By
Bag Snob Tina
on July 19, 2009 12:00 PM
24 Comments
My shopping partner in crime is none other than the Fashion Director of Us Magazine-- Sasha Charnin Morrison, it's not unusual for us to stay up til the wee hours texting about our current obsessions (who needs sleep when shoes and bags are at stake?!?!). Our readers come to us for advice and we generally pride ourselves on giving sound advice. Unfortunately all reason goes out the window when it's something we want. Which, by the way, we always (almost) get what we want. But what happens when what we want isn't all we expected? So we've decided to turn to you, our readers, to decide the fate of our latest acquisitions (sold out on net-a-porter by the way!). Sasha managed to snag the Alexander Wang Coco Duffel, we've both dreamt about this bag since it appeared on the arm of Mary Kate Olsen last Feb (she got the first sample as a gift from Alex). But when it arrived, the leather, the shape, something about it is just not what she'd expected. She's torn because she has wanted this for month but at the same time she's not even sure she'll wear it. So tell her, should she Keep it or Lose it?
I'm in a similar boat myself with the Balmain Triple Chain belt. I received it in the mail yesterday and was surprised how heavy the tiny box felt. I thought there'd be elaborate packaging, box etc but nope, the 2.5 pound I felt was the belt itself! I put it on and felt like I was weight lifting. I mean it is so heavy I am concerned I will throw my back out. However, it looks amazing on and the fit is to die. Because it is so heavy, it lays flat no matter where you put it. Balmain put the loop holes very close to the tip of the belt so you can adjust it from hip hugging low riders to high trousers, so versatile! My only issue is its 2.5 pound weight. So tell me, should I Keep it or Lose it? We have 14 days to return the items and will run the poll until this Friday 7/24 and announce our decision.
Now that I'm emerging as one of the Coco Duffel bag's dwindling supporters, I still want to say RELEASE IT! Let it roam free! Or, ahem, at the very least let it be purchased by someone who will love it and carry it, etc. etc. The thought of how happy they will be to get it should cancel any lingering regrets over woulda-coulda-shoulda loved it. Seriously. It is a far, far better thing...(and so forth)
And, lovely Tina, if it fits like a dream and you love it, keep it! As long as the extra weight doesn't pull anything down that it was intended to keep up, eh...builds character. Or at least some very interesting core muscles, right? 40 million jangle-hipped bellydancers can't be wrong...
LOL
Oh my god, you are right. Belly dancers probably wear 10 pounds around their hips and gyrate for hours. All I have to do is walk with a 2 pound belt, that's not so hard, right? Unless I trip while wearing high heels and the super heavy belt. hahaha
Will see what happens in two weeks :) I will do what the final poll result indicate... this is so fun, I love the role reversal.
Clementine: there are a few available on net-a-porter international if you log on. I'm sure you can get that fix immediately if you desire. I'm not sure how they would work it but I am sure it's relatively painless and might require just a phone call instead of an online request.
PS: Thanks, Sasha! I actually have the bag--as alluded (here and below, re: YSL v. Wang), I am one of the few who saw it and still drooled (hey, different strokes for different folks...keeps things interesting!). My comment was not motivated by personal gain (grins--I wish I was that manipulative!), only a belief in the broader ethos of Good Homes For Un- or Under-wanted Fashion! Hence, if I can afford it, I do my closet purges as swaps with friends and only then consign the remainder. (And so forth.) But thanks again for looking out for me!
You said it was a gift from Alex himself then I would keep it.
Tina--If you're on the fence about the belt then most
def return it---at these prices and in this economy you can def find another fabulous
piece of chic-ness to buy.
Wait, Did I just say take it back? SO UNLIKE ME!!
(My DH would be proud!)
hehe...let us know what you decide...
