Recently in Suede Category

Please join me for a day of charitable shopping at Ralph Lauren in Highland Park Village this Thursday, Sept 18 from 10-4PM! Ralph Lauren has generously agreed to donate 15% of the day's TOTAL sales to our various charities including Heroes for Handbags-- an organization that offers financial assistance to families with children who are afflicted with cancer. It is such a great cause and I hope you can make it!

For out of State, Asia and Europe readers, you can join the shopping fun by calling Dana and she will gladly ship anything to you, tax free!  214-522-5270

There are so many yummy things this Fall from Ralph. My favorite is the Monaco convertible clutch (below), it's an oversized clutch (12"x8") with detachable strap that turns it into a chic shoulder bag.  The silver python ($2,895) is amazing and I find myself mesmerized by the deliciously rich purple suede version ($1,195), too!

There are also box clutches in sumptuous crocodile and python as well as a new crocodile bag called "The Bedford".  Jump for more details!

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

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!!

I absolutely love Phillip Lim and it thrills me that he is making bags that are snob worthy. This suede camera bag in evergreen is the perfect neutral shade of green that will still give the splash of vibrant color for Summer. It is loose and casual but never sloppy! You could actually use this for a camera, I imagine it would be a video camera since regular camera these days are quite slim, but the full openness is great for finding things in a hurry. You open the bag and everything is laid out before your eyes. There are lots of pockets for the little things so it is more organized than my desk, that's for sure! I'm shocked every time I need to find something and actually do. Maybe that's why bags with lots of compartments appeal to me, I am in need of order! We get lots of emails from you asking for bags under $600, well this is $685 but everyone's budget can fudge just a little. This is such an amazing bag for that price, especially for the younger girls who want to stay ahead of the fashion curve. At Barneys New York.

This reminds me of Michelle Pfeiffer's character in Scarface with her heroin chic appeal (it was cocaine actually which makes it so much more 80's). This clutch would be perfect with everything she wore in that movie - the glistening metallic suede, gold hardware, even a wrist strap so she can properly seduce men on the dance floor. First you get the money, then you get the power and THEN you get the bags!! But you certainly don't need to resort to drug dealing for this bag, it is only $995 (petty theft maybe but nothing major like organized crime). Seeing that this bag is able to bridge the gap between the 70's, 80's and today (this bag's personality is too clear and collected to be 90's), it is a safe bet that it will let you get along for quite a few years more with it. And who says this has to be strictly an evening affair? I would love to run around during the day with my girlfriends being carefree and chic without my giant tote with laptop weighing it down like a ton of bricks. I wish I had used clutches more before I had kids and a job, because now I feel like it is such a luxury when I do get to use a cute little feather light clutch (even giant clutches are light to me, anything less than 10 pounds is considered light). But I guess it just makes me love it and appreciate it so much more when I get a chance to use them. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $995. Free shipping with code HOLIDAY7.

I am impressed with Jimmy Choo for continuing to design bags that are current and good for everyday. This metallic suede may be trendy because metallic is hot now but honestly, metallic is not going away any time soon - it is a long lasting bag that can be worn for many seasons and pretty much can go with anything. It is perfect for those who only need (or must) buy only one or two bags a season. One thing though, I wish designers would start making all chain bags with leather at the shoulder, you still get the full chain look when it's on and the comfort and ease makes all the difference in the world. Plus, this is suede, perfect for non slippage so why not go there? That's just my $.02. The simplicity of this bag makes me really like the chain even though I'm not normally a chain lover, it's fitting with the hardware and makes the bag come together very naturally. The silver metallic with the gold hardware is very much of the day so you are really getting an all around bag that is keeping up with the latest. I admit this is not a raving review but I see this as suiting the needs of someone who wants a bag they don't need to think about on a daily basis, it is a grab and go bag. At Net a Porter for $1695.

Well, its one for the money, Two for the show, Three to get ready, Now go, snob, go. You can do what you want but lay off my Blue Suede Bag! Okay, my interpretation of Elvis is totally cheeseball but how hot is this dark blue suede bag? The Adele is another drool inducing bag from Jimmy Choo; made of butter soft suede and trimmed in navy snakeskin (for a touch of the season's must have exotic) with simple gold hardware, this looks like a bag straight off the arm of Bianca Jagger circa 1978! This modern version of Bohemian chic also has unique touches like a metal frame to ensure the bag stays slouchy without losing its shape. The size also gets our stamp of approval, at 13" wide you'll be rockin' the big bag trend without looking ridiculous.

$1,675 at Jimmy Choo Boutiques Worldwide

Sweepstakes

Dear Bag Snob,

I am a young University Professor, I am looking for a bag that will carry all of my books and papers while still looking fierce. I don't want to look too young with a backpack, or too aged with a briefcase. What do you recommend? Thanks!

Shawna

Dear Shawna,

Now that everyone is gearing up to go back to school, we have been getting a lot of questions about the perfect bag for students, as well as professors like yourself. You are absolutely right, who in their right mind would show up post high school with a backpack? And unless you are wearing a tweed coat with leather elbow patches, you should not even own a briefcase!! We of course have the perfect bag for you and it's from one of our favorite designers, Lanvin. This suede messenger is super functional and is as fierce as they come without being overly frivolous and fussy for campus life. The flap closure makes your life easier and the short strap keeps you from looking like an actual messenger. In fact, the length of the strap is what makes this bag for me. The obvious thing to do would be to make this into a over the shoulder bag, but you lose the chic, on-the-go style. The size is great for books and papers at 15" x 19", not so big that it would topple you but adequate for most books (at least the ones that I read =) You can get it at Barneys for $1380.

Love,
The Bag Snob