BagBible

Studded bags are certainly hot right now and I’m trying to cater to the studs frenzy.  I found this gorgeus Francesco Biasia Lea.  I’m guessing this bag has been around for sometime, because they are now on sale and hard to find.  I wish I had found this bag sooner.

Never in my wildest dream had I considered studded bags feminine, until I saw this bag. The one thing that makes this bag look somewhat feminine is the swirly placement of the studs.  Most studded bags place their studs in rows or some other orderly manner.  The variety of studs shapes and sizes also contributes in making this bag unpredictable.  Everyone likes a nice surprise, right?

Another great thing about this bag is the price.  They are on sale right now on Zappos priced it at $302

For the recessionistas who love studded bags but can’t afford the fabulous YSL Easy Y Studded bag, this Lea bag is definitely a great alternative.  It is nearly 10 times cheaper than the YSL Easy Y Studded.

There are always times when we need our man to hold on to our bags.  Men usually look very uncomfortable holding their woman’s girly bag.  Sometimes we also observe celebrities also carry their ladies’ bags.

This Andrew Marc Architect Tessa Hobo displays a utilitarian style with its two front pockets.  The bag feels somewhat masculine because of it’s style. Therefore, your man would probably not mind holding it for you. Obviously, that reasoning should not be your only consideration to buy a bag.

Aside from the casual and easy look, this Andrew Marc bag is also hip and young looking. You can surely use this for work or just for running errands.  It can be your all purpose bag.

I am a fan of Andrew Marc leather jackets and I’m sure the leather quality of this bag is also as good as their jackets.

Buy from Bloomingdale’s for $450

On the left is the Versace Patent Chain shoulder bag and on the right is Chanel Veau Ver Large Tote. Aren’t they a little bit too similar?  Of course, the designers at Versace can use the quilted design, or the chain straps, or the tote shape. They can, but if they are combining them all together like Chanel did in one bag,  it would look just like a Chanel rip off.  It is very common when lower-end designers do such a thing, but I would not expect this from Versace.  When lower-end designers do this, their work may be not as impressive, but at least they are not charging a four digit price.

In my opinion, Versace (a world class design house) should have enough resources to create something that is not a copy cat.

Buy from Bergdorf Goodman for $1,800

After all those bright and colorful bags that I saw in spring, now I’m ready for more neutral shades and blacks like these Valentino Premier Bow Shoulder Bags.  I usually choose the better color to put on my post but after seeing these two colors I can’t decide which color is better because both of them are equally beautiful.

I love how lush and feminine these bags look thanks to the soft knotted bows that drape over the body.  The absence of hardware does not take away the beauty of the bag.   Though I can’t help but wonder what will the bag look like when it is filled.  Will the soft leather slouch? Will the bag look as beautiful if it slouches?

Buy from Bergdord Goodman for $1,895

This Bottega Veneta Sculptured Tote is literally a woven bag with a twist.  Instead of doing their regular weave the designers decided to twist some part of the leather to achieve a more 3 dimensional look. This definitely adds more substantial texture to the simple woven bag. However, I still prefer the original woven version without the gimmicks. Sometimes, less is more.

Pre-order from Bergdorf Goodman for $2,480

Buy from Zappos for $228.10

If you look at many bags every day, you’d think that after a while you’ll be able to recognize which design belongs to which designer, right? However, when I saw this Versace Patent Shopper, I did not think that it was a Versace.  First of all, it is not outrageous enough. Second of all, there is no huge name plate or the famous Medusa head stuck anywhere prominently. I love it!

There are a lot of elements that I like about this Versace Patent Shopper.  I like the gold hardware and red leather combination; it adds a little more of a luxury feel compared to silver hardware.  The elongated shape will definitely flatter shorter and rounder body types.  I adore the look of long bags, however it’s harder to find things in a long bag compared to a wide bag.  With this Versace bag, you will get the advantage of the long bag look without sacrificing its practicality. This is surely a smart and thoughtful design.  I also love how the designer did not forget the sides of the bag just like many other designers.  More often than not, we see bags with plain sides.

One thing that I don’t like about this bag is the price.  It is $3,705.  I don’t understand how they price their bags but I honestly don’t think it is worth that much. It is not even made of exotic skin. If you must have it, I strongly suggest to wait for the sale.  Buy from Nordstrom.

I prefer to write positive bag reviews compared to negative ones because I would like to be a positive person.  However, I strongly feel that I have to say something about this Jimmy Choo Sky bag.  This is an example where “two rights can make a wrong”.  Studs are good; zebra patterns are good (up to a certain point) but when you combine them together they look like a total disaster.

When I look at this bag, I don’t know where to focus.  Do I focus on the studs or do I focus on the zebra print?  The top part of the bag looks so messy, that it makes bottom part look so unflustered. I never thought that I could consider zebra prints unflustered.

In my opinion, zebra prints and studs don’t go together. However, if you must have them both. You can perhaps put the studs only on the black part of the print.  That way it won’t look like you just slathered glue on the top, sprinkle some studs, and hope that they all stick.

I’m sure it will require more detailed craftmanship to put the studs on small sections, but if you are charging $3,795 for a bag, superior intricate craftmanship is expected.

