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To say I am disappointed in Halston bags would be an understatement.  I don't know why I had such high expectations but I guess I fell for the hype and it's really my own fault but still, am disappointed.  When I hear Halston-- images of glamourous girls in silky lightweight jersey gowns and flowing hair comes to mind.  I was hoping to see some rockin' bags worthy of these girls; something with attitude, panache, style,,,, anything-- but this saggy lump of a sack called the Zai ($2,495) and the Jimmy Choo knock off chain style bag called the Hannah ($1,895 is the same price for the Chanel Lady Braid in purple-- I suggest you go for that instead!).  These bags are not terrible but they are not the sophisticated creations I have been hoping for (and all in suede?  Yuck!  I only like suede as accents on my bag, it just looks cheap when it is all suede!).  I mean if you are a casual college student or an intern at a fashion house I can see the messenger bag working but $2,495 for a no shape no style sack?  I have a dreary feeling about the revival of this brand... already besieged with rumors of strife and fighting (Rachel Zoe supposedly forced the departure of Creative Director Marco Zanini), I am wondering who's collection will walk down the September runways (his?  Or Zoe's interpretation?)  What do you guys think?  Are these bags worthy of the Halston name? Halston Zai messenger bag
Halston Hannah bag

I am off for the weekend to Laguna Beach to visit a girlfriend at her beach house. It's where my son and I go each summer to watch sea otters frolic on the sand and spend endless days lolling about under the sun. I like taking large totes with me when I go there, Laguna is such a casual little beach town and anything more would seem inappropriate. But of course, being me, I need a little bit of glitz and glam which is why I love this Givenchy Sacca Chain tote made of grained leather. It has a gold chain handle and a single leather handle with magnetic snap closure. The subtle glimmer of the single gold chain and small Givenchy logos on each side give it plenty of style without in your face obnoxiousness and the dual open compartments separated by middle zipper compartment is so functional! I can keep my son's things on one side (plastic Power Ranger figurines and iTouch) and mine (lip gloss, sunscreen and cell) in the other. It is not that small so I don't know why it's named the small sac, perhaps compared to the 20" carry alls? At Barneys New York for $1,495. Happy Friday All!!!

Does the Dior stamped croc tote for Fall look eerily familiar to you? I don't think it takes a genius to see where its inspiration is drawn from. Not only is the shape uncanny to the YSL tribute tote (which came out last year), they even went as far as using a stamped croc leather, as if no one would notice?!?! So the handle is slightly different and they added an outer pocket but everything else (including the dangling logo) is too similar to ignore! I was discussing bags with a friend who is a director at a large fashion house in New York last year and she had said-- "Everyone in the bag business wants to be YSL." Apparently, Dior does, too. Of course, it could be er.... coincidence. As in, pigs fly south each winter. Dior $1,895 at eLuxury and YSL Tribute tote $1,395 at Saks.com

Grandma is trying to convince us to move to Alabama. I told her I need to go to NY once a week so she is looking into a private plane for us. Stay tuned… this could become a real life City Slicker story. In the meantime, I have not lost touch with reality. Say you have a long day out, shopping, running errands, meetings, whatever and in the evening you are meeting friends for dinner. So here is what you do. You get this Lanvin shopper and throw the pochette in there. It is the perfect solution for long days when you have too much stuff with you but for each activity you only need a portion of it. You keep the shopper in the car (sorry city girls) and just take the pochette with you when you run in and out of stores. Or for your meeting, you take the whole shopper with you. There is no reason to match the 2 since you will not be using them at the same time. The shopper in the bronze is the perfect day color that will go with most things and of course the anthracite pochette is your all around go-to clutch. This shopper is as cute as can be and LIGHT!! The drawstring closure allows you to change the shape and look as you wish. The foldover clutch is one of the few that actually works perfectly. In satin, it folds flat and is easier to manage. The navy stripe with the anthracite is super casual chic. Pop Satin Pochette is $995 and Papilotte Satin Shopper is $1390, both at Barneys New York.

Our faithful reader Janet alerted us to this MoMA tote bag - a total knockoff of the YSL Raspail painted canvas. It's so nice to have our readers doing the work for us! Now we can just focus on the bitching =) Now, you all know we love YSL but there are limits to everything and the love ends with this splatter canvas tote. The strange thing is, I like the MoMA knockoff, not only because it is $18 compared to the $995 YSL (it is on sale now for $895, jeez big whoop, it is still overpriced by at least $800) but because it is appropriate for what this really is and should be, a throwaway grocery store cotton tote. Of course the YSL is higher quality, it is structured with a gusset and piping, and the interior is immaculate, but that only proves my point even more, why go through all that trouble for something that is only useful for unimportant events like carrying magazines to the bathroom and pot luck to your in-laws? The one good thing though, MoMA has made the YSL brand a part of pop culture and that is definitely a plus for my "real" YSL bag collection. The MoMA tote is available at their online store and YSL Medium Raspail is on YSL.com.

