Political Bag Bitch Part II: The Things They Carry

Two years of stumping, campaigning, and "gosh darn"-ing are only a few short days away from culminating in Tuesday's Presidential election. Political pundits have debated on a diverse set of themes in recent months, ranging from Iraq, to the economy, to everyone's favorite plumber, Joe. Despite the fact that our country is potentially in a downward spiral, the current topic of conversation has revolved around Sarah Palin's $150K wardrobe. Sure, this obnoxious spending surely points to the Republican's questionable judgment and Palin's own willingness to stray from her "Hockey Mom" image, but I think we can all agree that there are much more important matters to discuss.

But this blog is about handbags, not politics, so superficiality it is!

This post was inspired by an amazing, smart, gorgeous and talented reader, who sent The Bag Bitches the following email:

Dear Bag Bitches,

Despite our wildly different ideas on foreign policy, energy policy, education policy, fiscal policy, tax policy....you get the idea, I've been following Gov. Palin's wardrobe choices since she stepped onto the national stage. Now that the cat is out of the bag (pun intended) that her RNC lackeys spent $150K on her clothes over the past two months, I've been wondering if that includes bag purchases, as well. If so, I am not surprised they racked up the $150K tab, although still disgusted at this misguided use of campaign donor money. But nevertheless, can you write an entry about Palin's bag accessories, and maybe also those of Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain?

Unfortunately the web is a little light on information about the handbag choices of the three most important ladies of this election season. And so I've considered their backgrounds, clothing choices, families, and geographies to put together my own handbag profile for each.

Who: Cindy McCain
Where: Saks 5th Avenue
What: Classic, feminine bags unavailable to us mere mortals with clean lines; bejeweled clutches; pink; lots of pockets to carry around her husband's pills and dentures
Who: Chanel, Anya Hindmarch, Fendi, Gucci, Tod's, YSL, Bottega Venetta, Judith Leiber, Oscar de la Renta

Example Bags:














YSL Uptown Patent Top Handle, $2,195; Leiber Bejeweled Convertible Clutch, $3,995; Fendi Micro Anniversary Baguette, $625 (click on an image for more information)

Who: Michelle Obama
Where: Nordstrom
What: Practical with a side of funky; totes; color; lots of pockets to carry around the kids' cheerios, kool-aid, and homework
Who: Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Cole Haan, Tory Burch, Longchamp


Example Bags:













Kate Spade Tarrytown - Quinn Handheld Tote, $395; Tory Burch 'Lux T - Jordana' Embossed Tote, $495; Michael Kors Large Hobo, $1,395 (click on an image for more information)

Who: Sarah Palin
Where: Pre Nomination - Army-Navy Supply, Sears; Post Nomination - Neiman Marcus
What: Pre Nomination - Camouflage backpacks; fanny packs; canvas tote bags; lots of pockets to carry around baby bottles and bandaids; Post Nomination - Luxury bags bought by Republican lackeys; lots of pockets to carry around her talking points and glasses
Who: Pre Nomination - Joe the Plumber, his cousin Joe Sixpack, and Jane Winebox; Post Nomination - Prada, Christian Dior, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana

Example Bags (post-election day):






















Cabela's All-Day Transporter Fanny Pack, $89.99; CafePress Obama Tote Bag, $14.99; Sears Leather Handbag / Organizer , $44.99

An Open Letter to Marc Jacobs

Dearest Marc:

Perhaps it's time for me to share with you some of my key purchase criteria when I'm in the market for a new bag. There is one in particular that I feel you should know.

When looking for my next purchase, I generally try to avoid bags that remind me of the time I spent in prison. Therefore, your Striped Jersey Shopper just isn't going to work for me.

My Heartfelt Regards,
Shannah
[Editor's Note: Just in case you didn't pick up on it, that was sarcasm. I've never been to prison. Available for $80 at Net-A-Porter]

The Bag of the Minute: Underwater Bag Weaving

Apparently all young New Yorkers got the memo that it was time to stuff, bag, and store their Goyard totes in favor of the new bag of the moment: Cole Haan's Triangle Tote from it's Genevieve Collection.

