Designer Handbags

Most of this week I have spent shopping for bedding. Yes, bedding. And it is more of a pain than finding the right pair of jeans. And for a gal that is 5′10, finding the right pair of jeans is not easy. From Saks to Macy’s in person, Restoration Hardware to Horchow online, and every other thing in between, finding this bedding is so hard. Two rooms down, four to go, but we will prevail. I started to get lazy yesterday while bedding shopping, and began resting on the meticulously put together beds. I am pretty certain the SA’s were not happy, but these goose down pillows looked luscious. And luscious leather dreams ran through my head, so I went to the handbag department of course. The Chloe Ava Leather Tote sports brown plush leather that looks so smooshy I would throw it on my bed and lay my precious head down on it. I probably would not do that for real, but the leather is divine and the gold hardware is a perfect match. Of course, a major perk is the adjustable shoulder strap or option of using the two handles. Simplicity and luxury at its finest. The final point is a turn clasp on the front. Divine. Through Net-A-Porter for $1800.

Image via GR

Ready for a vacation far far from the paparazzi, civilization, and anything that resembles a camera, Britney Spears enjoyed lunch with a sombrero, eyelet white dress, a brunette wig, and a lovely piece of arm candy. While the Chloe Bay Bag first gave me the creeps that a face was staring at me through the bag, it has grown on me a tad. Not my style, but it has been a huge hit, and Spears is enjoying toting it around pre, during, and post rehab. Spears carried a red hue of the Chloe Bay Bag and put on a smile for the crowds. No bashing here, just lots of support from Purse Blog to Brit! And hey, at least she has a nice designer bag, right?

Like many of their hit bags, Chloe starts with the mother bag and then many versions are sprouted. Check out a few of the many after the jump!

Chloe Bay Leather Tote’ />

Chloe Bay Leather Tote | $1680 | Net A Porter

Chloe Bay Leather Shoulder Bag | $1600 | Net A Porter

Chloe Bay Quilted Tote Bag’ />

Chloe Bay Quilted Tote Bag | $1635 | Net A Porter

Continuing on the bags that cost a small car, house, college tuition, etc, luxurious croc skins play a huge part in pricey bags. For an expensive handbag that states ‘I’m everyday chic but the real lux deal’, gaze at the Chloe Croc Paddington Satchel. An combination of the Paddington style that has permanently been etched into our brains and exotic chocolate crocodile, this handbag can easily work for daytime or evening wear. Golden hardware and studs accent the delicious chocolate croc. There is the signature padlock closure but I do wonder what this Paddington version is lined in. If this bag is merely lined in cloth, like the regular leather version, I will be beyond disappointed and utterly disgusted at the price. But the price! At just under $13k, this bag rivals that of an Hermes Birkin plus an extra $5k treat on the side (Hermes Kelly perhaps?) For the price, I am not sure the Paddington in any exotic is worth it. But if your money tree is growing nicely or you are just the biggest Chloe fan in the world, snatch the bag up quickly for a mere $12,880 through Bergdorf Goodman.

Always a new color or rendition, the house of Chloe has added yet another color to the Edith family. This color is a sure hit, with stunning gold metallic leather, hence the name Chloe Gold Metallic Edith Tote. As always the pouch pocket is placed perfectly on the front and there are double handles and a detachable shoulder strap (seems to be quite a perfect duo for those who love options). Love this version as a second Edith, although it would not be toted by me everyday seeing that this is a shocking gold. Through Net A Porter for $1405.

Chloe have three hit bags in my opinion that most likely come to mind when you think of the designer. 1) Paddington, 2) Silverado, 3) Edith. Soon the number 4 will be occupied with the Chloe Bay Bag (which I am not a big fan of). And with all of these hit bags for the house of Chloe have come tons of renditions of each. Tote, satchel, mini, biggie, wallet, doctor, you name the shape/size, Chloe has designed it. But the version of the Edith that really is simple and so practical is the Chloe Edith Tote with Shoulder Strap. There is a white, brown, and black version out right now, but I am loving the white leather version with oversized beige stitching. The shoulder strap is detachable, so you can choose whether or not to use it. Easy to dress up, easy to dress down, this bag is great. Through NAP for $1310.

