Category Archives: Tote

Wait, wait, THIS is the Reed Krakoff Atlantique that I want for Fashion Week

Posted on by
Reply

Remember how last week, I posted pictures of the Reed Krakoff Atlantique and whined about how badly I wanted one to carry for Fashion Week? Well, never mind that post. Disregard it! Pretend it didn’t happen! I still want one of the bags, of course, but my object of desire has changed a bit. Right now, the Reed Krakoff Extra Large Solar Print Atlantique is on my mind first and foremost. I really should have waited a few days to write that last post, but I didn’t think anything would top the cobalt python. First, though, I have a caveat.

I really, really wish this bag were printed leather, or at least some kind of non-canvas textile over leather. That’s why I didn’t mind shelling out big bucks for my Proenza Schouler Blanket Print PS1, even though the exterior is mostly a woven fabric; not only is the fabric itself intricately woven and special, but it’s layered over the same leather that every PS1 uses, giving you some definite value for your handbag dollar. That’s the way that printed bags should be done at this price point, unless the print is rendered directly on the leather itself, which was what I first thought we were dealing with in this design.

Unfortunately, it seems as though Reed Krakoff didn’t take that route with the construction of this Atlantique – it appears to be simply canvas with leather trim. That doesn’t mean that I can’t lust after it in my head, though. After all, lusting is free, and it’s hard not to do it with such a gorgeous, vivid print. This bag will be on my mind come Fashion Week, but it’ll be a bag that gives you more for your money that actually got my dollars. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $2495.

Et tu, Proenza Schouler? Really?

Posted on by
Reply

Proenza Schouler PS1 Keep All Small Satchel, $1250 via Net-a-Porter

It’s been a rough week already and it’s only Tuesday. First Balenciaga, makers of my favorite handbags of all time, decided to desecrate one of their classic bags with inexplicably bad fur trim. Now Proenza Schouler, another of my can-do-no-wrong favorites, has made a version of their usually lovely Proenza Schouler PS1 Keep All Small that I just…don’t like.

This bag is not as egregious as the Balenciaga tote, for sure, but most Proenza bags are so effortlessly cool and (in my mind at least) perfect that to see one of the brand’s classics miss the mark is jarring, to say the least. I like the shape and I like the materials when considered individually, but together? Eep.

The issue here is one of tone. Proenza has done well with its canvas PS1s in the past, and this is the same warm beige material that they’ve always used. Layering that with leather or embossed python sounds like a great idea in theory, but with this trim, they chose a color story that has absolutely nothing to do with the base color that’s sitting under it. The foundation of the print is graphic white, cool gunmetal grey and ice blue, which could look more random against a warm neutral. The fiery yellow and red-orange are the final icing on the WTF cake.

Proenza Schouler is usually a master at mixing colors and patterns in ways that make me swoon and endlessly re-plan my wardrobe budget, but I can say with confidence that this is a bag on which I will pass. That’s too bad, because with a few tweaks, it could have been quite beautiful. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1250.

PurseBlog Poll: Are you done with leopard print?

Posted on by
Reply

Gauging a trend’s lifespan can be a precarious endeavor, particularly when that trend is born out of something like leopard print, which is an innate classic whether its haters want to admit it or not. It’s been around for ages, and even though it tends to fall in and out of favor cyclically, it will never leave the style world entirely. For leopard lovers like me, that’s a beautiful thing.

Over the past couple of seasons, though, leopard has been pushed by every brand from Givenchy to the Gap. I find this Yves Saint Laurent Cabas Chyc Tote in leopard haircalf exceptionally beautiful, but thanks to overexposure, it does occur to me that some of you might disagree. We’ve set up a handy-dandy poll to measure your leopard fatigue after the jump, or you can buy this bag via Nordstrom for $2795.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I am dying, dying, dead for the new 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli

Posted on by
Reply

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Tote, $975 via Net-a-Porter

Before I start, one caveat: The 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Croc Effect Tote looks much better with its gussets zipped, and I’m not sure why Net-a-Porter didn’t photograph it both ways. I’ve included a zipped-gusset photo after the jump for comparison, but Net-a-Porter’s shot is so much larger and clearer that you get a better sense of the bag’s details from it, even if the zippers are open.

What happens when you shut the zippers is that you lose the inset of small stamped croc scales in favor of a solid patch of larger scales, which plays fewer tricks on the eyes and looks a little bit less…busy. Overall, though, I think that the variation of scale size and the stark grey-and-white palette go a long way toward making this bag as covetable as it is.

