Dolce & Gabbana “Distressed Top Handle”

I wont let this one slip my mind just because it is not a summer bag. I feel like sharing every single beautiful bag I stumble upon, regardless of the season or the fact that we’re all in a mood for light shoulder bags, and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I must say that this is the pure opposite to the type of bags I am on the lookout for at the moment - it’s a typical autumn/winter bag, being made of distressed glazed gray leather and coming in a dark color. Or is just me? I don’t know… I know that I wouldn’t carry it around much during the summer. It’s not that people would point fingers at you if you decide to take it out on a summer evening, but there’s nothing summery to it if you ask me. Other than that, this is a very nice bag. The color is simply beautiful and it complements the bag shape perfectly while leaving enough room for you to play with your outfit, choosing various colors and patterns if you feel like it which is great because despite being a true baggdict, I think that having the bag in the first plan isn’t always the best thing to do.

As for the distressed leather - I just love the pleating along front and back - perfect! Note that the bag also has a shoulder strap, which I would strongly recommend you to leave as a hanging detail. Do not, and I repeat, do not ever carry a bag of this shape on your shoulder. This is a textbook example of a top handle and it should be carried like one.

The interior features a leopard pattern lining and a zip and a cell phone pocket.

SIZE: 14″ x 11″ x 7″

PRICE: $1,020.00 @ Bluefly.com

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Emilio Pucci “Sundial Canvas Beach Bag”

Tina and I were discussing how we both noticed the new Emilio Pucci summer bags and how we both really liked them. I found this one at NAP, which is the only place to buy it online. If you decide to buy it, you will take part in the fight against breast cancer, since this bag is a part of the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Worldwide collection. Getting yourself something as delicious as a new bag, and at the same time donating for a good cause is probably as good as it can get.

Anyway, what drew me to this bag was the print. It is so vivid and beautiful and it just screams “summer, summer, summer!!”.  I like this one better than the one that Tina picked. It reminds me of a refreshing cocktail, I even managed to see an orange hidden in the pattern. Also, this one is equipped with all the pockets a woman needs, and that is a must when it comes to me and bags. It has a small compartment on the front, featured with a magnetic closure for all the things you want to have at your reach, a press stud fastening on the top and an inside zipped pocket for the things like keys or credit cards/cash. Carry it as a top handle, or as a shoulder bag if you are a bit petite. This bag will definitely carry everything you might need at the beach, and it is featured with enough pockets to organize all that stuff. Now excuse me while I go fantasize about summer and beach cocktails …

SIZE: 14″w x 15″h x 7″d, handle drop 8″

PRICE: $795.00 @ Net-a-Porter.com

YSL “Metallic Majorelle Medium Top Handle”

This bag has been available for quite some time now, and I kind of felt bad for not writing about it so I am gonna make up for it now. Anyhow, as you might have figured out, I have had this bag in mind for a while now. I’ve noticed it from the first time it became available online and I really liked it!
Majorelle is not a new bag, but somehow I still find it breathtaking, I just love this gold volcano leather version so much. Gold is a color you can combine with anything (I really cannot think of anything that would not go well with it), and as noticable as it may look, it is still somewhat neutral. I liked the Saks description: “metallic finish adds glitz to this otherwise elegant style” - that is the point exactly.

The bag is featured with a zip top closure, interior zip and cell pockets, fully cotton lined interior and 6″ drop double top handles. All in all, a classic from the house of YSL in a vibrant edition, which perfectly combines the elegant shape and overall look of the bag with the energy that spring and summer bring out in us. Who said classics are supposed to be serious all the time?

I also wanted to cover the violet Majorelle in this post, because I was blown away by the color, but the thing I resent is the patent leather (I am utterly bored with it) which would be my reason for passing on this one.

SIZE: 15″ x 10,75″h x 7,5″d

PRICE: $1,895.00 gold Majorelle and $1,395.00 magenta Majorelle @ Saks.com

Chloe “Odessa Leather Tote”

Now we’re talking bussiness… I am so thrilled right now that I might actually lose my mind over this one! The leather, the shape, the combination of these two colors… Everything, absolutely everything about it is nothing short of stunning. And the fact the bag is yellow just makes it… I don’t even have the words to describe the effect this bag has on me. And of course, that inner strugle that Chloe bags always get me into is nowhere close right now. It’s surprising how simple this bag is yet I can’t stop staring at it, and that’s what sets me off big time. Check out how sophisticated the smooth brown leather looks… Mmmmm… The bag body, being just a bit slouchy, creates a beautiful contrast to the framed top making it simply adorable.

