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.