Let's Talk Handbags
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:45 AM I want a new handbag for summer. I have a couple that I like, but I don't use them because they're shoulder bags and I find it irritating to carry shoulder bags. I want a cross-body or messenger bag, but I want it to look nicer than a bike messenger's bag.
So anyway, I found this cute one yesterday at Anthropologie, but tonight it's not available on their website and it makes me sad. I hope they didn't sell out of it. Here it is:
Another bag I like is this Linea Pelle bag. It's on sale right now for $232 (which is awesome), but the only color they have left is blue/black and I don't want a black bag.
I want it in brown:
I'm going to look for it on eBay.
My favorite handbag designer is Chloe but I'm not going to spend $1,500 on a bag. (I've come a long way, right?) Here are some current Chloe faves available on BlueFly. They're more rigid than than the ones I mentioned above, but I love the style:
If any of these came with a detachable strap so that I could wear it diagonally, they'd be perfect.
So anyway, now that you know what I like, please let me know if you have any suggestions. I'm kind of picky, but it's only because I know exactly what I want. (Which is always the case with being picky, right?) Here are my requirements:
- It must be a cross-body bag, messenger bag, or have a detachable strap long enough so that I can hang it diagonally across my body.
- Acceptable colors are brown, camel, cream, white, gray, or yellow. Maybe green.
- I'd like it to be leather. Or suede. (Click here to see a pretty green suede one by 3.1 Phillip Lim available at Barneys. The strap isn't long enough and it's too expensive, though.)
Reader Comments (25)
These may not be fancy enough for your tastes, I'm not sure? But I've had really good luck with J.Crew and Banana Republic's handbags.
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod92076191&catId=cat300245
(not what you're looking for exactly, but I just love it) http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=14421&pid=546457&scid=546457042
Have you checked at Hayden-Harnett? I hear their bags are fabulous, and they're right in your neighborhood, I think? Well, I don't really know how BIG Brooklyn is. http://haydenharnett.com/?action=home
That J. Crew one is kind of cute. I didn't even think to look there.
Hayden-Harnett bags are from Brooklyn and I didn't even think to look there either.
Thank you!
See? Ask and ye shall receive.
I know you said leather or suede, but you might want to check these out. They are by Vera Bradley and are quite funky and cute. I'm sending links to two different styles, and they come in a lot of choices of colors and designs.
http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?Sku=121&
http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?Sku=127&
Hey Karyn,
There is a white Linea Pelle Dylan Messenger bag on Labelspree.com for $206.
http://www.labelspree.com/linea-pelle-/dylan-messenger-bag-/product.html
Hope that helps!
J
I went to Anthropologie.com this morning and it says they have it in stock, so you might want to try again. It's under Handbags, then Neutrals. Great bag, too!!
http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Brand-Jeans-Leather-Foldover/dp/B000TQI304/ref=pd_sbs_a_img_2
I love this lucky brand bag. I have another one I picked up at TJ Maxx and I can't put it down. I love messenger bags b/c it keeps my hands free so I can carry other stuff.
Oh and I found this link also. Yesterday I just so happened to be looking for a messenger bag as well. http://www.luckymag.com/style/obsessions/2007/12/messenger_bags
Bloomingdale's is having their huge private sale right now. It might be a good time to pick one up.
well, up until you mentioned leather or suede, I was going to suggest a Harvey's seatbelt bag (they have a messenger and a mini-messenger)
they are very durable and easy to clean.. and they are made out of recycled seatbelts! They are really cool. I just got the mini-messenger and i love it!
(if you are intrigued, go here
www.seatbeltbags.com
but... leather- hmmmm i'll have to think some more.
check out TANO Bags... www.tanobag.com
www.musthavebag.com they are affordable and great AND they have a couple of messenger styles, i have the boogie bucket and one other. they are GREAT!
Jenny...
I live right across the street from a Lucky Brand jeans store and I've looked at that exact bag a thousand times! I'm not sure why I didn't buy it, I think maybe I wasn't crazy about the leather. I love their bags, though, the relaxed style.
Lizziebelle...
LOVE the Tano bags! I also live a block away from a Flight 001 and they carry them, but when I went there to look for a bag the other day, they didn't have a big selection. So far, these are my favorite.
Shelia...
I do see that it's available now. I don't know why it wasn't last night!
