Tell Me About it, Stud

I've got chills
They're multiplying!

Studs are all the rage this fall. In some cases, studs sporadically provide a stark contrast to the rest of the bag, while in others, the overuse of studs make you wonder why the leather was there in the first place.

Below, an assortment of this season's hottest studded wonders.

The Minimalist
Badgley Mischka Platimum Label
Anu Structured Leather Hobo
$475 at Saks


















The Baby
Marc Jacobs
Stardust Rock Crossbody Bag
$995 at Saks










The Overkill
Be & D
Garbo Portfolio Shoulder Bag
$995 at Saks

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."

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")

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.

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.

I'm Baaaa-aaack

Ladies and Gents, I'm back in business! It's been a crazy few weeks but life is finally returning to normalcy. What's been going on, you ask?

Well, in the last month, I've:

Quit my job
Moved out of my apartment
Accepted a job in NYC
Found an apartment in NYC
Moved into said NYC apartment

As I'm sure you can imagine, it's been a whirlwind!

But, I finally got internet installed yesterday and Bags for Bitches is Back in Business.

I knew that my first bag back had to be something special, something fabulous, something representative of moving on up in the world. Who better to meet than Nancy Gonzales?


Meet the Gathered croc shoulder bag. It combines many of the "it" trends this season - exotics, purple, pleating - but the style is so classic that you'll be able to use it forever. The beautiful deep purple color can be paired with almost any outfit, and it can be used for both daytime and evening.

Sigh, it's good be be back.

$3,600 at Neiman Marcus.

I'm Working on the Highways and Byways

The other day I ran an errand to CVS, and on the way back to work I came upon a group of gentlemen who I first took to be good samaritans.

Then I looked a little more closely and observed the following:

1. The men were cleaning trash off the sidewalk and almost seemed happy about it
2. The men were being watched by some burly, blue-clad police officers
3. The men were all wearing t-shirts in the brightest shade of neon green I'd ever seen

Conclusion: a modern day chain gang!

And so, to these hopefully non-violent felons I say: thanks for keeping my city clean, and thanks for reminding me that t-shirts and bags should never be made in bright neon green

Like this Marc by Marc Jacobs shoulder bag:Marc by Marc Jacobs
Lil Riz shoulder bag
$430 at net-a-porter.

Ummm...huh?

Why so shy, Ali Shoulder Bag? What are you hiding under your rectangular, silver-tipped arms?

Sorry, but I just don't get this bag.

Prada Fall Collection: Ruffles and Braids and Pleats, OH MY!

Prada's fall handbag collection is finally available on Neiman Marcus. All in all it's pretty run of the mill Prada. No huge surprises, with feminine details aplenty.

Below, my bag-by-bag assessment of some of the stand outs, both good and bad.

(Click on the link embedded in each assessment to be taken to the corresponding website.)

Nice idea, but it just doesn't work for me. Not sure if that's because I'm not at all a ruffle gal or because the bag looks like it's throwing up extra fabric that it had been storing internally for when it got cold in the winter. One or the other, though.

Love, love, love. Must have. Classic with a twist - pleats and handles make this bag feminine without sending it over the ruffle, lace, and pearl-covered edge. Want now.

Seriously Prada, I thought you were better than this. So boring and generic. The handles are WAY too long for the body of the bag. I think I saw a lookalike at Wal-Mart last weekend.

Reminds me of the striped hobo that I blogged about last week, but with slightly more stripe variation. A great Prada entry bag. You'll use this one forever.

The color is beyond awful. The pleats are distracting and asymmetrical, and the shape is completely uninspired. Two words: HATE IT!

This one just isn't working for me. The handles look completely disjointed from the bag, I think because of the pleats at the top. The pleats remind me of two lips that are on the verge of conversing with me: "Oh I'm so ugly and ashamed!" Or maybe I've finally gone completely batty.

This is what my sheets look like in the morning when I wake up. Note to self: cut crumpled sheets, sew into a bag, and sell for a grand. Maybe this would look slightly better if someone took a steamer to it? Oh, and the color is horrid too.

Fall Trend Alert: The Asymmetrical Handbag

First came the one-shoulder dress:
Then came the asymmetrical bob:
Now the handbag is joining their ranks. The assymetrical bag is one of the big trends for fall.

I'm fine with the dress and the hair, but in my opinion the asymmetrical handbag looks about as natural as a pair of capris with two different leg lengths or a pair of pumps with one shoe's heel an inch higher than the other.

In other words, not so much.

