Designer Handbags

If you did not like patent, you better learn to like it. Fall is all about patent leather handbags. I absolutely love the slight bit of edge that patent leather can bring to an accessory. Better yet, it looks super sleek and refined. Miu Miu may be the baby sister of Prada, but does not disappoint when it comes to finding a great bag for a better price many times. The Miu Miu Patent Leather Tote sports black patent leather with slight ruched side panels and gold hardware. The trend for fall is hand held bags that offer a more square dimensions but pack a style punch. There are zip fastening pockets on each side, the option of a shoulder strap, and double top handles. The closure is magnetic stud and the inside is lined in canvas. The price is slightly over the 1k mark; $1095 via Net A Porter.

I hope all of you had a weekend enjoying some spring time sunshine. I spent many days relaxing and shopping and the evenings winding down in the jacuzzi! Got to love Florida! And now as it is just warming up, when you head to swipe some plastic, you realize that fall/winter lines are out already. It is 80 degrees and I was looking at velvet hats. Hum. Not sure if it is because the coloring is drab for spring or the coloring is drab all together, the Mulberry Radcliffe Canvas Bag does not do it for me. The tan canvas appears washed out which in turn looses the Paisley leather appliques in the mix. This bag reminds me of what a very slight beige color looks like on me. DRAB. I look like I have never seen the sun, my skin looks horrid, and I just blend into the background. I hate to see a bag with potential do the same thing. There is a signature buckle and woven brown leather handles which offset the coloring a tad. Because of my light skin, light hair, and blue eyes, this bag is not for me. Yet on someone completely different, it could work. Sure it is simple, but loosing the pattern in the bag looses my interest in the bag. Via Net-A-Porter for $795.

Within the scope of Fab’s Spring Handbag Guide, the ladies present us with this fun, printed spring tote. You certainly don’t need to be involved in the nautical world to enjoy it to the fullest. The look of the tote actually reminds me a little of Louis’ Antigua line, even though the print gives the McQ a more bold appearance over the more subtle unprinted LV line. If this bag floats your boat, grab it via ShopBop for $823.

I have never been a huge fan of red, that is on me. Red is really a bold color and while I’d love to pull it off all the time (especially on my lips!), my skin tone, hair, and eyes, just don’t work perfectly with it. It is probably just be in general. But in recent years I have learned to implement it in small pieces in my wardrobe, especially when I need to wear some Ohio State colors (Go BUCKS!!!). Always amazing quality and stunning colors, Nancy Gonzalez has gone big again with the Nancy Gonzalez Shiny Crocodile Tote which is available in rockin’ cherry Caiman Fuscus crocodile. Simple tote design with a shoulder stap and open top, lined in suede, and featuring inner pockets, this tote is a perfect bold red statement. Measurements are 12 1/4″H x 14 1/2″W x 5″D. I am fairly confident that I could pull off this tote with jeans and a white tee shirt or dress it up at night and look ravishing. Totally eye-catching through Neiman Marcus for $3600.

For someone always on the go, an everyday bag is a must. My collection has quite a few ‘everyday’ bags by my own standards, but I am growing sick of some and others are too heavy. I have been toting my Chloe Paddington Tote (which is quite a bit heavier than my Paddington Satchel) recently, and while it is absolutely stunning it is also absolutely heavy. The probability is high that the weight of the bag is directly correlated with what I carry, which includes everything but the kitchen sink. I need a bag that is light, simple, and chic. The Vanessa Bruno Double Zip Tote is perfect for everyday wear, is light because it is made with black nylon, and catches the eye with leather trim and two folds. The nylon folds to meet in a leather strap that graces the middle of the bag, giving a slouchy yet chic shape. Finished off with zip pockets on either side, this handbag is a beauty and will be easy to maintain: $686 via Net-A-Porter.

The past two days have been devoted to handbags that cost the price of a BMW, a nicer BMW, and a small house, but with a pinch on my arm and its all back to reality. This reality is, of course, still in the world of designer bags, but doesn’t that low 4 digit price tag look amazingly refreshing today? For an everyday tote which rides on the metallic wave trend, the Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Downtown Tote is a favorite. The Downtown Collection has been a hit thus far for YSL and the new colors of the hits keep rolling in. Metallic silver leather along with silver-tone hardware pair together in this funky tote. Front buckle strap detailing and front pockets give an added touch to an otherwise simple bag. I love the shape of this bag, which is perfect for everyday wear but will still provide you with some edge. Through Neiman Marcus for $1595.

While I am not a huge fan of the blue rendition of this bag, the ivory version is subtle, sleek, and gets the job done. The Hogan Pleated Media Tote does not get me super excited or even make me want to buy it, but for the practical and simple gal, this tote could be perfect. Simple additions, like brown leather trim, gold tone hardware, and a pleated drawstring top make this handbag wearable. There is a front zip and side open pockets for quick access. Dimensions are 13″H x 15″W x 5″D. Judge for yourself if this bag is a viable option for you; for me it does not make me feel either overly joyous or make me gag. I am just sitting in the moderate middle staring at the zoom-in-window and saying, “Hum, sure, whatever”. Through Bergdorf Goodman for $895.

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?