Custom Design

The Boston Bag shape is a highly used and coveted shape year after year. Gucci has made the term Boston Bag famous, but it is not just Gucci that designs a bag of this shape. And this Spring designers are implementing this easy day bag shape in various ways.

We simply do not talk about Salvatore Ferragamo enough on PurseBlog. But Ferragamo bags deserve more praise. I do not see them popping up on websites as often as I would like. Can the buyers change that, please? Ferragamo is known for high quality craftsmanship. The designs may fly too far under the radar for many though, which is why we don’t see more Ferragamo bags.

Right when I saw the Salvatore Ferragamo Mediterraeno Companion Bag I thought of two things: 1) This is a great price for a quality leather bag and 2) I wonder if Amanda will love or hate this red color. You see, Amanda is very picky about the color red on a handbag. She loves red, but not orangey-reds, and not many other reincarnations. She needs the perfect red. Does this Ferragamo bag hit the mark?

I don’t have much to say about the bag itself, as it does not need much explanation. The textured, pebbled calfskin leather adorns the outside of the bag while their is nylon inside lining. The silvertone hardware is Ferragamo signature, but is rather simple so it leaves us without much to say about it. There are double top handles with a 5″ drop and metal feet. Dimensions are 12½”W X 9½”H X 6½”D, which is similar in size to the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 (even a tad larger). I am most interested to hear what Amanda thinks about the color. And the price, well it is amazing for a full Italian leather bag. Buy via Saks for $850.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

The more I see of the Fall/Winter 2010 shows, particularly the ones from Milan, the more I become certain that the fashion industry glitterati have clandestine meetings after the season has been presented to decide what the trends for the next season will be, just so everyone else is on the same page. That, or it’s secretly just one supergenius (or supercomputer?) behind every major collection, and that’s why everything from Gucci to Fendi to Ferragamo this season has been so cohesive – not just within each collection, but across much of what has been shown at Fashion Week as a whole.

So, this is what we know: the 60s and 70s are being brought back, this time in a conservative and subdued way to match the mood of the culture. Classic shapes, particularly in accessories, are as classic as they’ve ever been. Brown is officially a thing, as is suede. The look of sueded croc is also gaining favor, after being embraced for the past few season by the bag designers at YSL.

Ferragamo’s collection hit most of the high points of fall trendspotting, and the materials were lush and beautiful. A few of the shapes were too plain for me, but high points like asymmetrical croc clutches with tortoise shell closures made me forget all about them. That’s probably a good metaphor for how fall is shaping up, in fact – the key will be finding the bags that take tradition to the next level.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I need more Salvatore Ferragamo bags in my life. This is a brand that flies under the radar but produces bags that are drool-worthy time after time. This time we are mentioning a classic bag from Ferragamo that was seen on Jessica Simpson back in 2005 in bright green. An aside, but is it not hilarious to read a post from 2005 that is talking about Newlyweds? Time changes many times.

Onward. The Salvatore Ferragamo Safari Calfskin Shoulder Bag is lux, classic, and relatively affordable. I have this bag in white and I can tell you personally that it is a timeless design made with high quality materials. The calfskin is textured to give a sophisticated finish.

The design of this shoulder bag is truly gorgeous. Salvatore Ferragamo finds a way to have the design stand out without being over-the-top. If you have been looking for a classic black bag (or white), this should be put into your list of options. On the front the signature Gancio buckle grabs your attention. There are double shoulder straps at the top, interior zip and pouch pockets. Dimensions are spacious enough to carry daily, 22.4″W x 9.8″H x 2.8″D. A classic bag from an impeccable designer, two thumbs up in our book. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $1,290.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

After visiting multiple showrooms this past fall the Handbag Trends for Spring 2010 were clear. One of the biggest trends is perforated leather. We saw this being used by Rebecca Minkoff, previewed it with YSL, and Prada is implementing perforated leather for many of their bags.

For Spring 2010 expect to see perforated leather from Prada, to Jimmy Choo, to Burberry, to Bottega Veneta. Prada’s perforated leather has an extremely sporty vibe which is largely due in part to the shape of the bags they are using it on (note the Prada Roll Bag). While Prada’s look is very sporty, we have an array of designers using perforated leather in various ways to give the bags a fresh spring look.

