In Love With Luggage

Since I recently went on a business trip, and have several more to come, I’ve been checking out more and more luxury luggage. I’ve always been a snob when it comes to handbags and purses, but I never really cared much about luggage. But now, the options are getting so good that I’ve been looking at luggage and even considering using the bags as everyday carryalls too.

I recently came across a new line of luggage that I absolutely love, from Jana Feifer, coincidentally named Love Luggage Joint. As you may recall, Jana Feifer started a line of initial bags, and you can see a bit of that incorporated into her new line. I like that the bags are incredibly stylish, and remind me a bit of Goyard some other popular, luggage-style bags. The line is very 70’s-inspired - with vintage colors, shapes and styles. My picks are the Small Satchel ($150), the Satchel ($355), and the Tote ($150). I like that they have the appeal of luxury bags, but the prices are incredibly low - everything’s under $500! I love it!

Came straight to this page? Visit What’s Haute for more haute bags!

Jumping the Shark

For those of you who don’t know, that term is used for the point where a good TV show goes bad. For example, once the producers kill off an important character or change a critical storyline, the show usually goes down the tubes. I think the same can be said in fashion, or at least it should be. I have been very satisfied with Gustto’s trademark slouchy bags with large studs. And they had to go a ruin it by jumping the shark, designing something so horrible that I’m not sure their brand can recover.

It’s bad enough that Gustto created this Giolitti Gathered Shoulder Bag, an ugly granny-style bag in an even uglier granny color, but they decided it needed a companion - a detachable purse that hangs from the front of the bag. My eyes don’t know what to focus on first - the putrid color, the cheap look of the bag, or the ugly clutch dangling on the front.

Ambitious? Check. Hideous? Check. Overpriced? Check. The next ‘It’ bag? I don’t think so.

What’s In a Name?

With a name like Thickskin, you expect heavy duty, sturdy leather bags. And that’s just what you get. Thickskin’s bags are made of textured, scarred leathers and exotic skins that are beautiful, yet durable and tough.

I’m a fan of Thickskin’s use of metallics in their Classic Collection. Since metallics have become a favorite for every season, these bags fits the bill. The Exotic Bucket bag is made of glistening ostrich leather and fits nicely over your shoulder. And the two front zip pockets give you a place to quickly stash small stuff. The All-Nighter is the perfect carryall - both for travel and for overnight ‘excursions’. The caramel-colored lambskin is a great neutral tone nicely paired up with metallic silver trim. The slim Clutch is a classy day and evening bag also made of textured ostrich leather.

Visit Thickskin to check out their other collections.

Fendi Strikes Again

Now this blog is mainly reserved for haute handbags and purses, with the occasional fugly one, and some fabulous fashion. But leave it to Fendi to make me stray from my usual and report on the fugliest, most impractical designer shoes ever to walk the face of this earth.

I ask once again, WTF FENDI???

I think someone at the House of Fendi is playing some cruel tricks on the fashion world, consistently designing crap to get us all to scratch our heads and become really confused. And then maybe once we all get to the point where we just can’t take it anymore, the folks at Fendi will yell ‘April Fools!’ or something like that and things will get back to normal. Ok, maybe not.

So, I don’t know what’s worse - the silver sequins covering the shoes or the stupid kitten heel underneath the huge wedge heel, or the patent slides with orange stitching and a wood grain heel. Oh, there are so many issues here. These shoes have to be some of the worst things I’ve ever seen. Fashion should be progressive and cutting-edge but when it becomes a joke, its game over.

Came straight to this page? Visit What’s Haute for more haute bags!

Snoop’s Got My Bag!

Though his overall style may be questionable, his handbag is to die for. After my Gucci letdown, and my recent disappointments in Fendi, I’ve been checking out Louis Vuitton to fulfill some of my luxury needs.