See? So much better.

Normally, stamped croc isn’t something that I go for – I’d rather have a nice, smooth leather bag than a leather bag that wishes it were an exotic. This crocodile pattern is different, though. Instead of trying to mimic the real thing, it offers a stylized take on the original, and the technique succeeds because it’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s proudly croc-effect instead of trying to pass as genuine crocodile without anyone noticing that it’s faking. which is an honesty that I appreciate.

I’ve expressed my appreciation for the Pashli design before, but this version is easily my favorite ever. The tone of the grey is perfect against the white details, and the matte finish gives the entire bag a very modern look. It’s hard to believe that something with such a strong look is actually a neutral bag that can be carried year-round, but that’s exactly what we have here. This bag may be my next purchase. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $975.

Lanvin makes its own version of the Celine Luggage Tote

Posted on by
Reply

Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote, $2190 via Bergdorf Goodman

When a bag is as popular as the Celine Luggage Tote, it’s only logical that other brands will try to stand in the reflected glow of the design’s success by debuting bags that share certain characteristics with the one that everyone wants. This practice is as old as time, and it’s how trends in size, shape and color start. As long as the reinterpretation is reasonably original, it generally doesn’t bother me as a consumer.

Even with that in mind, though, I was surprised to see the Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote in the Resort 2012 pre-orders at Bergdorf Goodman. Lanvin tends to be a brand that shirks most trends in favor of its own brand of Parisian chic, so even though I don’t have a philosophical problem with the existence of this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever see it.

By now, the identifying details of the Luggage Tote are familiar – the gaping gussets, the north-south shape, the twin top handles, the front pocket. This bag is a more stripped-down and casual version of the Celine aesthetic, and as far as I know, the Luggage Tote has never been done in woven straw. There’s no curvy piped trim, of course, and the structure of the zipper pocket and gussets is different than on the Celine bag. It feels like this bag is different enough to exist, for sure, but not different enough for me to consider buying it. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $2190.

Meredith Wendell reminds us that sometimes, you just want a black bag

Posted on by
Reply

Meredith Wendell Leather Shoulder Bag, $895 via Net-a-Porter

No matter how much I may personally extol the virtues of wearing brights as neutrals, and no matter how much the fashion industry seems to be a fan of the idea at the moment as well, black still outnumbers any other single color in my accessories wardrobe. And I’m not the only one: No matter which store managers or designers I ask, black is almost always their single best-selling color. When a black bag is good, it’s transcendent, and at the moment, the Meredith Wendell Leather Shoulder Bag seems like a design I could carry any day of my life.

For me, the turquoise details on the handle attachments totally complete the bag in a visual sense, and modernist details like that are a staple of the Meredith Wendell line. But besides that, it’s just a great, functional bag in the most universal color in the entire accessories universe. It has straps for both arm and shoulder carry, a shape that makes all your stuff easily accessible and a size big enough to carry everything that most women need for a day’s work. Plus, the price won’t absolutely kill you. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $895.

Introducing my Celine Luggage Tote

Posted on by
Reply

Photo via StyledOn

When I met StyledOn creative director Casey Kettleson for lunch in Soho yesterday (go to Cafe Falai, try the burger, thank me later), I knew I’d get a great meal and even better company. What I didn’t expect to get was such an awesome photo of my beloved Celine Luggage Tote in Spring 2011 lipstick red. None of my shots every turn out this nicely because I’ve yet to master the art of the cell phone photo (I have, however, mastered Angry Birds), so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share it with you since I’ve mentioned the bag so often.

Looking for a Celine Luggage Tote? Good luck…

I waited three months on the list at Kirna Zabete before my dream bag arrived in April. These bags can be had, but if you want your pick of colors, you have to plan ahead. Far ahead. Most large retailers will put you on a waiting list and take down your credit card number, but if you want to pre-pay and be sure that you’ll get what you want, you can contact Kirna Zabete at (212)941-9656.

Bottega Veneta continues its reign as the king of subtle luxury

Posted on by
Reply

I suppose it could be argued that more subtle or more luxurious brands exist on the high-end mass market, but few brands garner such a large following as Bottega Veneta while still holding the attention of such a large audience. If you’re wondering about the source of that success, look no further than the Bottega Veneta Roma Accordion Tote.