There is another version of this bag that won’t make people cringe when you wear it.  It is just plain black with studs. Buy from Jimmy Choo for $2,995

I have been a fan of Stuart Weitman shoes: From flats to heels, I love them all! However, I haven’t seen any Stuart Weitzman bag that I liked until now.  What attracts me to this bag are definitely the pleats; they kind of remind me of an accordion.  Nevertheless, they are what make this bag so appealing. This bag can easily be an all-year-round bag, since it is not too dark for summer and not too bright for fall.

This 17.5″ x 4.5″ x 9.5″ bag is made of soft calf leather. It also comes in a beautiful Moro Day (dark brown) satin for $650. However, considering my leather infatuation I probably would choose the leather version. Buy from Zappos for $798

Yesterday, I went to P.C Hooftstraat in Amsterdam, which is supposedly the most expensive shopping street in the Netherlands. Naturally, I went to look for bags. Since stores in the Netherlands close very early (6pm), I could only go to some stores,  of which one  was Bally.

In that store, I found a gorgeous deep green suede python hobo. I love the suede finish python; in my opinion, it looks more subtle and luxurious than the regular shiny finish python.  I observe that more and more designers are producing bags with suede python.

The bag was so light and fell so beautifully on the shoulder. Two sets of double gold-tone rings connect the strap to the bag. Knots that end with metal tips decorate the sides of the bag. You can’t see them from the picture but they’re there and they played up the sides of the bag really nicely. The side of the bag is the one that you see first when you see someone wearing a hobo bag on her shoulder. That’s why I think it is important that the sides show something attractive.
This bag is from the Fall 2009 collection.  It is priced €1500 Euros.

Many Botkier fans have asked me about the Botkier Taylor from the Fall 2009 collection.  As you might already know, the Botkier Fall 2009 collection is very rocker chic.  The Taylor bags bring the rocker chic flavor through their one-of-a-kind tassels design. I finally have the following information about the bags that I would love to share with all of you.

Taylor Satchel
Will be available at Shopbop on September 2009
Size: 15.25″ x 4.5″ x 8.75″
Price: $545
Material/Colors: Black cowhide, brown lambskin, or sand pearl lambskin with antique brass hardware.

Taylor Crossbody
Will be available at NeimanMarcus on September 2009
Size: 15″ x 3.75″ x 10.5″
Price: $525
Material/Colors: Black cowhide, brown lambskin, or sand pearl lambskin with antique brass hardware.

I like the Gucci Charlotte asymmetrical adjustable shoulder straps, they certainly add appeal to the otherwise simple and regular looking bag.  If I were to buy the bag, these shoulder straps would be the main reason for me to buy the bag, since I don’t care much for canvas nor monogram designs.  However, for Gucci monogram fans, this will be a great bag.  It has a classic shape which means it will lasts for many years to come, and the neutral color matches easily with your wardrobe.  The shoulder straps look comfortable and would fit well on the shoulder without slipping. The 16 1/2″W x 11″H x 7″D measurement assures it’s functionality.  All in all, this is a good and functional bag. It’s just not an exciting bag for me.

Buy from Neiman Marcus for $995

This is by far the most understated and minimalist bag that I have ever seen.  There is no hardware, there is no pocket, there are no bells and whistles, nothing.  This bag only has the absolutely necessary to be called a bag.  I’m sure this bag will look like a lump of suede when empty.  I absolutely love this.  You might think I’m crazy, but sometimes I need to take a break from all the crazy designs and colors and just be subtle. You really can not go anymore subtle than this.  Even the color of this bag is very subdued: light grey. When I look at this bag, I think about the word “zen”. Don’t you agree?

You can buy this from Shopbop for $795.  Now, as much as I like this bag, I probably won’t spend that much for this minimalistic looking bag.  However, I would definitely consider it if it ever goes on sale.  This bag measures a generous 20″H x 19″L x 7″D, with 9″ strap drop.

Below you can see Kate Bosworth wearing this bag.  I think the bag looks pretty huge against her small frame.

Source

I can’t decide whether to like this bag or not.  It is definitely not ugly, but if I were asked to point out it’s beauty, I’m stumped.  I like the interesting shoulder strap, but I think the opening is too small for us to be able to wear it on our shoulder.  I know it’s not a shoulder bag, it is a tote, which means you should carry it in your hand.  However, this bag is shaped so much like a shoulder bag that my first instinct would be to wear it on my shoulder.

I’m also not so sure about the protruding twisted seams; it looks like they are trying to make wavy lines with them.  However, they do not turn out as nice waves, they are more like crooked lines. Luckily, the flat twisted seams came out nicely, but they are not as noticeable next to the protruding seams.  Oh well, at least the belted tassels were done well;  they add nice accents to the bag and make the bag look like it has a cinched waist.

Buy from Bloomingdale’s for $398

Rocker Chic on Crosby Street

“Leather. Zippers. Studs… the Botkier Fall 09 collection flaunts all the details we love about Botkier. Taking it back to street chic NYC cool. Inspired by the seductive pulse of New York City streets and my favorite pair of worn in, black leather motorcycle pants. Handbags and shoes in a palette of moody darks and sexy neutrals that get better with age. Slouchy silhouettes that live with us. This is quintessential Botkier”.- Monica Botkier

Sydney

Logan

Uma

Angie

Taylor