Stylish with Substance

Look Out: Jimmy Choo's Bangle-in' Shoulder Bags

Ella M — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:00:36 EDT

What could be a huge trend, bangle-strapped handbags, is alllllll Jimmy Choo bay-bay!

Not just for shoe fiends anymo'! For sure, they're a shoo-in for a top purse designer.

The Top Ten Bags from Last Year

Ella M — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:45:32 EST

I begin a new year of content, coming back from technical and then personal problems, with a reflection upon the greatest hand styles from the last. Without further ado...

#10: Red Jersey Roxanne Bag by Mulberry for Gap

When an IT bag goes discount and it's legit, there must be huge hype. Not only is that true for this Roxanne bag by Mulberry and Gap, but 50% of the proceeds go to a charity fighting AIDs. What could be hotter than this product Red bag, then? Made out of jersey fabric, it still looks just as haute. Watch out though, it's only available in one store (a Gap flagship) in London. Burned?

#9: The Matelasse by Balenciaga

Edgy and carefree Balenciaga bags suddenly have someone in the family with a classier, sophisticated style. Still holding on to the signature elements, the quilted, classic Matelasse was a major new style to come out in 2007. It could not be left off the list, especially since I covet one so. In 2008, I plan for a Balenciaga (or 2) to be mine.

#8: Monogram Canvas Mirage Griet by Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton's best bags are their classics, but of course. But new bags can be much more exciting. So the house's best new bags are the ones with modern details meeting classic lines. It's all there in the Mirage collection, especially this Griet bag. The LV Monogram Canvas Mirage Griet is one of the ultimate Vuitton bags right now, also winning our poll for top bag of 2007's fall/winter season!

#7: Damier Azur Collection (Speedy 30) by Louis Vuitton

Biggest LV debut of a 2007 collection for its popularity, waiters list and the fact that it was a whole (sort of) new pattern collection, was the Damier Azur. Comprised of the classic Damier checkerboard, now in white and light blue (classicly in brown shades), this line actually debuted in November 2006, but it was a 2007 resort collection. (Pictured here on Vuitton's Speedy 30, a very popular bag.)

#6: The Foldover (Mahala) Clutch by Jimmy Choo

Ushering in a new era of vastly oversized clutch bags intended for day carry is none other than the Jimmy Choo Mahala Foldover Clutch. Not only was this a top bag of 2007, but it's a milestone bag in the history of purses! Add IT bag status to that with many celebs carrying it and its details being copied all over the inspired brands/stores and we have a verified dream bag.

#5: The Riveting Collection by Louis Vuitton

Riveting indeed, almost all of the pursie community was clamoring over this little LV line covered in strategically placed studs, with sewn together (or on top of?) rectangles of leather or lined-up monogram canvas. The alignment, the details, the ... exclusivity of this Limited collection! This time modern all the way, the only thing classic about the bags was probably just the monogram. This bag will surely be a landmark for the year 2007 in handbag history.

#4: The Coffer by Miu Miu

A Miu Miu to rival Prada and win hands down. What a feat by this sister line of Miuccia's. Featuring matelasse quilting and double flaps over supple leather, this bag had many women drooling. It might have even stood as a turning point for the trendier line. Who says Prada is better than Miu Miu? I don't!

#3: The Downtown Bag by Yves Saint Laurent

Practically self-describing as the bag for urbanites (with money, though) is the Downtown tote by Yves Saint Laurent. Seen on celebrities from summer through autumn, it's still more the unique shaping of this tote that makes the bag surpass any inspired copies by far. Quality and branding aside, it caused this bag to win out over "competitors".

#2: The Bay Bag by Chloé (especially in quilted)

Hailed as the biggest bag of the year by die-hard Chloé fans, one of the hardest to die fan groups among designers, the Bay was hu-u-u-uge for 2007. Unique, classy, and in so many wonderful colors, this was an easy purse to fall in love with. With Chloé consistently inspiring their fans to propel the name's styles to the top of the IT lists every year since 2005, starting with the Paddington, an IT by Chloé is an IT indeed.

#1: I'm Not a Plastic Bag by Anya Hindmarch

Marked up on eBay, way up; super limited edition; yet good for the environment with an eco message. It was the "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" tote by Anya Hindmarch. This is the bag that helped drive the movement of re-usable grocery totes into a fashionable craze. For that this silly little bag does get a lot of credit. It is the queen of all market totes, in a year of them blossoming.

Jimmy Choo Convertible Metallic Foldover Clutch a la Hilary Duff

Ella M — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:16:35 EDT

Sorry for not posting really last week; I've been depressed because of Virginia Tech. I'm trying to get back to normal, but I also am in a very busy period with other work right now.

Thanks Saks.com! They've shown us how Jimmy Choo's Foldover Clutch is convertible - and I gotta say I now really love it and .. I think I need it! Check it out below:

Jimmy Choo Foldover Clutches being sold RIGHT NOW:

That second look is oh-so fetching .. and just unique enough! With a removable wrist-strap, this stylish bag can be toted upright & tall or with the top folded to the front and secured by a magnet.

The metallic-toned Foldover, at 11" x 7", is a bit smaller than the regular (a whopping 15" x 8" x 3"), but it also goes for a better price: $825 compared to $1,250. Overall, it might be a bit less day but it's so much cuter than plain black. Would I miss the size? Is that great cost reduction worth it (especially when I'll probably still bargain hunt)?

If you're wondering, too, well - we can check it out in live action carried by Hilary Duff (5'1 / average-slim):

She's about my height, and it's not bad at all. (Here's a full-body photo.) It would even look slightly larger on moi. Now compare that to the regular on 5'3 (*disputed) / skin & bones Victoria Beckham here and this 5′11 skinny mannequin here. Super-huge, and would be even larger against my frame. Now note, this does matter in this case, because clutches are assumed to be smaller---ergo oversized clutches can dwarf a petite girl.

Close-up:

I really like it! I also like to carry a lot of *important* stuff with me, and want to use this more than just on dates/for evening. (For a designer IT bag at that price, I want to use it!) So what should I do?

Jimmy Choo Foldover Clutch...

Call the boutique and ask if they make the Oversized in Metallic!
15 48% of all votes
Get the smaller; you'll fit enough & it'll be lighter!
10 32% of all votes
Think twice about getting it; ehh.
6 19% of all votes

Total Votes: 31 Started: April 18, 2007

You can order for yourself the Metallic clutch from Saks and the Marin Oversized Clutch from Net-a-Porter.

Victoria Beckham Carries Jimmy Choo's Day Clutch

Ella M — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:04:35 EDT

Yes! A photo was found proving Jimmy Choo's oversized clutch indeed is a day clutch, by my standards.

Here is Victoria "Posh" Beckham with Jimmy Choo's Fold-Over "Day" Clutch. Styled similarly to the Mahala and Marcia bags, the Fold-Over Clutch features black leather, bronze hardware, a wristlet strap and of course that square ring on front. And yes, it does fold over - at the zipper.

Selling for $1,250 (a bit much, but it is big) this purse is available now at Neiman Marcus.

... Now to find a more affordable day clutch in a day color.

Vickie Photo From Haute ou Pas.