A valiant effort by Donna Karan, Jimmy Choo, and Kooba, but I'm hoping this is one trend that doesn't extend past this season.

Donna Karan Evening Star Loop Pouch
$995
Neiman Marcus

Jimmy Choo Ring Detail Hobo

$2,450
Neiman Marcus

Kooba Roni Metallic Shoulder Tote

$595
Neiman Marcus

Where Have you Been All My Life?

Perhaps you are familiar with Lockheart handbags. I was not until today when I discovered them as I "flipped through" Nordstrom's handbag web pages. The two items that jumped out at me - out of many many hundreds of bags, mind you - were both designed by the same company: Lockheart. Coincidence? I think not.

Lockheart is the brainchild of Jennifer Tash and Trang Huynh, the dynamic duo behind Isabelle Fiore handbags. And with what I've seen so far, it looks like their second collaboration will be just as successful, if not more so.

The 'Color Theory - Beth' Satchel is, like, the perfect bag. Perfect size, perfect handle length, perfect blend of class and trend. I wish I could take credit for this beauty! It's available in green, red, and dark brown, and at $550 it won't completely break the bank. Check it out on Nordstrom.
Then there's the 'Color Theory Large' Continental Wallet, which looks as if it can be used as either a wallet or a small clutch. I LOVE this blue color - perfect for a casual night on the town. Also available in red and yellow for $295 from Nordstrom.I don't know about you, but I'm tres excited to find out what these two come up with next.

"Meh" about Burberry

I recently lived in London for six months and TOTALLY drank the Burberry kool-aid while I was there. I fell head over Manolo Blahnik heels for the lovely plaid pattern and went so far as to purchase a blue plaid cashmere scarf - even though it was outrageously expensive, especially when you factor in the inflation rate.

But now that I'm back in the good old US of A, I'm not so hot on Burberry anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still like my scarf (especially when I can block out how much it cost!), but I'm just not that into the Burberry plaid handbags. Maybe Burberry is best left to the Brits.

$695 at Nordstrom.

A New Mulberry Bag, and Some Other Random Topics Too

It is really. friggin. hot. in Boston. I really should bring up my air conditioner from the basement but it's heavy and I just don't have the energy for it right now. So of course I procrastinate by surfing the web for bags.

Before I get to my latest find, I just want to make you aware of Apple's official announcement of the iPhone 3G. It's similar to the first version but operates on a much faster wireless network, has a longer battery life, and has GPS. I'm pretty obsessed with Apple; I've been a loyal follower of the company ever since my family got our very first computer, a Macintosh Performa 400, when I was about 8. Anyway, I thought it was appropriate for me to mention the phone because while it might not be a bag itself, it is certainly something that many women carries in bags, and therefore it is relevant to this blog. And no, I do not work for Apple. Click here for more information on the coolest gadget ever. And so begins the countdown until July 11.
On to something a little more suitable for a handbag blog. About a month and a half ago I introduced you to Mulberry, a great leather company based in the UK. Since that post the company has come out with several new bags, some of which have been total misses, and some of which have been pretty damn hot. The Latimer Shoulder Bag fits into the latter category.

The shape itself is absolutely gorgeous. The color is the perfect shade of red, and if paired with the right clothing and accessories this bag can definitely be carried from daytime to evening. The closure detail is also great - see below for a close-up. Other great features include an adjustable shoulder strap, suede lining, and internal pockets.

Buy yours today for $995 at net-a-porter.


P.S. Does anyone watch Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC? I don't understand how the two parents are still together. They constantly fight over the dumbest stuff...

And I Need to be Redeemed

I immediately felt a little guilty after my handbag rant and started to scour the internet once again to find a bag that I love. It's sort of like when a guy cheats on his girlfriend and buys her a bouquet of flowers because he feels bad about what he's done. I think Fiona Apple says it best:

What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to be redeemed
To the one I've sinned against

I plan to redeem myself by posting a few lovely new bags that prove that the handbag industry hasn't completely gone to sh*t. First up we have the LV Metallic Mahina XS. I think this bag hits the nail on the head when it comes to strap length: bag size ratio. The bag is large enough to fit your day to day necessities AND the strap will comfortably fit over you shoulder. Since this is an LV bag I'm sure the leather is absolutely divine. And while I don't always love the monogram, it's subtle enough to work. The only weird thing about this bag is the name, Mahina. The website states that the name is "inspired by the crescents and phases of the moon; in Polynesian culture, Mahina is a lunar deity." Ok, fine. Cool idea.