Pierre Hardy 40% off at Barneys Dallas on May 5th for one day only! Call Pam or Cory at 469-221-4807 to pre-order!

Anya Hindmarch Oakley, Goyard Saint Louis, Pierre Hardy, YSL Downtown

Dear Bag Snob,

I have been looking for a big bag suitable to be used as a diaper bag for almost 4 years now (my oldest is almost 4 and second baby just turned 1). I am looking for something that is light (not heavy) in a spring color and big to carry all my baby items. I know you are not a fan of the Goyard bags, but they look like they could be used as handy diaper bags. I am referring to the Saint Louis bags. What do you think? Do you think they're worth what they cost?

Thank you!

Love,
Stephany

Born in San Francisco, to a fourth-generation Chinese-American family, Derek Lam spent his childhood among the racks of clothes his parents imported from Asia. He especially adored the wedding gowns at his grandparents' garment factories and spent many happy afternoons with the seamstresses there. Little did he know, his destiny was being shaped, as he tirelessly watched stitch after meticulous stitch. I first met Derek in 2005. He was in his second year of showing his collection and had not yet signed on as Tod's creative director. He was soft spoken, sweet and accommodating. I was so enamored with him and his beautiful clothes that I became a dedicated Derek Lam fanatic, picking up pieces each season. Of course, I've also been a Tod's bags and shoes junkie since college (Tod's platform boots circa 2002? I have 5 pairs!) so there was no one more excited than I when it was announced that Derek would be heading up the classic Italian brand.

We met up again last Wednesday at a brunch co-hosted by Tod's and one of my closest friends, Kimberly Whitman. I stole Derek away from the other guests, so that we could catch up and give our readers a chance to meet him, up close and personal. Jump to see the entire interview!

Softy Messenger bag and tote in python. Call Tod's 214-363-6600 to order

If you are looking to update your Bag Wardrobe with a classic bag in a summery shade, the Bottega Tri Compartment tote in Lotus or Putty is for you. Completely irresistible in sugary sweet pink or soft dove gray, this expandable Tote bag/Travel bag is versatile and functional (Kelly wanted the Iron one last year but I talked her out of it because it looked so heavy and stogy to me, but in these colors I wouldn't object!). For me, the yummy frothy colors really lighten up the squareness of the bag! I know many of you are tired of the Bottega woven leather but it is still the sturdiest of them all. It is also ultra practical with three compartments that expand with your needs. Now how many bags can you say "beautiful" and "sensible" about in one sentence? Bottega Veneta Tote in Putty $2,650 or Lotus Pink color $2,780 at Net a porter.

After all the debate over Kate's Mulberry custom made (or bespoke) green alligator bag I thought we should look into Mulberry's bespoke bag service for you guys. Basically you choose one of the core Mulberry styles in the skin and hardware of your liking, it is also personalized with your initials engraved on the postman’s lock on the front of the bag to further confirm its owner (you know, in case you are at the SoHo House and some bimbo tries to sneak off with your bag!). The lock-free Calder will be specially fitted with a Mulberry branded plaque on the back of the bag that can be engraved with your initials. In addition, leather initials can be ordered to hang from the handles of the bag and make it truly personal and unique. As for Kate's bag with the missing exterior front straps that confused so many of you, our Mulberry source said it was an aesthetic decision based on the alligator skin (just as I thought!). Though you are not actually designing a whole new bag, this customization (or bespoke) service allows you to choose the leathers and hardware that best fit your personality and taste! The cost is not that much more and you have to admit, having your own initials on a bag is quite appealing. (More info after the jump!)
See Mulberry styles online!

Update: Leonello Borghi bags available at Barneys, Takashimaya in NYC and in select stores in Japan and Hong Kong.

The Ophidia Magazine Tote - 12x12.5x4.75 $2,817

It is always exciting to discover new and talented bag designers but Leonello Borghi is far from being the new kid on the block. He worked with designers such as Ralph Lauren, Prada and Armani for over a decade before launching his own collection in 2002. For Spring 2008, he shows a strong collection of bags that are functional and beautiful. I am especially drawn to the sleek Ophidia Magazine tote in Python above. It is the perfect size for me and has versatile expandable zippers that reveal contrasting white leather which makes it so chic in addition to giving you more room when you need it. Many bag designers have tried the "expandable" bag concept but none as well as Borghi.

More about Borghi after the jump!