Who is my Bag Designer of the Year? I have so many favorite individual bags but do any of those translate to the comprehensive title? One great bag doesn’t make the cut there has to be multiple bags in a collection. There are designers who have multiple style that I love but aren’t necessarily new designs. I think the designer of the year has to be a trendsetter and have a collection of bags that I covet. It could also be a newer face on the bag scene that is making a splash. So, who makes me want to max out my credit cards??
My frontrunners for Bag Designer of the Year:
Tods. My first designer bag was a Tods and they have really upped their designs this year with fresh styles and shapes, new leathers and a modern edge to classic shapes that will be a staple of a wardrobe for years to come. The Shopper Tote, the Ivy, D-Bauletto, Ava so many amazing bags. Beautiful everyday handbag styles but what about a clutch? for $1300.00
♥ Tod’s AGJ Media Bag available at Saks Fifth Avenue!
Yves Saint Laurent: Always beautiful, quality handbags and I’ve been infatuated with the Roady hobo bag for more than a year now. The Muse is a must have for any fashionista…but what’s new? This Muse Two combines the colorblock trend with a satchel in fun red, linen and navy shades. $1895.
♥ Yves Saint Laurent Muse Two at NET-A-PORTER!
Celine: The Trapeze and Luggage Totes are arguably the most coveted bags of the year. Worn by major models and celebrities, these bags are striking in their chic design and new shapes. But, Celine is very limited in availability. New styles are pretty much limited to in-store shopping at some of the most upscale boutiques and department stores in extremely limited quantities. Availability is definitely an issue. The black calfskin portfolio can be found on Bluefly on sale for $2430.
♥ Celine calfskin portfolio at Bluefly!
Reed Krakoff: One of the newest designers to make a huge splash on the bag scene. Reed Krakoff is the designer behind the most successful brand purchased by everyone from college girls to celebrities. The new line launched with huge success. I also love many of the designs and the bags are great quality too. The Boxer Tote is a beautiful new style and I still covet the mini-crossbody in black. Check out this beautiful red Boxer on mytheresa for $990.00
♥ Reed Krakoff BOXER at My Theresa
Alexander McQueen: You know I adore the clutches. The skull box clutch and De Manta clutches are my absolute favorites, but I’ve yet to see a satchel, hobo or shoulder bag that elevates the entire line above others.
The ocelot printed De Manta is striking and reasonably priced on sale for $367.99
♥ Alexander McQueen De Manta at Zappos!
Fendi: I remember Fendi as a huge line from the late 80s and hadn’t seen much innovation over the years. But this year was special. The Silvana and Chameleon were major successes and the new striped bags are fun and fashion forward. $2300 at Saks in multicolor tote in cobalt blue.
♥ Fendi Silvana at Saks
And the Winner is..
It is never too early to start thinking about your holiday shopping list! Who is the most “difficult” person to buy for on your list? For some, it is the tween or teen on their list. After all, they are going through a very special time in their life when they change their mind every 10 seconds. Oddly enough, it is also a time when many girls start to take notice of handbags… and (gasp) designer handbags. But we all knew that! We were all tweens and teens ourselves at one time! So it only makes sense that the perfect gift just might be the perfect handbag. Below you will find some of my top handbag picks for tweens and teens. So whether you’ll be shopping for someone who falls into that category, or you happen to be a tween or teen yourself, then be sure to check them out!
1. Juicy Couture Sequin Crown Day Dreamer
You can never go wrong with the classic terry velour Day Dreamer! Plus it is available in a variety of colors. What I like about this bag is that it appeals to the younger crowd, but it isn’t too kiddie (just keep the colors neutral). So depending on how youthful you feel yourself, you might find yourself wanting to borrow this bag from your daughter/sister/niece/whatever!
Halloween is just around the corner! It is such a fun holiday, especially the dressing up part! But you don’t have to dress up to get into the spirit of this holiday. It is actually a great time to experiment. My suggestion? Give a Halloween-ish style handbag a try! What’s so fun about this idea is that you can carry something somewhat outside of your comfort zone without feeling silly. It is Halloween, after all! Need help finding something to fit the bill? Simply check out my list of suggestions below. There are four categories and an example for each one. Enjoy!
