Designers Handbags

Neutrals and black and white (or any shade of black or white) are always the safest colors. Personally, I look drab in many beige colors, but deeper browns are great on me. I look better in gray than in black. I like both white and any shade of creme on myself. We are all different, but black and white are fairly safe colors. I will admit, I’d prefer a pink canvas bag to a black/ivory, but there is some appeal in the Marni Printed Cotton Shopper. This tote bag is made with cotton canvas, a maze like pattern, and has drawstrings openings at the top. I am actually getting a tad dizzy looking at it, which makes me realize it is totally not for me, but I do think it is great for a younger age gal wanting to dress down. Leather trim and nylon handles finish off this Marni shopper. Simple, but the maze reminds me a tad of a lab mouse maze, and that is sure something that I do not want to be reminded of when carrying around my everyday. What are your thoughts? Is this a safe bag, a fun bag, a bag only for young people, a bag that you despise, a bag that makes you dizzy?

Via NAP for $474.

A fashion staple are sexy simple shoes and a sexy practical bag. Do you ever notice how the perfect pair of jeans and a perfect fitting white tee can be the sexiest outfit ever? The same goes for a handbag. Refined and to-the-point is just as sassy and elegant as ornate. My go to designer for great shoes that are easy to wear for many occasions is Salvatore Ferragamo. Looks to me like Ferragamo is attempting to make its way into the handbag world with the same idea in mind; slowly conquer with usable bags. This is exactly what is being done with the Salvatore Ferragamo Dama Tote. I’d opt for the creamy and luscious magnolia leather which is intricately pieced together. The only detail that pulls the eyes in are the small tabs that continue up to the top handles and rings. Dimensions are 10 3/5″H x 15 3/4″W x 5 1/5″D. Come on in Spring and Summer, buh-bye gloomy and weird late snowy winter. Via Neiman Marcus for $1090.

This bag is downright hilarious. It is completely impractical in my life, but can not be touted a fug bag because it is just too funny. I prefer big dogs over little dogs, but if my pup were sporting some bad-to-the-bone aviators, I’d take him if he were little. Anya Hindmarch shows her creative, funky, borderline weird style with the Russo Canvas Tote Bag. You can not tell me that you do not look at this bag and laugh. But like the class clown, this bag can not be taken seriously. A sturdy canvas build houses a chihuahua print on a 14 by 13 by 4 inch body, through Saks Fifth for just under $400.

Who could you see wearing this bag?

I admit it. The first time I saw this picture of Zac Posen’s Iconic Tote, I thought, “Meh.” I think I’ve become so bombarded with candy-bright colored accessories that I feel immediately underwhelmed by tan. Then I looked again. The tan is actually quite rich - it’s no thin shade sprayed onto pale legs from a can. It’s more like a tasty caramel. This delicious effect is compounded by the contrast lining done in a rich shade of chocolate brown. In this tote, Zac Posen has managed to evoke everyone’s favorite Snickers bar. Granted, this Snickers has a whole lot of caramel, but that’s the good part anyway. Where are the nuts, you might ask. Well, the nuts might involve those golden flashes of hardware. Honey-roasted nuts can be gold-ish right? Okay, I know I’m stretching. Still, the hardware is quite charming. I love those signature hexagons on Zac Posen bags. They’re fresh and fun without being too bling-bling. Those gold details on the handles above the hexagons, I may have a bit of a problem with, but nothing fatal, and I love the useless studs on the useless hardware on the front flap. They add a nice jolt of flavor. So now we no longer have a tan bag. It’s a Snickers bag, which is much more interesting. The way the contrast trim is done really pops. It’s a bit reminiscent of Marc Jacobs’ striping line, sure, but I love that line. I also adore the gathering at the bottom corners of the bag. They add a little sprinkle of feminine flavor onto a bag that errs on the side of masculine. Anyway, I’ve been very excited about Zac Posen’s handbag line, and this tote has not disappointed. Get it for $1295 at eluxury.

By nerdphanie, the Shopping Nerd!

While Vlad and I have been vacationing and now are enjoying a road trip (I enjoy it more than he, I get to list every Hermes bag I want in the future- he is scared ), we have been a bit slow around here. This week we are back in business, especially tomorrow after I report to you all once my Ohio State Buckeyes take down those Florida Gators tonight! Today we have a quick bag to show you all because I am not exactly sure what I think. I question whether I want to look like I am in the jungle or not, will this Valentino Zebra Hide Tote be fitting for everyday use? Brown and cream cavllino zebra hide composes this bag (cringe to the 10th degree) which is offset by brown leather trim. To add sex appeal there are red leather shoulder straps with gold braided rings. Ok I have made up my mind, over the top. Let’s hear what you think, is this good, bad, or plain old ugly! Via Bergdorf Goodman for $2395.

