By Bag Snob Tina

November 22, 2011

Theyskens’ Theory just turned up the heat! And they managed to do it in a rather rare fashion: by aiming for ladylike perfection (and succeeding flawlessly). Far beyond crisscross-strapped messengers, Olivier is proving he not only has the chops to elevate Theory into legitimate snob territory, he is also reminding us his taste level is top of the line.

Many designers have too much trepidation to commit to a sharply structured bag, so most ease themselves into a softened version of the polished box purse. Not Theyskens. The man commits wholeheartedly (as he does with his confident ready-to-wear silhouettes) – and he does it incredibly well. The rigid lines are precisely what make this bag what it is: feminine and sure of itself – just like the girl who carries it.

Even the polished, squared-off hardware is extreme. I love it! And to give it a dash of casual-cool you would expect, the shoulder strap is long, long, long. I’ve got to hand it to this high-chemistry collaboration – at $545, not only is this a great bargain for a beautifully made bag, the detailed style is along the lines of Hermès and Valextra. On ShopBop for $545.

Pair with: Everything ladylike needs something gentlemanly to complement it. Diane von Furstenberg‘s Vincent blazer, in classic tweed and a fresh oversized cut, is just as strong as your bag – in a totally different way. On Net-a-Porter for $585.