Custom Design

I’m so utterly pleased to see the bags from the Fendi Spring 2010 catwalk starting to land in stores. This bag collection is my favorite from Fendi in…well, almost forever. It had a bohemian grace and ease to it that is difficult to capture, and they did a fine job.

The Fendi Wood-Frame Leather Clutch is a great example of the slightly boho vibe that the collection had, and unlike the emerging clog trend (no no no, I cannot live in a world where clogs are ok), the wooden touches on this leather handbag are totally acceptable. They might even be pretty.

I was slightly more unsure of the wood when the collection first walked than I am now. It was featured on several different styles of bags, and I didn’t know if its use on these clutches would fly once I got a better look at them. Well, as it turns out, my concerns were completely unfounded.

The walnut handles are totally chic and feel really modern, despite their retro roots. The juxtaposition of such a hard material with the soft black leather brings out the best in both, and the small gold studs that dot the confluence of the leather and wood are like little cherries on top. Buy through Saks for $1450.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Lucite and I are having a moment lately. Well, not just Lucite, but any kind of clear acrylic – it may be best known as the main component in stripper heels, but it also has many lovely modernist applications, particularly in home decor.

It also has its place in a slightly more retro aesthetic, which the Judith Leiber Streamline Frosted Lucite Clutch displays beautifully.

Not only is this bag a bit of a departure from the super-bedazzled object clutches that made the brand famous, but it’s also a little different than the ultra modern furniture that I’ve been looking at because the Lucite isn’t crystal clear. The folks at Leiber have frosted it, preventing your belongings from being obvious to anyone that might glance at your bag.

And if you’re carrying this sublime slice of Art Deco loveliness, people will definitely look. The designers edited this bag perfectly – the clear rectangular crystals at the sides are just enough to provide Leiber’s signature sparkle while still making it totally accessible to anyone that wants a little 1920s retro goodness in their lives (or wardrobes). Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2595.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I say a lot more negative things about Prada bags than I say positive, but I promise that I don’t have anything particular against the brand. In fact, my first “designer” bag was a Prada crossbody, and I still have fond memories of it.

They’ve been doing more wrong than right in most of their high-profile bags lately, but they still make some great stuff that doesn’t grab as many headlines. I got a chance to examine a bunch of their bags up close this weekend, and I was particularly taken with the classic lines and superb construction of the Prada Saffiano Soft Frame Clutch.

Actually, “particularly taken” would be an understatement of my feelings. I’m in love with it – deep, inconvenient, all-encompassing love that I didn’t expect to find for a Prada bag. In my heart, that kind of love is usually reserved for Balenciaga or Valentino.

Please believe me when I say that the pictures don’t do this bag any sort of justice. I saw it in smooth black leather, which was ridiculously rich and perfect for this sort of oversized, take-anywhere, day-to-night clutch. It struck me as the sort of bag you’d look at and be able to tell that it was expensive, even if it had no logo. I’ll admit that it looks a bit boring in photos, but in your hand, it’s a great bag.

When I opened it up, I was even more pleased. The slightly retro, structured closure stands open to reveal a leather-lined interior (the black version has red, which is much more exciting than the taupe inside of the cream-colored version) with several pockets and enough space to hold more or less everything that you could put in a medium-sized shoulder bag. You probably wouldn’t want to fill it that full, but a little extra space in a clutch is never a bad thing.

Overall, I think I may have found the perfect clutch for me, and it was in one of the most unexpected places. Perhaps it was a cosmic reminder that in fashion, you should never count anyone out completely. Buy through Saks for $1350.

Original post by Amanda Mull

There was absolutely no part of me that looked at this clutch and thought Gucci. If you hadn’t seen the name of the bag, would Gucci be one of the first designers to pop into your mind?

I was overwhelmed with a sleek design, clean lines and complete structure with the Gucci Sigrid Oversize Clutch. I am not saying overwhelmed in a bad way, but perhaps more like taken by surprise.

In fact, as I analyzed this clutch, I went back through many of the Gucci bags that we’ve covered recently. It’s been months, and I mean months since we’ve covered a Gucci bag that is even the least bit structured. Ironically enough, the last structured bag was a clutch, the Gucci Crystal Evening Clutch.

Yet this one, this one is even sleeker. This evening bag comes in glossy white or black patent leather. I love the asymmetric flap closure with metal and enamel detailing. The asymmetry of the flap gives just a hint of a geometric feel without being too avant garde. This oversized clutch (15¼”W X 6¼”H X 1″D) would compliment so many outfits that I don’t even know where to start. And as you know, I love well known designer bags that aren’t splashed with their logos all over them. So, this clutch just keeps getting better and better. Buy through Saks for $595.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

You know what I really appreciate? The return of the oversized clutch. I’ve got lots of keys, a keyless-entry fob for my car and a Blackberry with a case on it, all of which have to leave the house with me no matter what. I’ve encountered a fair number of miniscule handbags that wouldn’t have fit one of those items by itself, let alone all of them together – don’t even think about adding in a lipgloss or card case.

The designers at Miu Miu know my struggle, obviously, which is why they’ve been so kind as to create the Miu Miu Oversized Sequin Clutch. Finally, I can carry a sparkly little bag that’s not actually too little to be useful.

