Stylish with Substance

Garbage Bag of the Week:

Jay McCarroll Bowler - Fred Flre $60

Is this how the winner of Project Runway makes a bag? See, this is what we get when the rules for the contest are as such; "the designers must sew" and "they must design women's-wear" instead of the important things, like talent in aesthetic design. I mean of course sewing is an important factor with how the competitions are run, and sticking to ladies' fashions keeps the show running more consistently, but with the popularity of purses, and the presence that handbag designers bring to the scene, where is the TV show for those aspiring to design bags?---Huh?!

Really, how does someone who won a major, famous contest for fashion design then make a bag that disregards color combination and basic knowledge of modern strap attachment? There is no talent in this cheap POS. Why make something for fabbing Fred Flare, wih fugging vinyl trim?! No respect for you, McCarroll.

You're out!

This is partly why I don't like the show.

 

Sometimes one just finds the most unique accessories when searching for the more budget-friendly brand handbags. This opalescent clutch, the Nannette, from Claire Sanchez, features the pop of a little faux fur tuft. The mixture of shine and powderpuff is really interesting, and surprisingly attractive. Plus it makes this bag a fun, refreshing choice for holiday parties.

The bag is sized 10" x 7", made from iridescent silk dupioni, and currently going for a holiday sale price of $57.60. Buy it soon for the holidays at www.ebags.com! (affiliate)!

(By the way, it's also great that it comes in blue; the color of Hanukkah!)

 

I need to tell you the back story that brought on the awe for this bag .....

Sunny in autumn, newly a Floridian, I tried a familiar hair salon company's new hometown franchise. I had wanted red for Fall, orangey, yet natural. What in MA had been friendly, professional, but amazingly inexpensive, here there was a big language barrier, only "one" shade of "red" hair color (????), assumptions, blindness, stubbornness, greed, and well ... one disastrous hair coloring and a plain cut later (surprisingly, she got the bangs right) and I went browsing the mall ... apparently for a pick-me-up.

An obviously designer-inspired handbag lured me inside for a little guilty pleasure browsing. The bag, metallic, tacky --- wayyy too Chloé Bay. But another. Clearly the constructor took liberal cues from what had to have been a far more talented eye. Another designer copy - probably. But not already knowing, and thus knowing, no well sorry hoping, it wouldn't be an obvious leech --- I just had to purchase this awesome-looking bag (with the "unique" closure). I needed a little giftee for my pain. (For an almost painless price, $70 is steep for pleather.) But it was red! I had to start collecting red things to match my new crayon-hued tresses. Oy.

Not being able to work as much on the computer, setting up my apartment, being on my own with all these expenses -- (No flashlight or cooking oil of my own..... all the building blocks piling on the hundreds of dollars in actual necessary spending) -- means I have to wait and save for Coach bags at a discount, forget some pipe dream IT designer name. While I still didn't know the true creator, I could buy innocently.... enough.

Then last night I came across it. MY bag. In a sea foam green -- there were hints at a name, so further investigation brought me to the true design.

A Ferragamo Marissa Bag aka Capra Vernice Satchel. (Find at Neiman Marcus.com)

Oy. $1,1900. Barely any being sold. Nary a color choice. So for now I love, commit a fashion crime red-shouldered (cause I love that big, deep bag, I tell you!) while I wait for a red version to drop below retail authentically. Don't you understand? It must be red!

I've finally begun knitting and attempting sewing (the learning process is moving along), so I've actually been more into handmade and indie bags more than the leather designer IT bags. (Hey, I've already got my Chloés and Stam, after all.)

And you know what, even the independent crafty world offers larger-sized clutches for day time, whether the designers follow trends or not. I love the "Chef" shape, pretty flowers and overall quality (I ordered a similar bag) of the Pleated Floral Clutch by Microwave Girl on handcrafters storefront, Etsy.com.

Measuring 16" x 9", this adorable purse is made from vintage upholstery fabric (!!) with a silk flower appliqué and even includes an interior pocket. Buy for only $55 right through Etsy, and you can pay with PayPal!

This is getting exciting ... maybe? Number 2 of our Top 5 Budget bags is

Liz Claiborne Leather Link-Strap Embossed Hobo

Print-embossed leather on sale for ... $72.99?? No! Not only does this brand name hobo have richly textured genuine leather, and those nice decorated rings, and is roomy, but it was only $98 to start with!

How do they do it?

Today for budget bags, we have a special purse very similar to ones we mentioned before. It's close to one of Mallory's favorite owned bags, which was in her first post.

#3 Elliott Lucca Arianna Satchel

Today it's the large version, now off to $62, in gold woven leather. Great for holiday shopping (if you order now!), great for Spring, and a great deal. It's especially such a good deal because of the large size at 15" wide and its luxe woven genuine leather. This bag won't last for long, so make up your mind now.

This week, Pursed Lips and Kiss Me, Stace are bringing you holiday gift ideas to make your loved ones smile!

Today I have inexpensive bags from luxury brand, Coach. Namely, the demis and pouches. There are great deals on from-the-outlet bags---you can even find demis for under $100. This is perfect for younger sisters, young daughters and cousins who want to stick a toe into the designer handbag world. But be careful that you don't let them get too deep, too young. And teach the children well how to take care of valuable belongings! Also, try a multi-look bag, like the Holiday Patchwork bag pictured, to match all outfits---and besides, it's like a little bit of all Coach bags in one, so she'll be sure to have her fix of bag style for a while!

Definitely many fashionable young girls would squeal getting a first designer bag as a present, and you don't have to break the bank!

Hold back just a minute though! Keep in mind that you must know the brand yourself to be able to spot fakes, or have a way for someone else to verify authenticity---or forget it. You can still get a pouch at the outlet for a great, great deal or even a Coach boutique, as those usually start under $150 anyway. New pouches can even be carried under the arm, so they're great handbags.

Search Signature Demis on eBay. / Search Signature Pouches on eBay. / Browse the new collection of pouches and small bags on Coach.com / Or visit your nearest outlet.

Elliott Lucca is the name of woven leather. Such mastery gives the brand a designer status in my eyes, but so do the few-hundred dollars pricetags. But my top favorite bags of theirs are currently on sale, so I had to inform you!

-- The Jussara Large Leather Satchel (pictured) is on sale at Elliot Lucca .com for 50% off at $119.

-- The mini version: the Jussara Small Satchel is 45% off at Zappos for only $61.95!

-- And the Arianna Mini Satchel, which is much more medium than mini, is a grand 54% off at Zappos for $69.95.

Oh, yes, it's a mini-handbag-fest here at Pursed Lips and at Bluefly.com, with their day-long handbag and wallet sale.

This white leather shoulder bag by Via Spiga, called "Neela," has wonderfully-contrasting gold-tone hardware with flap-over metal / leather tassel atop a fold-over top. (I'm sure none of us can get enough of that unique style.) What's more is little Neela has a triply-twisted leather strap.

What really gets me is still the contrast of the trendy white and its hardware.

This snazzy purse is on sale from $165 to $84.15 on Bluefly.com.

This "Marrakech" bag by BCBGirls is so funky, with a middle-Eastern ethnic feel. Its crochet strip pattern reminds me so much of python that I just have to give it a mention, and the fact that it's on sale at Bluefly.com nearly 50% off ensures that I couldn't wait another day to post.

So many details make this bag unique and special: gold woven canvas, wooden beads on the straps. At 16 1/2" by 8", the Marrakech is selling out with a $60.35 pricetag.

Shop Bluefly to see more sales and similar items. Save a further 15% off BlueFly's already discounted prices on handbags & wallets today only!