How much do I love the Marni Layered Leather Satchel, exactly? A lot. I love it a lot. There is nothing not to love about it. I was prepared to whine a little bit that there’s no optional crossbody strap, but lo and behold, there is one. Absent that, I can think of literally nothing to complain about when it comes to this bag. Except, of course, the fact that I don’t currently have one in my possession.

Marni is having a bit of a moment right now because of its excellent, high-profile collaboration with H&M, and the brand seems to be taking advantage of its raised profile quite well by releasing some of its best work to date. If you’re into Marni’s signature take on retro-modernism, you already know of which I speak. (more…)

After I wrote the title for this post, I realized that I am an over-user of the word chic. Still, though, many times it seems like a fitting word for many different items, and the Mulberry Evelina deserves to be called chic. In the past, I’ve found many Mulberry bags to be a tad masculine, and the Evelina’s name matches the silhouette. A touch of femininity with a ton of usability makes me love this Mulberry bag. (more…)

Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote, $2190 via Bergdorf Goodman

When a bag is as popular as the Celine Luggage Tote, it’s only logical that other brands will try to stand in the reflected glow of the design’s success by debuting bags that share certain characteristics with the one that everyone wants. This practice is as old as time, and it’s how trends in size, shape and color start. As long as the reinterpretation is reasonably original, it generally doesn’t bother me as a consumer.

Even with that in mind, though, I was surprised to see the Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote in the Resort 2012 pre-orders at Bergdorf Goodman. Lanvin tends to be a brand that shirks most trends in favor of its own brand of Parisian chic, so even though I don’t have a philosophical problem with the existence of this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever see it. (more…)

Bottega Veneta Large Hobo Bag, $3250 via Saks

Even though rust is an objectively negative thing outside of the fashion world, there’s no color that reminds me of cool evenings and changing leaves like that slightly dirty burnt orange that shows up when iron starts to oxidize. Bottega Veneta knows exactly what I’m talking about.

The Bottega Veneta Large Hobo Bag (why won’t Bottega give us better names?) has exactly the functional structure and traditional intrecciato leather that we’ve come to expect from the Italian accessories powerhouse, but that color. That color. Can you tell I’m ready for the weather to cool down, like, immediately? (more…)