Oops--MY Bad!! Thanks Lina---Ones Brain is wacky when they went out last night and didnt get home till 4am and had to get up with the kids at 7am--- =)
Sasha, Take it back!!!! Mine was sent to me from NY, when I got it in my hands I didnt like-y---I returned it. (sob)
T-I know you LOVE it---Then MOST def keep it--Like Lina said you wont be wearing it 24/7--and it might even give you some ab muscle (not that you dont have any) hehe---
Michael St James...MK made the bag look so FAB on her--
but yes you were right---it was a disappointment to say the least!!!
the passion. Thank you for the support! I did get a shout out from the Net a Porter personal shopping people saying that another round of bags are on their way around October as well as a denim distressed version with silver studs that will be avails on shopbop.com
Ooo ooo if she decides to give up the Alexander Wang duffel, I'd gladly give it a new loving home! Lol :) As for the belt, does it pull down your pants with its weight? If it does, I say return it, otherwise keep it because it is lovely!
I know its well made, but Chanel has made similar belts for years. It's a knock of sorts, but if you like it__whatever.I only buy things I LOVE,LOVE now.
Hi Sher77
I have several Chanel chain belts (one from the 90s in gold) but none lay flat like this. They get twisted cuz they are too light and don't look right on jeans. OMG, I am Goldilocks, too light, too heavy.......
Plus Chanel costs 3 times the price with less quality. I have to say the Balmain is impeccably made-- they use haute couture artisans to make their ready to wear and the detail is amazing!
I am getting nervous, the vote is swinging to lose it...... aaaaaaaack!
sasha-definitely return the handbag I pre-ordered but did not take it when I saw it in person at Barney's. There are so many others out there that are so much better. Tina-wear it around you house for a while and see how it feels, it looks very pretty and it sounds like you really love it but you don't want to regret the purchase down the road. I find something better always seems to come along if you pass on an item. It is early in the season and I'm sure there will be fabulous belts coming out!
Sasha, lose the bag asap! When I see a bag I LOVE, i know right away and often it grows on me more and more. If you don't like it at first glance/touch, lose it or it will sit in your closet forever! Plus this bag is NOTHING special.
Tina, KEEP IT!! Belt is to die for! gorgeous and unusual...plus you get a workout, that's how i justify all the stuff i tote in my birkin (count that towards my workout time as arm weight:)....Ping
I'd lose both, although the belt would go with a heavier heart. I agree with ping - if the bag doesn't make you do the Snoopy dance of joy when you take it out of the packaging, then it never will, plus studs aren't going to be around forever so it's not like it worth letting it hang around just in case it's the exception that proves the rule.
I find the belt more difficult because I can appreciate that it is harder to let go of something that does make your heart sing. In the end, though, you have to be practical. It's all very well saying that you can cope with 2.5lbs when you wear it and that that won't be 24/7 but this sounds like you're trying to convince yourself of something that you already know is going to be difficult.
It's just like those women who know that they can't totter more than a few steps in 5" heels who justify buying them by saying that they'll pace themselves and then spend the evening with pinched looks on their faces, constantly on the look-out for a seat. Even if the shoes are super-fantabulous, they start looking ugly if they can't be worn with confidence. In practice, this isn't going to be the only heavy thing you wear. You'll be toting a bag filled with your stuff and maybe your son's stuff and then what if he wants to be picked up or something? Honestly, will you really use it that much?
Would it be worth getting something made that has the look, and is weighted correctly but isn't so heavy? It'll be a one of a kind, and you'll get exactly what you want and need since it sounds like you've already specced it out in your mind pretty closely.
Sasha, return the bag ASAP. It's just not that special
Tina--put the belt on and wear it at home for 4 hours. If you are still able to stand up unassisted, you must keep it! One of my dearest friends wore a 40lb sari (embrlished with gold and stones ) for 12 hours straight at her wedding. It can be done!
thanks so much for this post! i had the same dilemma... i had pre-ordered the coco duffel in march and took it home with me in late june but it wasn't making my heart sing and it was on the heavy side (i mostly likely don't use bags that are on the heavy side). i was sitting on my decision because i wanted the coco for so many months and after reading this post i went to barney's and returned the coco duffel and instead purchased the brenda by awang and am really happy with my decision. no sighs of regret at all! thanks again for this post, it was super helpful!
sasha - lose it. it looks like one of those connectors on the end of a computer cable. and i find the wonky wobbliness of the seams disturbing. it's not enough to be slouchy, just wobbly.
