Custom Design

Swoon.

You hear that? I’m swooning. Pretty hard. I’m a bit desensitized to beautiful handbags in the same way that I imagine fashion photographers are desensitized to beautiful women – when you look at them all day from a business perspective, it’s can be kind of hard to recapture the feeling of excitement that they once gave you. Well, folks, the Pauric Sweeney Metallic Python Shoulder Bag has me giddy like a schoolgirl all over again. How could it not? The charms of this particular purse are so many and varied that I barely know where to start.

I’d begin by talking about the material, but the reasons why I love the texture-rich python should be obvious. Instead, we’ll start with the color, since gunmetal is not only my favorite neutral, but also one of my favorite colors for clothing or accessories, period. The depth of the shade avoids the cheap look that can come with some metallics, and the finish here is particularly interesting – it’s sort of matte, isn’t it? A matte metallic sounds like an oxymoron, but somehow, Pauric Sweeney made it happen. And it’s beautiful.

A good color and material are nothing without a good design, though, and luckily this particular bag doesn’t lack in that department. The structure is a somewhat more modern iteration of the drawstring trend, with the one-piece modified box chain playing the part of the string. The chain can either be doubled as it’s seen here or used as a single, longer shoulder strap, depending on your preferences.

The only part of the bag that I don’t like, from a functional perspective, is the skinny flap over the opening. I like that the color and material provides a nice contrast to the rest of the bag, but that’s the sort of closure that NO ONE ever uses – it usually ends up flopped sloppily over the top. On a bag this slouchy, however, I’m not sure that’s as big of an aesthetic problem as it would be on a more structured design. On the whole, this is the best bag that I’ve seen in quite a while. Pre-order through Luisa Via Roma for $2276.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’m not sure if Jimmy Choo purposely set out to become the Juicy Couture of the “premier designer” set or not (although I’m guessing not), but sometimes they seem to be headed in that direction anyway. I absolutely love half of what they do, but the other half is looking dangerously over-designer and overworked these days. It seems as though for every brilliant bag they make, they also make one that makes me cock my head to the side and wrinkle my nose in confusion.

The Jimmy Choo Tita Snakeskin and Suede-Fringe Clutch would be a bag of the latter variety. I love the natural coloring of the material and the size of the bag, but my admiration ends there. For some reason, not only did they use a zigzag patchwork pattern that totally interrupts the natural grain of the snakeskin, but they also thought weaving it with suede would be a good idea…but only on one corner. I’m not even sure I can talk about the fringe.

I like this clutch a little better when it’s carried with the optional chain shoulder strap, but I just can’t forgive Jimmy Choo for what it did to that beautiful piece of snakeskin. It’s all chopped up and weird now, instead of being the beautiful, naturally patterned piece of material that it should be. The best exotic bags are the ones that use the skin’s texture so well that they make you catch your breath and think, “Holy crap, that’s beautiful, I want to touch it,” but this one just doesn’t have that appeal for me.

And then, of course, the fringe. It’s long enough to be seriously annoying when you’re trying to carry the bag by hand, but not long enough to make any kind of dramatic or artistic statement. As it is, it’s in some sort of weird fringe purgatory, and the drab color doesn’t add much to the mood of the bag. With a few tweaks, this clutch could have been great, but right now it just looks like it’s trying too hard. At least the price is somewhat reasonable (for snake). Buy through Net-a-Porter for $995.

Original post by Amanda Mull

There are some bags out there which words cannot seem to do it enough justice. This clutch falls into that category. Coming across this Jimmy Choo Tube Elaphe Snake Clutch has me trying to reach through my computer and grab it. The color, the shape, the execution is all just complete and utter perfection. To be honest, the only thing I am having a problem with is figuring out which outfit I would pair this with first.

