Stylish with Substance

Reading back a bit on The Runway Scoop, I got philosophical thinking about Maria's post inspired itself by The Bag Snob. What was originally going to be a comment on that post turned into this entry. I'll paste an excerpt here for some background.

Bag Snob shares some news about Hermès expanding into India with the first store planned for New Delhi. Some readers of Bag Snob are a little concerned about a luxury brand becoming too big and being available to the “masses”.

One reader says:

“…as soon as luxury brands expand they usually become less avant-garde in order to please the tasteless masses.”

I'm sorry but everyone deserves some luxury. Whether it's a rich Lindt chocolate or a peanut butter sundae, high-thread-count linens or even cozy fleece and sleeping in, a taste of technology, the love from pets, prettying oneself up in any form, or in the fashionista's case---lots of bags or even saving up for a few designer bags. Perhaps some see their luxury as finding the good fortune to attend a quality university or the luck to work at a job or hobby one loves AND of course---sitting cool, warm, and healthy in one's own (or rented perhaps) home---of any size, filled with whatever, but it's yours, theirs, one's own. Knowing you are safe and cared for. Maybe we all have our own luxuries.

And so is designer luxury better than those? Hermès is an extreme rule-setting standard because of price, but maybe they're not even the ultimate luxury in some ways. Yes, the best leather, you hear, but they only have two nice looking bags! Heh. Hermès is much more status than luxury.

What is wrong with opening stores in many countries? Not all brands should start separate low-quality/price lines like at Target, of course. But excluding people, especially if it's falsely and needlessly raising prices (AHEM LV) is just a company ATTEMPTING to be luxury, perhaps, and that makes the name of lower quality---just maybe? Exclusion for exclusion's sake doesn't make a product better, it's all lies and pretense.

Please just make the best items possible and let those with the taste and style for it aspire for it. Isn't it rude to appear to wish to refuse business to some? Why would we, more affluent or not, commercially or otherwise support this? ... as fashionistas ... as "snobs", whatever. Let's not be a part of such a problem in this rude world.

Hey, even DesignerElla has gone all indie for the sake of my dreams to design my own bags ... creating my own ... "luxury".

Creativity is another luxury, don't you know, and let's all practice the luxury we are given at birth to exercise our minds!

Pun in chic! I really feel the plight of this "Manicure Depressive" tee from Queen of Suburbia. Treating yourself to some attention and beauty care can really make one feel good. If you go mad without your manis, you feel the message. This tee is also cool for those with some issues who aren't ashamed -- make it fab with a bold statement! You're stylish no matter what!

The cotton t-shirt comes in black with pink or white with black lettering, in a "girlie" women's fit for $25.56.

Don't hide your chipped nails, get french tips and look so cool, you'll only have mood swings written on your chest!

I learned the news tonight about Liz Claiborne passing on after battling cancer. The woman worked hard through sickness and aging on her self-named clothing brand. This is a loss I felt just a little more sharply since all day I wore a swimsuit by her (shown right). It was an unbearably hot day and I even wore the very stylish and flattering swim top out to an ice cream dinner. I kept thinking of all the things I have and have bought for others by her brand. The swimwear of course, that bag I could never sell ... even my mother's wallet, which is perfect with tons of card slots. All so affordable, Claiborne brought a big name to many people at a great price. And let's not forget her company sells pretty much the only stylish petite wear I know of!

Liz Claiborne, I mourne your too-soon departure, and I celebrate your gift to my fashion world.

Now, simple sewn fabric indie purses don't have to be boring with grandmother style. Even a basic bag can be chic in a sleek geometric shape with a cute fabric. This "Creamsicle" purse even has matching fabric straps, which I usually hate, but somehow here it works. So much so, it deserves a feature.

Fangobbles' signature shape is this triangle-esque handbag with different fabrics. A girl can definitely find something she likes in her Etsy shop, or use their "convo" feature to inquire about other prints.

And when an item goes on sale in this shop, it may not last long, so keep on it. Hopefully you'll learn to love indie, if you don't already, just browse Etsy! There's something for everyone, including the snobbiest fashionistas.

Is a Crocs knockoff ever an improvement? First there's the question: can a knockoff ever be better? Sure, I say, but this matter takes the issue further. We're talking about fabulously ugly Crocs. Sure, differentiations have a good chance of looking better than those garden clogs, but how good can a similar style be?

Enter CALI by Skechers. They're not all molded plastic, but some are, and the makers seem to be riding on the popular fugly footwear wave. The two shoes in this style (made of the plastic) I see on Skechers.com are pictured; the Shockwaves Sandal (very similar to one Crocs style) and the "Calies" .. er "Mary Jane inspired" shoe (sort of like a modern, more feminine signature Skechers' style sneaker meets the boat shoe). These shoes offer cuter, slimmer shaping and the sandal has these buttons that can be placed in different spots on the thong strap.

Better sure, I think, but how much? What's your vote?

To see the shoes in other materials, and view the whole collection, go to Skechers.com.

Made of soft metallic calfskin, this teenybopper-golden shiny bag by Miu Miu may come in ritzy leather, but the clutch says all daytime ... and then some at --- over 17" wide! This clutch is for the big bag lugging girl who needs something extra for her evenings out. That may just even be me; and even with my ban, because this treasure only costs 715 American smackeroos! Hey, when I pay my Neiman's credit bill, I'll even have enough of a line to charge it! Oh joy.

This bag is me, but even I have my doubts. It's certainly not for everyone, but it does make a big statement, no?

Some of you may be glad to know that there is a choice of the smaller impact colour choice: black. (Same size though.)

Well, it's lurex and not really intended to be that, but just look at it - it's got that jazzy, sunny feel. If I had the cash (I'm talkin' mega-millions that keep comin'), sure. And for celebs, how fab an MTV-appearance frock?

It's from Emilio Pucci (obv) and yes, that price tag is over the titular amount, at $1,535.

P.S. Net-a-Porter actually net-stocks this frock in their "evening dress" section. Hee hee.