This bag is all over - ALL OVER - Manhattan, draped on the arms of 20- and 30-somethings as they walk the streets in their leggings and booties.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice looking bag, but I'm Franky sick and tired of Cole Haan completely ripping off Bottega Veneta's signature look: woven leather. If CH wants to be known as the poor man's BV, that's their prerogative, but I'd hoped that after a few years of copying a higher-end brand they'd be able to come up with some thing a wee bit more original.

On the positive side of things, the bag is a whole lot cheaper than BV. Coming in at just under 500 smackers, the Triangle Tote is available in seven different colors, ranging from black to saddle brown to almond.

Available at Cole Haan and better department stores everywhere.

Halloween Bag Bitch

Unless you intend to dress up as Angelina Jolie for Halloween, this

is a big no-no.

The lips wristlet by Betsey Johnson. $78 on shopbop.

I Hope This Is Not a Mirage

Carlos Falchi is primarily known for his gorgeous exotic handbags (ignore the last post...), which can run into the high four figures. I thought that owning one of his bags would be out of reach - at least for the foreseeable future (NYC is EXPENSIVE, ya'll!) - but it looks as if my luck has changed!

Perhaps a reaction to the current economic situation, Falchi is now offering the Medium Shopper Tote for a comparatively very, very low $220. Of course the bag is not made of real exotic leather, but the embossing wins a lot of points for looking more realistic than most attempts. A true tote bag, it comes complete with 10-inch straps, a removable pouch, and several inside pockets. The top stays together with a snap closure.

What's also great about this bag: options! It comes in a whopping four colors, including silver, gold, black, and brown. Hop on the metallic bandwagon by adding one of these beauties to your wardrobe. $220 at Saks.

Pleats that Pop

Yellow can be a tough color to pull off. One of my first posts was about how I and the color yellow just did not get along during the early part of my life. And yellow shirts gave my face a certain pallor that wasn't going to win me any beauty contests.

But the beauty of accessories is that you can take colors - or styles, for that matter - that would not work on the larger scale and make them your own. I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of yellow pleather pants or a patent yellow raincoat, but a small yellow clutch just may be what my wardrobe needs to go from bad to fab.

Thinking along those lines, as well as my commitment to feature more accessible bags, I discovered the La Regale Patent Gathered Clutch. The gathering is what makes this bag stand out - it adds an intriguing texture and draws attention to the eye. Just be careful about pairing this with too much black - the idea is to BE cool, not be a BEE.

$70 at Macy's. Also includes a 21 inch silver chain, because sometimes in life we just need two hands.

it was the worst of times

next in the series - we turn to "the ugliest bag in the world"

nameless chicken bag (price and maker unknown)


well. i didn't quite have the visceral reaction to this bag that the blogger did - "... tonight, while I was bored and doing a bit of online shopping, I found what might actually be the world's most ugliest handbag EVER. I can't stop looking at it. Like looking at a trainwreck I guess."

i think shannah's beaded monstro-fucking-osity was a thousand times worse than this - at least you can tell what they were aiming for here, even if it's just a chicken. i can appreciate it for its uniqueness and humor.

perhaps it even lays golden eggs!

have you ever

loved a woman? googled "the most beautiful handbag in the world"?

WELL in case you haven't, i have!

here's the first pic that came up:
yves saint laurent capri patent leather purse ($1360 at MyTheresa)


granted, this pic was posted by a competing bag blogger - but if your name isn't bagsforbitches, your URL isn't important. in any case, i don't agree. it's nice and all, but the color is iffy - made all the worse by coming in patent leather (amazing for some bags, but not appropriate for this one) - and the lowest layer looks like (dare i say it) two boobs. or two eyes, for those whose mind is less in the gutter. in any case...

i suppose the natural follow up question would be "well then, emilie, what bag do YOU think is the most beautiful in the world?"

and i'd reply "if i knew the answer to that question, i'd have a picture of it hanging off my shoulder."

Yeah the Economy Sucks, But on the Bright Side...

Given the current state of the economy, I feel a little bit silly writing about multi-thousand dollar bags. So now I'm going to make a commitment to equally represent options that are far less pricey.

I start with the Lucky Medium Leather Slouch Shoulder Bag. It's available at Macy's in bright turquoise for a much more reasonable $158. Folks, I realize it's a bit on the bright side. So, yeah, probably not the best option for winter. But come Spring...you'll look like a million smackers carrying around this gorgeous slouchy hobo. Wear neutral clothing and let this bag be the pizazz in your uniform.