One of my favorite from the bunch is the Bottega Veneta Woven-Trim Perforated Hobo, which features perforated ivory leather. From the look of this bag the perforated leather adds a detail that almost appears as if the bag is made of ostrich skin from afar. Buy via Neiman Marcus for $1980.

Jimmy Choo has really done a beautiful job with their perforated leather bags. We have already covered their Martha Perforated Clutch, which infuses perforated leather with smooth leather as well. Then they have the Bree Perforated Nappa Leather Tote along with the Fracine Perforated Leather wallet, both favorites of mine.

JC: Martha Clutch [$1175 via NAP] Bree Perforated Nappa Leather Tote [$1495 via Saks] Francine Wallet [$675 via NAP]

The type of perforation varies by designer. Some are uses larger holes while others are using more uniform small holes. There are also options for bags that only feature perforation in certain spots but not all over. When it comes down to it, adding a perforated leather bag to your collection may be trendy for Spring 2010, but if you choose wisely you may find a bag that works in your collection forever.

Other perforated leather bags include:

• Prada Saffiano Fori Tote [$1350 via Saks]
• Prada Perforated Leather Satchel [$1650 via Saks]
• Prada Perforated Leather Roll Bag [$1,295 via Saks]
• Fendi Selleria Perforated Satchel [$1800 via Saks]
• Burberry Perforated leather hobo bag [$1,195 via NAP]
• BCBGMAXAZRIA Raspberry Perforated Leather Chain Hobo [$238 via BlueFly]
• Chloe Ivory Perforated Leather Kerala Tote [$1,215 via BlueFly]
• Balenciaga Arena Giant Covered City [$1,795 via Barneys]
• Foley & Corinna Perforated Crossbody Shoulder Bag [$401 via Saks]

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

Prada, take note: if you insist on producing bags comprised mainly of perforated leather, then you might want to take some notes from Jimmy Choo on how you do it correctly.

We witnessed one of Prada’s perforated failings last week, so now I think that it’s only fair that we feature something like the Jimmy Choo Martha Perforated Clutch, which uses perforation tastefully. Well…maybe “tastefully” isn’t the word. Maybe it would best be described as “stylishly.”

The key to this clutch’s success over the perforated Prada bag is that this one uses perforations artfully and as a single element, not the full show. The pink diamond-shaped cutouts remind me more of fishnet stalkings than basketball jerseys, and I much prefer to be aesthetically transported to the 80s than to a sporting event.

It also works better because the clutch is designed better as a whole – perforations that might not work otherwise are elevated by their surroundings. I love that the entire bag is a single, beautiful color but that it has elements done in three different textures. Instead of being one-note like the Prada bag, it’s visually interesting and incredibly stylish (if you dig the 80s thing that’s going on in fashion right now, which I happen to). Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1175.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I think that the handbag folks at Prada and I need to have a little conversation about the Prada Perforated Roll Bag. I have some thoughts, and they would probably best be expressed in private. And by “in private,” I mean “after the jump.”

Where do I even start?

Miuccia & Co., we have a problem here. Prada turns out some fine handbags, no doubt about it, but I think it might be time for the collection to refocus on designing a few truly great bags instead of making a huge collection of bags wherein a lot of them are just…mind-boggling. In a bad way.

There’s no reason that a bag that looks like it was made to coordinate with a University of North Carolina basketball jersey should be produced by a top fashion house and marketed to grown women for over a thousand dollars. The whole premise is mildly insulting. Come to think of it, this thing also bares a striking resemblance to a pencil bag that I had in elementary school, with the addition of some oddly long handles.

It disappoints me that the same people that were responsible for the utterly genius and gorgeous Gauffre bags are the ones that have now come up with what we see here – they can do a lot better, and we all know it. Buy through Saks for $1295.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Halloween is approaching quickly. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing people en route to a costume party or just running an errand dressed in full Halloween attire. The creativity of the costumes seen on San Francisco streets is an inspiration to behold. Many of the costumes seen on Halloween are extremely ornate and beautiful or shockingly frightening. I may not be dressing up in my traditional costume ball attire this year, but I do have my eye on some spooky clothing and skull inspired handbags to join in the frightening fun on October 31st.