Hello, gorgeous! I’ve never seen a belted bag quite like you! Did the Ramona and the Paddington hobo get busy? I like the result! We’ve seen this belt before, threaded through mother Ramona, but not in tonal watersnake and not with a shoulder strap equally evocative of a belt. I really love all those rings and ornaments on the strap - can’t really say how they work, but they are adorable. Bottom line - I don’t even wear belts but I love them on the Jimmy Choo Belted Tote. The hardware isn’t bad either. It’s gold-toned but it doesn’t look too yellow, so it stays casual and under the radar. I do love all those rings. Anyway, let’s coo at the leather now. Gotta love the classic black and the leather itself looks buttery delicious. Just peer a little closer into your screen, it’s worth it. I want to bury my face in it. Too bad I’ll have to wait, as this baby doesn’t ship until April, but you can pre-order it now at Neiman Marcus for $1,600.

By nerdphanie, The Shopping Nerd.

Holiday shopping has me realizing there are way too many choices out there. Really, how many Spiderman action figures can there be? Psychology studies show that the amount of choices hinder our lifestyles and add more stress. Bah Humbug! When it comes to handbags, I do not believe it- but when it comes to O shaped cereal, I do! Let me introduce to you Bown designs by the lovely Judy Bown. As for a little background about Judy, she is the British designer behind this exciting new online collection. She previously designed for Mulberry, Asprey and Tanner Krolle in London,and Coach and Tocca in New York, before starting up her own company. And so I bring you the Bown City Tote which is clean spacious, and mixes between business chic and everyday street. Large enough for your laptop, this tote measures 30 30 15cm. Longer handles are perfect for carrying the bag on your shoulder and there are three internal brass loops to keep all accessories safe and easy to reach. The Rhubarb color is divine, a mixture of pink, red, and cream. Via Bown online for $1274.

Black is said to be slimming, so does that make white fattening? Ok, that was sarcastic but I know white is quite a bit harder to pull off than black. Outfit wise, stick to black if you are at all unsure of a white ensemble. Instead, chose to accessorize with white which undoubtedly will not make your hand look like it needs to hit the gym. White is perfect for winter and an everyday tote such as the Anya Hindmarch Elrod Large Leather Handbag adds clean appeal with quirky details. This handbag is made with white leather and stands out because of its single shoulder strap that is attached with large hooks on either end. These hooks do not make a full 360 degree closure, rather form a C-shape with large round closures. A zip fastening pocket on the back, AH on the front, and brown stitched trim, finishes off this tote. Modern, clean, and sleek defines this bag and defines a style that keeps your mind un-cluttered in our already hectic lives. Via Net-A-Porter for $975 (yeah under 4 digits!!)

The bitter winter cold hasn’t taken over yet and the Resort lines are already ready for our ogling pleasure. The Yves Saint Laurent Resort Line has made its way to Saks and boasts many familiar looks with a few new designs. Bright color is not emphasized in this line but the clean designs speak for themselves. The Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote is available in different sizes and material (medium or large and leather or canvas). The leather tote features cervo montana leather with goldtone hardware, buckle detail, and double top handles straps. Dimensions of this supple medium tote are 14″H X 17″L X 7″W, which shows the tote is completely practical and large enough for everyday use. The canvas tote is available in a rustic sage canvas with leather trim with goldtone hardware and buckle detail. The inside of the canvas tote sports canvas lining. Price wise I would opt for the leather tote; it seems you get more bang for your buck. Both are available for pre-order. Leather tote $1395 through Saks while the canvas tote is $1095 through Saks.

A while back I mentioned that unsymmetrical objects nearly drive me up the wall. I was recently at a work meeting and my co-worker set up our ‘props’ so to speak. The set up was not symmetrical on the table and I felt an awful twitch and sense of OCD come over my body. Nevertheless I fixed the ‘props’ and we won the client. Yes, it was all because of me

But for some reason this D&G Dolce & Gabbana Multi Tonal Leather Weekend Bag sports asymmetrical pockets on the front of the bag (a long zipped pocket on the front paired with a snapped ouch pocket) and I can handle it. I must be overcoming my OCD because I am handling the pockets quite well. The multi tonal grained leather and aged brass hardware makes this bag casual. I am not sure about the color- from my end online it looks fine- but in person these lighter brown and darker brown combo has the chance to resemble something we would never want out bag to look like. On the inside there is floral cotton lining. This bag measures 20″ x 14.5″ x 10″. I’m not really excited about this bag (or color combo) but I am excited that I am handling the pocket combo. Via eLuxury for $625.