Custom Design

This bag is worth discussing. I came across the Burberry Prorsum Medium Osprey Leather Tote and I had an overwhelming need to look at it closer. While I couldn’t put my finger on why I needed to look closer, I knew I had to.

As much as I can appreciate the signature Burberry plaid, I really love how they continue to put out other fabulous bags that might not jump out as Burberry until you look at the label. This bag completely fits that bill. This silver leather tote has the slightest fringe effect throughout the bag. I barely think fringe when I see the bag, but we can work with it. I love how chic, eccentric and unique the bag is. You definitely do not see something similar every day.

The one handle looks completely fabulous and supple has a 5″ drop. If you choose to put it on your shoulder, it will fit snugly, but it won’t be uncomfortable. The ruching at the sides pull the leather and its fringe in a clever way to draw the eye and curiosity in. Open up the bag and you will find black designer-stamped lining, two internal sections and a couple of pockets. This bag made an appearance on the runway and I’d love to have it make an appearance on my arm. I might dare to say this is one of my favorite Burberry bags I’ve seen in a while. Do you like this look or do you prefer the traditional Burberry bags? Buy through Net-a-Porter for 1695.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

If you love the Valentino aesthetic but can’t justify shelling out two grand (or far more) for one of their plush, ladylike bags full of bows, ruffles and flowers, I may have a viable alternative for you.

The Villador Carpetto Bow Bag has a couple of Valentino’s most obvious signatures – drool-worthy leather and an oversized bow placed proudly for all to see – without being a ripoff. It’ll also run you about half of what Valentino’s most basic bags usually cost, and who can’t get behind that?

I don’t love the seaming around the edges of the leather “ribbon” (I think it looks a bit cheap, in fact), but I’m willing to overlook it because the leather itself, which is goatskin, looks so soft and touchable.

Other than the bow and the texture, the structure and color remind me a lot of another designer – Chloe. It has a boho feel and attitude to it, and the slouchy look is perfect to wear with boyfriend jeans or a flowing sundress. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1054.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I’M BA-ACK! I’m minus two tonsils, five post-surgery pounds, and a week of my life, but I have returned triumphant to do one of my absolute favorite things: make fun of a truly horrific Versace bag.

It’s almost as though the universe placed the galacticly awful Versace Scream Shopper on Nordstrom’s website to welcome me back to the land of the living – It’s been quite a while since Donatella & Co. have provided us with a bag so thoroughly worthy of ridicule. When pitched such a softball, I can only hope to hit it out of the park. Won’t you join me?

Can someone call Donatella and tell her that putting out crap like this is why her company is failing? Does she not realize that? How could it not be obvious? Am I taking crazy pills?

That a company could put out a bag made of mismatched patterned leather, acid yellow trim and baseball stitching and expect people to spend well north of three grand on it absolutely boggles the mind. The people that made this bag live on a different planet from the rest of us, and it’s not a place that I hope to visit. Ever. It probably smells like Axe body spray mixed with fake tan. I’d say that this bag looked like a Junior’s Department nightmare, but really, it might be uglier than that.

On the other hand…has ever a bag been so aptly named? Buy through Nordstrom for $3395.

Original post by Amanda Mull

For those of you who think that Alexander McQueen handbags might be a little too out there for your taste, I may have found a bag for you.

Looking at the name of the bag, I was wondering what was really meant by the word camouflage. Did it have to do with the colors, the design, some hidden meaning? It is not that McQueen camouflaged his genius or his innate ability to take design to the next level. Perhaps the word surrounds the idea that the bag is a bit more understated than most of us might be used to.

The Alexander McQueen Camouflage Skull & Rose Tote has understated beauty and edge written all over it. In fact, at first glance I barely noticed the skulls intertwined with the rose print design. The combination of rose and skull print on the canvas provides a great way to introduce femininity and edginess at the same time. Since the skulls aren’t as prominent as the roses, they do require a double take in order to be noticed. The canvas has wonderful brown leather trip and a great chain strap with 7″ drop. Everything works together in perfect harmony for a fabulous tote that would look good on the shoulder of so many women no matter what your taste may be! Buy through Saks for $930.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Yesterday, I covered the Marc by Marc Jacobs Royale Patchwork Birdie Hobo which was nothing but a disappointment. When I see anything with that involves Marc Jacobs, I tend to expect a lot. There are certain designers out there who have raised the bar rather high for themselves. Marc Jacobs is one of these designers. So, while yesterday I was disappointed, today, Marc Jacobs has made up for the mishap.

Using a word like “classic” in the name of a handbag would have to make almost any reader believe the handbag would have to fit into that category. The mastermind behind this bag knew exactly how to create a classic bag.

I am completely enjoying every aspect to the Marc Jacobs Classic Carla Leather Tote. First of all, the leather is just fabulous. But, beyond the leather, the shape and style of the bag is, in fact, classic. The double handles have a 4″ drop while the adjustable shoulder strap has an 11.5″ drop. Either way you decide to carry the bag, it will be comfortable.

Open the top-zip closure and you will see an interior zip pocket. Yet, before you even open the bag, you will see front flap-pockets with pushlock closures. These pushlock closures offer a bit of edge, yet not too much at all. And of course, the gold-tone hardware looks fabulous against the leather. I love how this bag can go from day to night without much of a transition. Plus, this bag can be carried by a wide range of ages without looking too old or too young for the woman carrying the bag. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $995.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

I love when Prada sticks to what it is good at: clean lines, great leather and fabulous color. I have to say, I came across the Prada Saffiano Lux Tote today and let out a sigh of relief.