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Now that I'm emerging as one of the Coco Duffel bag's dwindling supporters, I still want to say RELEASE IT! Let it roam free! Or, ahem, at the very least let it be purchased by someone who will love it and carry it, etc. etc. The thought of how happy they will be to get it should cancel any lingering regrets over woulda-coulda-shoulda loved it. Seriously. It is a far, far better thing...(and so forth)
And, lovely Tina, if it fits like a dream and you love it, keep it! As long as the extra weight doesn't pull anything down that it was intended to keep up, eh...builds character. Or at least some very interesting core muscles, right? 40 million jangle-hipped bellydancers can't be wrong...
LOL
Oh my god, you are right. Belly dancers probably wear 10 pounds around their hips and gyrate for hours. All I have to do is walk with a 2 pound belt, that's not so hard, right? Unless I trip while wearing high heels and the super heavy belt. hahaha
Will see what happens in two weeks :) I will do what the final poll result indicate... this is so fun, I love the role reversal.
Clementine: there are a few available on net-a-porter international if you log on. I'm sure you can get that fix immediately if you desire. I'm not sure how they would work it but I am sure it's relatively painless and might require just a phone call instead of an online request.
PS: Thanks, Sasha! I actually have the bag--as alluded (here and below, re: YSL v. Wang), I am one of the few who saw it and still drooled (hey, different strokes for different folks...keeps things interesting!). My comment was not motivated by personal gain (grins--I wish I was that manipulative!), only a belief in the broader ethos of Good Homes For Un- or Under-wanted Fashion! Hence, if I can afford it, I do my closet purges as swaps with friends and only then consign the remainder. (And so forth.) But thanks again for looking out for me!
You said it was a gift from Alex himself then I would keep it.
Tina--If you're on the fence about the belt then most
def return it---at these prices and in this economy you can def find another fabulous
piece of chic-ness to buy.
Wait, Did I just say take it back? SO UNLIKE ME!!
(My DH would be proud!)
hehe...let us know what you decide...
XOXO
B, Wang gave the sample to Mary Kate, not Sasha!
Tina-keep the belt, if it looks fab who cares about the weight! It's not like you're going to wear it 24/7, leave it for special occasions...
Sasha-lose it, there are so many studded bags lined up for next season, I am sure you will find something amazing!
;)
Oops--MY Bad!! Thanks Lina---Ones Brain is wacky when they went out last night and didnt get home till 4am and had to get up with the kids at 7am--- =)
Sasha, Take it back!!!! Mine was sent to me from NY, when I got it in my hands I didnt like-y---I returned it. (sob)
Looks like something in an enclosed space at the San Diego Zoo (sorry).
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-pygmy_hippo.html
i tried to warn everyone about the coco duffel...return it!
tina - sometimes you have to suffer for fashion...keep it!
@ B-- I love it though. It looks amazing with everything, especially a short fitted white YSL vintage jacket with vintage skinny black pants.
@ Lina-- You're right I'm not wearing it 24/7 and it's not as if I'll be slinging it on my back.
@ Michael st james-- LOL, it's like the saying no pain no gain?
xoxo
T-I know you LOVE it---Then MOST def keep it--Like Lina said you wont be wearing it 24/7--and it might even give you some ab muscle (not that you dont have any) hehe---
Michael St James...MK made the bag look so FAB on her--
but yes you were right---it was a disappointment to say the least!!!
XOXO
the passion. Thank you for the support! I did get a shout out from the Net a Porter personal shopping people saying that another round of bags are on their way around October as well as a denim distressed version with silver studs that will be avails on shopbop.com
Ooo ooo if she decides to give up the Alexander Wang duffel, I'd gladly give it a new loving home! Lol :) As for the belt, does it pull down your pants with its weight? If it does, I say return it, otherwise keep it because it is lovely!
