Month: December 2010

Once you’ve formed an opinion about a brand or designer, it can be incredibly hard to shake. To me, Dooney & Bourke will always bring about mental images of sickeningly sweet pink bags that some of my high school classmates carried; that was my first impression, and first impressions have a reputation of importance for a reason.

As a result, every time I see something like the Dooney & Bourke Grommet Drawstring Shopper, I’m a bit taken aback. Not only is this bag attractive and functional, but it’s reasonably priced and totally appropriate for a grown woman. And the leather? The leather looks amazing. Why can’t brands that make more expensive bags use leather that looks this nice?

Read more

Since the beginning of Diane Von Furstenberg’s bag line, I’ve hoped that she would include more everyday leather bags in her collections. DVF’s highly embellished hobos and clutches are a lot of fun, but the leathers that she’s used on several simpler designs in the past have left me wanting more. Luckily, the Diane Von Furstenberg Maribelle Gathered Leather Hobo is right up my alley.

Just because this bag is simpler than some of DVF’s other offerings doesn’t mean that the company spared the kind of detail work that makes its bags specials. On the contrary, they loaded up this simple design to make sure that it doesn’t get lost in the beige bag shuffle.

Read more

Rebecca Minkoff makes some of the cutest and most wallet-friend mini crossbodies on the contemporary market, and lately her simple little Rocker bag has gotten a couple of stylist upgrades for the new season. Chiefly among them is the Rebecca Minkoff Rocker Weave Crossbody Bag, which lends some much-needed texture to the simple design.

Read more

During the holidays, bag thoughts often turn to clutches of the fun and sparkly variety, but your average shiny evening bag has its downsides. Rhinestones? They come off. Sequins? They snag. Glitter? Glitter sheds, and once it does, it’s like herpes – you’ll never get rid of it. God forbid you should scratch your nose after holding a glittery clutch, because invariably, a speck of glitter will transfer to your face and you’ll be able to see it out of the corner of your eye for the rest of your natural life. Our suggestion? Get something like the Tasha Textured Metal Clutch and never worry about handbag malfunctions again.

Read more

Neon is one of those trends that can strike fear into the hearts of even the most creative of bag lovers. What are we supposed to do with neon? Is wearing it just going to make us look like trend-worshippers, or is it a legitimately fun thing to have around? Don’t worry, incorporating it into a wardrobe is easier than you think, and I promise that wearing or carrying a bit of neon will bring a smile to your face.

If you’d like to keep things on a very neutral level, allow me to suggest the Marc by Marc Jacobs Saddlery Cadet Bag. The taupe lulls onlookers into a false sense of security – oh, what a cute beige bag – but as soon as you turn a little bit, they get a peek at the acid green piping along the leather’s edges.

Read more