I knew Sergio Rossi made sexy shoes but who knew he made sexy bags too? The Sergio Rossi - Bowler Blade Runner in Argilla) is absolutely lustworthy and has just made its way on my it list for fall. The description on Zappos' website calls it 'heart-stopping' and I swear my heart skipped a beat when I first saw it. It's big, it's baaad, and it's boss. This creamy tan leather bowler is simply beautiful and topped with lustrous patent-trimmed twisted handles and pockets. The bag is huge but not bulky - 9" x 14" x 13". And there's tons of pockets - zip pockets, slip pockets, flap pockets, interior pockets...you name it. You know you want to add it to your collection too!
Rebecca Minkoff Yellow and Silver Morning After bag
June 25, 2008
I like to think I'm a savvy shopper. I mean, I do write about where to buy the best bags, right? Well my friend O.B. should be writing on this blog because she managed to get the yellow/silver 'Morning After bag' by Rebecca Minkoff or only $220! She was lucky to catch a super sale at Bloomingdale's which only had three in stock and she snagged one for herself! By the time I got to the store, they were all gone! But she brought the bag to work and I immediately fell in love with it. The leather is butter soft, the colors are amazing and the size was just perfect. The leather is glazed yellow with yellow and silver suede trim and bottom. Although the yellow trend is over, this bag has an everlasting quality about it. It even comes with a card inside that says 'Call me'. So tongue-in-cheek.
Great find O.B.!
Available online at Shop Jake and Revolve
Cynthia Rowley 'New Survivor' Multi Pocket Satchel
June 24, 2008
Wow! If I was ever stuck in the woods or some remote location with access to virtually nothing, this is the bag I'd want with me. I'm already the type of woman who carries too much a lot in her purse, and it drives me crazy when I carry a bag with only one pocket (you hear that Louis Vuitton Speedy?), so this one is just perfect. The Cynthia Rowley 'New Survivor' Multi Pocket Satchel has twenty-two exterior pockets, plus a roomy interior and several inside pockets! Plus it has dual handles and a removable shoulder strap. But despite all this excess, it is still designed well. It's actually pretty fashionable and not bulky or busy. It comes in black leather and putty, which is better for the summer, though the black may be more versatile. Measures 14.5" x 14" x 9".
Available at Nordstrom.com
Cynthia Rowley is one of those womenswear designers that actually designs for women. Her silhouettes are always a perfect fit and the materials and details are super feminine. So it's no surprise that her bags display feminine details and beautiful silhouettes. The Cynthia Rowley 'Vivienne' Patchwork Dome Satchel is in a neutral taupe / gray tone with multicolored patchwork pieced leather. The patchwork isn't your typical square shaped patch pieces - they're rounded shapes that look like flower petals. The dome shaped top features a triple zip compartment giving it extra space and comes with a removable shoulder strap. It's utterly feminine, gorgeously designed, practical and chic and under $500!
Gryson Olivia Bag For a Steal! (Sorry, New Yorkers Only)
April 22, 2008
I don't believe in fad bags anymore. When I was younger I always wanted to carry 'It' bags for the moment, but as I matured, I now prefer classic styles that I can carry for years. I wasn't convinced when Gryson handbags first hit the scene but I'm starting to like them more and more, particularly the woven Olivia. It's on sale online for $907 (marked down from $1295) but if you live in NYC (or the tri-state area), you can pick one up at Century 21 for $497! When the price is this low, who cares if it was last season! Made from 100% Italian leather, this oversized satchel/shoulder bag is versatile - it's a convertible bag with twisted double handles and an adjustable shoulder strap and features wide weaving on the body. It's lined in suede and has understated brass hardware throughout. It's both sumptuous and sophisticated and, don't forget, on sale!
Jessica Biel's a fan:
Even though yellow is apparently the color for the rest of the year, my heart always lies with pink! I love, love, love pink accessories, preferably bags, and this luscious creation is on my It list. It's the (soon to be iconic) Valentino Couture bag in a gorgeous glazed pink crocodile skin that looks soft and plush, and well-made - it's Valentino of course! The braided, twisted leather handles, intricate weaving and exquisite ruching give it a couture feel already and the pink croc adds another level of luxury. Only Valentino could create something so beautifully feminine and extraordinary!
