BagBible

Win a Miu Miu Bauletto from Ideeli! This event starts Monday, May 25th.  No purchase needed, just log in and enter. If you are not a member yet, click HERE for the invitation!

Young at Heart

Before each designer and her mother decided to introduce a “younger, hipper” spin-off line, there was Miu Miu. When the academic-turned-fashion designer Miuccia Prada launched her collection in 1992, it was the subject of some head-scratching. How could the Milan-based fashionista top the winning formula of Prada, her Italian megabrand which has launched countless trends and even more look-alike designs?

Easy. She did it by creating a collection that is equal parts serious fashion and serious fun: from sixties-style swing coats to colorful frocks to artful accessories. Perhaps that’s why it’s a favorite among the cool girls in Hollywood like Maggie Gyllenhaal, Selma Blair and Kirsten Dunst, who’ve all starred in Miu Miu’s advertising campaigns. Now that’s what we call a celebrity endorsement.

Win a Fendi Baguette from Ideeli! This event will start on Sunday, May 24th.  No purchase needed, just log in and enter. If you are not a member yet, click HERE for the invitation!

Fashion’s First Family

In the 1920s, when Adele and Edoardo Fendi ran a small shop in Rome, peddling fine leather and fur goods, they had no idea that one day it would become a global fashion powerhouse. By 2008, thanks to their five savvy and extremely stylish daughters: Paola, Carla, Anna, Franca and Alda, the Italian brand is coveted from here to Dubai.

During their worldwide expansion, the Fendi sisters were clever enough to hire the legendary design guru Karl Lagerfeld, who helped create everything from housewares to handbags, including the famous baguette that launched a thousand look-alikes and a few sample sale frenzies during its time. Fendi’s signature double F logo stamped on all of their premium products, has lured celebrities from Mischa Barton to Sarah Jessica Parker to Kanye West, who once shaved the symbol into his head. Talk about brand loyalty.

I have been looking for a bag to travel in the summer.  The bag of my choice would need to meet these criteria:

• A light neutral color so it would match most of my outfits.  I like to travel light, so having too much luggage is just too much of a hassle. Therefore, one bag that matches most of my outfits is a must.
• Generous size.  Since I’m usually traveling with my kids, a bigger bag would be helpful.  At least, it should be able to fit:  Travel documents, some snacks, some form of entertainment, camera, sleep mask for the plane ride and other necessities that I usually carry in my bag.
• Slouchy. Since I need the bigger bag, it has to be slouchy, to make it look not as big.  Too big of a bag will not look pretty on a petite like me.
• Convertible.  The bag has to be able to convert from shoulder to cross body, for practicality purpose.

This Sofi satchel in caramel seems to have all my required characteristics, plus it has these buckles that are placed strategically, making the big bag ruched beautifully. It measures a generous 19″L X 17″H X 14″D.

As much as I like to give this bag a glowing review, I was a little bit disappointed when I noticed the plastic zipper. Other than that, I think it is a beautiful and functional bag.  One that will get used very often.  I was told that this bag was launched in Saks this spring and it is the designer’s best selling bag.  I’m hoping to see more great designs from Helena de Natalio.

You can buy this bag from ebags for $484 or Ideeli, they are having a red sale on the Chocolate and Purple colors for only $160.  Click HERE for the Ideeli invitation if you are not a member yet.

I know that many ladies like this bag and think it is cute.  However, I’m not liking it at all. It looks like it has a tongue sticking out.  I’m also not a fan of the haircalf panther print.  This bag is just not my idea of cute.  Maybe I’m the oddball here, but I think that’s what makes life interesting.

If you like this bag, you can buy it from Neiman Marcus for $2,400.  As for me, I probably wouldn’t spend that much money for something looking like that.  I expect a lot of bang for my buck and this bag is just not it.

DKNY is the more affordable line of Donna Karan. Even though this bag is supposed to be second rate, I like it a lot better than the Donna Karan “Flap Disaster” Messenger Bag and it cost less than a third of the Flap bag. This bag looks like a functional and practical bag, providing easy access. The gold tone hardware complements the beautiful neutral color.  The knotted straps add interest to the otherwise plain handbag.   If you are just starting to build your wardrobe and are still figuring out your style or if you just want a no-fuss everyday bag, this is a good bag for you. The price is reasonable and the style is sweet and simple. This bag measures 16″W x 11.5″H x 4.75″D. You can buy this from Bloomingdale’s for $425.

Enter the Prada giveaway at Ideeli, right now!  Please click HERE if you are not a member of Ideeli yet. The drawing of the winner will be on Fri, May 15 2009 at 09:04PM EDT

The leather on this bag is super soft and the bag is very light. The heaviest thing on this bag is just the big ring on the flap. When I went to Nordstrom, the helpful and friendly SA showed me a bag that she got from the storage room.  It was a beautiful purplish blue, which I think is the most beautiful color out of all the Simones.  I could not find the picture online so I just put the red one.