J...
Thanks for the link to the white Linea Pelle on sale. It looks bigger than the double pocket Dylan messenger bag in that picture, doesn't it? The website says it's 1 inch wider, but it looks ginormous. Also, at second look, I'm not so sure I like the white.
Re: white bags... I like the way they look when other people carry them, but I always chicken out when it comes to buying one because the line between cute and cheesy with regards to white bags is fine, you know? I thought maybe this summer I'd take the plunge, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe I need a creamier one.
Andie...
The seatbelt bags look like the early Kate Spade bags, don't they?
Bankerbitch...
I was just looking at Vera Bradley bags when I was home with my mom. I like them for an overnighter/weekender bag. Those and the LeSportSac bags.
Karyn, while you are looking on eBay, you should look for the Chloe bags you like. I was in the market for one of their Paddington bags from last season, and they were on ebay for between $300 - $400, compared to $1500+. Worth a shot...
Karyn,
I am wondering why you prefer to cross shoulder. Out of all the things I have quesstioned regarding this bag situation, that is my #1. My #2 is omg......I must be so ghetto, I have never spent over $30. for a pocketbook/bag/etc...if even that much.
:)
Good Luck. I cannot wait to see what you end up with.
I'm with Debb on spending the least possible amount on a handbag. And I do love me my handbags! I always buy mine at TJ Maxx, Nordy's Rack or another nameless, more ghetto discount retailer. They usually have a lot of choices and the prices really can't be beat. But I'm one of those that doesn't care about being current and I can't tell this season's stuff from last season's stuff. Good luck though! I wish I were shopping with you!
I was bored while you all were talking about handbags, so I plugged your blog's URL into this site:
http://www.criticsrant.com/bb/reading_level.aspx
and found out that your blog's reading level is high school.
PS. Darn I wish I had someone to buy handbags for. I miss that.. *sniff sniff*
Frank,
Since I have never had a grand handbag I will graciously allow you to gift me one.
;P
Check out the "Amy" bag by Not Rational. The leather is fab! It comes in black or brown.
My sister has a Not Rational diaper bag! I picked it out. (Didn't pay for it, but I picked it out.) I LOVE the leather. She has the brown whiskey-colored one.
Frank, cnn is junior high school, so I think that's pretty good! :)
Deb, should bags always fall off my shoulder and I hate holding handles. That's why I want a cross-body. You set it and forget it.
no, not all of them. They have hobos now, messengers, etc.
here's a link for you:
http://www.seatbeltbags.com/mini-messenger.html
http://www.seatbeltbags.com/messenger.html
I just got a mini-messenger in the "treecycle" pattern- it's not big enough for a ton of stuff- but big enough for a small wallet, a p&s camera, cell phone, keys, wipes, etc.
the messenger is a bit bigger.
I'm after one like the first pic, only a bit bigger (I carry so much junk around with me it's unbelievable.)
I usually go for shoulder bags, but also find them annoying sometimes.
Any suggestions? :)
A lot of sites you would have thought would be more intellectual scored in the jr. high or elementary school level, so pick your head up girl, yours is in the clouds!
Just so you girls think that we men don't pay attention, Karyn wants a brown cross shoulder bag.
Who here can shout out what the horsepower is of the new Shelby Mustang? Huh, huh?
"You set it and forget it."
karyn, you're adorkable and i heart it.
Frank - the answer is up to 540 depending on if you are talking about the GT or the GT500KR. I personally am coveting the Bullit. Steve McQueen was one sexy SOB. Plus...I also carry very cute bags. My current is a Petunia Pickle Bottom backpack diaper bag that converts to a messenger style. Not quite the look that Karyn is going for.
here's a link from luna boston..
http://www.lunaboston.com/Browse/Handbags/Categories/MessengerBag.aspx
i'm loving this from HH (hayden-harnett)..
http://haydenharnett.com/index.cgi?action=detail&style=HAVANAOYR&back=http%3A%2F%2Fhaydenharnett.com%2Findex.cgi%3Faction%3Dall_shoulder%26page1%3DALL
check out the hudson and sao paolo crossbody also. i'm no bag expert but i'm glad to be of help.
:0)
Lisa, impressive. ;)
Beauty K...
Those are some cute bags! I've never heard of Luna Boston before today. Thanks!