Have I told you all about my love of gray handbags? It is an amazing shade (can we even technically label it a color?. Not black, not white, but a tone between the two that is easy to wear and matches everything. Some gray tones are superior to others, and this Donna Karan bag has perfected an ash-gray color that I am completely drawn to. Actually, this bag suits me for many reasons.
Let me introduce you to the Donna Karan Bandito Bag. With an appealing slouch, the Bandito has a drawstring top with ruched paneling. But can I tell you more about every aspect of why I love it?
Donna Karan proves to be environmentally conscious and uses North African lambskin which they call their “organic leather”. The animals are from a chemical-free family farm, so that the leather contains no harmful substances. The lambskin is then exclusively tanned in Italy using only natural vegetable oils. This process turns the leathers allergen-free and makes the leathers recyclable. So much for the environmental and quality treatment aspect.
Then we have the look of the bag, which plays into my love of gray handbags. I also love a good slouchy everyday bag. I look at the Bandito and immediately see myself throwing it over my shoulder and popping out of the house. It makes you want to be on the move. Actually, it is somewhat haunting – because I see it so vividly on my body that I feel like I must buy it.
The single shoulder strap works well with this design; the look is completed with a drawstring top closure. You can see wrinkling in the leather and shading, which results from a deliberate process. After the leather is first washed, each skin is individually wrinkled by hand and then vegetable oils are added and the leather is lightly tumbled to add the light-to-dark shading (the so-called “high-low” effect). It is a stunning effect that makes the bag come to life.
Another aspect that I adore is the price. I would have assumed, after learning about the meticulous treatment process, that this bag’s price tag would be exorbitant. But it is not. Quite doable, actually.
The price is $1,295 at Net A Porter.
I’m not generally a fan of drawstring bags, but I like the placement of the strap on this one. As you mentioned, the color is a great – a wonderful neutral. Thanks for filling us in on the production details. (fb)
i love it! gorgeous color and slouch appeal! =D (fb)
oooh i really like it! the details, the colors, and the material <3 (fb)
I must have had too much coffee, but when I first saw this, I thought it had a spinal cord! Forgive me for being so daffy! I like the shape of this bag, but am just not a big fan of the ruching. Sorry!! (fb)
Donna Karan…what`s wrong w you?
nice bag, love the color! (fb)
It is a good neutral color…just not on this bag. I feel that the color dates this bag back to the 70’s or is it the ruching (lol – tuxedo shirt??). I’m just not liking it. DK has better bags. It is nice to know that the brand is “environmentally conscious” & uses “organic leatherâ€. (fb)
I love it!!!! Love the color and it is super cute and practical!!!!
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Great looking bag! Love everything about it!
I really love this shade of gray too. a ‘rich’ shade if that makes sense. A big fan of the strap! (fb)
It looks like a good size. 🙂 Color is meh! (fb)
Love it.
like the bag! (fb)
I love everything about this bag. Beautiful. (fb)
I love the style, but it looks like something Foley & Corrina did last season. (fb)
Love gray handbags! Really like the style and details of this one. (fb)
The detailing on the strap is unique. But the shade is glorious! DK win for sure! (fb)
Really like this one. The attention to details is exquisite. I like how the drawstring is off to the side and not centered. Very nice. (fb)
What a cute bag! I’ve never heard of “organic leather†before. It is great to know that they are environmentally conscious. (fb)
Donna Karan surely take leather process seriuosly, as a result you have a bag that will be for a lifetime, thank you Megs for that info.. Subjectively, as i’ve always said that bucket bags are not for me, Objectively, the bag is wonderful, i agree that the color is universal. The detailings are simple i like ruffles, this one in leather thumbs up.(fb)
I would use it with a casual business suit. Kind of boring. (FB)
I an not usually a fan of bucket stylebags but this one is fabulous! (fb)
Im not a fan on the detailing along the strap, but the colour is gorgeous! (fb)
I love it. I just got my first gray handbag – they really are awesome. (fb)
I’m in love!!! (fb)
The ruffles add something extra. (fb)
love the look….(fb)
This bag gives me a carefree Sunday brunch feeling.. Love the details and the fact that it is made out of environment friendly material makes it even more desirable! Love it! (FB)
Pretty but pricey! (fb)
I’m not a DK fan but this might change my mind. (fb)
This bag is not my cup of tea looks like something i could buy at a cheap hightstreet shop! (fb)
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I heart this bag soo much.. such a wonderful bag..(fb)
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i heart this bag sooo much.. such a wonderful bag..(fb)
Great color and I’m loving the drawstring closure! (fb)
Nice bag but a bit rich for my wallet. I love the allergen-free part, I’m so sensitive to allergic reactions. I’ve heard of another brand that is doing the “organic leathers” too. Their name is Nyla Noor. Pretty bags and less expensive than the Donna Karan.
