Designers Handbags

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 

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.