I have wanted to buy the Monogram Canvas ‘Speedy’ for several years now but it seems like EVERYONE and their mother owns one, and if I’m going to pay over $600 for one, I want some sort of exclusivity. The Damier Canvas ‘Speedy’ is a slightly less ubiquitous LV purse, and the checkerboard pattern is a nice switch from the usual LV logos. I think it has a bit more class than the Monogram version, and is knocked off less. What do you think? Should I buy the Damier Speedy?

On another note, who in their right mind would pay $255 for a ‘Speedy’ key ring???

Metropolitan Style

I just came back from a business trip in Palm Springs, CA - I know, lucky me :). The weather was gorgeous - almost 90 degrees and sunny. I’m a typical girl when I travel - I pack way too many clothes, shoes, and accessories, and since it was a business trip, I had to pack my laptop too. I have a few of those typical shoulder bags for my computer but I hate them because they swing all over the place, usually hitting people right and left. I recently received the ‘Milano’ Notebook Bowler by MetStyle, which I carried on my trip. I love that it looks much like a designer bag, but was roomy enough for my large laptop, magazines, music, books and papers. There’s a bunch of compartments inside to keep things organized, and the shorter shoulder straps that snap together make it easier and more comfortable to carry.

I checked out MetStyle’s other products and they have some really cool ‘gear cases’. The ‘Tokio Sleeve’ in Titanium is a chic, Chanel-style quilted notebook protector.

For you sportier gals, there’s the ‘TipToe’ Notebook handbag - a micro-suede bag with racing stripes and multiple handles.

And for the high-fashion set, there’s the Champs Elysees - quilted satin with ribbon laced grommets.

Visit MetStyle for more fashionable laptop bags!

New Kid on the (Tod’s) Block

I love this bag. It’s small, it’s sleek and it’s sexy. And it’s surprising. When I think of Tod’s bags, I tend to think of Tod’s shoes - pebbled leather body with a pebbled rubber sole. At first glance, I didn’t even recognize this as a Tod’s product. The ‘New Girelli’ ($875) is a cool clutch that would work with just about anything. I could carry this wearing a T-shirt and jeans, and equally well with an evening gown. Made of silk with lizard tejus trim, and crystal side snaps, this clutch is very anti-Tod’s and it works. Take note Fendi - when you step outside of your design ‘box’, this is the right way to do it.

Celebrity bag spotting: Jennifer Lopez with a Katherine Kwei ‘Stella’ Tote

Who else but La Lopez could show up for jury duty looking uberly fabulous? Jennifer Lopez was spotted rockin’ casual chic as only she knows how. She manages to make an extra-long cardigan, oversized sunglasses, and baggy jeans look haute, but the best part of her look of course, is the bag.

J. Lo, always a fashion trendsetter, is toting one of Katherine Kwei’s luxury knotted handbags. The ‘Stella’ Tote (in Putty) is made of ‘pricked’ goat and lambskin, lined in goat suede, and has Kwei’s signature eternity knots across the bottom. Available for $1600 - visit KatherineKwei.com for more details.

Cheap and Chic

Despite the absence of Spring-like weather, I’m still starting my Spring/Summer shopping. I’m always on the lookout for cute beach bags or colorful carry-all totes. Sheila D. has a bunch of great reversible corduroy tote bags in eye-popping Spring colors. These handmade bags are of great quality, and are adorable and practical. My favorites are the ‘Pomegranate - Red Lines’ tote (above) and the ‘Cotton Candy - Red/Orange Flowers’ tote (below). At $28 per bag, you can pick up one in each color to supplement your wardrobe. All items are made of limited edition fabrics so visit Sheila D. ASAP to get your cheap and chic sumer bag.

Weekly Haute Bag Round-up

Fergie’s a handbag designer? Kipling thinks so.

Check out every version of the Chloe Bay bag ever made.

Louis Vuitton does it again - check out the handbags in the Monogram Denim Patchwork Collection.

Purses aren’t just for women anymore - Japanese men are toting handbags too.

Check out the new handbag line A. Che by designer Amanda Che.

Are you an indie handbag designer? Enter the 1st Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards (sponsored by Handbag Designer 101).

Check out the Louis Vuitton “Urban Satchel”.