The interior features brown twill lining and two compartments and a zipped pocket. The only visible Chloe detail is the clasp fastening on the top. You can carry it as a top handle, cross body or as a shoulder bag thanks to the removable shoulder strap. I don’t know which way I like better… I can imagine myself standing in front of the mirror for two hours trying to decide which look to go for, and probably ending up sitting on the floor, not going anywhere just to spend some quality time with it…

SIZE: 14″ x 9″ x 2.5″

PRICE: $1,560.00 @ Net-a-Porter.com

Burberry “Leather Tote”

Having posted about two Burberry bags we didn’t like recently, I just I had to find something from one of the Burberry collections and post something positive and put my heart to rest. I just hope I’m not too boring with with my obsession with white bags, but this time it’s not about the white color. It’s about this bag being beautifully simple and perfect for almost any use imaginable. The fact that it’s white is a mere coincidence in this case. There’s no need to ramble about its looks or quality, since you’re probably well aware of both, but I do have to say I absolutely love it. It’s as simple as they come. Detailed only with Burberry’s logo, this beautiful tote will complement every summer outfit you decide to wear.

One thing many of you will appreciate is that this bag, unlike most other top handle tote shaped ones, features a zip closed top which is always welcome because it leaves the choice wheter to carry it open or closed to you. The interior is signature Burberry check lined and featured with zipped, cell and open pocket.

SIZE: 17″ x 15″ x 4″

PRICE: $995.00 @ Saks.com

Bottega Veneta “Intrecciato Hobo Bag”

Before I noticed this cutie, I had my eyes on the Large intrecciato frame bag. The beautiful soft pastel color looked nothing short of fantastic and the bag itself seemed like a real find, but when I saw how it looked on a manakin, it suddenly lost all of it’s appeal. The shape and the looks are fine, but the size is the absolute deal breaker, it just looks too big. I was really dissapointed and about to close the browser and go do something else when I noticed this one, and before I could even take a better look, my creative bagddict juices started flowing again!

The Intrecciato Hobo comes in a pastel color simillar to the one I liked on the Large version, but in a much more agreeable size. I like the fact it is kind of slim at just 2” which gives it a more elegant look. The size is just perfect for a day bag. It is big enough to carry practically everything you might need throughout the day, but it does not look big and clumsy. I was pleasantly surprised by the sky blue suede interior which further emphasises the elegant look.

It has a detachable shoulder strap so it can be carried as a top handle or as s shoulder bag. You can also change the way it looks by pinning the sides to the rivets. This cutie has so many faces, you will never get bored with it. I just love it.

The top is featured with double zippers and double handles, and an interior zip pocket. The only downside is the price, but BV bags aren’t exactly the first choice when you are on a budget. It’s a BV, it’s beautiful and it’s practical, and it will look as good in 10 years as it does now, so the $3,540 price tag isn’t really that much of an issue as far as I am concerned.

SIZE: 23″w x 17″h x 2″d, handle drop 5″

PRICE: $3,540.00 @ Net-a-Porter.com

Bulga “Foldover Buckle Tote”

This is not something I would usually pick out, but I’m not feeling usual myself today so let’s do it. I can’t believe that I actually like this oddly shaped, yet still simple bag. I have to give it to designers over at Bulga, because it’s not easy to make a strange bag look simple which is the case with this one. The only thing that really stands out on this bag is it’s shape which is everything but ordinary. When was the last time you saw a bag looking like this? I thought so…

I have a feeling I wouldn’t like as much if it was… umm… red for example. It’s too big and too weird looking to be able to carry a bold color, the color it comes in suits it perfectly, creating a contrast between the unusual, rather bold shape and a neutral color. Maybe I’m too conservative when it comes to bag shapes, but that’s just the way it is.

You may not agree with me on this one, but still, I have my imagine-me-and-you process going on in my mind right now and I can see this bag working with various outfits. Anyway… This pebbled leather handbag has a patch pocket and a flap belt with a turn lock closure on the front. Fully lined interior is featured with one zip and two patch pockets. The shape might be strange, but the bag as a whole is definitely unique and chic enough for my stamp of approval. Zoe is breathing down my neck waiting for me to say something negative about it, which I won’t do. She can write her own post about it if she dislikes it that much… Yes, you read that right, Zoe…

SIZE: 14″ x 16″

PRICE: $610.00 @ Shopbop.com

Gucci “Pop Bamboo Medium Top Handle”

I’ve had a discussion about ostrich bags with my mother (who is just as much of a bagddict as I am) just yesterday and that was what made me write about this bag today. The conversation took off after my mom mentioned the Victoria Beckhams purple ostrich Birkin bag she’s been seen toting around, and no matter how big of an exotic and Hermes fan my mom is, she says she finds that bag repulsive. I can’t agree. I absolutely love the bag and I love the ostrich leather.

This Gucci beauty is everything but ordinary. The material, the bag itself and of course the price tag… Do we really need to comment on those? The shape and the size of the bag are nothing new. If you don’t like it because of that I can totally understand you, but if you like the style and the fact it’s an exotic ostrich, there’s no doubt you’re already drooling over it ;).

As a true bagddict, I must say that Pop Bamboo is a very nice bag which has left it’s mark from the very first time it was released. At this price however, many of you would probably turn to Hermes or Bottega rather than Gucci. This bag hasn’t got that “it factor” that will put the roof on fire wherever you show up with it, and that’s it’s biggest problem in my opinion. An exotic handbag as expensive as this one is has to justify its price, it has to be on top of the game and everything, really everything about it has to be more than extraordinary. With this one you will be recognized as an insider and all, but still it won’t make a true impact.

All in all, in it’s essence, I do like it… But still, this time, the grass IS greener on the other side…

SIZE: 16″ x 10″ x 5″

PRICE: $9,590.00 @ Saks.com

Louis Vuitton “Monogram Canvas Galliera PM”

Foreword:

You definitely won’t be hearing me say “enough with the LV monogram already”. No matter how many monogram bags I’ve got, or how many of them I see on a daily basis, I will never get fed up by it. I fell in love with it a long time ago and there is nothing that could change this. It’s a love or hate thing when it comes to Louis Vuitton and the monogram, there is no middle ground. If you love it, everything boils down to whether you like the shape, the color or some other feature of the latest monogram piece. If you can’t stand it, there is no chance in hell you’d buy it no matter how nice the shape is or how beautiful it would look if it didn’t have the logo all over it. I respect everyone’s personal preferences and tastes. If you don’t like it you don’t like it, I don’t have to hear about it every day. I love it, and I’m perfectly happy whenever I see a new beauty with those two letters all over it. Call me a snob, call me whatever you want, but I love LV.

The bag:

The shape and the shape only. Admit it, the shape is totally disarming. It can carry almost any detail imaginable, it’s absolutely and genuinely beautiful. I also have to single out is the shoulder strap which is very well proportioned and in perfect harmony with the size and the shape of the bag. The key details of this line are the leather pipings and a golden logo plate on front. Open top, closed with a magnetic snap closure, reveals fine microfiber lined interior with a snap and a cell phone pocket. Even if you can’t stand the monogram, you have to admit this one is absolutely delicious. Can anyone not like it? Feel free to leave a comment if you don’t.

Endnote:

Definitely worth it. Must… buy… soon… drool…

SIZE: 15.6″ x 12.5″ x 4.3″

PRICE: $1,180.00 @ eLuxury.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs “Airliner Leather Bag”

This is what I call a true designer bag. From the shape and the beautiful leather to the perfectly chosen detailing, the flap top and the gold toned clasp closure, it is just perfect. I have to get back to what I’ve said so many times - the flap top is the way to go. It has so much potential that I am still surprised when I see it implemented in on a bag in a new fashion, regardles of the fact that it has been a trend for quite a while now. There are so many ways to play with the details, closures and ways of fliping and folding it to create absolutely stunning designs that it is simply impossible to not love it. It’s great, absolutely fabulous.

The way the flap top is implemented on this Marc Jacobs cutie is rather special and surprisingly catchy which, in addition to the sewed belt-like detail and a gold toned clasp, gives it that alluring feel which made me post about it. The taupe shade in which the leather is made is bound to make this bag a perfect fit to the outfits I will be wearing in the upcoming seasons. The Airliner bag comes with an additional detachable shoulder strap which I would honesty rather detach and not use. This bag looks great as a top handle and that’s the way it should be carried.

At this price it’s too hard to resist…

SIZE: 10.5″ x 9.5″ x 12.5″

PRICE: $368.00 @ Net-a-Porter.com