The blue and green elaphe snakeskin whirls and swirls around the clutch and is bound to catch the light wonderfully. I love the criss-cross knotted strand embellishments that surround the clutch. When it comes to exotics, sometimes less is more so some of you might not care for the embellishments as much as I do. But, with this bag, being an evening bag, it all works. While a minor detail, the gold-tone hardware is perfect. Open the clutch and you will find peach satin lining which is a nice light feminine color in contrast to the louder exterior hues. And yes, like many Jimmy Choo bags are, this one will cost you a bit, but personally, I think it is totally worth it. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1345.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I’ve heard that turquoise is the color of spring this year. Ok, well, I heard it from something that Megs said on Twitter, so maybe I can’t claim any original research in the “color of the season” category, but turquoise sounds just about as likely as anything else. I have seen a lot of hot pink bags for spring, though, so I’d like to nominate that for second place.

Anyway, turquoise: perfectly lovely, glad to hear that it’s going to be big in the next few months. I much prefer it to orange or an alternative that looks equally terrible next to my skin. So, time to find a good turquoise handbag, I suppose, and the Jimmy Choo Rahmyn Snake-Embossed Hobo is one of the strongest contenders that I’ve found.

Most of the Jimmy Choo bags that I’ve seen recently have been trying way too hard to be special and interesting, and the thing that I find refreshing about this one is that it isn’t striving to be cooler than it is. Instead of being covered with a ton of unnecessary embellishment and hardware, Choo’s designers chose to do expertly dyed leather in a seriously drool-worthy color and simple shape, and it works so much butter than trying to make an average bag spectacular with glitter and fringe.

Embossed leather is not my favorite option, but it looks like they did a fairly unoffensive job of turning this bag into faux snake, so I’ll let it slide this time. The contrasting snake trim is a nice touch, and the texture works to make the bag less boring than it would have been in regular leather. I can already imagine how lovely this will look against white linen when the weather turns warm. Buy through Nordstrom for $1495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Is it possible that we don’t give Michael Kors his due when it comes to handbags? I think it might be. Or perhaps the problem is that his brand doesn’t emphasize it enough – I’m not exactly sure what the issue is, but the brand hasn’t “caught” as a major power in handbags like one would expect when you consider the huge financial and marketing arm that the brand has behind it.

I talk about Princess Michael Kors himself every week in my Project Runway recap, but it’s much more rare that we sit down and discuss one of his handbag designs in a serious way, despite the fact that His Royal Highness’s brand put out a big line of bags every season. By the looks of the beautiful and reasonably priced Michael Kors Tonne Leather Hobo, we should do it more often.

For some reason, this had me fooled into thinking it was a Jimmy Choo bag for a moment – you know, a Jimmy Choo bag from back when their bags weren’t all covered in some combination of fringe, animal print and lightening bolts. My momentary joy at a reasonable-looking Choo bag was dashed, however, but it was replaced by considerable happiness that the designer was actually Kors. His handbags are almost always much less expensive, after all.

This particular hobo is even less expensive than I would have guessed. For less than $800 retail, you get a creamy, soft hobo that’s incredibly elegant and clean-lined, while still being totally functional. You also get some of the best bold hardware in the business (really, this is where Kors has shined for the past few seasons), ringed in real python and framing a handle that somehow manages to be both minimalist and detailed at the same time. The finished product feels like a surprise weekend trip to Palm Beach, but it’ll serve you well in pretty much any city that I can think of. Buy through Saks for $795.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Now this? This is more like it.

Earlier this week, we documented a rare Nancy Gonzalez misstep with the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile and Whipsnake Floral Tote. It lacked the easy simplicity of most of Gonzalez’s designs, and it also went without a bit of the luxury for which she’s known.

Luckily, I found the Nancy Gonzalez Pleated-Trim Croc Satchel to wipe that from our memories and remind us all why Ms. Gonzalez is the biggest croc designer in the business.

What Gonzalez does best is take a super-luxe material and keep it ultra sleek. The only interruption to the beautiful exotic skin in this bag is some restrained pleating at the sides that looks almost like gills, and other than that, someone obviously used a keen editing eye when designing this bag. It’s both functional and luxe, and I don’t think that normal use would destroy it – what else could you want in an exotic? Buy through Saks for $3800.