Each Groovee Bag, Groovee'r than the Next

I've posted on MJ's fabulous Groovee bag many times in the past - an almost perfect silhouette, great size, and ability to transition from day to night, night to day, and weekday to weekend. In previous seasons it's been available in a variety of beautiful leathers, ranging from black, to brown, to purple.

This version is made of monogrammed coated cotton and purple patent leather trim. And I think it is beautiful - the deep purple patent leather perfectly accents the more neutral coated cotton, which in itself incites interest without being intrusive.

Pick yours up today for $398 at Saks.

About Face

I'm all about the avant-garde when it comes to handbags, provided that it's attractive, surprising, and difficult to replicate.

This ridiculous purple tote bag just doesn't seem to fit the bill. Sorry, Sonia, but I could make this fourth grade art project with a $5 canvas bag and a few pieces of brightly colored felt from Wal-Mart.

Maybe that's what I'll do this weekend.
$320 fom Net-A-Porter, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel.

UPDATE: Goyardgeous

Last week I posted on the Goyard's Saint Louis bag that everyone in NYC has been toting around. The bag is not sold online, so I wasn't able to determine the exact price.

Well, being the industrious, reliable handbag blogger that I am, I recently went down to Barney's to get you the goods. And I must say,

I

WAS

SHOCKED!!!

I thought the bags would be pretty pricey, but nothing could have prepared me for what I heard. The medium size tote, a good size for every day, comes in at $940. And the large tote, better for a weekend bag or for carrying documents back and forth to work, tipped the cash register at $1065.

So while these bags are nice looking and functional, I find them to be dramatically overpriced.

Especially in today's economy.

Political Bag Bitch

Educate yourself.

Watch the first Presidential debate tonight at 9pm EST.

Update: In keeping with the spirit with this blog, a comment about the male equivalent of the handbag, the necktie - McCain's is FUG.

The Bead Store Threw Up and This Came Out

The Beaded Shoulder Bag by Matthew Williamson is truly heinous.

Maybe it would look appropriate if Mary Kate Olsen was carrying it in the 80s, wearing baggy acid wash jeans and an oversized purple crew-neck cotton t-shirt, big, dark, poofy, frizzy hair, and moccasins.

If you do not fit this description entire, then this bag is not for you.

$900 (why??????????) from net-a-porter.

do you see what i see?

picture one:
bottega veneta intrecciato shoulder bag (1,270 pounds) at net-a-porter

picture two:
bottega veneta hideous bikini top (free) at microsoft paint

now, perhaps we can't all appreciate my immense artistic talent, but perhaps we *can agree that this bag looks like a terribly unflattering, and terribly flattening leater woven bikini top (apparently, at least, it's "butter soft")

It"s One for the Money, Two for the Show

Apparently every fashion designer in the universe got the memo that suede is the "it" fabric this fall. Suede can be found everywhere you turn - blazers, shoes, and, of course, handbags - which are never left behind when it comes to the trend of the minute.

Below is a collection of some of the suede bags currently available. Click on an image for more information about each bag.

From top to bottom: Furla, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Cole Haan, Valentino, Kooba. Prices range from $395 to $1,895.

Say "Layered Leather" 3 Times Fast

Several months ago I blasted Miu Miu for its Nappa Patch Petals Satchel, deeming it a worthy bag if, and only if, it was paired with a tree costume on Halloween. I never really thought this style of layered leather could work, but Valentino has proved me wrong.





The Valentino Nappa Allure Bag from Saks is beautiful. The layered leather gives the bag an interesting, unique texture that keeps basic black from looking boring. Pick this baby up for $2,495, and carry it everywhere you go.

The Prada Nappa S Ruffle Clutch in Beige:

The head of a golden elephant:

That's all.

$1,695 at Neiman Marcus in beige and nero.

A Horse Shoe of a Different Color

The summer of my 8th year, I went to a daycamp that offered horseback riding. That summer I came to love it - I was pretty decent at trotting, cantering, galloping, a.k.a. sitting atop the horse while it pranced along at faster and faster speeds.

