Recently in The Latest "It" Bags Category

Left: Balenciaga Cherche, Right: Banana Republic Robson

This Balenciaga is one of those things that slowly grew on me. The first time I saw it, I pretty much walked by with no fanfare whatsoever. Then the next time I picked it up, saw the stingray medallion and mused at how that bit of detail really made the clutch. Then the 3rd time, I walked around with it and looked in the mirror for full inspection. And now that I am looking for the perfect clutch, it is on my top 3 finalist list. Sometimes it is the slow smolder that burns the brightest (much like boyfriends, right?). I was about to get it until a recent trip to Banana Republic and what do I see? A knockoff! OK, it isn't a "fake" kind of knockoff but the styles surely do resemble each other a little too closely for my liking. I am left in a stupor because on the one hand, I should not be deterred by Banana Republic, it is not as though you would mistaken the Balenciaga as anything but a designer bag. But on the other hand, if the basic style and shape is what I love, why not save $835 and just get the Banana look-a-like? OK, the Banana one does not have the cool stingray medallion but is that really worth $835? I mean, to be perfectly honest, the Banana clutch is nice and cleanly made. But am I so much a snob that I can't "lower myself" to using a Banana Republic bag? I mean, I wear the clothes, I have this orange silk dress that gets more compliments than I ever did for any of my Balenciaga dresses. In the end, I could not get myself to compromise, not even to the extent of getting the actual Balenciaga knowing that the other one is out there. The difference is slight yet it is separated by a vast pretension that I cannot bridge. Balenciaga Cherche clutch at Barneys for $995, Banana Republic Robson clutch for $160.

I saw this at Barneys and fell in love so I immediately grabbed it to find out the designer and to my surprise it was a Barneys Private Label. Actually, I shouldn't be so surprised, Barneys' fashion director Julie Gilhart is heavily involved in the design and development of the line and we all know how fashionable and tasteful she is. There are a lot of basics like the tote and computer bag that I love but this is a fashion bag, not purely a utilitarian one. I love that this works as a "clutch" for all your clutch functions but you don't have to fumble with holding it in your hands because it has the handy handles, and not only are they handy, they are fabulously cool! The size is that of a larger clutch, 10 3/4" by 14". I love the pleated leather on the frame, it is ladylike with a sexy modern twist. It is also way more functional than a clutch, the full shape and inside organizational pockets make this easy for day. But probably not for work, which makes the name of the bag a little odd. This with jeans with a cropped jacket and the look will take me everywhere I ever need to go. The only thing is, for Private Label, I expect the price to be a little more approachable than $695. At Barneys New York. Comes in this camel, rose (which is actually grayish) and black.

I'll be the first to admit that I am not the biggest Jimmy Choo fan. Not even the shoes, especially the shoes because they are beautiful and they do not fit my feet. Fine, I am a bitter woman. But the bags are a different story, there hasn't been one that was a must for me. Not that I am running out to make sure this bag becomes a part of my life anytime soon but at least it is warming the cockles of my heart. Of course it is my Marni loving side that is digging the wooden handles, the dark tone with the white bag is truly divine! The roomy shape and plethora of interior pockets make this an easy every day bag. The one not so minor detail that is derailing the consumerism in me is the middle zipper option. I hate the way it looks when closed, it should never be closed (supposedly to save room and make it smaller but the difference is so insignificant it makes it even lamer). I like the pleated look with the pocket in the middle so if they were actual pleats instead of the zipper, I would make this mine. So why not just leave it open and pretend those zippers don't exist? Because these things matter to me and I can't overlook details I hate. These are the kind of things you can overlook at 70% off but at full price of $1995, it pretty much needs to be perfect in my eyes. And 70% off isn't so far off these days. At Net a Porter.

I saw this bag the other day and almost bought it but I am in Christmas shopping mode and swore I would not buy anything for myself while shopping for others this year (so hard to do, I always end up with lots of "presents" to myself during the holidays!). I love shiny things and this pale gold napa leather tote has just the right amount of glimmer, so it's a little boring but you do not want too much going on with a gold bag! Of course too much of a good thing can also be bad which is why the casual woven handle and weighted strap across the front perfectly balances the gold (thank god they didn't add any shiny hardware!). Slouchy and easy, it can take you beachside to tableside effortlessly. The lining is also delicious in a pale champagne satin with multiple pockets. I have an old clutch from MK in this same gold leather and after a while, it patinas to a more subtle shine, so chic! It is sized at 14" but looks smaller because it's soft and drapes well. I know many of you are planning your trips now and the last thing you want to think about is your wardrobe while on vacation, which is why this bag will be your best friend no matter where you go. If you're not into the gold, there is a fabulous gray version of this bag at the Michael Kors boutique. $1,395 at Net-a-porter.com(Price is right, too!)

Interesting, all purpose clutches are always in demand - the small size of a clutch leaves room for some flair but you also require multi-duty so that you don't end up with a drawer full of one offs. This Katherine Flemming does just that with the exquisite python in the criss-cross design. The various shapes and trims really catches the eye but because they are all small pieces of skin, it makes the clutch quite affordable. Ingenious, I say! Of course a one piece design is more valuable but there is also merit in well thought out design and execution. This takes advantage of the texture and variation of the python. It is a roll clutch so it is super utilitarian, good enough for day even. I actually don't have enough clutches, well I do but like I said, they are so specific that they only go with the one dress or gown I got it for. No more, I am on a hunt for clutches that will serve me through thick and thin and I'm starting with this one. Next, I will need a really subtle metallic, I am thinking crocodile for that one. This is available at Barneys New York for $1300.