I know its well made, but Chanel has made similar belts for years. It's a knock of sorts, but if you like it__whatever.I only buy things I LOVE,LOVE now.
Hi Sher77
I have several Chanel chain belts (one from the 90s in gold) but none lay flat like this. They get twisted cuz they are too light and don't look right on jeans. OMG, I am Goldilocks, too light, too heavy.......
Plus Chanel costs 3 times the price with less quality. I have to say the Balmain is impeccably made-- they use haute couture artisans to make their ready to wear and the detail is amazing!
I am getting nervous, the vote is swinging to lose it...... aaaaaaaack!
sasha-definitely return the handbag I pre-ordered but did not take it when I saw it in person at Barney's. There are so many others out there that are so much better. Tina-wear it around you house for a while and see how it feels, it looks very pretty and it sounds like you really love it but you don't want to regret the purchase down the road. I find something better always seems to come along if you pass on an item. It is early in the season and I'm sure there will be fabulous belts coming out!
Sasha, lose the bag asap! When I see a bag I LOVE, i know right away and often it grows on me more and more. If you don't like it at first glance/touch, lose it or it will sit in your closet forever! Plus this bag is NOTHING special.
Tina, KEEP IT!! Belt is to die for! gorgeous and unusual...plus you get a workout, that's how i justify all the stuff i tote in my birkin (count that towards my workout time as arm weight:)....Ping
I'd lose both, although the belt would go with a heavier heart. I agree with ping - if the bag doesn't make you do the Snoopy dance of joy when you take it out of the packaging, then it never will, plus studs aren't going to be around forever so it's not like it worth letting it hang around just in case it's the exception that proves the rule.
I find the belt more difficult because I can appreciate that it is harder to let go of something that does make your heart sing. In the end, though, you have to be practical. It's all very well saying that you can cope with 2.5lbs when you wear it and that that won't be 24/7 but this sounds like you're trying to convince yourself of something that you already know is going to be difficult.
It's just like those women who know that they can't totter more than a few steps in 5" heels who justify buying them by saying that they'll pace themselves and then spend the evening with pinched looks on their faces, constantly on the look-out for a seat. Even if the shoes are super-fantabulous, they start looking ugly if they can't be worn with confidence. In practice, this isn't going to be the only heavy thing you wear. You'll be toting a bag filled with your stuff and maybe your son's stuff and then what if he wants to be picked up or something? Honestly, will you really use it that much?
Would it be worth getting something made that has the look, and is weighted correctly but isn't so heavy? It'll be a one of a kind, and you'll get exactly what you want and need since it sounds like you've already specced it out in your mind pretty closely.
Sasha, return the bag ASAP. It's just not that special
Tina--put the belt on and wear it at home for 4 hours. If you are still able to stand up unassisted, you must keep it! One of my dearest friends wore a 40lb sari (embrlished with gold and stones ) for 12 hours straight at her wedding. It can be done!
xoxo
I wore the belt last night around the house for an hour and didn't feel a thing. I weighed it and it's actually 2 pounds. LOL
My round hips kept it up quite well.... let's hope the readers vote to keep. xoxo
Then def. keep it! It's hot!!! Something tells me you have tiny hips:)
xoxo
thanks so much for this post! i had the same dilemma... i had pre-ordered the coco duffel in march and took it home with me in late june but it wasn't making my heart sing and it was on the heavy side (i mostly likely don't use bags that are on the heavy side). i was sitting on my decision because i wanted the coco for so many months and after reading this post i went to barney's and returned the coco duffel and instead purchased the brenda by awang and am really happy with my decision. no sighs of regret at all! thanks again for this post, it was super helpful!
sasha - lose it. it looks like one of those connectors on the end of a computer cable. and i find the wonky wobbliness of the seams disturbing. it's not enough to be slouchy, just wobbly.
tina - keep it! a great fit is hard to find.
I KEPT IT AND WORE IT SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY!
THANKS ALL :)