Designers Handbags

Typically, I would prefer Jimmy Choo on my feet, but every so often Choo releases a bag that I fall for. I fall for it in the way that I enjoy looking at it, appreciate the craftsmanship, but will never buy it. Does that make it a bad handbag? Maybe that just means my bank account needs to totally lust for a bag to buy it, not just enjoy it. Either way, I am strongly ‘enjoying’ the Jimmy Choo Leather & Suede Satchel because of its laid back style, use of sheen calfskin alongside soft suede, and funky hardware. From the front view, the bag looks a bit bland, but shown from the side I love it. I’d wear it right to the resort or to the country club, heck, I’d wear it to the grocery store. You would have to be a bit careful with the bag, being that it is light in color and suede is harder to care for. If you could bring it into your handbag cycle, it would be a totally chic sporty bag. Side pockets, double shoulder straps, and a top zip closure finish off the bag. Dimensions are 10″H X 15″L X 6”W. I am not running out to buy the bag, but I do ‘enjoy’ it thoroughly! Through Saks for $1895.

Front picture after the jump!

Being a handbag addict (among other materialistic things), I am known to splurge. Ask the ‘typical’ person (if we can define that) if it is crazy to spend over $2k on a typical bag, and they will laugh in your face. Ask me and I think it is normal. I am also a jean-a-holic. Designer jeans not only fit one million times better but look so flattering if you get the right pair. And they also cost more. $200 on jeans is typical for me. But when it comes to socks, I go my my local Designer Target. Yes, Target. Socks in bulk. You can even find pretty cute ones and very comfortable ones. I found an accessory that I would never spend my money on, three pair of Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Socks for $60. Are you serious?? $20 a pair? They aren’t even short socks, they will show on part of your ankle, which is a major sock-no-no unless you are in the middle of some cold climate, like I am now. But even if you needed the socks to go up a bit, you would look a tad juvenile, with the cherries and stripes showing. Don’t get me wrong, these socks are cute, but they are merely 79% cotton, 18% polyamide, and 3% elastane. This are the highest end designer socks ever. Waste of money if you ask me, and asking me is asking a very high-price-tag-shopping-friendly-buyer. Through NAP for $60.

I am not a child anymore and I do not have a child, so I should be able to care for a white bag. Although I hardly ever drip or spill, I *always* drip or spill on anything that says “dry clean only” or will give me the most difficult time to clean up. Yet I vow to own a white bag for this spring/summer and keep it clean. Word on the street is that Lv is releasing a White Epi line, including a White Epi Alma, which has my name all over it. But for a laid back possible messenger style bag, this Prada Leather Tote has my heart fluttering. It is simple, only adding braided leather handles to an all together white leather bag. It is practical, adding a detachable shoulder strap which can also allow the bag to be worn as a messenger. It is a great size, a perfect 11”H X 12”L X 5″W. This bag will give my doesn’t-know-it-yet-future White Epi Alma a run for its money. Through Saks for $1490.

I figure I might as well continue the day with some other overpriced accessories; like I mentioned overpriced in the realm that I would never splurge on them. Take jewelry for example. I will spend great money on an amazing pair of diamond earrings (I recently did and could not be happier!). Great cut, amazing clarity, amazing color. Some brands out there are going to over charge because the box they come in or the name that you can blurt out when someone asks about your ring, earrings, necklace, etc. Some brands are worth it (Heart on Fire, you have my heart!), some are not (little blue box with a diamond inside=overpriced). Not that I am not a huge Louis Vuitton fan and not that I do not believe that Louis Vuitton uses exquisite materials in their creations, but the Louis Vuitton Emprise Collection Serrure Pampilles Bracelet sure seems overpriced to me at $3,350. I would rather spend that money on diamonds. The bracelet I absolutely love; it is so simple. The white gold clasp is reminiscent of the lock from the iconic LV trunks and the double leather laces give a playful feel to the piece. I guess my argument would be different if i had the money to buy this bracelet, wait, I take that back; If I would want to spend this much on this bracelet. But the 14 grams of 18k gold seem to really be going for a price tag that is over the top in my opinion. Love the idea, love the final product, but not the exorbitant price. Via eLuxury for $3350.

Let us know what you think, is this much too much or am I just being cheap?

Fendi has designed so many renditions of the hit Spy bag that I can not keep track. I myself have a ‘plain’ Spy, especially compared to some others. The leather is so supple, the bag is huge, the handles are intricate, and overall I just love the Spy, still. This Fendi Spy Handbag brings in a beautiful pattern contrast stitching to the mix, either cognac or black leather are available at Neiman Marcus.

I loved the Bottega Veneta show. Beautiful dresses, beautiful dresses, and beautiful bags! Bottega is known for its classic designs, and the house tends to reinterpret and reproduce their simple, perfect bags every season. If they weren’t so gorgeous, I might gripe, but look at these. The soft crocodile clutch in red might be even more beautiful than the Ebano version I blogged about a few weeks back. The fold over clutch has now been lacquered with a superb but understated sheen. The ball bag has been redone with charming studs for a younger, funkier look. Finally, the exotic shoulder bag in that warm apricot color! I don’t know that I’ve seen this design before, but I am in love! Sigh…fashion week is such torture. It’ll be months before we get to see more pictures of these wonderful bags!

Pictures via Style.com and blog post via The Shopping Nerd!

Growing up my parents had a hard time understanding where I developed my handbag loving roots from. My mom and dad were both the practical parents, stating that a bag is merely something that holds things. WHAT on Earth were they talking about?! All bags are not the same I thought to myself. I vowed to change their views on handbags, one designer bag at a time. I started small and worked my way up. Three years ago I stepped foot into Bottega Veneta Munich, and it was over. If you are looking for supple, you go to BV. I am on the hunt for a divine summer bag to be worn often and to make a statement. I have decided it will be a Bottega Veneta handbag, it is time I add another to my list. All of my attention is given to the simple putty leather that is delicately woven together and accented with gold hardware on the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Shopper Handbag. Trust me, if you have not seen any of Bottega’s Spring/Summer 2007 line yet, you need to check it out. From blush pinks, ivory, white, and a huge array of colors, there is so much to offer. I love this shopper because of the adjustable straps (looks as if it may be long enough to wear cross body) and the size, W16.5, H10, D6. There is also a small padlock fastening and a woven tab closure. My mom doesn’t know it yet, but she will be head over heels for this bag and we will just refrain from showing my practical mother the price tag; $2650 via Net A Porter.

Like I have said many times, I grew up on the ocean. Well not on it per say, although I always wanted to live in the ocean in Stilt City but that is besides the point. My family was never much of a fisher-family, seeing that both my mom and I are allergic and we all rather have someone prepare our food rather than take all that time to slice, dice, and remove parts. All things aside, we still would go on boats often and still had friends that liked to fish and use nets to catch all sorts of ocean critters. We used to wade in the sand bars and catch little crabs and other marine life in nets. The nets we used looked like a slightly different version of the Dolce & Gabbana Vitello Canvas Tote which appears more like a fisherman’s accessory than an accessory for a lady on solid shore ground. This canvas bag sports net-like woven metallic leather and a wooden top handle. Might as well give the dimensions seeing that you need to know the size of marine life that you can fit in here; 11”H X 15″L X 5″W. Totally hideous and if I were sitting on way too much money, I’d cut out the canvas lining and literally use this metallic net to catch something or other out there. At least I would do it and make a fashion statement. Fugly and overpriced through Saks for $1550.

To tame down the word punk, add the word sweet. This really is a delectable oxymoron pairing, sweet punk, which is also the name of the new hit line by Marc Jacobs. Hilary Duff has already been seen sporting a Marc Jacobs Sweet Punk Bag) and if this bag ran more along the monetary line of the Marc Jacobs Miss Marc, I’d go for it. The smooshy black leather looks exorbitantly supple for a MJ bag which is the sweet aspect, while the silver hardware studs are embellished along the outside and bring in the punk aspect on the Marc Jacobs Sweet Punk Studded Leather Handbag. While the studs are plentiful, the stud cup doth not runneth over. I am a bit annoyed that the inside merely is lined in canvas, seeing that with this price tag you would expect more, but the bag is still a great handbag for a young gal with lots of spunk or any gal for that matter with lots of funk. Through NAP for $2350.

Picture via NYtimes Fashion Magazine

The lovely Maxter on tPF brought this picture to my attention, which is an article as a picture and is literally worth thousands (if not millions) of words. It is clear that handbags are ruling the fashion world because of their necessity and ability to show off some style. Armand Limnander has created the breakdown of a handbag real estate map for New York City in the NYtimes Fashion Magazine. I find it odd that the most expensive bag chosen is a Chanel Croc Evening Handbag, which runs the huge and hefty price of $56.50 per square inch while the Hermes Birkin choosen ’simple’ so to speak. We all know the handbag Queen of them all, is the Hermes Birkin, which if you are into croc and diamond encrusted will run over $100,000.

Where do I live you may ask, well I am an Upper West Sider. Always have been, always will be one (at heart). Granted I do not own a Python Burberry Handbag, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Where do you live on the Handbag Real Estate List?

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