November 2006 Archives

Look, I'm not saying I didn't buy into the whole Juicy Couture sweatsuit thing when I was pregnant and couldn't wear much else. I even thought their line of children clothes was kinda cute but now that they are expanding into the bag market, my territory, I need to put my foot down! Look at these ridiculous bags. Looks like they scrounged the tartan fabric from the scraps of Marc Jacobs' grunge era in the '90s. And they can't even decide if they want to design single handled or double handled bags so they put both top handle and double side straps, yeah that makes a lot of sense. What about the crazy pom poms dangling off the sweater bag? Made for their chi hua huas to chews on? (cuz you know the designers of Juicy Couture only carry Hermes birkins) As if they would be caught dead with any of these sorry excuses for bags, they only make them for consumers who they think don't know any better. And get this, they are charging $325 -$425 for these obnoxious bags , how else are they going to pay for all their birkins? At eLuxury.

For the girl, or girls, on your list with impeccable taste, here are Bag Snob’s sure to please bags for the generous Santa in you.

Gryson Skye Bag $695.

Joy Gryson is the hot designer right now - one look at the Skye bag and you’ll know why. We love the slouchy body without it being a sloppy hobo, it is edgy and fun yet completely put together. The sophisticated braided handle polishes what is otherwise a casual bag. This bag make you look like you’re at the top of the game without having to pay for it, at $695 it is perfect for the hipster on your list.

Tod’s Bensonville in Dark Jean $1390. For the extremely lucky girl with great taste, go all out with sheer perfection. This is our favorite bag of the year. Tod’s hit perfection with the Bensonville, the shape of the bag is all classic but the pocket detail and distressed leather adds the touch it needs to be young and hip. And the dark jean is hands down the best color. The color works the same way as demin, goes with just about everything but unlike denim, this bag will be the spotlight of any outfit. This is one of the few bags both the Bag Snobs own multiple colors and sizes of (the calf hair with python trim is oh-so lush!).

VBH clutch $695. The clutch is fantastic as a gift because it is something everyone needs but not necessarily invests in. For the Bag Snob, clutches are essential, and not just for the evening. That is why this VBH clutch is so great, it goes from day to night effortlessly, especially in dark gray metallic. This is something that will get a lot of mileage and that’s what you look for in a gift, right? She’ll be thinking about you for a long long time!

YSL reversible tote $995. There is a practical girl inside all of us but that doesn’t mean we have to cheat on style. This super swanky leather tote is reversible, the “Y” stitched detailing is on both sides, making this 2 bags for the price of one! This is perfect for the style savvy professional on your list. $995.

Allegra Silver Leather pouch $95. Short on budget but not on taste? Get the Allegra Silver Leather pouch for only $95. You can pretty much give this to all the ladies on your list, it’s great for cosmetics, traveling (at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, it’ll fit a passport and all your traveling docs) or baby essentials (diaper cream, Purell, extra socks etc.). It comes in 6 colors so you can get multiple colors for the organizer on your list.

Left: Michael Kors bag Right: An actual saddle bag

I can always count on Michael Kors' bags to give me a good laugh. If I'm in a bad mood or feeling a little down, I go right to a Kors bags and I know the chuckles will be inevitable. OK, why would you ever buy this bag when you can get it at the local feed store? Or if you want a little more edge, the motorcycle superstore. Not only are the fringes totally scary but the gold rivets add to the horror. Ohh, Michael would be so pissed right now if he read this! But then again, he did see this bag prior to production so you have to assume he wasn't scared by it then so he shouldn't be mad about it now. At Net a Porter for $1395. Yes, $1395, we know, it's ridiculous.