Givenchy Wrinkled Patent Nightingale in Salmon Pink
March 13, 2008
The Givenchy Nightingale isn't anything new but this classic bag is always worth writing about, especially this salmon pink hued, wrinkled patent leather version. If you're looking for a timeless Spring bag, then this is it! The pastel patent has just the right amount of pop but is neutral enough to mix and match with all your Spring wardrobe pieces. The size is perfect - 13" x 14" with a 6.5" handle drop, and it's a convertible bag so it's got my seal of approval! Sport it as a satchel on your arm, or a shoulder bag. Either way it's a beauty!
$1,395 at Barney's
I've been drooling over all of Zac Posen's bags...I mean really, what woman hasn't? But when bags hit price points over $1,000, I start to get really selective and picky and can't decide what ones to invest in. Because at $1,000 or more, they are truly investment pieces. So lucky for me, and you, Zac Posen bags are now on sale at Bloomingdale's! I especially love the Zac Posen Abbey Satchel that Rihanna also shares my love for. It's been marked down to $899! This bag, like all of Zac Posen's bags have the feel of old school glamour but with a modernity that makes them wearable and not old lady-ish. The Zac Posen Austyn and Aurora Frame Satchels share the same structured classic look as the Abbey, and are regularly priced under $1,000. What a steal!
Salvatore Ferragamo is one of those brands that has completely mastered leather goods design and development, so there are very few, if any disappointments. The Origami Kid Air Satchel ($1590) is a shining example. The brushed tan leather has a hint of metallic, with metallic leather trim on the edges. The braided straps look handmade and seem to appear out of nowhere, and there's a hanging signature 'Gancini' charm dangling from the strap. But what I love most are the 'winged' side flaps that are turned down at the corners giving an otherwise classic bag an instant edge! Although the bag doesn't appear to hold much due to the low zip closure, it doesn't matter much because it is such a beautiful bag!!!
Trendy bags are great but a nice classic bag is necessary to have in your wardrobe as well. Furla is one of those brands known for its simplicity and great quality leather bags. I love this Furla Afrodite shopper. The style and size makes it versatile; you can carry it as a work bag, overnight bag, or travel bag. And the color is not quite tan, not quite orange, but the perfect neutral mix of the two. The color is somewhat Spring-like but not too much so that you can't wear it all year long, and the leather is a soft full grain. It has such a classic simplicity and durability that makes it worth the $795 price tag.
I love when warm weather starts to roll around because I feel that you can get away with so much more, in terms of color. This hot pink metallic bag is just what I want for Spring and Summer. Look at how the color pops against her white shirt! I've always been a fan of Sobella, especially their early collection with the detachable bracelet straps made of semi-precious stones. But I was shocked to discover that this was a Sobella bag! It's such an unexpected color for the brand but I love it! The Sobella 'Siena' Metallic Satchel ($298) is made of magenta foil leather that is not for the faint of heart. But the boxy satchel shape makes it practical enough for anyone. And the gold hardware adds a glamorous balance to the shiny skin.
Available at Nordstrom.
Colorblock and patchwork are those styles that are always either hit or miss, no in between. So when you see it, either you're immediately disgusted or you immediately love it. I'm in the latter group on this bag. The Tracy Reese Colorblocked Shoulder Satchel is a mishmash of colors and shapes, but surprisingly, it works! The multiple colors (in both bags) blend very well together and the colorblock is done in such a way that it's not overpowering or hideously ugly, but rather edgy and and glam. The yellow, black and brown is a great 'transition into Spring' bag and the blue, green and white is perfect for Summer. And at $425, you can afford both! Oh, and besiders being oh-so-cute, the bags are totally practical - with a roomy body, top zip and bridge closure, multiple zippered pockets inside and out and an 8" strap drop so when the crook of your arm gets tired you can just swing it on your shoulder and go!
