I think I know how this one is going to turn out, but in the spirit of Friday, let’s have a poll!

The Diane Von Furstenberg Piper Sequined Shoulder Bag is a lot of look, in the immortal words of Tim Gunn. Sequins, feathers, multicolor metallic leather, studs, two straps…the design has a lot of competing visual ideas on a rather modestly sized bag, and my first reaction reflected that pretty accurately. But sometimes, stuff that seems totally awful is actually just weird enough to work, on the right girl. Standing out in a crowded contemporary handbag market takes some guts, which this bag has in spades, but I’m just not sure that the ends justify the means in this case in particular. What do you think? Vote and let us know in the comments.

Buy through Net-a-Porter for $795.

As I’ve said before, I am not one to wear flashy feathers or sequins or even sparkles. But this Coach Poppy Feather Crossbody has single-handedly made me like colored feathers in addition to restoring my faith in the somewhat iffy Coach Poppy line. I really can’t say much about this little bunch of joyous purple feathers except that it’s a bag fit for a diva- or the girl next door. Allow me to explain.

Because it’s tiny and utterly adorable, it’s suitable for people even outside of the over-the-top-give-me-sequins-I-need-sequins camp of dressing. And yes, there are people who are that obsessed with sequins. I know them. But this bitty bag smacks of glamour in a way that’s not completely obnoxious or even slightly insane. No, here the feathers add just the right dose of spice without going razzle-dazzle crazy. (more…)