Halloween-ish Category #1 – Gothic-inspired
House of Harlow 1960 Rey Bag
What is more gorgeous than a bordeaux velvet pouch? I love the Victorian-esque flower pattern on the antiqued frame closure. Plus the extra-long chain strap is perfect for cross-body wear. Definitely gothic-inspired! But don’t worry, this piece is tame enough so that people won’t think you’ve been shopping at Hot Topic.
Halloween-ish Category #2 – Furry
Michael Kors Hutton Box Frame Bag
Still not feeling the fur trend that has invaded practically every nook and cranny this season? This cute little box frame bag is a great candidate for testing the waters! It sort of reminds me of a furry little monster on a chain, perfect for Halloween! I absolutely adore the box chain strap, it’s so unique!
I just attended my Alma Mater’s homecoming game. Getting dressed for it is always a chore as I’m not a big “fan” of team gear. I typically wear basics and add a spot of my team’s color. Ironically, I have very little of either color in my wardrobe. The second big fashion issue with attending these games is bag related. Taking my big satchel, hobo or other style I own in my closet invariably involves sitting the bag below my seat…or holding it the entire game. Neither is too appealing. With today’s abundance of small cross-body bags and color options, it should be a snap finding a suitable bag for these events! Here’s some great ones for you to consider on game day!
Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Karlie Bag
If your team is a mean green fighting machine, this is the bag for you! 9″ x 5.5″ x 1.5″ with credit card slots, will keep your belongings perfectly with ease for game day. Striking name plate on the front says you’re a fashionable fan. $258.
Rebecca Minkoff Mini Zip Clutch
Edgy zippered clutch with cross body strap measures 9″ x 7″ x 1″. It’s perfect to show you ar a seriously tough fan and it will take you into a night out as well! And it doesn’t break the bank either! $195.
Summer is just about to come to an end and a quick getaway was just what my household took, to celebrate its farewell. We ended our hot summer venture at one of the largest thrill and water parks in the nation. The sense of going highly fashioned to such a place is quickly disregarded, and instead all is focused on what handbag to wear. Hands down, you must take a hands-free bag!
I packed my Carlos Falchi snake-embossed cross body bag and the only annoyance I experienced was the fact that I had to carry multiple family members’ cell phones around. Cross body bags come with such diversity and in different price ranges, it only takes time to discover which suits your personality the best.
With that said, here are some of the latest: It’s no surprise that a Marc by Marc Jacobs piece makes our list with the Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Natasha. It’s a nice and clean style with an attractive U-shaped zip closure. Nylon with leather trim never fails to stay sturdy, but if you prefer an all-leather option the Vanity Cross Body by Rebecca Minkoff would suit you best. Not only does it feature all pebbled leather throughout, but is surrounded with tiny grommets at its trim, giving it a nice vintage touch.
Continue Reading
During those warm summer months, nothing beats a brightly colored straw tote! It is the ultimate summer-only accessory! The only problem is that they aren’t appropriate for all occasions. Sometimes you need a chic style, even a professional-looking one. After all, many of us bagistas have that annoying thing called work that we have to go to and it doesn’t care if it happens to be a gorgeous summer day outside or not. But not to worry, you can still have a summer-only handbag and feel very work-appropriate at the same time! How? Try a classic, structured style in a neutral summer fabric! My favorites are linen and burlap. These fabrics are light and luxurious, yet so unexpected. Pictured below are a few of my favorite styles, check them out!
Rebecca Minkoff Linen Morning After Mini Bombe Bag – $374
A favorite among Minkettes, the Morning After Mini Bombe is a great classic style. I love the oatmeal linen canvas paired with the contrasting black patent leather trim. Sleek and simple, this style is perfect for carrying your everyday essentials!
It’s just about that time of the year where we pull out our lighter colored handbags from the back of our closets and flaunt them out for the warmer months ahead. The straws and florals are always pleasant to the eye, but it’s the Neutral toned pieces that end up the winners year round.
The attractive hue dresses up any accessory, giving it an appealing feminine vibe. So it comes down to a matter of style and of course, the exact shade of the buff.
The Teague Bag by Be&D brings style and convertibility in a shade they call ‘Beach’. Glossy leather pleats and wrap around banding gives it a hip and modern look. It’s the ‘Tan & Nickle’ Rowan satchel that shows off a classier appeal as true top handles are always attractively chic. For some, it’s all about the more you have, the merrier.
