Off Target
I dreamt I was in a Target store, and they had wonderful stylish accessories from big name designers at a price that could only be described as affordable at twice the price. Luella was there, and so was Rafe Totengco…even Isaac Mizrahi.
Then I woke up, and logged on to target.com, only to be met by the new Loeffler Randall line staring me in the face…if only I was back asleep.
Sure, the designs, like those of Devi-Kroell before them, are nice looking, but when I buy a bag to use daily, I want more than just nice looking. I want to feel like the bag will still turn heads despite it’s small price tag. I want a bag that gets a reaction when I tell information seekers that it is a $40 bag from Target. Above all else, I still want a bag that is not only well styled, but crafted with some level of quality in mind. Sadly, I don’t think this is the case with the Loeffler Randall collection.
Take this Brown Patent Satchel, the best of the bunch, I think.
The details are great, from the chunky braided handle to the pair of silver tone balls dangling from the ring. The shape, a short basket is also unique and fun, and the weaving, once a trend, is now classic…and that’s where the trouble begins. Even in real leather, a weave that looks soft, is hard to achieve. In polyurethane, it is even more difficult. This is a patent material, which I always thin is the cost cutting choice, because face it, patent leather has a plastic-y look to start with, and it’s less prone to looking fake like cheap faux leather. I would like to see target source a softer man made material, or even as Rafe, and Luella Bartlett did on some bags, forgo leather looks for all but the trim, and use interesting fabrics instead.
This bag is $49.99, I think a target customer shopping for less costly designer brands will readily pay a little more if the bag warrants.
Another item from the woven group, and one I might not use every day, and thus be less concerned with durability and wear, is the Woven Clutch, here is a Spring ready cream color (what is it with target and cream? Every bag comes in cream). This style is just pretty dull, with little if anything to redeem it, other than the label if you’re just looking to say you have a Loeffler Randall bag, and it cost less than $20!
It also comes in the same dark brown as the satchel.
Pop quiz time: What’s different?
If you said the weave, you are correct, give yourself 2 points!
Which brings me to problem number 2, quality control.
Even at such low prices, and with such inexpensive materials, I don’t think it is asking too much for some consistency and quality control. At least when on a bias, any flaws in the lay of the fabric are obscured, and it blends in to the curved shape of the frame seamlessly. The cream bag looks crooked. I’d like to assume that an incorrect sample was photographed, but the item is an online exclusive, there is no way I can be sure, short of ordering the bag.
The clutch style is $19.99, and for that price, there are many better cuter bags out there…some even on the racks at Target, albeit with house brand labels.
In all, I’m pretty disappointed with the group (Shoes included. The metallic ballet flat looked so cute in ads, but again, cheap plastic uppers…even Payless manages to use leather for uppers). I don’t know if it is the fault of the designers, or Target’s milking the cash cow of a designer name and losing consideration for quality. The Devi Kroell bags also looked plastic and cheap…and don’t get me wrong, I think plastic and cheap can be done well, Marc Jacobs proved that with his Special Items line…but not when they’re aiming to seem like the real thing.
You can see the full Loeffler Randall line of handbags at Target. The prices range from $19.99 to $49.99, but at those prices, sacrificing the brand name, you can probably find better choices on the other racks.
Original post by Bag chick