At first glance, this design might seem unremarkable, but I can’t help but be impressed by the restraint Bottega shows in bags like these, season after season. The company may release a gimmicky bag here and there, but it’s always supported by tons of luxurious everyday bags that a woman could carry well beyond the immediate season.

Regular readers know that it takes an act of god to get me feeling enthusiastic about a brown handbag, but the details are what make this design shine. Not only is the black woven trim my favorite part, but the matte hardware in particular. Why don’t more brands make bags with matte hardware? That’s a serious question, and I’d like an answer. If matte nail polish and matte black football helmets are both awesome (AND THEY ARE.), then why hasn’t fashion stepped it up when it comes to such a fierce finish? It’s the kind of subtle detail that can make a bag and it’s one of the things that makes this one. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $2680.

Diane von Furstenberg’s new everyday bag is a winner from the start

Posted on by
Reply

Diane von Furstenberg Elaine Shoulder Bag, $650 via Net-a-Porter.

When we talk about bags around here, we usually show one shot: The exterior. That’s what attracts almost everyone to a bag in the first place, not to mention that most retailers aren’t as thorough as our beloved Net-a-Porter when it comes to photographing a bag’s ever facet. But in the case of the Diane von Furstenberg Elaine Shoulder Bag, we just couldn’t restrain ourselves from giving you both shots. After all, when you’re going to be carrying a bag for your daily activities, the structure matters a great deal. And in this particular case, the bag’s interior setup is just as good as its exterior aesthetics.

The triple-compartment organization of this bag reminds me a lot of one of the most functional totes I’ve ever own, the Botkier Trigger. With one roomy zippered interior section (lined in light canvas so you can see all of your stuff) flanked by two narrow snap-closed pockets that form the outside of the bag, there’s no reason for you to ever lose anything at the bottom of your purse again. And as if that weren’t enough, the bag also has several outside pockets for all the stuff that you need to be able to grab quickly.

The bag also has several other charms that I’m sure you’ve noticed. The deep, rich burgundy color acts as a wonderful neutral alternative to brown or tan and will go with any ensemble where you’d choose one of those colors for your accessories. Trust me on this one. The bag also has two options for carrying, and the removable shoulder strap looks long enough to enable cross-body wear when our hands are full. I’d prefer this design in a bright color for myself, but as soon as I see it in a cobalt blue or turquoise, you best believe I’m going to snap it up. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $650.

No, this Gucci bag is not made of straw. We promise.

Posted on by
Reply

Gucci Hand-Painted Woven Leather Tote, $5900 via Net-a-Porter.

I bet you thought it was, didn’t you? I did. But as the name would indicate, the Gucci Hand-Painted Woven Leather Tote is made entirely of intricately laced and painstakingly painted leather to give the bag the summery look and subtle variation of your favorite well-worn leather tote. This bag follows in the estimable footsteps of Bottega Veneta, who first fooled us with its leather-as-straw bags last year. Unfortunately for those of you who might be looking for a deal, the Gucci version is also in the exact same mid-four-figures price range.

Whenever we post about one of these bags, a few commenters ask the same (valid) question: Who wants to pay a premium to have leather that looks like a less expensive material? For some people, the visual transformation of leather into straw might not hold any particular fascination, but for me, I can’t stop looking at it. Not only do you get the durability and luxury of leather, but you get a very clever joke and a bag that is sure to confuse and amaze your friends. So it’s a functional bag, a conversation starter and a party trick, all in one? That seems like a good case for raffia-look leather to me. Plus, the hand-hewn finishing of this piece in particular is marvelous. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $5900.

Alexander Wang and the problem with stock photos

Posted on by

Alexander Wang Trudy Lambskin Tote, $875 via Bergdorf Goodman

Somehow, the two photos above are of the same bag, the Alexander Wang Trudy Lambskin Tote. They’re also from the same website, BergdorfGoodman.com. And yet, they’re completely different. One is an insightful peek at what a bag might look and feel like in person, and the other can best be described as an impediment to making those decisions. Unfortunately, the latter is what most websites provide when we’re trying to decide if we want to spend hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on a handbag. So what gives? Why can’t stock photos be better?

Unquestionably, the king of stock photos among the big online retailers is Net-a-Porter. The site provides clear, large, accurate shots of multiple angles for every product, including the all-important closure mechanisms on its handbag pages. The images are so well done, in fact, that I always check Net-a-Porter first when I want to write about a piece; good photos are essential to a fashion post. It seems as though other websites often do the same thing, which leads to lots of free publicity for Net-a-Porter. You’d think that other websites would be champing at the bit to get in on that game.

