Recently in Luggage/Travel Category

I've been getting a lot of man bag requests. To be honest, I've kind of given up because man bags are for the most part really boring and the ones that are actually cool and exciting are apparently too feminine. But for Father's Day, I went through them all and came up with some less boring ones that are super functional and others that are quite amazing that are even marketed as man bags. I mean, that is pretty much the most fun aspect of man bag shopping, being baffled by the inappropriateness some of these are for men.

My favorite of all the ones I've seen is this Varvatos Calfskin Tote for $1595. It has an urban edge and is rugged enough for even the manliest of manly men. I don't know about carrying this every day but for weekend, travel and even for work, this is one uber cool bag.

The conventional option is this Prada Saffiano Tessuto Tote, $1495, for everyday office use. It isn't as boring as a briefcase and has all the niceties of a Prada so for the straight edge dad, this is still quite stylish.

I can't believe I am falling for this but this Adidas bag by Stella McCartney is really groovy. For a gym bag. But if you are vegan and eco-chic, this might be just the thing for you. The grosgrain straps set against the gray nylon is very chic indeed! It also has a rounded balloon shape so it isn't just another tote, there are side straps that allow the bag to expand so go ahead and throw in your own towel, the gym towels are always too scratchy anyway. The top opens all the way up with a zipper which allows easy access to big items like your shoes, or actually my shoes, size 10 sneakers take up A LOT of room. I don't even have a problem running around town with this if I have to, I really like it! And the price will really put a smile on your face, only $160 - finally a Stella McCartney for the price that a non-leather bag should cost!! At Net-a-Porter for $160.

When I travel, I carry a few essentials including a cashmere throw that invariably ends up sticking out of the top of my bag which always gets in the way of my wallet or passport. Sang A has solved this problem with a simple duffle that has twin straps to hold your favorite travel blankie, sweater or jacket. It seems so simple now that I think about it, why has no one thought of this before? Sang A is a well traveled woman and she is always thinking of ways to simplify her life as a busy working mother. She tells us: "Just as birds migrate South for the winter, people also need a warm escape. This bag is an essential tool for daywear and travel. I stuff my sweater and jacket in the loose twin straps to be hands free".
The Migration Soft Duffel with Twin Straps is my favorite from her Fall 2009 line. Available in soft sueded black python ($2,500) or calf skin leather trimmed in python ($1,800) in black or various colors. The Migration is not only a travel essential it's a functional daily bag if you have to run around after your tots and need your hands free! W. 14.5" H 9.25" D 8.5". At Sang A

OK, now, I don't want to hear any complaints about how we only care about how you look and we never look out for your savings account! If you didn't get everything you wanted and needed at all the sales, there are still a lot of great deals to be had. Luisa Via Roma has a great selection of bag on sale and the prices range from ridiculously cheap to pretty good deal if you still have money to blow.

STELLA MCCARTNEY - SHOPPING TOTE for $271.92 - great for the summer in the oh-so-popular purple. This can be your weekend getaway bag or gym bag (yes, it's bikini time ladies, so you better hit the gym. For me, it is NEVER bikini time but I still need to go to the gym.)

ANYA HINDMARCH - PATENT POCKET SHOPPING TOTE for $140.83, you cannot let this pass you by. Who does not need a tote like this? I would list all the practical needs for this bag but you would get bored around #209. Look at the price again, it is $140!!!

GIVENCHY - LARGE MELANCHOLIA SHOULDER BAG for $906.75. Take anything Givenchy that is on sale, that is an order! Classic, ladylike and totally affordable. Need I say more?

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI - PYTHON EMBOSSED TOTE for $1081.17 - because green is huge and python is huger. Fine, it is not pennies but a thousand bucks for a python? If you want a quality python, here is your chance, otherwise don't start bitching when we feature the next python for $6800. UPDATE: Sorry, this is not python, it is embossed python as the name states.

I was on the fence about The Y Bow from YSL when I first received images from YSL PR but the more I look at it (and saw in person) the more I am digging the perfectly tailored and pleated bows! Generally bows on a bag are girly and frou frou but from YSL- it manages to be chic and sexy. Plus it adds sassy personality to a basic (boring) doctor style satchel. However, the downside is its huge size-- 17" wide will make this a piece of luggage for me but still on a tall Bag Snob it will be fabulous.  I also like how the Y logo is cleverly incorporated into the design of the bag without being obnoxious.  For me this is a Snob.  What about you?  Snob or Slob?  $1,795 At YSL boutiques and at Saks.com  (Jump for more pics)