Meet the new love of my life! I am so in love right now. Chanel came out with the Round Bowling collection for Fall to lure a new generation into Chanel obsession. Although I am already Chanel obsessed, I sometimes find myself wanting something slightly younger and more casual. That is why as soon as I saw this bag, I knew it had to be mine. We are always preaching to invest in classics and this is a bag that is definitely a classic without the hard to wear formality of a totally classic bag. The calf leather is less precious but also makes it lower maintenance than the uber luxurious lambskin that scratches and stains easily. The stitching gives it the timeless touch, it is not quilted so it is less "stuffy" and more run around chic. It comes in 3 sizes but the large one is almost the size of a carry on at 9" x 15"; there is also a cute little cosmetic bag in the collection. In either black, white or dark beige, you can be sure this bag will be a staple that will last you a lifetime. $2195 for medium, call Chanel at 800-550-0052 to locate a bag at the Chanel boutique closest to you.

As a side note, and I know a lot of people will accuse me of being a total party pooper but this is my Christmas present from my husband that I shopped for myself. Yes, I know I know, it takes the fun out of giving but the way I see it, I am saving him thousands of dollars on a gift that I may or may not like. This way, I get exactly what I want, he get's to make me happy and it all works out!

Net-a-Porter is doing free shipping with promotion code HOLIDAYS thru Dec. 4, 2006. This is the perfect opportunity to get the winter white Marc Jacobs Stam for the holidays. I prefer to use this bag without the chain (picture is the back of the bag) but of course the chain is the big to do about this bag - I guess it's a good thing the chain is detachable. And I don't understand why the rumor got started that white cannot be worn this time of year, it is the perfect time for white, that is why any designer that is worth mentioning is doing white bags for winter. $1275.

We love the gift of giving so much that we decided to give away one of the hottest bags of the moment, Devi Kroell's signature bag in ostrich, to a lucky Bag Snob reader (with help from Vivre)! Known for designing simple sacks stitched of decadent skins that are treated and sprayed with color until they're unrecognizable from it's original form, Devi is making a splash in the fashion world with her collection of sumptiously rich exotic skin hobos. She also snagged this year's Perry Ellis Swarovski award and she's a finalist in Vogue/CFDA award, she is definitely one designer to keep your eye on! This fabulous ostrich hobo has been tie dyed in deep hues of red and chocolate and features interior cellphone pocket, silk lining, and magnetic enclosure, you will love carrying it for years to come! Sign up now and we'll let you know before Christmas if you are the lucky winner! Good luck! Enter to win!!!

Retail Value $3990.

Frustrated with the lack of cute diaper bags when I gave birth two years ago, I resorted to using my Hermes birkins to tote around bottles and diapers. Had this ultra hip Paulina Quintano diaper bag been available, I could have spared my beloved birkins all the wear and tear from baby spit up and bottle spills. Made of gunmetal leather with antiqued golden studs but lined in practical nylon so stains are easily wiped away, this is a stylish bag you'll want to carry even after your tot is potty trained. It also comes with a tan changing pad which is especially useful for emergency diaper changes at the mall. $475 at Neiman Marcus

Just a reminder, Vivre's private sale for Bag Snob readers ends in 24 hours (Sunday at Midnight)! I've gotten most of my Christmas shopping done, have you? VBH classic envelope clutch never goes on sale, retail is $695 but now a bargain at $521! Code BAGSNOB at check out.

Tired of wasting time surfing the web for worthy reads? The helpful Bag Snob girls make it easy for you each week by offering the best of the web every Friday! TGIF!

Envy Jennifer Aniston's perfectly groomed brows? Fab Sugar has the scoop on the mother of all eyebrow kits!

And yes, we adore Jen but we love her wardrobe even more, check out her fashion evolution at Glam.com.

Check out the goodies at Vivre for friends of the Bag Snob!

Blumarine's sequins bowling bag is so cute you won't be able to resist it! Anna Molinari is known for her eye for detail and quality so you can rest assured the thousands of sequins were meticulously handsewn and secured. It has all the elements of a useful bag with the wide zippered opening and side pockets for cell during the day but also the frivolous glamour that we want while party hopping. A big sparkly and shimmering bag is a great way to kick off the holiday season so order yours today! $2015 at eLuxury with free shipping. Enter code GOLD at checkout.