Actually, I’ve seen this bag before, but I forgot about it. So, when I came across it again, all I can say is BRAVO Prada, BRAVO! Unfortunately, I’ve come across too many Prada bags that have missed the mark lately. In fact, they’ve missed the mark so much that I virtually stopped looking at them. Today folks, today is a different day.

This classy bag comes in both blue and red leather – so take your pick! I am more into the blue, but that is my preference. The tonal topstitching adds a hint of texture but it is the golden hardware that absolutely has me captivated. I love how the hardware runs from the handles onto the top of the bag so gracefully. The hardware isn’t too chunky nor is it too flimsy. More than anything, the bag is classic, it is timeless and it is elegant. Everything about it is luxurious and I would starting looking at Prada handbags more often if they kept up with their strengths. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1495.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Ladies and gents, I need you to weigh in here. I cannot decide whether or not this Yves Saint Laurent handbag is genius or simply not enough for what you are paying for.

Yves Saint Laurent is one of those brands, one of those brands that is almost always worth a second look. This is the case because the first look might take you in the wrong direction, but the second look, the second look could reveal sheer genius. While I want that to be the case here, I just don’t think that is the case.

The thing about the Yves Saint Laurent Yes Large Leather Bag is that it actually is a bit of genius. It is the kind of day-to-day genius that so many bags lack sometimes. This bag is slouchy, yet structured. The colors are neutral, yet versatile. But, is it worth the price? I love handbags, I really do. And I have no problem spending big bucks on a bag I love, but is this bag worth it’s price tag?

The olive-green leather tote has a contrast pale-green leather trim and two pale green handles. You might not be able to tell, but if you press the studs at the side, you can actually adjust the size of the handles – always a nice, understated detail. Clearly the bag is functional, and it is also fashionable, but I am stuck on the price. I can see tons of women carrying this bag and loving it – loving it for seasons to come, but I have some reservations. What do you think? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1525.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

One thing that a lot of designers seem to have a very hard time doing is creating a bag that is both expensive-looking and covered in animal print. It’s not surprising since animal print is historically “tacky chic” at best, and at worst, just plain tacky. Getting past the initial “eww, is that zebra?” thought is a difficult sell for a lot of handbag customers in particular, since most people prefer their expensive bags to be neutral and timeless.

Somehow, though, the Roger Vivier Zebra Tote manages to look luxurious and chic in a traditional way, while still being boldly and obviously animal print. How did the designer pull it off? I have a theory, of course.

The folks at Vivier did two things very, very right with this bag: first, they kept the materials high-end. Most designers resort to non-leather materials when they want to make animal print because leather is difficult to dye in precise patterns. Choosing something like cotton canvas automatically downgrades the look, making the print look cheap by association. Instead of making that mistake, the designer used calfskin, giving the bag a richness that it would likely not have otherwise.

The second thing that the designer did correctly was not assume that simply using a pattern would be enough attention to detail. If the goal was to make something modern and minimalist, that would have been fine, but in this situation it probably wouldn’t cut it. Instead, the fine color variation in the dye makes the bag look well-crafted and beautifully wrought, increasing the style quotient exponentially. Vivier should teach classes in this sort of thing. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $2451.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Get ready to be surprised and astounded, you guys: I’ve found a Valentino bag about which I am totally and utterly ambivalent. I know this doesn’t happen often, so if you feel like you need to take a moment to let that sink in, please go ahead and take one. We’ll wait.

You back? Great.

In fact, I’m having trouble rustling up any thoughts about it at all. However, one continues to reoccur: for two grand, not only can you get a better bag in general, you can get a far more interesting Valentino bag.

The ruffles are suitably rich and textured, I suppose, and the graduated size from top to bottom is ok. Something about it is just not impressive to me at all, however, and maybe it’s because I’ve seen the brand do ruffles in so many more interesting and intricate ways. Perhaps the problem is that they do such an out-of-the-ballpark job with designs that are much more complex, and in comparison, it’s hard to celebrate their ability to pull off something so comparatively simple. Buy through Saks for $1995.

Original post by Amanda Mull

If ever there was an excellent example of why almost no one can pull off the intricacy and texture that has become a hallmark of the Valentino accessory aesthetic, it’s the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile and Whipsnake Floral Tote.

I’m not say that this bag is bad, because I really don’t think it is. It’s also not great or particularly inspiring, in the same way that Valentino bags usually are. A poor choice in coloring has sacrificed some of the bag’s visual texture, and despite the fact that I respect where the designer was going with all of this, I don’t think she ever got there.

The way that Gonzalez chose to group her flowers is just sort of…splotchy. Either they need a lot more variation, or they need to be all one color – either way would highlight all of the great texture that they provide. As it is, all you notice are the stark lines that separate one color block from the next, and the subtlety is lost.

I also disagree with the decision to use a woven tote as the background for the flowers instead of leather. It may have been chosen with the intent of mimicking basketry, but even for a bag with such high-end embellishment, it’s hard to justify the price in my head when most of the bag isn’t made out of leather. It’s a solid effort with a few fatal flaws, and a solid reminder that no one does flowers and texture like Valentino. Buy through Saks for $2995.

Original post by Amanda Mull