away and others you know you cannot stand. And still there are bags out there that I might not be completely in love with but there are aspects of it that truly intrigue me. While there are certain aspects of the See by Chloe Grasshopper Cross Body Bag that I could do without, this is not a bad option for a cross body bag, not a bad option at all.