The Muse is as hot as ever and although it already came in an oversize size, this is taking it to the next level as a travel bag. And I'm sure some girls will use it as an everyday bag. It's always those tiny girls who love the big bags! Go figure. I love this travel edition, but only as a concept and fantasy because for me, anything that weighs more than 10 lbs needs wheels. And it's 24"W X 14"H, to give you an idea of how big that is, 24" is approximately the width of my refrigerator! It is also in Buffalo, which means this thing weighs a ton empty. I guess it is great for overnighters or car trips so if someone did want to get this for me for Valentine's or my birthday, I would be a very happy and appreciative wife ;-) However, if you're serious, make sure to take a closer look at my Valentine Wish List, which also acts as my Birthday Wish List =) I am having issues with the price though, not sure if $2295 is a smart investment for a bag that will be thrown around and thrashed. And if you have to be all careful and precious, it just makes traveling more stressful and who needs that? At Saks Fifth Avenue for pre-order, $2295.

Oh how I wish I had this when I was traveling! Especially in New York for fashion week while I was in my sister's West Village apartment. I realize her place is big for NY but I am used to California living where my bathroom has a counter more spacious than her kitchen counter top. What boggles my mind is that her 1 bedroom apartment is almost the same price as my 3,000 square foot house in LA!! Anyway, my point is, I had no good place to apply makeup and had to tote my make up bag, brush pouch and toiletry bag around her apartment every morning looking for a good spot which usually was the dinner table. I guess I wouldn't really need this vanity case just for that very specific purpose but just look how decadent and divine it is! I would love to just keep this on my dresser as an accent piece to add some color (my husband prohibits any amount of pink in our sheets so I opted for an all white bed). It comes with all the brushes, sable of course, and has elastic pockets all along the sides for bottles and jars of goodies. But then again, would I spend the money on this rather than a nice bag I could take out on a daily basis? Cuz I would be crazy if I toted this around town .... or would I? Available at Smythson of Bond Street boutiques for $2500.

Jil Sander Ashanti Pocket Tote $1295; Lanvin Padova Sac$2160

I did not have bags as cool as this when I was going to school, but then again we also didn't have wireless internet (yes, that's right, go ahead and make fun of how ancient we are). I didn't think to be very practical so my nice bags couldn't function going to class. Well, you will now benefit from my new found wisdom =) I chose bags that are practical but above all else, totally hip! I kept all the colors dark/patent so that these can wear well after you graduate and can go right into your professional life. These are also big enough for your laptop, if they are under 13" wide (like a MacBook). And all are big enough for notebooks - I never walked around with text books and I doubt they will fit but for your backs' and bags' sake, I would just not read them (just kidding! .... but not really).

My first pick is the Jil Sander Ashanti Pocket Tote. Well, just look at the big outer pocket, I know how you kids love to chew gum and pop breath mints - you gotta keep them handy when the hottie football player comes to chat. It is also has that bit of edge you want to maintain while you're young and full of attitude. Love it! And if you are the fierce fashionista on campus, you MUST have the Lanvin Padova Sac in patent Marine. How fabulous is this? I mean, forget school bag, this bag will rock any girl's wardrobe.

I know this is not the cutest thing but before you hoot and holler about how gross this looks, think about how beautiful your most precious bag is (Tina and your new croc birkin). And now think about torrential down pour on your bag. Yeah, that's right. I have used things that look worse than this to cover up my bag in times of peril. Rain Couture is a plastic bag that protects your darling bag and it folds up and tucks itself into the front pocket for convenience. It comes in 11 colors but none are going to be nearly as cute as your least favorite bag, not even the Coach patchwork bucket tote your mother in law gave you for Christmas =) You just have to grin and bear it until the sky clears. The small is $69 (17" x 15") and the large is $79 (20" x 18"), check them out at Rain Couture. I hate to follow up Tina's awesome post on Croc Fever with this thing, so make sure to keep scrolling down to see it!

It looks like Bag Snobs are also the jet setter types because we have received a ton of emails asking for a good travel tote. It is imperative that while running through airports and boarding ships we have a chic travel companion that can keep all our goodies in place. The thing is, the poor bag take such a beating that it is downright sad to look at your brand new bag looking like road kill when you get home. My very light colored teal green Tod's softie is now laying at my foot looking pretty shabby after only one flight (I shove it under the seat and give it several good kicks to keep it there throughout the flight, it also got thrown in and out of the car and dragged through security x-ray). The thing to do is get a bag that will take that wear and tear but also make sure it is cheap enough so that you don't experience too much heartache. This tote is the answer, it is surprisingly chic and the plum leather with brown suede trim is truly divine. This will take a beating and look better for it, which is exactly what is called for! It has all the essential organizational pockets inside and measures 21" x 20" making it appropriately deemed "oversized". The Tufi Duek 'Helena' oversized tote is full price at $550 but is only $330 on Bluefly. Gotta love Bluefly!!