Once I mastered the act of going up and down on top of the horse in concert with its movements, my counselors decided it was time for me to take my riding to the next level: jumping!

I was so excited. I sat on the horse, staring at the 1.5 foot high gate, visualizing myself sailing over it with grace, making it look so effortless that even the counselors would be impressed.

I kicked the side of the horse, rode towards the gate, and as the horse began its jump, I went up into the air and...

fell off the horse and onto my ass.

Ouch.

Later that day, the camp counselors, in great ceremony, presented me with two starbursts and a silver horseshoe. They mumbled something about bravery...strength...getting back on the horse...but now I recognize the gifts for what they were: hush money!

I swear this story has a point. As I was browsing through the pages of net-a-porter this morning, I was reminded of my fall and subsequent "please don't sue us" horseshoe and starburst combo.

Can you guess why?

The Trigger Shoulder Bag by Alexander McQueen - $2,345 at net-a-porter.

Supersize Me!

A recent trip to Bloomingdales made me fall in love with Kate Spade's Elba Exotic Paola clutch. Sure, its a little bit on the enormous side for a clutch (measuring at 8.2 inches high and 12.9 inches wide), but this makes it the perfect choice for daytime. Class yourself up by carrying this baby with a tailored suit for a business meeting. Made of embossed leather with la ovely lining, this clutch can be worn with or without the included gold chain. Also available in yellow mock-ostrich and berry red mock-croc. $395 at Kate Spade.

The Beauty of Outlet Stores

In my very first Bags for Bitches post, I talked about Linea Pelle's Dylan Patchwork tote. It really is a lovely bag, but at the time I wasn't willing to pay full price for it. When I finally got around to thinking about it again, it was no longer in stores. For a time, I thought the Dylan Patchwork would never be mine, but a quick trip to an outlet mall changed my fate.

Last Thursday, during a work-related trip to the Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall, I ventured into Neiman Marcus Last Call. Neiman Marcus is a fabulous department store that carries many, many beautiful bags that I unfortunately cannot afford.

Neiman Marcus Last Call is named as such because it carries last season's inventory at reduced prices and is the customer's last opportunity to purchase such products. When I walked into the store, I obviously headed directly over to the accessories department, bypassing perfume, apparel and the rather large furniture section. I dug around for buried treasure. Hideous Marc Jacobs, YSL, and Botkier bags were aplenty (hey, even the best designers sometimes have misses).

Then, on a rack on the edge of the department, I saw it: a brand new black leather Linea Pelle Dylan Patchwork tote, complete with brown and white zebra print silk lining. The bag was already marked down 35%; I haggled with the store manager and he knocked off an additional 20% (the bag was hanging on the wrong T-stand which proclaimed that all bags were 20% off, so he gave me the benefit of the doubt). Suddenly, the beautiful leather bag I had longed for was within reach. I knew if I let the opportunity pass by I would regret it; after carrying it for three out of the last four days, I know I made the right decision.

Say hello to Dylan:

Shanghai Shichang

Hello my loves,

So today, as promised, I went bag shopping! I went to a relatively good fake (oxymoron?) bag market. Here is one of the storefronts

The stores look pretty much identical, and carry pretty much the same bags,
such as these Balenciagas:
and these Chloes:
Other popular brands were D&G and randomly (to me) Tod's. But what I walked away with instead is this Bottega wallet:

for which they originally quoted 600 RMB, but for which I bargained down to 120 RMB (or ~17 USD). I'm not sure if I actually paid too much... but I like it!

上海post 1

so what i learned today...

shanghai has no mid-level bags. it's either below $100 or above $1,000. this makes sense when you think about the customers - and the dichotomy between rich and poor. you either make enough money to be able to buy a nice bag, or there's really no chance of saving up. coach (which, as shannah already pointed out, i hate) has priced itself out of the mid-level bags, or at least is much more expensive than in the states.

this weekend i'm hoping to go to one of the chinese markets where i will, if not thrown out for strange behavior, take pictures of these "low end" bags and show you what i mean. to me, they're actually quite nice. when your fancy has ended with one bag, just buy another!

Beautiful Blues

Are you blue? Cheer up! Feast your eyes on a pair of beautiful blue bags available this season. Blue can be a tough color to wear, for sure, because there's always a chance your bag will match your denim and you'll end up looking like a blueberry. But these bags are vibrant enough that you should be able to avoid looking fruit-y.

