May 2012 - Page 4 - PurseBlog

Fill in the Blank: “The Givenchy Painted Python Nightingale is…”

May 8, 2012 by Amanda Mull

No matter the trends of the particular year, spring and summer are always about color. It’s present everywhere in the world around us – flowers, grass, blue skies, creatively colored adult beverages – when the weather turns warm, and for the past year or two, it’s been especially preponderant in the form of python handbags. We’ve waxed philosophical about python both dyed and painted in the past, but the Givenchy Painted Python Nightingale seemed like a perfect opportunity to let you guys do the pontificating.

And thus, we have this week’s edition of Fill in the Blank. The almost tie-dyed paint swirls on this bag’s pale python background are interesting, for sure, but I’m not sure if I love the implementation as much as I would if it were a little less…doodle-y. So what say you, ladies? Are you digging this bag, or will you pass? If it’s the former, you can pick it up via Barneys for a cool $4525.

Ask Megs: 40th Birthday Gift

May 8, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

It has been a while since I answered a question for Ask Megs, and it is time to bring it back. Whether it is a gift idea, helping narrowing down a bag choice, or anything else related to our coveted arm candy, I’d love to help out. This week, a reader wrote to ask for help to find the perfect bag for her 40th birthday gift from her husband.

Dear Megs,

Please could you advise what you could recommend to buy for about $1500. I live in London and have lots of designer bags, so I am very lucky and not sure what to invest in next.

My husband has very sweetly offered to gift me a bag for my 40th birthday. I would like a shoulder bag or one that can be carried in the crook of my arm. I would also like it in a brown or red color, but I’m open to different colors.

I am considering a Mulberry bag – but which one?

All advice is gratefully appreciated!

Regards,

Mrs. N. P.

The Many Bags of Alanis Morissette

May 21, 2013May 8, 2012 by Amanda Mull

There are some celebrities who we expect to constantly carry great bags. Victoria Beckham, for example, who is always styled to the nines and has her own incredibly chic line of accessories, is never without a great handbag. Or the Olsen Twins, who have largely left Hollywood behind to focus on being tried-and-true fashion professionals (with the zany wardrobe to match). And then there are those celebrities who have great bags, but in an entirely predictable way. Jessica Alba has an enviable collection if you really love tan, specifically tan Chloe. If you prefer Louis Vuitton, Kimora Lee Simmons is your girl. Birkins? Look no further than Kim Kardashian or Petra Ecclestone.

But what if you, like most of us, regard yourself as a normal, casual girl who loves bags. Bags of all kinds, shapes, sizes, whatever! If your idea of a perfect outfit is jeans, a sweater and something truly fabulous hanging from your arm at all times, then your style role model should be Alanis Morissette. Yep, you heard me correctly. And I’ve got the photos to prove it.

Oscar de la Renta continues to improve his handbag game

May 7, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Oscar de la Renta is one of my absolute favorite designers. I typically dress more casually than the clothes he offers, but when I’m looking for something a little fancier, I always think of his designs. Recently, the team at OdlR told me that they added a new handbag designer to the team and there should be exciting things to come.

If the Marelia clutch and Lipp bag are only a glimpse at what’s to come, then we all better prepare to be wowed by more of Oscar de la Renta’s bags.

The $38,400 Hermes Kelly Rose Gold Bracelet

May 7, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

The world of fashion is often synonymous with the world of the absurd. Don’t think I don’t realize that, I certainly do, but this world is a where art meets dreams. Hermes constantly wows us with their gorgeous designs and many times we all turn to Hermes to be shocked with sticker prices. You would think the shock wears off over time, and it does, but never completely.

I adore stacking Hermes bracelets on both of my wrists for my version of a wrist party. I was perusing the brand’s website, casually looking to add some new arm candy to my repertoire, when I ran into the Hermes Kelly MM Rose Gold Bracelet.