Like I mentioned the other day, Chloe is always re-designing their well known handbags. I have not heard much from the Silverado end of the Chloe spectrum in a while, but there is a new little rendition in town hoping to make mama Silverado happy. The Chloe Square Silverado Tote brings back the signature oversized stitching in the handles that run down the body of the bag. Choose from either the fox (tan) square leather tote offset with brown lace-style trim or the putty (off-white) tote with dark metallic stitching detail and white hardware. Laid back for a fairly varying price tag: Tan for $2365 via Net a Porter; and the Putty for $1780 via Net-A-Porter.

Yesterday I spoke of simplicity working wonders in the world of handbags, today I will talk about trying too hard which inevitably can create a handbag disaster. I am a huge fan of Chloe, heck, I have 2 Chloe bags. I would even love a Chloe evening bag. Here is what I would not love: the Chloe Aubrey Bracelet Bag. Pretty much this handbag gets a C in creativity but an F+ in production. I’d rather not look as if my bag were a belly dancers skirt, thank you very much. First Chloe begins with the black leather base, which is perfectly acceptable. I even like the ring shaped bracelet handle for various occasions. The downhill spiral begins with the ‘mixture of gold and silver hardware’. The meaning of this is gold and silver disks are placed about to dangle from this bag only on the front side. This no doubt will bring attention to you, you know, the kind of attention you really do not want. I’d prefer people check out my understated bag that is drop dead gorgeous than look at me carrying around a bag that looks as if miniature men want to play the cymbals. Via Net-A-Porter for $1,377.

Personally, if it were up to me, not only would everything be hands-free, but it would all be plain and simple free. Seeing that the latter won’t happen, I will still indulge in this move towards a hands free society. Luckily if you have a messenger/hands-free handbag you do not look nearly as weird as the Bluetooth in ear cell phone talkers. I know many of you may have this, and many of you may need this because of state laws, but I must admit you look silly and I swear you are all schizo and talking to yourselves. The hands-free bag that has my attention right now is the Chloe Edith Messenger Handbag. For spring/summer 2007 the hands free trend is raging and it makes me totally happy to see Chloe release an Edith with its calfskin leather and removable shoulder strap. Choices are clutch. Available in all the colors of the rainbow via Luisaviaroma for $1,246.

You know the feeling that someone is staring at you? I got that feeling this morning and woke up to the pool man outside my window (kind of creepy) and got that feeling again looking at a the Chloe Large Bay Handbag later. All in all, my day has been filled with creepy staring. Chloe is known for its Paddington and Silverado, and recently has tried to introduce Betty and some others into the scene. Similar in shape, size, and look to the Paddington, the Chloe Large Bay Handbag features olive green leather and leather pull tabs that add a facial expression. I’d rather not feel like I am being stared at when I carry my handbag everyday, rather I would like people to stare at my beautiful handbag (not have the bag stare back). Don’t tell me you do not see the face? Creepy and funny all at once. For an unaltered picture and to buy a bag that can be your side kick (literally) visit Browns for $2318.

You are looking at a Philo-free Chloe handbag that isn’t terribly ugly. The leather looks soft, smooshy, molestable, and yet sheeny enough to maintain some glamour even in a basic brown. The chain handle is chic and very now, and the hardware is quirky without being insane. Best of all, unlike a number of the newer Chloe’s, the Chloe Haley Shoulder Handbag doesn’t have CHLOE plastered across her face. Yet I’m not getting out my credit card. My wallet-grabbing hand hasn’t even twitched. It isn’t even because of the strange buckle clasp - I think it might work on another bag. It’s just that this is a Chloe, and in that family, well, this is the plain little sister. She’s all dressed up in the latest trends - shiny leather, chains, buckles - but she lacks the natural beauty and individuality of her sisters, and she will never have my love. She’s cute, and were she not a Chloe, I might give her more of a chance, but I would rather take sweet Betty or dear Edith out to dance. And fine, the strange coins are not my favorite as far as pointless embellishments go. I’d take a 4-pound padlock over them any day. In any case, if you think she’s the one for you, pre-order the Haley at Bergdorf Goodman for $2,080. Available in brown or black, and she’s no cheap date.

Written by guest blogger: Nerdphanie.

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