This weekend I finally bought a pair of the Tory Burch 'Serena' ballet flats. I know I'm about two years late but I kept thinking they were a fad that would be over in a season but two years later they're still going strong! These have to be some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. And they look absolutely gorgeous with the two colors and now iconic logoplate on the toe. I love them so much that now I'm a Tory Burch addict. I want another pair of her shoes, preferably the Laurel flats, some of her jet-set separates, and of course a few of her bags. I'm so in love with the Tory Burch 'T' Nylon Satchel with Croc Trim, in blue and yellow. I love the sharp contrast between nylon and crocodile. It's so unexpected yet so chic. The body is mostly nylon with an exaggerated croc 'T' shape down the center of the bag. It's a big bag, perfect for daily use and for jet-setting across the country too! Both fabrics look rich and luxurious, but the price of $550 is very affordable for such a stylish bag. You'll want to buy them all! I sure do. Pre-order yours now!
Italian leather handbags always seem to have a certain class and sophistication about them that other bags don't. Tod's is one of those Italian design houses that hardly ever disappoint with their leather goods, and lately they've really been impressing me with their design and construction. This bag, the Tod's Lux 2 Manici Media Patchwork Bag ($1,850) is one great example of the brilliance of Italian design. It's a beautiful metallic leather patchwork satchel. Patchwork can go either way for me - I'm usually not a fan but this one is just gorgeous! Maybe it's the muted gray metallic, maybe it's the perfect stitching and topsticthing but I'm in love with this bag!
Some time ago I attended an accessories tradeshow which was mostly full of disappointing mass market handbag designers and jewelry vendors. I was looking for haute new designers and most of the collections I saw lacked creativity. However there were a few 'ones to watch'. And one of those designers was Los Angeles based Laura Matthews. I immediately fell in love with her bags. They were both creative and unique, not packed with trendy details but full of personality nonetheless. Her standout pieces were the calfskin structured satchels ($550, above) with a distinctive front metal logo plate and studs, and the ruched soft lambskin clutches with a metal plate at the top.
Laura Matthews Spring/Summer collection includes a sporty black patent hobo ($600), a gorgeous grey croc-embossed calfskin satchel ($575), and her signature clutches in various colors and styles complete with metal logo plates and new metal butterfly detail.
And you can win one of these hot Spring clutches. Laura Matthews is giving away one of her yellow patent butterfly clutches, valued at $275!! All you have to do is answer the following question:
What colors are Laura Matthews' ruched clutches available in this season?
Email your answer to contests@whatshaute.com. Contest ends at 11:59pm ET on February 14, 2008. A winner will be randomly selected and contacted on or around February 17, 2008. Good luck!
Rebecca Minkoff is a girl after my own heart. Her debut bag was called "The Morning After" Bag - who hasn't been there and needed one of those? Now she's back with this hot two-toned creation, the "No Strings" Nikki. A mix of whitewash leather and metallic gold trim, the "No Strings" looks just as carefree as the name implies. I love slouchy bags like this one that have a bit of structure to the shape, and it also has strategically placed pyramidal studs that add an edginess factor. The center ruched patent leather is nicely framed by a large, keyhole shaped cutout. The shoulder strap lets you sling it over your arm, but for those of you who don't like to commit (to one style that is), the bag also converts to a satchel with a crossbody strap.
$625, Luna Boston
Hayden Harnett has been one of my favorite designers for the simple fact that they seem to churn out new handbag designs at an incredible rate! Every time I check out the site, I see about three or four new bags I want to buy! But I also love HH because their bags are always amazingly well-designed and well-made. Their bags always have that cool modern vintage feel and seem to evoke the reaction of "Ooh, I want that one! And that one! And that one!" And really, is there anything wrong with having a closet full of HH bags?
Here are three that I'm lusting over right now:
The Beatrice Printed Linen Satchel, in Harlequin, $485, is a large sacthel with chunky brass hardware and a cool retro printed linen panel (from famous textile designer Paule Marrot) down the center.
The Limited Edition Lido Quilted Leather Hobo, in Lead, $485, is the coolest leather shoulder bag, with honeycomb quilting on the body and the muted metallic leather. I love the unique flap turnlock closures and the vintage '40's-inspired feel.