What’s In Her Bag: Lara Setrakian

May 5, 2012 by Vlad Dusil

The Rainbow of Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Colors

May 4, 2012May 4, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

As far as Louis Vuitton goes, their Epi leather is by far my favorite line. The leather is extremely sturdy and can withstand all sorts of wear and use. I have unfortunately spilled things on my Epi Leather wallet and all it takes is a quick swipe of a cloth to clean off the leather. … Read more

Bag Battles: Hermes Kelly Ghillies vs. Hermes Club Birkin

May 4, 2012 by Amanda Mull

You know what’s even better than a classic? A really good twist on what everyone expects. Hermes isn’t a brand that messes with tradition too eagerly, but when it does decide to switch things up, the end results are usually spectacular. (Not to mention well-implemented. The Hermes Atelier Sacs is a thing of beauty.) Lucky for Hermes lovers, the brand’s Fall 2012 collection contains two updated classics: The Hermes Kelly Ghillies, which features spectator trim for a menswear touch, and the Hermes Club Birkin, with a leather-trimmed web inset that calls to mind the season’s sporty trends. Which do you prefer? Take a closer look at the bags after the jump and then vote in our poll!

[poll id=94]

Victoria Beckham has gotten kind of great at this whole handbag thing

May 4, 2012May 4, 2012 by Amanda Mull

I know, I know. It’s hard to separate the old image of Victoria Beckham, the Spice Girl and soccer WAG who used to permanently occupy the worst dressed list, from the New, Improved Victoria Beckham of the past several years, who always looks impeccably put together and who runs one of the only legitimate celebrity-backed fashion lines in the business. Beckham’s is one of the most profound style shifts in recent memory, but at this point, though, you conflate the new with the old at your own peril – the Victoria Beckham Fall 2012 handbags are THAT good.

See that bag up there? Luxurious, just minimal enough, dove grey with a gorgeous dark sage python inset? It’s among the chicest handbags that I’ve seen from any designer for Fall 2012, and that’s including all the big handbag names who have all the money in the world to hire the best accessories designers. Victoria has done a lot of stuff correctly with her fledging line, including hiring incredibly talented people to bring her vision to life. Don’t deny yourselves something great just because of the name associated with it – that’s just as silly as buying a terrible bag only because it’s from a brand you like. Check out the full collection after the jump.

Heritage Auctions Spring Luxury Auction Preview Recap

May 3, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Last Thursday on a rainy New York City evening, we hopped in a car and headed to the beyond gorgeous Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion for the Heritage Auctions Spring Luxury Preview event. The mansion is situated right on 5th Avenue and 79th Street, and it’s one of the most iconic locations in NYC (where parts of Cruel Intentions was filmed and where this year’s official Met Ball after party will be held). Our event with Heritage Auctions was to showcase the eclectic and stunning collection of designer jewelry, handbags, accessories and art that would go under the gavel for Heritage’s Spring Auction Event.

We perused the bottom floor, where an amazing mix of jewelry was showcased, and then moved to the second floor, which felt like home to us – naturally, because it housed the auction’s amazing handbag selection. Behind glass, exotic Hermes pieces and timeless Chanel bags sat for our viewing pleasure, while the room across the way featured live piano music played adjacent to a Chanel bicycle.

The Proenza Schouler PS11 is ravishing in red

May 3, 2012 by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Most of us don’t balk when designers use lizard skin (after all, lizards aren’t cuddly), but this is the first time I have seen a designer list the skin specifically as iguana. Growing up in Florida meant being surrounded by iguanas often. (When I say often, I mean we would see twenty or thirty around a pond in our neighborhood daily.) I prefer lizard skin over ostrich and the scales on this bag are really interesting because of the iguana skin. For me, this Proenza Schouler bag is a win in every sense, despite my mental image of those iguanas at our pond.

Bold red iguana skin helps the already coveted Proenza Schouler PS11 stand out and grab attention immediately.

Mother’s Day is coming and these bags should be on your gift list

May 3, 2012May 3, 2012 by Amanda Mull

Being a mom is a tough, tiring, sometimes-thankless gig. All the way from changing diapers to doing your college-aged kids’ laundry when they come home to visit, moms deserve more credit than they sometimes receive. Compared to how much a great mom can mean to her kids throughout their lives, a once-yearly Mother’s Day gift seems paltry by comparison. Want to make it count? Get her a handbag. A good one.

In addition to everything else, motherhood can complicate a handbag choice. They need to be easy to carry, high-capacity, totally functional, durable and on top of it all, still stylish. We’ve picked eight bags that we think meet those requirements, plus one very special little bag that you should consider if mom really deserves a treat. Check out our picks after the jump!