The London Handbag Shopping Centre

About a month ago, the Purse Blog team attended the Kayne West Shoe launch at Louis Vuitton Bal Harbour. We did not leave with a new pair of sneakers, but I left crushing on a new handbag. One of our favorite SA’s at LV (the entire staff at LV Bal Harbour is amazing) showed me a new clutch that I adored. The Louis Vuitton Sobe Clutch is the all-around perfect attention getter. The patent leather appears liquified and the LV signature in golden brass finishes the clutch off beautifully.

The original Vernis bags were named after streets in downtown NYC. When I first saw the name of this clutch I wondered if Louis Vuitton named it after another famous city, South Beach. After talking with my SA at LV today I can confirm that the Sobe clutch is indeed named after South Beach, which is perfectly fitting for this clutch. All about style and easy to take out into the nightlife, this clutch is nothing but hot. Fergie wore the much loved belt that accompanies this bag to the LV show last month. Size is 4.3″ x 10.2″ x 2.2″. Buy through Louis Vuitton for $895.

On the one hand, I think the JCrew Lugano Leather Suitcase is really pretty. It looks really well made, and J. Crew’s website says that it’s manufactured by some big-deal Italian manufacturer called Dell’Ga. I’m sure they’re awesome, and I’m sure this is a wonderful suitcase. BUT IT’S BASICALLY WHITE! I know the color is called “stone,” which implies that there’s some grey to it, but still. Almost white. And a decent-sized suitcase seems like it would be the single most impractical thing in the world to manufacture in such a light color.

Airports are disgusting (at least to me) in pretty much every way imaginable, and I don’t like putting my cheap duffel bag on the dirty conveyor belt to be checked, let alone a nearly $2000 piece of nearly white handcrafted luggage. It also doesn’t have any little wheelies on it, meaning you’re lugging it by yourself, and it weighs nearly nine pounds when completely empty. The price, the color, and the lack of functionality lead me to only one conclusion – these bags are made for those that have OTHERS that see to it that their luggage arrives safely at their destination. Buy through J.Crew for $1800.

I can’t wear heels. I won’t get into the story of exactly why because it’s gruesome and I don’t want to ruin the next few minutes of your life, but suffice it to say, heels are not an option. Also, I can’t wear most knee-high boots because I have enormous calves, and most designers don’t embrace the big calf market. So my ability to appreciate and enjoy the new over-the-knee-boot trend is limited to merely watching from a distance, so that’s what I’m here to do: which of you girls out there have jumped the bandwagon and bought them already, and which of you plan to later?

If ever there was a pair of shoes that was worth an astronomical price tag, it’s these. The construction of a shoe that will cover that much of your leg has to be so precise and well-designed that I’m not sure how well this style will fair at retail. One of my favorite pairs so far is the Yves Saint Laurent Over-the-Knee Boots since they have a bitch of stretch and will be more forgiving on more leg structures. If you can pull it off, though, I think you should absolutely go for it – maybe with some tights and a tunic for maximum boot exposure.

And what type of handbag should be worn with these boots? Probably something with a simple, clean design, although the size would be negotiable depending on whether you were rocking them during the day or night. The most important thing to remember with a shoe like this, though, is that what you’re wearing shouldn’t compete with them. So are you going to wear them once the weather turns cold? Buy through Saks for $1745.

We know, we know. We’ve written about the Diane Von Furstenberg Stephanie Hobo ad nauseum. Surely, some of you are sick of hearing about it. Too bad! We’re not sick of writing about it quite yet, particularly when they’ve just released a gorgeous silver version for fall.

Personally, I think it’s brilliant; the gold was warm and sunny for summer weather, and the combination of steely light and dark silvers that go into the fall version would look great against winter’s dark, woolen clothing. It’s bright without being inappropriate for the season, and the suede trim makes it an even better idea. This is definitely on my short list for must-have fall bags – grab it before it sells out, because it absolutely will. Buy through ShopBop for $875.

We have been covering Jimmy Choo quite a bit lately on Purse Blog. Jimmy Choo was once only known for their shoes, but over time the brand has transitioned beautifully into the handbag world. They have had some ugly misses, but when they hit it, they do so beautifully with bags that continue to get attention season after season. I am on the Jimmy Choo bandwagon but I am just not sure that the Jimmy Choo Odetta is part of my train.

Amanda covered the Jimmy Choo Odetta previously and quite liked it. I looked at that bag then and now and I am still totally undecided. I am decided on the fact that I would never buy this bag for myself, but I am undecided if I am liking it. Something about the strap detailing rubs me wrong. It looks like a Y, making some previously think it was a YSL bag. When I see it on the mannequin I begin to like it more, as I can see how the bag looks being carried. It is larger than the photo alludes and looks much better with a slouch as it is held, so that takes it up a few points. I suppose I just do not entirely get it. Care to help me hop on the train with this one or should we leave it at the station? Buy the black pebbled leather version through Net A Porter for $2095 or the ponyskin version for $3295 via Net A Porter.

What’s fresh over at Fendi are these adorable Marshmallow Flap Bag’s. Since the moment I ran into them I knew these pieces were truly perfect for the lady who craves a great designer shoulder bag. Both carry this great silhouette resembling an oversized version of the infamous Fendi baguette hanging off a single shoulder strap.

In more detail, soft gathered pleats meet at the center of this shoulder bag where you can also find an oversized double F’s metal logo. Secured by a front flap opening and sealed shut by means of a snap closure allows quick access to your goods in a simple and stylish method. A classic interpretation of leather and chain can be found on this chain-link shoulder strap, which adds character and sophistication compared to your typical simple leather shoulder strap. I absolutely adore both classic leather and logo cotton jacquard versions and I can see how both would serve best in different occasions.

Although these shoulder bags are pleasant and stylish for years to come, I’m not too fond of the price tag at the moment. Perhaps I can score one of these on sale sometime later on this year, but if your truly in need of Fendi’s Marshmallow bags you can find the all-leather for $1,400 or the logo version for $1,000 by shopping at SaksFifthAvenue. Leopard Print for $2300 over at Net-a-Porter.

The Chat: Fendi Marshmallow!

The Roger Vivier RV Shopping Tote is the perfect example of two handbag design principles that I believe to be true. First, that you don’t need to over-design in order to have an interesting bag. The lines of this tote are incredibly sleek, but the precision shows a great deal of care and thought were placed in to them. The leather-covered semi buckles that form the handle attachments are the perfect finishing touch, and the mirror the buckles that Vivier is so famous for in their shoes. It’s not overpowering, but it’s there, and it’s successful as a design element.

The second principle that this bag demonstrates is that when you have great leather to work with, you don’t need much else. Deciding to cover the hardware with the bag’s material instead of leaving it as metal was a great decision - it gives the bag a continuity that metallic hardware would somewhat diminish. The material used on this bag is amazing - it’s simultaneously matte and a bit shiny, it has a natural texture to it that hasn’t been erased in the tanning process, and the color is somewhere in a middle ground between brown and olive green. With so many basic thing’s working in the its favor, there was no need for the designer to employ any kind of gimmick to make this bag stand out. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $2118