Recently in Shoulder Category

I'm getting kind of bored with Fall bags already, it's the end of the season and everything is starting to look alike to me. One way to get out of the funk is to shop vintage. This Chanel with the swirl stitching is so edgy and cool because it looks vintage, and you get a great price for it! A win-win if you ask me. Portero is better than going to vintage shops because they authenticate all their bags and it is less time consuming to shop online. Sure I love sorting through random things to find the gems and that's fun while on vacation but honestly, who has time to do that on a regular basis? Chanel Vintage Black Lambskin Leather Swirl Stitch Envelope Shoulder Bag is $588!! Shop Chanel at Portero.com.

I'm writing about this bag because it's so simple and basic-- an easy piece to incorporate into one's bag wardrobe (will post my 2nd NBC segment on building a bag wardrobe soon, am still recovering from my monthlong trip!).

Simple, however, does not mean boring-- the small sprinkling of studs on the sides make the bag trendy and stylish, too. Not sure what that lock is for but at least it's not so big that it detracts from the clean lines (just turn it around, the backside is much cuter). Many of you ask us for bags you can take to work and to cocktails, I think this is it. Price is right, too! Sometimes, Marc pleasantly surprises us with his subtleties, this is one of them. Marc Jacobs Kate leather shoulder bag $950

We are extending the giveaway for one more day! Last day to enter!!! Good luck!

We are greedy bag lovers so to kick off Fall, we are giving away two bags for October! There will be 2 winners for the season's most coveted trends, bright red and animal print. Trust me, you can not make it through the season without having these in your rotation. A little pop is all you need to wow up anything drab to fab.

Sign up to receive our newsletter to win either the Louis Vuitton Vernis Alma GM Pomme D'Amour bag (retail value $2,520) or Sang A Loren Oversized Leopard Clutch (retail value $1,150). The LV Alma is pre-owned and is in perfect condition courtesy of Fashionphile. The Sang A is brand new and is a sheen leather with leopard print. If you already receive our newsletters, you will still need to enter your email address to enter the contest. Last day to enter is October 31, 2009 11:59pm EST. Two winners will be randomly selected on November 1, 2009. Good luck!! Only one entry per person please and make sure you give us a working email, so that we can contact you when you win. ENTER NOW!

Thank you Fashionphile and Sang A for sponsoring this very special giveaway!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

PEPE LE PEW
Do you smell something?  Oh right, it's Halloween!  And that's when the crazies come out to play.  And really the only time the skunk, otherwise known as the Curella de Ville look, would be cool and fun.  FENDI SKUNK FUR PEEKABOO ROLL BAG at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1970.

MUST HAVE ACCESSORY FOR YOUR MICHAEL JACKSON COSTUME

You know you're dressing up as Michael Jackson this year.  Everyone else is.  But you will be the real MJ, not that red leather jacket with excessive zippers MJ.  Deep down he was a true Balmain man.  Respect him.  Balmain Punk Sueded Stud Bag at Net-a-Porter for $3925.

How does Givenchy keep doing this? Design a bag that is so simple yet utterly amazing!! OK, forget everything I said about any other one off bags, if you are looking for just one all around great piece for the season or for the year, this is it! The sides unzip to add room in the gusset but this is also very trendy now to have exposed zippers. But, it is not so out there that is will be outdated anytime soon. Magnetic closure, canvas lined and the handle drop is 4.5", so make sure this works for you because that is a bit on the tight side. The bag itself is a good size, 12.5" x 16". At Barneys New York for $1750.

One of fashion's most dynamic jewelers, Lara Bohinc, is also a bag designer worthy of a look. Her line of bags and clutches are whimsical and stylish, much like the designer herself. Take the Bubble Tote below, now this is a bag to pull out when you need cheering up! This could have totally gone down the road of tacky but in a jeweler's hands, the bubbles and silhouette is happy and fun. It's made in goat skin which is ultra durable so the little bubble petals will keep its shape. I prefer the black but it's also available in honey and maple red goat leather with brass hardware. GBP 1200/$1,958 USD. If you're more traditional and can't get into the funky shape-- check Bohinc Tatum clutches below. I love the platinum python clutch with platinum plated hardware (GBP 759/USD$1,238)-- the deco inspired silhouette is a perfect way to show off python scales and love the way the platinum hardware blends with the bag. The Tatum in white ostrich print leather with satin gold plated jewellery will also be chic on a summery night (GB659/USD$1,075).  

I discovered Lara Bohinc through my new friend and former Bergdorf buyer, Stephanie Kuo, over ice cream cocktails at La Luz in Taipei (so yummy that the owner's wife, Charlotte Kuo, claims you won't even know you're drunk until it's too late!).

Check Lara Bohinc site for stores.

This bag, to me, shows that Donna Karan is now a major contender in the bag market. She is known for being practical and all that, her talent is turning something mundane exciting and this is just that. It is a shoulder bag with a basic shape and functionality, but the details - a simple knotted strap, overlapping flaps (which are actually exterior pockets) and the saber tooth hardware toggle that make this bag so cool and freaking stylish as all hell! She is not even following any current trends and that's another huge plus when getting a bag for everyday. It has a detachable shoulder strap allowing it to go from day to night. It is on the large side so is not good for night night but you know, a dinner and movie date. Beautiful nude lambskin with canvas lining. At Bergdorf Goodman for $1895.

Check out Kristin Davis (Charlotte) with a Nancy Gonzalez crocodile tote while filming scenes in NYC for Sex and the City II. Davis accessorized her green dress and turquoise suede heels with a $3,380 turquoise Nancy Gonzalez tote.  I love this shade of turquoise and ordered a hobo for Spring 2010 in the same shade!  It's so fresh and pretty, we are raining cats and dogs with Typhoon weather in Taipei right now and seeing this brightly colored bag makes me so happy!  There is a black version of the Nancy Gonzalez tote here if you're not into the color.

I've been looking at this bag for weeks and it is slowly growing on me-- it's still not something I'd buy but I can see the appeal to many. At first I cringed at the studs overkill but the pyramid shape at least makes it interesting.  I see this on a slightly older bag snob who does not see studs as a passing fancy but part of her staple wardrobe (as it was for her in the '80s).  Wait, that sounds like me!  It also feels very Halloween to me for some reason... what do you think?  Is this a Trick or a Treat? Jimmy Choo Ramona studded leather bag $3125

It is Friends and Family discount season! If you plan wisely and get your shopping done early, you will save grief and money. Or maybe you just want to shop for yourself =) Shopbop is doing a 2 day sale, Oct. 20 and 21 only, all full priced merchandise is 15% OFF with code INTHEFAMILY15. Get the basics like the Mulberry Mabel Hobo for $825, $701.25. Another great everyday bag is the Alexander Wang Brenda Zip Bag for $725, $616.25, it looks way cooler in person, very London chic! If you want to gear up for the holidays with some clutches that wows, the Derek Lam Kashmira Clutch that I've had my eyes on for a while now can now be mine with less guilt, $1290, $1096.50. Another amazing party bag is the Diane von Furstenberg Belle Clutch with Studs for $595, $505.75. Sale ends Wednesday, October 21, at 11:59pm PDT.