Gucci Gucci Goo

I've been interested in getting a Gucci bag for a while, and knew that I wanted to get a monogram pattern, but I was never able to find the right shape. The bags were either too big, or too small, or too covered in hardware. Or fringe. Apparently I'm the Goldie Locks of Gucci handbags.

Then I recently stumbled across the Medium Full Moon Hobo Bag at Saks, and I think I may have found a winner!

Great shape, good size, simple, and under a grand.

$795 at Saks. Thoughts?

On The Street

Have you heard of Bill Cunningham? If you haven't, I've sure got a treat for you.

He's a fashion writer for the New York Times and is responsible for my favorite NYT feature, On the Street.

Each week, he wanders the streets of Manhattan and finds an of-the-moment item or trend to discuss in his self-narrated audio slide show. He certainly doesn't discriminate when it comes to fashion - past topics have ranged from vests, to crazy shoes, to hats, to last week's look at men who wear pants below their asses (that last one I will never understand. Don't they know where their wastes are?)

I love Bill Cunningham's features because he truly loves everything that is somewhat out of the ordinary and original. Everything, in his POV, is "mah-velous". I could listen to him forever.

This weekend his slide show covers the large, colorful bags that are everywhere in NYC this summer. He discusses bags from Louis Vutton (specifically, the bags designed by Richard Prince),











the Gucci Indy bag that was popularized in part by Eva Longoria and continues to have legs after being popular for over a year,













and
a hardware-laden Balenciaga bag.








Perhaps redefining the words "oversized handbag" is this fabric Yamamoto. If you ever have to start carting around dead bodies, this is probably your best bet.

For more of Bill Cunningham and his "mahvelous, just fabulous!" audio slide show, click here.

Hardware Hazard

Ohhhhh, Gucci. What am I going to do with you?

I like a well-placed stud as much as the next person. However, like sugar or alcohol or wasabi, too much of it makes an otherwise good thing VERY VERY bad. Don't you know that overindulging in hardware can be hazardous to your health?

Case in point:

Medium Babouska Heart Bag
$2,495 at Saks


Medium Babouska Heart Tote
$2,195 at Saks

I'm making an appointment with my eye doctor as we speak...

if there's one thing i heart, it's men who dress well and who also occasionally wear that worn-in hoodie from their college days that makes them oh-so huggable (and me oh-so swoon).

i have had a few requests by men wondering about "man bags" - and the fine line they tread between fashionable and feminine. whatever we at bags for bitches show here on our site, though, bear in mind - it's more about how you wear it than what "it" is that you're wearing.

if you're still unconvinced about the plethora of man bags and styles at the end of the post, you can always go to your local tumi store to pick up what's sure to be a great quality, if slightly boring, one.

i've organized my finds from flashier to subtler to sporty. hopefully you'll find a category, if not a bag, that you like!

Flashy


Gucci Large Messenger, $645Louis Vuitton, Damier azur naviglio, $995

Subtle

Prada Deerskin Messenger, $1,895

Prada Single Clip Messenger, $750


Louis Vuitton, Utah Leather Omaha, $1,750

Sporty
Lacoste, Canvas Messenger, $140
Puma Ducati Shoulder Bag, $95

The Good, The Bad, and the Fugly: Gucci's Fall Handbag Line

Gucci's fall handbag line recently became available on Neimans. There are a few hits and some sure misses - let's just say, someone on the design team has been watching too much Project Runway.

Scroll down for more.

THE GOOD

Pretty basic leather tote. Kinda hard to f*ck this baby up. Heart detail adds a nice touch.

Babousak Top-Handle Bag, Large
$1,595

Loving the way the patent leather shines. This is a one-size-fits-all bag. If you can't pay your mortgage, you can probably move into here.

Hysteria Tote, Large
$1,595

Cute patent clutch. What's not to like?

Hysteria Clutch
$675

The shape is a bit odd, but I think it would look a bit better if it weren't quite so stuffed. And brown python is delicious.

Jockey Hobo, Large
$3,295

THE BAD

The shape is weird, and there are far too many studs. And that tassle is awful. And the handle is too short. Nice try a knocking off a speedy, by you didn't quite get there.

Babouska Boston Bag, Large
$2,350

Dude...life is good...I love everything...stop the war...free love...sex, drugs, and rock and roll...Woodstock...let's take some more LSD...

Hysteria Tote, Large
$1,295

THE FUGLY

Ok, this is where the Project Runway reference comes in. When I look at this bag, the first thing that comes to mind is: OMG, Chris Marsh designed this bag and put human hair all over it! If you don't watch PR, then this reference will be meaningless, but those of you whose guilty pleasure is reality TV will know what I'm talking about.

Babouska Shoulder Bag, Large
$2,395

DITTO

Babousak Shoulder Bag, Large
$2,295

Yet Another Sale

Sale Sale Sale.

That word is starting to lose meaning because there are so friggin' many of them! As you can probably figure out for yourself, the economy kinda sucks right now, and so even high-end retailers have to slash prices in order to keep up revenues.

Neimans is slashing another 25% off already reduced handbag prices - bringing total savings to 44%. The pickings are a little slime, sure, but there are still a few deals out there, and this might be the right time if you are thinking seriously about taking the plunge and making your first high-end bag purchase.

A few sample items:

Miu Miu Frigned Woven Leather Hobo

Was: $1,445
Now: $813

Gucci Pop Bamboo Large Tote
Was: $1,890
Now: $1,063

Stella McCartney Ruched Shoulder Bag
Was: $1,295
Now: $728.25

Gucci Sabrina Large Hobo
Was: $2,950
Now: $1,659.75

Sex and the Pretty (And Pretty Ugly) PART 1

Like the rest of the women in the western world, I saw Sex and the City this weekend. Bags for Bitches is not a movie review blog, so I will restrict my comments to those that are bag-related.

I took mental notes throughout my viewing experience of all the bags carried by Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, Samantha, and of course, St. Louise. I don't have time to consolidate it all into one post (busy day at work!) but I will be writing short posts over the next few days that highlight a bag or two. Enjoy!


What: Gucci Loves New York bag
Where: On the hall table in Charlotte's apartment
How Much: Check out Ebay
Verdict: For uber-rich, New York-obsessed, Gucci-lovin' fashionistas only

A Limerick for Gucci. Can you write a better one?

I'm completely ripping off Emilie's poetry idea, except that I'm going to write a limerick. I'm far too verbose for a haiku.


















The "Hysteria" bag is from Gucci
It would be approved by Mr. Tucci*
The black leather is like butter
It sets my heart a-flutter
So jealous is Emilio Pucci!**

Available for $1295 in black and gunmetal.

*Rather, Stanley Tucci's character, Nigel, would approve. He was the fashion director at Runway in The Devil Wears Prada
**Because he designs bags that look like this (I know that he's dead, but the limerick doesn't work unless we ignore that fact):