Original post by Amanda Mull

One word for you: GORGEOUS. VBH handbags and clutches have captured my attention since day one and I’ve never looked back. I can’t remember the last time I came across a VBH handbag where I was disappointed. Can you? I didn’t think so. I was perusing Browns today and almost fell off my chair when I saw the VBH Python Clutch with Crystal Detail. This bag is beyond breathtaking.

VBH handbags have been causing handbag lovers, especially exotic handbag lovers, to drool since 2001. These amazing bags have been designed with the idea that the luxury handbag market needed a face lift. Since 2001 leaps and bounds have been made and you aren’t as likely to see every woman in the grocery store carrying the same designer bag. However, just because this need has been met doesn’t mean VBH is going to veer off course. This bag is a perfect example of this.

Pewter colored python skin is adorned with crystal detail. This detail resonates throughout the clutch in singular lines. Beyond the lines themselves, I am thrilled to see that the lines chosen were well thought out. As you carry this clutch the light will hit the crystals with every move and you will sparkle. There is a fold over flap which is secured with a magnetic closure. Open up the flap and find luscious grey suede lining. This bag is timeless and worth investing in. Buy through Browns for £1,695.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Now, look at what we have here. We’ve been covering Proenza Schouler bags for quite some time now. This is nothing new. But, I feel the need to hash out the Proenza Schouler clutch again. I was reminded of this when I came across the Proenza Schouler Patent Double Strap Clutch today. It was as if someone snapped their fingers in front of me and said, “helllloooooo, you should have written about this already, what are you waiting for?” So here I am, awakened and loving what I see. Amanda wrote about the clutch in a yellow shade a while ago, but I am loving the dark green and feel as though it deserves some more attention.

This clutch is calling out to me – no, no – more like screaming out to me. I love it. I love it so much that it hurts. Well, what hurts is that I have yet to see anyone carry it. I’ve seen nobody in my area carrying it nor have I seen a celeb carrying it. What’s the deal with that? You can see so many aspects of the ever popular Proenza Schouler PS1 on this clutch that it continues to amaze me that this clutch isn’t more widespread. I love the classic components of the larger bag that have been transposed onto the smaller one. In this case, I am all for the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Needless to say, I am a fan. Buy through LUISAVIAROMA for $1349.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

When asked about one of the most classic handbags ever, Chanel comes to mind. The Chanel Classic Flap is synonymous with timeless. If you have the budget to splurge, this is a staple for your collection.

Chanel bags are also known for their high price tags. Many of us can not afford a nearly $3,000 bag. If you are looking for an option for a Chanel look for less, Urban Outfitters has an option.

Everything about the Deena & Ozzy Tweed Chain Bag resembles the Chanel Extra Large Flap in Quilted Tweed. The price difference is a whopping $2,753. The Deena & Ozzy bag has a tonal herringbone tweed shell with quilt stitch detailing. The woven chain link strap is is also reminiscent of Chanel.

I like that stores try to give us a look for less, which is clearly what Urban Outfitters is trying to do. Though sometimes the resemblance is too close to the original for my liking. Chanel Extra Large Flap Bag in tweed costs $2,795 at Chanel boutiques. Deena & Ozzy bag is $42 via Urban Outfitters.

For more Savvy finds visit Purse Blog Savvy

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Christian Louboutin continues to make a name for himself in the handbag world. The Christian Louboutin Loubistuds Clutch wowed us when we first viewed it. The perfect edginess was added to make that clutch a contender and a clutch that truly would amp up your night time outfits. The problem with that clutch was the price. Just over $1500, that is one pricey clutch.

We found you an option if you want the Studded clutch look for less. The Santi Beaded Disco Bag features hand-beading rather than studs and brings you the 80’s theme for fall. The top kisslock closure is reminiscent of the kisslock closure on the Louboutin clutch. The body of the clutch is satin, available in black, pink and gold.

While shopping the look for less is not always my forte, it is important for all of us to know how and when to make wise shopping choices. For a fun night out clutch, spending $165 rather than $1519 makes financial sense. And the Santi clutch is a great option, that will infuse retro glamour into your wardrobe. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $165.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil