BagBible

I always love simple and understated bags.  In my opinion, they will never be out of style and they go with everything.  Like this Kenneth Cole No Slouch Hobo, you just can’t go wrong.  There is a little bit of trendy element on this bag, which is the studded handle.  However, the studs are so few and small that it would not look outdated a year or two from now.  I couldn’t say the same about bags that have studs all over the place.

I consider this bag a great buy, since it is not as expensive as “breaking the bank”, yet you still get good design and quality.  It’s great for those who want to start collecting bags or someone like me who buys bags every now and then without any apparent reasons.

From Kenneth Cole $358

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Obviously, I jumped on the “studded bag” wagon, since it is all the rage right now.  I don’t normally wear studded stuff, not even jeans.  However, when I look at this Tylie Malibu Rose bag, I’m pretty sure that I can pull this look off.

I love how the lines of studs are concentrated on the flap.  It gives the bag the right amount of edginess without overcrowding the bag.  The three dimensional studs also add a little bit more texture compared to the regular two dimensional studs.

Surprisingly, in a world where everything affordable is made in China, this bag is actually made in the USA.  There are not many bags at this price range that are made in the USA.  If you like this bag you better get it now before the brand  becomes too popular and starts making its bags in China.  Not that I have anything against things that are made in China.  I believe that China can make good quality products if they want to.  The problem is only when they don’t want to.

In conclusion, I’m giving this bag two thumbs up for its design and price.

Buy from Neiman Marcus for $495

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.

We all know that studs are hot this season (and likely the next season).   All bag designers are racing to create bags with studs. Some did an ok job, but a lot of them fail miserably.  Studded bags normally don’t attract me.  I’m just not a rocker type.  I don’t even understand the big hype over the Alexander Wang Coco Duffel.  However, when I saw this YSL Easy Y Studded bag, I fell in love without a doubt;  I forgot why I hate studs. If this bag can win the heart of the girl who doesn’t like studs, this is truly an exceptional design.  The only other studded bag that is worth a look is the Marc Jacobs Cecilia bag. The other bags are just for  rocker chicks in rock bands.

Buy YSL Easy Y Studded from Diabro.net for $2,152.17

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