This bag has a soft look thanks to the soft leather and the slouchy shape.  The knotted straps also add softness to it. One little thing that I don’t like about this bag is the wide stitching.  I think the wide stitching is taking away some of the softness of the bag.

You can buy this from Jimmy Choo for $2,450.

I got so excited when I saw this bag, I have never seen exotics done like this before. The python colors are really rich, it adds a lot of depth and dimension to the bag and the pearl effect just makes the bag pop even more.

There is nothing new with the shape and the drawstring.  It’s pretty much a nice basic shaped bag, which I think is very wise because you don’t want a busy design with this kind of material.  You don’t even want to wear busy looking clothing with this bag. a plain, simple, and sleek outfit will definitely showcase the bag. This bag will definitely be the first thing that people notice if you were to wear it.

The only thing that bothers me about this bag is the size.  It only measures 7″H x 10″W x 6″D. I think it’s kind of smallish and you won’t be able to put a whole lot in it.

Pre-order from Neiman Marcus for $2,675

It puzzles me that someone who designs something like the elegant Pearlized Python Bag is also the one who designs this flowery thing that they call a bag.  I admire a lot of Carlos Falchi designs, but obviously not this one.

I know that is spring now, and I also know that flowers bloom in spring.  But do you have to take it so literally?

If you must do a flower bag, at least do it tastefully like Valentino’s flower bags. This bag look like some art project that my daughter would make, except this one is made of leather and the flowers probably would not fall off when you tug it.

To make things worse, this bag will set you back more than a thousand dollars. What do you think about that?

You can buy this from Neiman Marcus for $1,050.

I am pretty impressed with B.Makowsky bags.  First of all, they have good quality.  Neat stitching, fine leather, and some great designs.   Second, their prices are reasonable unlike some high end designers who ask for thousands of dollars in exchange for their canvas bag.

I like this pleated satchel, it doesn’t have too much going on, but still manages to look interesting.  I also like the hardware. In my opinion, gold toned hardware looks better on white bags compared to silver toned hardware. The bottom corners’ hardware is a combination of good design and functionality.  When we throw our bags around, the corners tend to suffer the greatest wear and tear.  However, with hardware protecting the corners, the bag will stay nice longer.

There is another variant of this same model on which the hardware does not cover the bottom corners,  but instead covers the top corners.  I prefer the one with the hardware on the bottom (pictured). From Nordstrom $298

Likes:

The Size
It has a generous size for your necessities and more (17” x 13” x 7” deep)

Lots of Compartments
There are three compartments on the front and three on the back (four smaller pockets and two bigger pockets). One interior zippered pocket and patch pockets.

Adjustable Shoulder Strap
This can be worn as a shoulder bag or as a messenger bag. There are only two length settings.

The Leather
Supple grained Italian leather. Very good quality leather.

Dislikes:

The Weight
This bag is super heavy even when it is empty. I tried downsizing the content of my bag to just cell phone, camera, wallet, and keys. The bag is still super heavy.

The Same Design for Front and Back
At first I really liked it, but when I start putting different stuff in different pockets, I got confused of what is where.

You might want to know:

All the buckles are non functional, they are only for decoration purposes. The pockets close with magnetic snap buttons.  The adjustable strap is somewhat hard to maneuver.

You can buy this from 80’s Purple for $765

Deal Tips:

I bought this from my local Saks outlet, when they were having buy one get one free deal. I kept one, and sold one on eBay (with profit). I paid $212

Recommended: No

I used to think that Mulberry bags look boring.  However, I changed my mind as soon as I saw this one.  I love everything about this bag: The vibrant teal color, the adjustable chain strap, the tiny turn lock closure, and also the belt buckles on the sides.  In my opinion, the buckles add interesting details and give the bag a more casual look.

Description:

9″H x 12″L x 3″D.
10″ strap drop.
Made in England.
Retail Price: $1,150.00 from Shopbop

Get 25% discount with ARMCANDY coupon code, offer ends on April 29, @ 11:59 p.m

Looking at the Lanvin Amalia reminds me of the classic Chanel 2.55. The quilted leather, the rectangular shape and the chain shoulder straps. However, the Lanvin Amalia has a more youthful appearance, thanks to the ribbon weaved chain. I would definitely wear this before graduating to the Chanel 2.55.  It comes in two sizes.

I personally like the smaller one better since I’m a petite. However, the bigger one has more compartments than the smaller one.  I love bags with lots of compartments.  It makes organizing my bag so much easier. I know I can just use one of those purse organizer and be done with it, but for some reason I always find my bag does not look as good with the purse organizer inside.  It makes my bags looks stiff.

Lanvin Amalia small shoulder bag $2,035, Lanvin Amalia quilted shoulder bag $3,110 from Net-A-Porter