Stylish with Substance

Wa-wa-woo! This ritzy Chanel bag is super fab, no? The Crackled Metallic Calfskin Flap Bag with cut-out signature appears to double as a clutch, making it a great party bag. Of course, who goes to such fab parties? Oh well! At least Chanel is playing up the clutch trend, which is huge I'm feeling, bigger than last year even - and that makes this bag even more fun to fancy. I can only imagine its ritzy price, but you should contact Chanel if you more than fancy. Unfortunately its a brand not-too Internet friendly, even if their photography sure is.

Just wanted to introduce you to Style.com's Candy Pratts Price's fave accessories from the Fall shows, and their new pictures, descriptions and -- ah! -- official names.

Ah, the benefit of being an insider journalist. Well, at least we get their info when they give it.

Read it (well, view it) here on Style.com.

By the way, so far, I'm noticing at least one of the same handbags. (I've hardly begun looking, thanks to life and its foibles getting in the way.) It's a Dolce & Gabbana silver number.

Apparently, it's fur and feather PRINTED with a crocodile leather edge. And called --- "Miss Edge". Ah, a new thing, eh? fur print! Brava to the D and the G for something new!

This bag is all silver and gold, and perfect for the holidays. That's gold metallic leather (very structured) with silver hardware. This "Crystal" clutch by Gucci would be a great gift for your girlfriend if you're still stuck on what to get - as good as jewelry! Hey, it's much better than some afterthought "present" - natch. All you need to do is take a trip to your nearest *nice* mall and go in to Neiman Marcus, look for the Gucci section or room (it's really nice in that store fellas, can you handle it?) and of course fork over the $495 dollars. Trust me, that's a pretty good price!

It'll work out, with gifts like these, you'll be virtually written a pass to get out of the dog house until your choices for Valentine's day materialize. Plus when she carries this beauty to your New Year's Eve event, you'll definitely get a nice kiss at midnight ... or something more later.

Single ladies, or less fortunate coupled gals who won't get such a nice treat, you might want to use your card money and invest in this fabu clutch as your New Year's party evening bag. This on your arm is better* than a man tying you down anyway!

*Apologies to the fabulously in love, it all depends!

 

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!)

 

We could get soo excited about model Lydia Hearst's new bag for Puma, a re-do of last year's now called the Lydia 2 Holiday Bag, a multi-function bag in either black with blue trim or silver. The bags aren't too expensive at $120, and yet they are for "environmentally-friendly material" or pleather? (Unconfirmed.) Which actually isn't eco-friendly, due to the manufacturing process of plastic. Hmm.

Right photo from TheRunwayScoop

Let's get right to it. The bag looks totally cute and fresh with that very Miu Miu/Prada ruching, until one sees it from just the wrong angle (left). The ruching part sticks out in a trés poofy way. It looks weird, but it functions as an outer zipper compartment that even has its own zippered pocket inside.

The generously-sized bag is out today, and available on store.puma.com, just in time for your holiday business/exercise/shopping/gifting.

If you're not sure, this video interview on FlyPaper with Hearst showing off both colors should answer a lot of wonderings!

It's a summery tote with gold metallic fabric. It's quite trendy, I suppose, but that won't cut it. Where are the Louboutin signature elements? They should think of some - I can:

They have platform shoes, espadrilles, and wedges right? So the bags could be raffia, have wooden elements, or even have pockets on the bottom a la the Zippy by Chloe. That compartment could be a different colour - a tan, perhaps in raffia?

Then of course all Louboutin shoes have the red sole - I think bags could be subtler; red fabric lining. That is a definite must and I will lose all hope if all bags don't have that already. (The store description doesn't say.)

The details it does have are a chain drawstring strap, nice, gotta hand them that - but then a dangling key charm? Everyone does that!

Oh sigh, why am I such a better designer than the professionals? Hmm? I need this job and this job needs moi!

The plus side, this seemingly (Neimans doesn't give size) roomy bag costs only $950.

Continuing with their style of a very geometric logo print, is the design on Fendi's Crossword Clutch. In a word: "smart". With cleverly laid out "tiles" or strips of silver letters on white leather, which spell Fendi in a perfect rectangular "U", this bag has name appeal and is attractive "to bag". Complete with a silver metallic handle with "Fs"on each side, appearing similar to their Zucca logo, the clutch is sized 12" across x 6" down. This pieced together bag doesn't have too steep an expense, yet it's not being given away in a game! It's $920 at Neiman Marcus.