Designer Markus Lupfer sets a frightening tone on this scary but chic Flower Skull merino sweater (upper left, $390 at Net-a-Porter). Perhaps the perfect when paired with black leggings and ankle booties for a ghoulish and chic night on the town.

British bad boy Alexander McQueen brings his rebellious style to a golden Skull Box Clutch, (upper right, $1199 at CoutureZappos.com). This gorgeous and greedy with gold clutch is covered in metallic crackled leather and adorned with the signature Alexander McQueen skull-shaped clasp. The skull closure is encrusted with genuine Swarovski® crystals. For green-minded ghouls a Skull and Crossbones Appliqué Bag (right middle, $27.49 at Overstock.com) are perfect for Halloween party hopping. The roomy fair trade totes are made in India of 100% locally grown, natural cotton and hand-appliquéd with a skull and crossbones design on the front flap. Betsey Johnson’s ‘Tote-ally’ Reversible Tote, (bottom right, $110 at Nordstrom.com) is fronted with a bold skull and crossbones design. Turn this tote inside out and reveal a red and black rose print design.

The Treesje Mortale Travel Tote in Black (bottom right, $575 at ShopDressOnline.com) is a roomy leather tote is embossed with a skull pattern. Key details to keep you organized include a key hook, inside zipper pocket, and pockets to hold a cell phone and PDA.

via The Find

Original post by Guest Blogger

I can’t even describe how excited I was to see that Luisa Via Roma had started carrying Balmain handbags, but that feeling of joy was quickly eclipsed by abject disappointment when I saw what those bags actually looked like. Why is a brand that makes such glam, inventive, rock star clothes and shoes making bags as boring as the Balmain Crystal Leopard Suede Bag?

It looks far more Betsey Johnson than like something that Christophe Decarnin would create for Balmain (and even then, I doubt Betsey would make something this simple). Normally, something crystal-encrusted and black and silver leopard-printed would be a recipe for awesomeness in my mind (and a recipe for incredible disaster in others’), and I have no idea how they managed to take all of those elements, combine them, and make something so completely devoid of personality. Does it look a bit QVC to anyone else? Like it might go over well in a retirement community? Bueller? Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $3587.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Finally: the Judith Leiber Sphere Clutch is a disco bag that really means it.

I’ve seen more than a few tiny, bling-y bags label themselves as “disco” in the past month or so, and none of them seem anywhere near as disco as this sparkly lil’ thing. This bag is Studio 54. It’s John Travolta in that white suit in Saturday Night Fever. This bag is really trying to make disco happen. And I just might let it.

I don’t think anything that I own, including my phone or my keys, would ever fit into this tiny orb, but I can wish, right? If I sailed around on a boat made of money, you best believe I’d buy it and give it a try, if only so I could hold it above my head and dance under it in public after four cocktails. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2495.

Original post by Amanda Mull

The Mulberry Bayswater: A long time favorite by many Mulberry fans and a handbag that somehow many times brings up a debate.

Does the Bayswater look like a Hermes Birkin, did it intend to look like a Birkin, why would you buy this if you wanted a Birkin, is this a copy? Every single one of those questions gets picked apart by a handful of people time and time again, but the the Mulberry Bayswater remains a staple piece.

Frankly, the resemblance is merely that, a resemblance. The Mulberry Bayswater is a staple piece, a simple black bag with double top handles. But there is less structure to this bag, it feels and looks more casual than a Birkin. And then there is the price, which is astoundingly under $900, which compared to other handbag prices is ridiculously low. Of all the Mulberry bags, this is my favorite, always has been.

So back to the Mulberry vs Hermes debate. I have no qualms saying that I feel one designer is imitating another, but for me it is just not the case. When it comes to the Baysater versus the Birkin, what do you think?

Buy via Net A Porter for $850.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil