Tag Archives: bags

Must Haves: 10 Petite Summer Purses

In the summer it’s all about keeping things light and carefree, so there’s nothing more annoying than lugging around a huge bag. Of course, a tiny clutch is equally annoying, if not more so — if something is not physically bound to me with a strap or handle, I will lose it. I promise. There’s also the question of what you need to fit into it: my list is pretty minimal, but it’s still more than I can squeeze into a tiny shoulder bag. The right bag must have enough room for my phone, my keys, sunglasses, a pack of Wet Wipes (yep), a compact, the obligatory 3-5 beauty products and, well, anything else I might want to throw in it. It’s a bit of a conundrum — small enough to not be annoying, yet big enough for all of my necessities. I know I’m not alone; this is a plight that all women must face come summertime. Fortunately for the rest of you, I’ve done all the dirty work and found 10 petite, perfectly-sized purses at a range of prices.

Do Not Want: A Very Special Special K Snack Bag

Do Not Want: Picnic Pants
Now you can eat potato salad off your crotch! Read More »
Do Not Want: Sunglasses
Patriotic? Maybe. Ridiculous? Definitely. Read More »
Do Not Want: Molting Boots
Pretty sure these boots are shedding their exoskeleton. Read More »

I’m not sure where to begin, because this bag is pretty terrible on all counts. The first glaring issue is that it’s ugly. So yeah — Australian handbag designer Kirrily Johnston collaborated with Special K (yes, the cereal) to create this purse following the brand’s “Handbag Exposé,” which found that 79% of women don’t carry a snack with them during the day. That’s where the bag comes in: the campaign claims that the special “Special K red” suede will serve as “a visual cue to help the 96% of women who think about snacking each day.” I don’t know what kind of statistic that is, but there it is. The interior also features a “Special K Snack Pouch” (I’m not making this up), a specially designed snack bar pocket. This bag is $750. You want? [Racked]

Do Not Want: Hula Grass Backpack

Do Not Want: Picnic Pants
Now you can eat potato salad off your crotch! Read More »
Do Not Want: Hair Thingy
Did a tropical bird just run into her head? Read More »
Do Not Want: Sunglasses
Patriotic? Maybe. Ridiculous? Definitely. Read More »
Olsen's $$$ Backpack
You have a spare $39k, right? Read More »

I know that Tory Burch is famous for ballet flats, tunics, flowy pants, and other upscale tropical vacation essentials, but this raffia backpack is taking the idea way too far. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have all those little sticks of grass poking you in the shoulders? Plus I’m pretty sure it would leave a little trail of raffia wherever you went. Also it costs more than my first car. [$550, Neiman Marcus]

Sustainable Style: 8 Bags From Rising Tide Fair Trade

Sustainable Style
A month of eco-friendly fashion on The Frisky! Read More »

Virginia Dooley and Nicole Jones started their line of fair trade bags, Rising Tide, after traveling around the world and meeting artisans working with exotic and unique textiles. Their bags are Fair Trade Federation-certified and Green America-approved, and a percentage of the profits are donated to philanthropic programs that educate and equip underserved young women with the skills needed to secure employment or start a business.

Explain the pair on their site, “The fair trade artisans we work with earn roughly 60 percent more than they would for comparable factory jobs. Since most of the artisans have the choice to work from home, they can tend to their children while contributing to the family income.”

And the bags are pretty and durable, too. Check out our eight favorites!