But when I look at the name, I can't help but see "Mangina". There's something seriously wrong with me.

$3,050 from eluxury in bronze and silver.

From Trashy to Classy

I'll be honest: I usually associate Versace bags with white trash. First they were carried by the crazy stripper a.k.a. Jessi Spano in Showgirls (she pronounced it "ver-sayce"), and then Brit Brit was photographed all over town with the Quilted Snap Out Of it Bag. It's unfortunate, because I used to like that bag. But leave it to Brit to make classy accessories look like they were purchased from Wal-Mart!

Therefore I was quite surprised when I found a Versace bag that I was immediately drawn to. I thought that I'd sworn off the brand for life; apparently not. My cold, stone heart was softened by Versace's Soft Venus Handbag.


















Now, if you're a regular reader you may realize that this isn't a bag I'd normally go for. It's not really "simple", or "classic", but something about it intrigues me.

First, the color: according to Stacey and Clinton, metallics are neutral, and therefore go with everything. And who can put a price on that?

Second, I'm loving the slouchiness. The Soft Venus looks like it was just fold right into your body, molding to your ever curve.


















I also think the imprinted check pattern is glorious. It's subtle enough to keep the bag classy, but adds a touch of flair to keep it interesting and original.

Other features include: magnetic top closure, cell phone pocket, and an inside zip pocket.

Available at Saks for $3,175.

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):

A Lesson Well Learned

I think MJ must be reading my blog. After I saw this horror, I beseeched that he return to the basics and stop trying to set new trends. If the Marc Jacobs Mercer East-West Tote is any indication, it appears he was listening!This bag is a true classic: simple yet not boring; large enough to fit the basics yet not overwhelming. This is a bag you could use for life. This, ladies and gent, is how you mix fashion and function.

One of my favorite things about the East-West Tote is the handles - the knots are stylish but give the bag a somewhat funky vibe. In addition, the bag comes with a magnetic closure, which will allow you to get in and out easily but still deter pickpockets.

The front zippered pocket provides the perfect place to stash away your keys and cellphone. The handles are long enough to wear on your shoulder, and the bag also comes with a longer removeable shoulder strap.

Available for $1,295 pretty much everywhere:

• Barneys
• Neiman Marcus
• eLuxury
• Saks (slightly different version for $1095)
• and Marc Jacobs stores
  

in off-white, navy, or pistachio

For Your Re-Consideration

I recently found out that Emilie, my illustrious partner in crime, hates Coach - and I'm not talking about the TV show. I find this to be extremely disconcerting for a number of reasons:

1. I happen to like Coach bags
2. I own 3 of them
3. Working at Coach is pretty much my dream job

So, I've made it my goal in life (or at least in the next several minutes) to convert Emilie to a Coach lover.

Like any good debater, I will first start with the strongest counter-argument against liking coach: Signature - those pesky little Cs that are all over many Coach bags. I may like Coach, but that doesn't mean I have to advertise that to the world! Trust me, I get it, Signature can be hids. But guess what: even though I may not personally like Signature bags, I'm OK with them. I am clearly not their target audience. These bags are made for 15 year olds girls. Who are we to deprive these teens of pretty, age appropriate accessories, just because we don't personally like them? At least they provide an alternative to Juicy, my sworn enemy in the handbag world! Just because you like a brand doesn't mean you have to like every item that brand produces. If that were the criteria, no single brand on the face of the planet would be successful. So, let's move on from the Signature issue once and for all.

In late 2006 Coach launched the Legacy collection in conjunction with its 65th anniversary. I instantly loved the collection - it had me at "leg". I knew then that Coach had reached a critical turning point in its evolution, and I have not been disappointed since. In my opinion, Coach has become a go-to in the handbag world. Sure, I may love MJ, Gucci, and Prada, but I could easily look through the entire collection of one of these heavyweights and not find something remotely attractive, depending on the season. Coach, on the other hand, is consistent: you will always be able to find a well-made, attractive, and functional bag in their line. Some people may equate consistency with boredom. I, on the other hand, take comfort in it.

So to Emilie, and other Coach-haters, I say this: give Coach another chance. It's not just your 14-year-old sister's Bat Mitzvah gift anymore. The Legacy Collection has transformed the brand. As they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words. So I will now STFU and leave you with a few thousand words that may speak louder than this entire post. (All available through the Coach website and retail stores).

Luci Leather Domed Satchel
$798

Lily Leather Medium Satchel
$768

Leigh Leather Pocket Flap
$658