First we have this gorgeous blue Chloe tote. A tote is an extremely practical day bag - you can fit everything but the kitchen sink and look stylish at the same time. Great for carrying files back and forth from the office, this bag is sure to be a winner for both work and play. The diamond patent leather trim makes this bag stand out and lets everyone know that you're a diamond in the rough. The bag has a magnetic closure at the top and is lined beautifully with black canvas.

$1,790 at net-a-porter.

Now this is what I call electric! Spice up your life with this gorgeous leather Mabel bag by Mulberry. I already covered a red Mabel bag in one of my first Bags for Bitches posts - but I think this blue may be my favorite of them all! Pair with black pants and a white top, and you'll look smashing.

Grab this baby up for $1,195 at net-a-porter.

Bags that Won't Break the Bank

So, yeah, the bags on this site are very, very pricey. Sure, only a small portion of the human race can afford them. But by no means am I telling you to run out and spend $1,500 on a Louis Vuitton bag. Isn't it just fun knowing that they're out there, and that one day down the road, hopefully not too far away, you may be able to write a check for a couple grand and not care?

But I get that looking at expensive designer bags can be frustrating, because in the event that you see something that you love, the chances of actually being able to make it your own are minimal.

So I've decided to start posting slightly less expensive bags that may be a bit more in your price range. Don't get too excited - I'll never post the $29 bag available from H&M - but hopefully you'll be able to find some good options that won't leave you eating ramen for weeks on end.This is the black patent leather clutch from Banana Republic. It's very structured and has some interesting detail (how great is that buckle!?) that brings it to a whole new level. And the best part: there's a detachable shoulder strap, making this bag a great option for day and night. Bring it to work, and then tear off the strap and take the Robson out for a cocktail. $160 at Banana; also available in grey.

I'm not usually a fan of bags made out of a printed fabric, but I think I'll have to bend the rules a bit for this beauty. Soiree is a laminated canvas bag with an absolutely gorgeous print that is neutral enough to go with anything but exciting enough to increase your outfit's fun level by a factor of 10. It's laminated, which means that your bag will remain in great shape, come rain or hail or gale force winds. A great daytime bag - pair it with a casual LBD and flip flops for a polished look. $78 at J.Crew.

This bag definitely screams business. But you know what they say - All play and no work makes Jackie a poor gal. Buy this structured leather tote from Ann Taylor and you're sure to make an impact on your co-workers. Lined with numerous pockets to keep your life organized. $168, in black only.

The Bag of the Minute: Goyardgeous

The streets of New York City are a veritable cornucopia of designer bags. Everywhere I look, Gucci, Prada, YSL, and Burberry bags are to be found. BIG step up from Boston, where Kate Spade and Louis Vuitton Speedy bags are pretty much as good as it gets.

In my brief experience wandering the sidewalks of NYC, one particular bag has stuck out. Primarily carried by the over-40 set, the bag comes in a variety of colors and is a great everyday tote. The designer is mostly known for luggage but has recently expanded into handbags. And by the looks of it, been very successful.

Most of you have probably never heard of the brand, so prepare to be educated. We'll turn to old reliable, Wikipedia, for some info.

La Maison Goyard was founded in 1853 in Paris. Edmé Goyard worked as a malletier for a company then known as Maison Morel (founded in 1792), which his son, François, bought out in 1853. At that time, the company was renamed Goyard.

Goyard is known for its hard-sided trunks and small accessories. All pieces are covered in a signature hand-painted patented chevron canvas made of cotton, linen, and hemp and displayed in various colors. The chevron canvas was created in 1892; and was traditionally produced in black and red.

Currently, Goyard is sold in fewer than fifteen locations worldwide, including three proprietary boutiques in Paris, San Francisco's Union Square and The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. Other locations include Bergdorf Goodman, select Barneys New York locations and Harvey Nichols Hong Kong.

So what is the bag I've seen all around town? None other than the Saint Louis, a reversible, structured shopping tote complete with matching wallet. The bag comes in ten colors; below are three of my faves.

How much does this baby cost? That's the question of the hour - the price isn't available online, so I guess I better head down to Bergdorf and find out!

Click here for more info on the bag.