Miu Miu did a good job of keeping the colors of this clutch neutral so that it won’t overwhelm an outfit – when a bag is this big and this shiny, also choosing a statement color would perhaps be too much for a lot of potential customers. The subtle gold, silver and green variation could go nicely with a lot of different outfits without upstaging the other elements of an ensemble. In addition to all of that, if you need your hands free for something, it has an optional strap. Sign me up, please. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $995.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t hate Valentine’s Day. That would require me to have any particular feelings about it at all, and to say that I do would be vastly overstating things. To me, V-Day is sort of like Cinco de Mayo. I always forget it’s going to happen, but when someone reminds me that it’s coming, it seems like as good a reason as any to have a few cocktails. And maybe a reason to eat a few enchiladas too, even though I’m aware that that’s only customary for one of those holidays. I just like enchiladas.

So when I got the email from Megs instructing me to pick a few V-Day things to write about, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do. When I think of Valentine’s Day with a significant other, the only thing that occurs to me is that I’m going to get a free meal at my favorite restaurant, which isn’t even romantic (really, it’s a fusion taco place, and no boyfriend has ever believed me when I said that I wanted to go there on V-Day. They all thought I was trying to trick them and then took me someplace expensive that I invariably didn’t enjoy as much as my taco place).

Honestly, though, traditional romance makes me kind of squicky (is that even a word? I don’t know, but its sound when pronounced mirrors my feeling pretty accurately) and my eternal hope is that any guy who has my romantic attentions will respect that come Valentine’s Day. The most I want is an opportunity to wear a fab party dress, even if I eat a homemade meal in it, and perhaps a small gift and some flowers.

1. The right outfit: If you don’t think that I’d wear this Robert Rodriguez Glitter Sequin Zip Dress to my favorite taco restaurant or to sit in my own kitchen, well, you don’t know me very well. I would also wear it to blog in every day, given the opportunity. Never underestimate the diverse utility of a cocktail dress. ShopBop, $416.

2. The right bag: Instead of going for the obvious gold or black to coordinate with the dress, I’d go with the cobalt blue sequins of the Halston Heritage Evening Frame Sequin Clutch. The contrast is far more interesting than choosing something matchy-matchy, and on Valentine’s day, how much do you really need to be able to fit into your clutch? Net-a-Porter, $195.

3. Non-embarrassing flowers: No baby’s breath. I repeat, NO BABY’S BREATH. I don’t want an 80s bouquet or something that’s going to take over my desk and make everyone ask questions. I still love roses because red is my favorite color, but a clean, modern design like the Teleflora Dozen Rose Contempo is much more my decorative style. Teleflora, $69.95.

4. A personality-appropriate jewelry gift: I know that jewelry is customary even though I really don’t think guys should be required to pay for dinner AND provide a gift (my weirdness with receiving gifts is a subject for an entirely different post, however), and I’d rather have something that speaks to a knowledge of my personal preferences than something that’s bling-bling expensive. After all, it only takes so much time in my presence before everyone, even guys, realizes that I love obnoxiously large costume jewelry like the Fallon Jewelry Tigerlilly Choker. ShopBop, $220.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I know, I know. You’ve all spent the past few weeks waiting, patiently for the announcement of all announcements… the winner of that gorgeous Hermes Birkin from back in December. You might remember that we partnered with our friends at FabSugar and Portero Luxury to bring you the most amazing giveaway we’ve done thus far – the holy grail of handbags – the Hermes Birkin.

After the random selection we had to make sure we had dotted all our i’s and crossed all our t’s before announcing. But today as the day, and the lucky winner was Kate S. from New Jersey!!! She’s even sent in a picture of her with her new bag. Click here to check it out.

Thanks again to FabSugar and Portero for this amazing partnership, but also thank you to all of YOU who entered! Stay tuned… I’m sure we’ll have even more fabulous things in store for you all in 2010!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I think it is fair to say those of you who frequent PurseBlog and all of our sister sites, including the Purse Forum (tPF) are handbag lovers. So, while you know which handbags are coveted and for what reasons, others might not know all the details behind why certain bags are more sought after than others.

As you know, we have partnered with our friends at FabSugar and Portero to bring you the most amazing giveaway ever: a Hermes Birkin. The FabNetwork started FabTv a little while back and have produced two videos specifically for this giveaway. Both videos are unique, informative and fun. And if you haven’t already, click on the orange banners on our site and enter to win this Birkin!

What Makes a Birkin Bag So Special & How to Spot a Real v Fake:

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I think it is fair to say those of you who frequent PurseBlog and all of our sister sites, including the Purse Forum (tPF) are handbag lovers. So, while you know which handbags are coveted and for what reasons, others might not know all the details behind why certain bags are more sought after than others.

As you know, we have partnered with our friends at FabSugar and Portero to bring you the most amazing giveaway ever: a Hermes Birkin. The FabNetwork started FabTv a little while back and have produced two videos specifically for this giveaway. Both videos are unique, informative and fun. And if you haven’t already, click on the orange banners on our site and enter to win this Birkin!

What Makes a Birkin Bag So Special & How to Spot a Real v Fake:

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

A week ago today, I leaked a teaser about a fabulous giveaway on the horizon. While I couldn’t divulge which bag would be up for grabs, I did get a chance to offer a few hints. For the past week, many of you have jotted down one guess while others made a few guesses. It is fair to say that the majority of the guesses were correct, and today, I get to shout from the rooftops: WE’RE GIVING AWAY THIS HERMES BIRKIN!!!

We’ve partnered with two beyond amazing sites to bring you the holy grail of handbags, this Hermes Birkin. For this giveaway of all giveaways we’ve teamed up with Portero Luxury and FabSugar. Portero Luxury is providing the certified pre-owned, never used, gorgeous, supple and lust-worthy 30cm Black Evergrain Birkin.

The giveaway starts today, Monday, November 30, 2009 and ends Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 11:59 PST. You’ve heard enough, you want to enter, so how do you do so? Head over and visit our friends at FabSugar to register to win!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney