Designers Handbags

Nicole Ritchie can do no wrong in my book. She’s stylish, sophisticated, youthful, trendy, classic. You name it, and she’s been it. She tries all the latest trends, but sticks with what she loves best. The girl loves Balenciaga. She’s been photographed countless times carrying various Balenciaga Motorcycle styles. She seems to prefer this Black Motorcycle City bag the most. I can’t blame her. It’s the signature Balenciaga color and style.

What I love most about this bag is its’ leather. There is simply no other comparable handbag leather out there (with all due respect to Chanel, Hermes, yadda yadda…). These bags are trendy yet classic. For those that claim Bbags are “out”, I say “Not on your life”. Quality never goes out of style. Period. Ms. Ritchie knows this as much as I do.

If you haven’t had the distinct pleasure of owning one of these beauties, start by drooling over them at Balenciaga’s website. For the latest styles and colors available contact BalenciagaNY by phone at (212)206-0872.

Courteney Cox has found a keeper. And no, I’m not talking about husband David Arquette. She’s apparently fallen for her quilted leather Chanel purse, which is one of the most popular handbags out right now. That’s no doubt due to the gorgeous double chain handles and sleek, slender front flap design. I love the smoky gray hue of Courteney’s purse - I wonder if she meant it to match David’s jeans?

Photo from PopSugar.com.

Comment on Courtney Cox and her Chanel Purse in our celebrity purse forum 

The sharp contrasts on this Burberry Pewter Manor Handbag are a little too extreme for my tastes. It’s not that it is especially bold or noticeable, but the bag isn’t accomplishing much by pairing (a rather dull) metallic pewter leather trim with the classic Nova Check print. The combination is downright weird, resulting in a a fairly analogous example of what happens when a woman gets dressed in the dark. Available for €1103 at Luisa Via Roma.

It’s not as if you normally need an excuse to carry a Chloe bag. You’d stock your entire closet with them if you could. But there are certain styles that are more brow-raising than heart-racing, and this blah Debbie Hobo is a great example. Downright dull, from its typical shape to its unimpressive details, this purse wouldn’t pass for a Chloe if it weren’t for the giveaway pull tabs. Yet another ho-hum, neutral hobo? No, thanks. Available (at a deep discount, natch) for $509 at Neiman Marcus.

We girls can never have too many bags, it is a necessity to have a style for every occasion, do you agree? This little clutch would make an ideal addition to any evening outfit or special occasion. It is made from 100% leather and has an oversize bow to make it really dressy. Imagine strutting out in a little black dress with stiletto sandals and a sparkly jacket and you could wear the black version with almost anything.

The bag known as the Albion is available in black or pink marshmallow and costs 50. It is currently available on the Ted Baker website in both colours. Love it!

While browsing through the various 2008 Resort collections, I was struck by one particular image. Leave it up to Karl Lagerfeld to leave a lasting impression whether it be good or bad. The image of a model “walking” her Chanel handbag as if it were a dog (am I the only one who thinks dragging a Chanel handbag all over the floor in tantamount to sacrilege?) was odd. The message conveyed can be seen from various perspectives. I choose to think Karl was playing up to the slew of socialites and Hollywood starlets that tote their diminutive pooches as if they were handbags. Perhaps it was a tongue-n-cheek nod to his celebrity clientèle or a veiled jab at the aforementioned young ladies. Either way, it was funny in a strange way.

The rest of Chanel’s Resort 2008 collection was filled with contrasting looks. The handbags were mostly safe and predictable with a glitzy, luggage-handle handbag and grey, fabric logo-embroidered tote the only note-worthy offerings (although the grey color is a bit drab for summer). All in all it was an interesting collection geared for the younger set and ladies who walk their dogs

Utter the words “Limited Edition” and some women go absolutely bonkers (and not in the fun way!). In the case of the Chanel Lucky Charms Handbag, I have a few choice words to convey. This LE quilted calfskin leather flap handbag is the most unappealing, distracting pile of *%#@ I’ve ever laid eyes on (it’s also completely sold out!).

Touted as a true collector’s piece, the ‘Lucky Charms’, measuring the classic flapbag dimensions of 9.5 x 6.5 x 3, features the signature Chanel chain-link shoulder strap (worn single or doubled-up), gunmetal-hued silver hardware, foldover flap with turn-lock closure and underside zip pocket, rear patch pocket, leather-lined interior foldover flap with magnetic snap closure, front patch pocket, and main compartment with interior slip pockets. So far, so good. Unfortunately, the fun comes to an end when you’re bombarded with a myriad of Chanel “charms” that adorn every nook and cranny of this hag bag’s exterior. It looks like something I would have made during an afternoon crafts lesson at Michaels. It’s the classic Chanel bag on crack!

Ladies, you can plainly see my take on this thing, but I want to hear from all of you. At a whopping $7000, is the Chanel LE Lucky Charms Handbag trash or treasure?

The Charles David Chapman Large Slouch Hobo is a big bag with a ton of style and a reasonable price tag. Made from soft Italian leather and silver tone hardware, the ‘Chapman’ features a ruched topline with double braided handles, magnetic snap closure, and fully lined interior with zip and pouch pockets. Measurements are 19 x 14 x 6.

For those of you familiar with the latest “IT” bags, you’ll recognize the obvious design similarities between the ‘Chapman’ and the Chanel Coco Cabas Tote Bag (Pictured above right). For $346 via Nordstrom, the Charles David version is a comparatively inexpensive alternative.

Just after I eyed Paris Hilton’s silver metallic 2.55, Mischa Barton’s gorgeous black charm version makes an appearance on the runway! Mischa looks fantastic in that pale silk and the golden charms that drape across her back. Her accessories are black from head to toe (literally - I’m sure thats the highly covetable Chanel Black Satin nail polish she’s sporting), including gorgeous black pumps and of course, the Chanel 2.55. Her version boasts delicate Chanel charms nested between the signature quilting, and a slide latch clasp.

Click on the jump for close ups of the 2.55, and for a strange alternate version thats being touted on the Chanel website.

Check out the beautiful glittering Chanel logos integrated in the lambskin. Its a wonderful touch of glam for the red carpet - but if ever going to get my own 2.55, I think it might be too much for repeated use.

Here’s an alternate Chanel Charms version that you can see on the Chanel website. Ehhh, I don’t know about this one!