Apparently not, though. Would it kill Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorfs to give us a few more angles and some well-lit shots in exchange for our hard-earned dollars? They all have beautiful feature photography on their sites and are almost certainly employing professional photographers to take their regular stock photos, and the extra effort would be much appreciated by those of us sitting on the other side of the computer. A precision zoom tool doesn’t do much good if the texture and feel of the bag aren’t evident from the way that the photo was shot, and not even the largest photo can show you how a bag closes or what it looks like inside if the only picture provided is from the front.

I’d much rather have the bag in the first photo than the bag in the second, wouldn’t you? Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $875.

Diane von Furstenberg hits her handbag stride

Posted on by

It takes any handbag line a couple of seasons after launch to find its true voice, but being the industry veteran that she is, Diane von Furstenberg’s accessories collection seems to have found its niche in record time. The brand had a breakout hit with the Stephanie in its first season and has continued to produce well-priced favorites since then, but of all the choices, DVF’s Harper bags have always been my favorites. The addition of a tote to the line only further cements that feeling.

The Diane von Furstenberg Harper Leather Satchel is the kind of bag that we routinely praise around here: Functional, neutral, but with enough interesting details so that it doesn’t fade into that background as another purse that sacrificed aesthetics for utility. This is a Fall 2011 bag, so you’ll have to wait until July for delivery, but take it from someone who knows about waiting for a pre-order all too well: When your perfect new bag arrives one day, it’ll all be worth it.

If you’ve been considering one of DVF’s bags, now’s a good time to buy in. Fall 2011 is her best accessories collection to date, with covetable bags in multiple sizes and textures, but this one might be the most long-term functional of them all. The big hardware and tassel are important, current design elements, but in a couple of seasons, they won’t make the bag look old because they’re not part of an obvious seasonal trend. Choosing a bag for the long haul can be hard, but this tote is a pretty safe bet. But don’t worry, it’s not safe in a bad way. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $675.

Get your springtime on with Valentino

Posted on by

Valentino plies its floral, verdant trade year-round, but its spring bags are always the most fun, not to mention the most season-appropriate. Really, the only month out of the year where I’m so excited for warm weather that I’d consider carrying a bag that’s literally covered in flowers is April, which makes today the Valentino Fany Woven Flower Tote‘s lucky day.

The urge to break out the linen pants and tank tops is very strong at the moment, which makes this tote look all the more appropriate. By the time that the truly hot and sticky weather of summer rolls around, I’m sure I’ll be sick of flowers and girlishness in their entireties and just want someone to turn on the air conditioner and leave me alone. For now, though, I’d love to take a stroll through a park with this tote on my arm.

This bag requires the sort of full-skirted dress and delicately heeled shoes that I don’t really have in my closet, but that doesn’t stop me from imagining myself as an Upper East Side lady who lunches in an Oscar de la Renta frock and a pair of Vivier sandals, carrying this bag gingerly in the crook of my arm. In real life, I have black and purple hair and wear a lot of animal print, so this is a bag that I’d skip, but it’s fun imagining myself as one of those women nonetheless. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $2795.

Miss Wu, you had me at “hello.”

Posted on by

New handbag lines launch all the time, but it’s relatively rare that one comes about that’s truly worth a look, let alone worth the money. After watching his accessories collection evolve for several seasons now, I can confidently say that Jason Wu’s bags are the real deal in every sense.

Fall might be a long time coming, but for a bag as good as the Jason Wu Miss Wu Tote in a seasonless shade of garnet, I’d suggest you start planning now. In a lot of ways, this bag reminds me of the Prada Limited Edition Runway to Green Tote that the brand produced for Net-a-Porter, except with just a bit more polish. The leather is shiny and smooth instead of matte and grained, and the enamel-laden hardware provides a subtle reminder of just who it was that designed the bag. I can’t help but love the whimsy of Wu’s little owl logo.

I know that it can be a little hard to get excited over a good everyday bag, but these are the kinds of designs that pay dividends when you own them. Sure, elaborately adorned minibags and clutches made out of delicate or exotic materials may be more interesting eye candy, but this is the kind of tote that will be both chic and functional for years to come. Wu’s bags aren’t one-season wonders, which is not something I can say for some of his design contemporaries. Pre-order through Bergdorf Goodman for $2495.