Stylish with Substance

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!

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!

Burberry has a new & interesting line out called "sliced check", which is basically their plaid pvc interrupted with stripes of silver and silver leather trim. It's a glitzy collection, for sure. You can see the effect best on their classic hobo shape. Sized 16" x 11" x 2.5", The Sliced Check Hobo costs $895, which is totally an already slashed price for such a luxe looking bag. Go Burberry!

Also in the collection are the Manor and the new Beaton.

I waited & waited for the miroir collection LV bags to go online in some form, eLUXURY or just LouisVuitton.com, but the bags are just that limited that they didn't. Really wanting to feature them at least as history on the blog, I finally turned to Google, and I found photos from Twiggers on the Purse Blog. So thanks.

But no, the Miroir Speedy will not be on my arm. I don't even particularly want it there. Not the fairest bags of them all, featuring metallic ... PVC? It's not only gaudy, but ... cheap? at only $1380 for the Speedy I could easily save and afford (well, by now it's too late anyway, but perhaps eBay) to buy it, but I'd rather not.

In silver or gold Monogram and offered in the Speedy, Alma GM, Papillon, Keepall and a couple accessories in non-monogram, the Miroir collection is both famous among divas and history for the great fashion house.

But why PVC? Why not metallic monogram patent leather? I've been thinking about that lately, and it seems like a rockin' idea. *Shrug*

Search through eBoutique on eBay for authentic Miroir items.

So where are my beautiful princes of LV bags? Not here, but we'll see.

I remember when I was in High School, I thought I was so cool for one of the backpacks I used. I recently cringed remembering it. It was clear, see-through---oh yes, oh no! I was proud that I had nothing to hide in that bag (where were my monthly "friend" items?) like other "bad" kids. Now I'm embarrassed to have carried something so tacky. Well, the bag's novelty wore off and I didn't sport it long.

But you know there are handbags today with the same look---anything from $4 think-nothing-of-ems to Louis Vuitton Monogram. And now, alas, the completely clear plastic is high fashion via ... ...

Yes, it's a "Garbage Bag" from the preview of Spring 2007 at New York Fashion Week (photos thanks to Coutorture). The winning designer is ... Oscar de la Renta (??!!!), with bags so far from what we know of the house (usually ladylike, sophisticated, beautiful).

What good can I say? "Couture" elements were added to these bags, like that tag? No, not so good, IMHO. There's a bow? Also, not so much. How about that I like the presentation with belongings in them. Well, that's about it.

Please, what will the pricetag be on this plastic work of ugly?

The end of last Summer, I realized a silly "need" for an outrageously "Summer" bag. What other material than straw? Sure, bright colors and croc leather are in for Spring, but with the seasons changing before we know it, don't you want to skip ahead on occasions? I'll be in Florida for my Spring Break (in one week), and I think my new Fossil Straw Satchel will be my carry-on as well as my handbag for some of the trip.

This Cierra Ring Satchel by Fossil is very similar to the one I bought from Filene's. They're both so, so cute. But this one has wooden handles and gathers with ties. The styles are well-designed and look expensive, but they're not that much money ($78 on Fossil.com - and mine was $68 - also look out for sales).

They have different, cute styles of straw handbags, and varieties of leathers, so check Fossil.com and your local department stores for different versions.

It's been a while since Bath & Body Works has stepped up their gift sets to be wrapped up in fashionable handbags ... yes, handbags ... yes, fashionable. Not only do scentfully delicious goodies come in these packages, but the bags themselves are usable every day! For this holiday season, they sell many varieties, which include nice weekender travel bags. How appropriate.

I like the medium shoulder straps of this $150 set's mock-croc brown Ultimate Weekender, but there are more reasonably priced versions---even in red! The Must-Have Carryall bags are online exclusives, so be sure to check the link out!

They also have a sweet "Sueded" Metallic Flap Bag and a store-only sueded tote that is fabulous, especially for its maker and faux leather status.

If you're in the spirit for something gift-time only, they do have holiday themed bags.

With this store, good things come in pretty packages ... and the packages are good, themselves! Who can beat that for easy holiday gifting?