Lana Del Rey Debuts Mulberry Bag And Beauty Secrets At LFW

Lana On Vogue UK
Lana Del Rey Snags Vogue UK Cover
The singer lands the coveted March cover. Read More »
Joseph's Date To The Ball
LDR will accompany Joseph Altuzarra to this year's Met Gala. Read More »
Whitney Defends Lana
Whitney Cummings defends Lana's SNL bomb. Read More »

Lana Del Rey is making big, big strides, if not in the music stratosphere then in the fashion world. Mulberry’s Autumn 2012 collection strode down the runway in London yesterday, and viewers caught the first glimpse of Lana’s new eponymous bag. Yes, that’s right — the brand that coined the ever-lusted-after Alexa, as in Chung, is now offering the Del Rey, a ladylike tote reminiscent of a larger-scale take on Fendi’s illustrious Baguette. Though clad in jeans and a varsity jacket while seated in the front row, her new custom bag didn’t stray far from her lap. Keep reading »

Miu Miu Releases 46 Unique Bags For Fashion Weeks

Miu Miu Socks?
Guess how much these socks cost? Read More »
Miu Miu's Taxi Driver Take
The campaign influenced by the movie. Read More »

It’s February already? Fashion weeks are fast approaching, that’s for sure, and New York is the first up as always, with shows beginning on Thursday. Regretfully, one brand us Manhattanites don’t usually hear much from is Miu Miu, which shows in Paris. This year, though, things are different. How different, you ask? Well, we still won’t be seeing the collection strutted down the runway, but the brand is launching a (limited edition!) line of 46 unique handmade bags of 17 different material combinations using 12 different processing techniques, all to be unveiled in the big four fashion capitals (London, Milan, Paris, and NYC) during each of their fashion weeks. I know for a fact that a grand total of zero of these bags will eventually be mine, but my god, aren’t they glorious? Check out the hypnotizing gif of all 16 New York bags, courtesy of Miu Miu, after the jump. [Fashionista] Keep reading »

Marion Cotillard Has A Dior-Inspired Freak Out

Dior's New Look
christian dior by patrick demarchelier
Check out the new book about the brand! Read More »

It’s hard being an in-demand celebrity. Ask Marion Cotillard, who plays actress Margaux in this short clip for Dior directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Margaux’s managers are driving her crazy and the photographer on her fashion shoot is pushing her to the brink, so she does what any woman on the verge of nervous breakdown might do — has a fashion fit. [YouTube]

Clutching For Fall

To say that I’m “clutch-obsessed” is an understatement. I’m a full-blown, self-professed addict of these neat little purses. Having practiced all summer, I am now a pro at fitting my daily essentials into a clutch (hint, hint: It all begins with a mini hold-all wallet). So this fall I’m not putting away my clutches for sturdier and larger bags. Instead, I’m looking for clutches done in heavy fabrics and autumn colors. My first find was a delectable goodie by Rue 114. The Africa Rising Collection celebrates the “endless riches of Africa” and features animal and other organic prints in beige and brown. I’m partial to the Bamako clutch for the simple geometric lines of the mud cloth. But I also recommend checking out the other collections in the Rue 114 Etsy shop because you can’t beat one-of-a-kind style for $35 to $45!

[$35.00 Rue 114]

Bag Lady No More

I’m always running somewhere after work — yoga, a writing group, dinner with friends — and I don’t have time to make the trek home. So I carry everything I could possibly ever need with me for the day in various totes and duffels. More often than not, I end up looking like a crazy bag lady. What I really need is a big bag that I’m not embarrassed to bring to fancy restaurants, that holds a book for the subway, a laptop, workout gear, and doubles as a purse. This GAP flat tote in beige seems to fit all of my requirements for price, cuteness, and functionality. No more being mistaken for a homeless woman.

[$59.95 Gap]

The Only Beach Bag Necessary

We used to schlep our stuff to the beach in a regular canvas tote bag that never really had adequate space. Then we came across Fashionable Notes’ Beach Bag, which has made beach-going a more practical and easy experience. The Beach Bag is large enough to hold a couple of towels or large sheets, a magazine and a book, a water bottle, and a sandwich and snacks with room left over. “Beach Bag” is stylishly printed on the side of the bag with water-based ink. The inside is coated with a vinyl-like product that’s easy to clean, and there are rubber feet at the bottom so the bag doesn’t actually rest in the sand. Now, we have to stop ourselves from going to the beach just to show off our Beach Bag.