Spade Satin
This incredibly gorgeous purse is the Cannes Gala clutch from Kate Spade – one of the most striking bags seen this year.
It’s made of a soft, shimmery satin with gold hardware and a satin lining, zip closure and a beautiful flower ornament on the front.
That shade of pink is almost hypnotic to look at… it brings back memories of all those old Technicolor movies that were set in the tropics.
It’s an extremely glamorous, vintage-looking purse in typical Kate Spade quality.
Now book those tickets for Cannes!
SRP $695.00
Happy Valentines, Baby
This right here is the Peacekeeper purse from James Piatt – fresh and ready this season in a very romantic Valentiney pink and black.
It’s certainly among the more, shall we say, <i>unusual</i> purses we’ve featured here – but in terms of innovation, design and even – dare we say – fighting smarts, it scores top marks all round.
Black leather with a magnetic closure nicely shows off the <i>piece de resistance</i>: pink knuckledusters (yes, they are detachable…).
It’s wonderfully refreshing to see a purse like this — perfect for going out to a club or bar, unique, striking, and quite dangerous, too (although according to James Piatt the brass knuckles are a "soft medical grade").
Hey, so long as they look real, right? No woman should be without one!
SRP $ 118
Prada Satchel
This lovely purse is from Prada’s spring collection: it’s called the Rope Satchel (pictured in large).
Soft Italian leather, silver hardware, intricate stitching and a detailed strap, with the all-important Prada signature on the front of the purse.
It’s a very roomy, luxurious purse – we are talking about Prada, after all – perfect for someone who likes high quality but doesn’t necessarily want to be wearing the season’s It Bag.
Demand for this purse is steadily growing, so better get moving!
SRP $1,420.00
Paddington Mini
There are so many fun things that have the word ‘mini’ attached: Mini skirts, Mini Coopers, Mini Golf… it goes on and on.
At the moment, though, my absolute favourite has to be the Chloe Mini Paddington, pictured right here. That’s right, Mini Paddington – just like your regular Paddington, but… smaller.
Just because it’s smaller doesn’t mean it’s not standard Chloe deliciousness – beautiful tan leather, gold hardware, and the infamous Chloe padlock.
It’s a really lovely little thing: and we all know that small = cute, sweet, and often very practical. How many times has some horrid woman knocked her "bag" (backpack) in your face as she squeezed past you on the train? A lot, I bet. Smaller bags also translate well outift-wise from the office to the bar – or wherever it is you like to relax after work.
Good things really do come in small packages!
SRP $1,300.00
Jacob’s Kaleidoscope
This purse is a very sweet nod to the Victorian and Edwardian fashions all over the catwalks.
It’s the Kaleidoscope Flower Velvet Hobo from Marc Jacobs – a lovely bag made of soft velvet with a leather trim and brass hardware. The front is decorated with the flower applique design, and the whole purse is ever so slightly ruched with a zip and tassels.
It’s available in black, tan, and the blue pictured here - somehow much more special than the other two (after all, black and tan bags are a dime a dozen – finding a gorgeous bag in this sort of blue is an extremely occurance).
Beautifully old-fashioned and luxurious… Valentines is on Tuesday, folks!
SRP $278.00
Hell In A Hand Basket
There are some trends that are only ever appropriate at short, contained times of the year – perhaps a day at Christmas, another at Valentines, two weeks in late summer, and so on. This is because these particular trends have an extremely limited shelf life – which is why anyone wearing a sweater with a giant snowman on it will look slightly silly at anytime other than Festivus.
As far as raffia is concerned, there is only one place it is acceptable and that is the Caribbean. On vacation. And that is it.
The bag pictured here is a pretty nice bag, really. It’s the Wicker and Raffia Large Tote from Christian Dior, and it’s made of – yes – wicker and raffia – with jacquard lining and calfskin trim. All in all a quite respectable tote if you are somewhere where most of the goods around you are similarly made of wicker and/or tote.
Otherwise, I’m afraid it’s just not going to cut it.
Welcome to the Caribbean, love!
SRP $1,495.00
Lulu Be True
You don’t need to be told this is a Lulu Guinness purse, do you? Even from a distance it glows with a sort of kooky light, a beacon to kitch and retro.
It’s called the Gianna – the Be True To Your Heart Gianna. Made of a simple dark canvas material mix, it’s decorated with gold stud decorations (hearts and circles in splendid abundance).
And the message inscribed?
"Be True To Your Heart."
That, right there, is one of the most important things anyone can ever learn — so buy carrying this purse not only are you paying homage to the fashions of fifty years ago, you are reminding people of what life is really about.
Now really, how many purses can claim to do the same?
Exactly.
SRP $340.00
Crocodile Style
It’s so easy to forget that Dooney & Bourke have whole ranges and purses that are different from the cutesy and colourful bags we expect.
As adorable as the Hearts or Tartan purses are, it’s really nice to see something from the other end of the spectrum – like the bag pictured.
It’s the Large Slouch from Dooney & Bourke’s Croco collection – a beautiful crocodile-style shoulder bag with an adjustable strap and a small silver "D&B" sign on the front.
If you’re the type to stray away from anything vaguely resembling hearts or flowers this Valentines, then this right here is the gift for you.
Later, Alligator!
SRP $315.00
Chloe, Chloe
This lovely big shoulder bag is the Canvas Logo Bag from Chloe.
It’s made of canvas and leather, with canvas lining and gold hardware. The handles are comfortable enough to take even the heaviest of items, and the whole bag has lots of typical Chloe straps and buckles.
The little gold luggage touch is a very nice touch in what is altogether a very different sort of purse to the kind Chloe usually create – in fact, this is one of the nicest canvas bags seen so far.
Another thing that is quite unusual is the ‘Chloe’ mark stamped into the bag – it’s discreet, yes, but certainly a surprise.
It doesn’t detract at all from the fact that this is yet another highly covetable bag from Chloe – a great investment.
SRP $625.00
Pucci Hibiscus
I’m not sure that I would ever buy this bag… and yet I love it all the same, for the reason I love anything that is beautifully made.
It’s called the Hibiscus Demi-Lune Evening Bag from Emilio Pucci – a radiant little thing made of soft, smooth satin, silver handles, a little secret pocket, and a drawstring gathering effect.
This bag really does come together so artfully — the hibiscus print makes the whole purse look as if it’s bursting into bloom.
Perfect for spring, perfect for… well, just looking at, really. Just gorgeous.
SRP $570.00