Top Row: Chloe, Jimmy Choo, Anya Hindmarch, Miu Miu Center: Marni, Christian Louboutin, Bottega Veneta, Burberry Bottom: Lanvin, Celine

I am ready for some new bags to come out already. It's so exciting at the beginning of each season while I wait for new bags to arrive daily and then it's like, ok, I'm done, next! But there is still sale season, which is great, but of course I've seen all the bags already so it's really boring. We've done some Spring previews so when those come out, it's like, been there, done that. It's really hard to keep a high maintenance shopper happy! So for the time being, I am being entertained and semi-indulged by the Cruise Collection that is about to be available at Net-a-Porter. I am immediately drawn to the cute little green clutch, which is not surprisingly a Marni. The satin Lanvin clutch with rosette embellishment is great for cocktail parties and I like the bright blue Anya Hindmarch tote, super fun and happy and perfect for vacations on a cruise, I suppose. But Miu Miu has been quite disappointing these last few seasons, I mean, what is up with the Gucci knockoff bamboo handle? Uh-uh, no. The new Celine though is something that tugs at my wallet, the line quite young and hip these days but the functionality is all there so if you're in the market for a good black basic, this might be a very good bet. Coming soon to Net-a-Porter. We'll let you know, of course, when it hits!

 

Paige Gamble is the new "it" girl, she is the sexy secretary with an alternative twist. A lot of designers are trying to walk the tight line of this edgy ladylike look, Nanette Lapore totally failed in the Fall 2008 collection, everything just looks like fuddy duddy secretary. But bright eyed and fresh Paige Gamble hit it dead on by pairing her ultimately classic exotic pieces raw cut gems and great colors for a bold twist. The Pink Stingray clutch has natural suede gussets, you can't see it in the picture but the subtlety makes a huge difference in making this clutch totally stand out. The Ink Alligator with Pyrite is my favorite clutch from her collection. She uses alligator for its perfection and she selects only full grown mature alligators for the full sized scales and size of skin - all her bags are made from one piece of skin, there are no seams on this clutch, the skin wraps all the way around. Crazy! And she throws a knock out punch with the raw cut pyrite that takes this bag from any ole clutch to clutch of the moment. Who wants beads and crystals anymore? For evening and formal events, throw out the bejeweled numbers, this is the new look when you want "fancy". The best part is, she is only at select stores so you will have a one of a kind (actually, all her clutches are one of a kind because of the stones). The Pink Stingray is $1400 and Alligator with Pyrite is $3200. A small selection is available on the Paige Gamble website, but you can order anything directly through her.

Don't miss the jump page for the pièce de rèsistance.

I am so loving the cool and interesting shapes and styles crocodile is coming in. On one hand, I am feeling the need to go vintage classic with the ladylike look (the sexy secretary is THE look now) but for anything to be fun and interesting there has to be a dichotomy, thus the urge for funky and edgy, like the blue tote in the middle here. The others are classic styles but there is a certain decadence to buying big bright colorful crocodile bags. One thing for sure, you will stand out with your over indulgence but at these prices, you are getting the envy at a discount! These bags are only $2500 for each of these styles, now that is a price I can deal with, seeing that some leather bags easily go for that. Why not go bold and dramatic on a crocodile as my seasonal trend bag? And who knows, these bags are so funky, they might just stick around for years to come. The Spring line will be available at Laguna Online early in 2009.

Left: Pearl Ivory; Right: Silver

Is this boring? Maybe, but in this economy you have to go with practical and classic. Besides, isn't that why we all fell in love with Prada in the first place? For the clean simplicity? I love the big pleat detail and the subtle buckles on the side. But it's the colors that I am really in love with. Pearlized ivory and silver are so lovely for the winter and I don't need to point out the obvious fact that it goes with absolutely everything. The slight shimmer is just what you need for a bit of flash while staying perfectly neutral. It is kind of like nude lip gloss - you can't go nude nude unless there is some shimmer. I have been off Prada for a long time but their shoes is what got me back in favor and oddly, it is spilling over to the bags. I don't like the metal letters logo, I wish they would go back to the embossed logo but I am ok with it, I have to be, I have no choice. But I definitely draw the line at the "Prada" on their shoes, who the heck wants stuff written on their shoes? Tote available at Neiman Marcus for $1695.

Does it feel like it's Miuccia day? I can't recall ever bashing on Miu Miu; for some reason Prada's younger and much hipper sibling has never disappointed me. Take this tote in urban chic distressed leather for example, looks simple, right? Look closer, coral stone on the strap? How delightfully unexpected! Now this is something I can take to the park with my son and be glamorous but appropriate (okay, truth is I don't wear sneakers and jeans to the park-- I just wear what I usually wear which means I get stared and snickered at by other moms when I'm sliding down the slide with platform shoes on-- but do I care? Not really. I had lunch with a girlfriend the other day and told her I was thinking about signing my son up for soccer. She burst out laughing and said "You are not going to fare well with those soccer moms, just keep him in golf and tennis"!). Anyhoo, back to the bag-- the shoulder strap function has become important to me. I used to turn my nose up at the whole cross the body strap thing until I started traveling with a child. Trust me, you want both hands free when running around the airport! Let's see, 14"x14" is big but I think manageable for most people-- especially if you need to put your laptop in it or school books. Hum, what else do I need to tell you about this bag.... oh it's $1,550 but think about how functional a simple tote with a twist is and how long you'll be able to use it-- forever. Miu Miu at Net-a-porter.com