Way toooooo expensive! (fb)
I LOVE it. However, I went over to NAP (which I adore for showing images of real live models wearing the bags), and it seems the it’s super wide at the bottom. Think I’ll hit Saks or Neimans tomorrow to see what’s really going on with it.
Doable?? No way is $1200 doable. It is pretty nice though
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looks too oldy for me. (fb)
I love the look of the bag, like the enviro aspect of it some but the price seems high for this bag in my opinion. Looks very casual for the price. (fb)
TOO MUCH for a DKNY bag! (fb)
OMG. This bag is gorgeous! :sigh: loveee…..( fb)
it kinda looks great. i can totally imagine toting it with the most casual outfit. (fb)
beautiful <3
I love the hands on work with this bag. It look so soft and I like the hangey drawstring laces. (fb)
Oh, this bag looks so cool, especially agree with Karin about the hands (fb)
love the color of this bag and the fact that it will go with anything! (fb)
Umm…not feeling the bag. The lambskin kind of looks like pleather like cheap pleather that you would find at H&M. (fb)
Pretty, but I wouldn’t want to be hunting for my keys in there. (fb)
nice bag! (fb)
I can’t tell for certain, but are those rhinestones on the handle? lol noo thanks you. (fb)
Too much money for a Donna Karan handbag. Besides, mathematical mind likes things to be symmetrical. The off-centered drawstring is not appealing to me.
forgot again. (fb)
Love the bag but tried it on and the bottom is too wide for me. It does not mold to the body and I am only 5’1.
I loooove it!! Great that it’s natural and an additional plus that its beautiful! I definitely want it… if only.. (fb)
i LOVE it…but ££££££££££££££££££££££££
I would have to see this bag in person before giving an opinion.
Not my style (fb)
love it, that is my favorite colour and the shape is perfect. but I do not like the price, to expensive ( fb )
it’s nice but……..really don’t care for drawstring handbags…….. and also i may add toooo expensive………..(fb)
Went to take a closer look at Saks this morning. Without the stuffing, it’s not as wide as the photo at NAP shows, still, I would like it better if it was longer. It stops at the torso and for my figure would be more flattering if it stopped closer to the hip. HOWEVER, I also tried on the RACER in the same color. You must try this one on. It’s a great every day bag, great shape, not too bulky. The only thing that held me back was I already have a grey full studded b&d Garbo and a Muse II in English Rose which is a rosy/taupe, too close in color. Also, I didn’t dig the goldtone pull. If they had this in Ivory (and I just someone wearing the same shape bag yesterday, I should have run right up and asked about it!) I’d be all over it. Check it out ladies!
love it!
i esp love the studs on the side!!
Gorgeous!!
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Love everything about it! (fb)
I’m looking for a gray bag…this one is beautiful… (fb)
this is a beautiful bag! I’ve actually been paying closer attention to DK bags lately. There are several I wouldn’t mind adding to my handbag collection. Love the leather on this bag and I appreciate and thank you for explaining the workmanship that went into creating it. I can almost feel how buttery soft and plush this bag must feel, just from the pic & your description! (fb)
gorgeously crinkly and fantastic colour (fb)
Also obsessing over grays right now. And this one has my vote. (fb)
dang nice bag (fb)
Love it! (fb)
good one (fb)
those kinds of bag i cannot wear- i would always lose something in it and dig for it forever (fb)
I like the design and color of it 😀 (fb)