Custom Design

You know how people are always trumpeting the fact that particular bags are “versatile” or perfect for “day to night?” It’s kind of a lazy fashion writer’s fall back – everyone that’s reading this is easily sharp enough to figure out that every bag can be worn with more than one outfit. So I figured, why not put my money where my mouth is? Just in time for summer, here are a few ideas for wearing the Kate Spade Folly Beach Benedicta Straw Satchel for both day and night – after all, who wants to pack a bunch of bags to take to the beach?

Daytime
1. Free People Crinkle Racer Tank Dress: I could see this light little dress thrown over a bathing suit or worn as a regular dress, and versatility is important when packing for a vacation. The pattern is fun and bohemian, plus the material is supposed to be wrinkled, making it very suitcase-friendly. Buy through ShopBop for $128.
2. Kenneth Jay Lane Multi-Layer Necklace: I’m pretty sure it freaks all of us out to travel with expensive jewelry, so now’s the perfect time to show off less pricey pieces. This necklace brings out the green in the dress’s pattern but could also be worn with a variety of other colors so that you don’t have to pack a jewelry look for every outfit. Buy through ShopBop for $80.
3. See by Chloe Flat Criss-Cross Sandals: Don’t make the mistake of being the girl that only brings towering wedges to the beach. Not only does this dress also pick up the blues in the Free People dress, but it lets you do all the walking you need (which can be a lot if you didn’t drive to your vacation spot) without asking for a piggy-back ride at he end of the day. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $260.

Nighttime
1. Single Silk-Chiffon Leopard Print Dress: If you can’t wear a floaty, asymmetrical, red leopard print dress after dark at the beach, where can you wear one? Tropical locales were made for bright patterns that would be harder to pull off in an urban setting, and this dress is exactly that: wild and a little sexy while still being comfortable and not too skimpy. It’s a graphic statement, but the use of cream instead of graphic white gives it a slightly bohemian note that makes the dress totally work. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $315.
2. Kenneth Jay Lane Gold-Plated Bamboo Hoops: Again, leave the expensive jewelry at home. These earrings are gold-plated for those with sensitive ears and will add a touch of glamour to virtually any outfit in your suitcase. The best part, however, is the price – you don’t have to fret too badly if you lose one in the sand or forget them at the hotel. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $60.
3. Belle by Sigerson Morrison Crisscross Wedge Sandals: You don’t want to be that girl that ONLY wears enormous wedges, but if you’re going to wear a dress like this, you should still bring them. They’re dark and chunky while still being neutral and beachy, which makes them perfect to anchor a dress that has such a loud print. If they were lighter or made a smaller statement, they’d get swallowed up by the outfit. Also, the darker leather ensures that you don’t look like you wandered the mall for hours, holding up your tote bag to every pair of sandals until you found a perfect match. Repeat after me: matchy-matchy is not a good look. Buy through Saks for $240.

Voila! That’s how you get through vacation with just your tote bag. How would you wear it?

Original post by Amanda Mull

The years post college seemed to fly by. Gone were the 5-nights-out weeks and in were the days of working during the day and going to bed at a reasonable hour. Gone were naps (sad). And for me, gone was the need of a sturdy clutch/wristlet to take to all the bars and football games. My original wristlet love was the Louis Vuitton Wapity, which I am still loving and could gush about in its size and practicality. Now I have found a clutch that I am trying to get on board with, as it does bring back my love of night-out wristlets.

The Halston Henry Suede Clutch is a grown-up version of a wristlet for a night on the town. Wristlets are perfect choices when you want both hands to be free all night. This Halston clutch is of course more grown up in its look and price. The blue suede works for fall/winter and since it is a dark color will not show wear as much.

There is a double pleat on each side and double link pewter hardware that separates the wrist handle from the body of the bag. Everything about this clutch feels grown up from my college days, which is where society tells me I should be in life right now. But on the eve of the first football game of the season, I still feel like a college kid which makes this bag less and less of an option for a gal like me. I am bringing out practical, sturdy, young, and fun bags and clutches for the start of college football season. But if you are looking for a blue sophisticated wristlet, this may be an option for you. $1395 via Net A Porter.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Since Earth Day is upon us, let’s take a few minutes to think about what the future of eco-friendly fashion might be. Low-chemical tanning and hand-woven materials are all well and good, but there are a lot of smaller companies out there with new ideas and fresh takes on what exactly constitutes suitable handbag-making materials.

A company called English Retreads is pioneering the idea of taking used and recycled “vintage” rubber to make handbags with a tough, industrial edge. My favorite is the English Retreads Cruiser, a black hobo made out of reclaimed rubber from old inner tubes. It’s got a minimalist but edgy vibe to it, and the material makes it stand out from other bags. It’s certainly a far cry from the designer bags that you and I are familiar with, but it doesn’t lack style. Techniques and sourcing strategies like the ones used in this bag have yet to make their way into high-end bags, but things like these usually flow from a niche market to a more mainstream fascination, and you never know what may be around the corner from your favorite designer.
Buy through eBags for $49.99.

Original post by Amanda Mull

My first reaction when I looked at the Dolce & Gabanna Miss Sicily Snakeskin Handbag was that it didn’t look anything like a Dolce &amp Gabbana handbag. At least not the ones that have come out most recently - they’ve all looked like ruffly garbage bags or been in various color of lamé. I won’t say that’s a bad thing - I kind of like the ruffly garbage bags - but it’s certainly different than what we see here. The Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily Snakeskin Handbag Miss Sicily is the exact opposite of a ruffly anything. Its lines are so rigid, just looking at it makes my back hurt, and I’m pretty sure that I could fend off an attacker with it quite quickly. That’s not to say I don’t like it, because I do; it would dress up jeans and a white button-down quite nicely, and snakeskin is my favorite neutral material of all time. Go ahead, try and think of something snakeskin, in one form or another, wouldn’t match. And this skin in particular is gorgeous - it’s textured with tons of tiny scales that really deserve some time spent with Nordstrom’s zoom feature. Seeing this makes me really wish that Hermes would consider expanding their snakeskin offerings in the future. Pre-order through Nordstrom for $2475.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Yep, I think I am in love. As soon as I saw this handbag I knew I wanted to share it will all of you. This gorgeous Versace Crinkled Metallic Leather Shoulder Bag needs to be added to my collection. I tend to think twice about shiny, metallic bags, but this one seems to […]

Original post by Shannon

The resonating theme of the Strategic Airline Event Vlad and I attended in the beginning on June was “It is the only way to fly“. The ‘it’ being referred to is private air charter. And I am not going to sit here and pretend I have flown privately for eons, because I have not. In […]

Original post by Megs