it's Fall 2013: Overview of Handbags

Purses, handbags, clutches, hobos, totes, shoulder bags, lions and tigers and bears, oh my!   A good friend and reader asked if we could do a post of the purses for fall - best high-end, luxury bag, best evening clutch, best cross body bag. Trust me, this girl is a purse-a-holic; these are loaded questions.  

You would be surprised to know that I don't have as many purses as you think I would.  Neither does Lisa.  Shocked?!  We are both pretty picky about the bags we carry.  For example, I searched for about 2 years before I found the perfect black clutch.  I finally found it at Vanessa Bruno, in Paris while shopping with Lisa.  She can attest to my instant and profound love of this clutch.

Personally, I have a couple of odd hang-ups when looking for a bag for myself.  I dislike singular logos (for example, I LOVE Prada bags but can't get past the big Prada metal logo in the middle of the pristine leather) but don't mind an all over logo look, like Louis Vuitton or Goyard. I love quality; if I'm going to spend time and energy researching bags, it had better last more than one season.  I'm a neutral girl, unless we're talking about clutches, and then all bets are off.  And I like keeping hardware to a dull roar.

So, here's a fantasy list of bags I've been drawn to this year.

I have been particularly enamored with the Reed Krakoff Standard Hobo bag. I've spent some time pawing it in Saks.  The leather is AH-MAZ-ING and the way is falls, it hugs your body at your side.  I'd say this a great choice for high-end luxury bag.  It also has a strap for a cross-body look; this would be my number one choice for cross-body bag!

Image from bergdorfgoodman.com.

Speaking of Reed, I am nuts about this clutch for evening!  Great colors, PRINTED suede, sleek. It also comes in 'eggshell' or black patent leather, but this print is so unique.  Ahhh.

Image from bergdorfgoodman.com.

Speaking of clutches, I'm also mad about these Clare Vivier foldover clutches.  There are 35+ material options to choose from and the $210 price point is a much easier pill to swallow than the price tag on the Reed Krakoff.  Not as 'sleek' for evening, but great for a dinner out or running around.  I just might have to purchase the cheetah print one.  Just saying.

Image from clarevivier.com.

I have admired Anya Hindmarch clutches for many years.  This snakeskin Valorie clutch is a great piece to have.  Will go with every LBD you have and will never go out of style.

Image from shopbop.com.

Finally, Lauren Merkin is a the clutch specialist.  She features 21 different styles of clutches, and uses about a dozen different fabric choices for each one.  I own 3 (?) of her clutches, and use them all pretty regularly.  I love the 'Caroline' style; this black glass encrusted Caroline clutch is a great formal bag to own.

Image from laurenmerkin.com.

Clearly, I got off track discussing clutches.  Let's get back to high-end, luxury bags.  I recently discovered Moreau bags - simply elegant.  Barney's carries them, and I'm drawn to the Bregançon Zip Tote.  At $3,100, it's luxuriously hand-stitched with waxed thread.  I adore the heavy stitching.  This is some tote (and if it's not pricey enough for you, the $24,000 croc version should do, no?!).

Image from barneys.com.

I've also been admiring the new Saint Laurent bags.  As I've been trolling the web, I've been drawn to their simple, elegant designs.  The 'Betty' bag is a lovely shoulder bag, a nice change from the classic Chanel 2.55 bags.

Image from nordstrom.com.

The other Saint Laurent bag that's stopped me in my tracks is the North-South tote bag.  A simple tote, but reversible.  The tote below reverses to a solid black leather.  This one's from Bergdorfs, but there are others out there with other color combinations.  

Image from bergdorfgoodman.com.

The new 3.1 Philip Lim '31 Hour' tote is a very lux-looking bag for under $1,000.  It's a classic look, with an interesting zip/fold-over closure.  And I love the navy leather.

Image from nordstrom.com.

The price is right on this mini crossbody bag.  While not new in 2013, the Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC is adorable and I've always admired it.  The right size, useful, and affordable at $195.

Image from cusp.com.

That about covers my fantasy purse/handbag/clutch list.  Hope it inspires! ~ JH

it's Spring 2013: Cobalt Blue

This week, while returning some shoes purchased online at Saks on Christmas day (Sniff!  They didn't fit!), I couldn't help but wander into the women's apparel departments to see what is new for spring.  And, since I had a couple of hours, I began to dig deep.  

You see, I really dislike my spring/summer wardrobe right now.  It's tricky in New England.  I want to look springy in April, but there might still be snow on the ground and spring ballet flats don't work in slush.  It's still pretty cool in early May too, requiring jackets and layers for the most part.  I definitely have some good items, but it's not as coherent as I'd like it to be.  I'd like more 'outfits' so I can grab and go in the morning and still look stylish.  I have WAY TOO MANY white pairs of pants and jeans.  I need more bottoms that are NOT white pants/jeans or denim.  (It's mental;  I think white pants are hard to find, so when I find a good pair, I buy them.  Result:  All white pants.)  I need some cute tops for everyday wear; I purchased so many out-to-dinner-silk-tops last spring that I haven't even worn 2 of them.  Shhh.  Don't tell.

So, I started my spring shopping in Saks on Tuesday, trying to focus on things I don't own already.  I love Vince, and Saks had a HUGE selection of resort/spring Vince.  Vince was showing a ton of cobalt blue (or 'Pacific' or 'Bluebell',as Vince defined it), which, if you recall, I saw a ton of in Paris last April. The outfit fit perfectly, so I had to pick it up.

Images from shopbop.com.

The pants are actually navy with the cobalt stripe so I can throw on a white blazer or navy sweater to make the outfit more transitional with a closed toe pump.  Conversely, I can dress it down with a light gray or silver ballet flat.  

Even though Pantone says the color of the year is emerald, cobalt is out in force!  From Joie to Vince to Reed Krakoff, it's all over the place.  Consider one or 2 cobalt pieces this spring when looking to update your wardrobe.  The blue goes great with black, navy, white, and chartreuse.  Why limit blue to garments - I saw purses, shoes, and even sunglasses in cobalt!  Check out the Polyvore set below of items I saw at Saks on Tuesday as well as some others I've seen to give you an idea of the selection out there.  Onto spring 2013! ~ JH

W2WW Spring 2013: Cobalt Blue

Equipment long sleeve silk blouse / Joie silk blouse / Vince boat neck sweater / Proenza Schouler tie dye t shirt / Joie stripe sweater / GAP striped sweater / Trina Turk ponte pants / Madewell silk pants / J.Crew j crew / GAP suede loafer / Frye leather ballet flat / Manolo Blahnik pointed toe high heels / Reed Krakoff / Longchamp tote / C. Wonder genuine leather handbag / Loop scarve / Ray-Ban optical