1 At last! The final installment of our series on iconic handbags and what they say about their owners. Now that we’ve concluded the series, please share what your favorite bag is and let us know if the description fits your personality.
About the Bag: Dubbed the original “IT bag,” Fendi’s iconic Baguette is salivated over just as much as its carb-laden counterpart. The satin-touch, lambskin leather bag was born in 1977 and, while loved back in the ’70s, was hurdled even further into fame thanks to Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw. Because the bag comes in over 1000 variations, it’s been a favorite for a wide variety of women.
Celebs Who Carry It: Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Hudgens, Mischa Barton
What it Says About You: The Baguette gets its name for its detachable strap that lets you slip the purse under your arm as you’d carry a French Baguette. Its ability to transform quickly — for convenience’s sake — speaks to the wearer’s personality, as well. Women who choose the Fendi Baguette fuse practicality with glamour and have a sense of style that’s eternally classic. They are rarely loud or pushy, but instead let their strength of character speak for itself.
About the Bag: When Louis Vuitton decided to make the leap from luxury luggage to fine handbags, there was quite a bit of risk involved. The payoff was great, though, as was demonstrated by the Speedy’s smashingly successful debut in 1932. The bag is considered the smaller version of Vuitton’s Keepall travel bag and was created specifically with weekend getaways in mind.
Celebs Who Carry It: Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Hillary Duff
What it Says About You: Audrey Hepburn helped make the Speedy a household name. Because the bag is associated with a timeless woman like Hepburn, you can bet the wearer strives to epitomize that kind of grace and aplomb, as well. Keep in mind, though, that the Speedy is consistently being reinvented and, as such, appeals to the modern women of today’s society. Women who own the Speedy are likely very in tune with pop culture.
About the Bag: With minimal bells and whistles and a buttery leather exterior that comes in an assortment of hues, the Prada Saffiano makes for one divine handbag. Though quiet in terms of adornments, it stands out for that very reason. Its clean lines and streamlined design is nothing short of chic.
Celebs Who Carry It: Miranda Kerr, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba
What it Says About You: Women who own the Prada Saffiano most likely live an active lifestyle full of meetings (of both the pleasure or business variety). They value order and simplicity above most things and believe that life is about worthwhile experiences. Owners of the Saffiano aren’t afraid to splurge every once in a while, but doing so usually isn’t common practice.
Want one of these bags, but are afraid of the price tags? Rent one at Bag, Borrow or Steal. Alternatively, purchase from a brick and mortar — or online — consignment shop that resells authentic, upscale merchandise.
By Wendy Rose Gould
Posted by Wendy Rose Gould at 09:00 AM
Fashion: Trends, Style, and Business , Opinions , Trends , Trends |
0 We’ve already shared part one of our series on iconic handbags and what they say about their owners. Below you’ll find the second installment of the series. Stay tuned for the third and final portion, to be published in the coming days.
About the Bag: The Lady Dior bag is easily one of the most recognizable handbags in the world not just for its stand-out style, but because it was carried Princess Diana herself. In fact, it was Princess Diana who catapulted the bag (hers was a black leather with luxe stitching) into fame. As a thank you, Dior renamed the bag after Diana and since then it’s been considered one of the most iconic handbags produced by the fashion house.
Celebs Who Carry It: Mischa Barton, Olsen Twins, Blake Lively
What it Says About You: More petite than some, the Lady Dior bag packs a lot of style prowess within its tiny frame. The same can be said of its wearer. Women who choose the Lady Dior bag are often girly and sweet, but not sickeningly so. This perfect combination of feminine and strong makes for an approachable, friendly woman who’s proud of her accomplishments.
About the Bag: At only seven years old, the Chloe Paddington has already made quite a name for itself. Its considered a must-own bag for anyone who knows anything about bags and blends seamlessly into myriad wardrobes. From boho princesses to Western-inspired femmes to biker chic chicks, the Chloe Paddington is a hard-to-find bag adored by a wide spectrum of women.
Celebs Who Carry It: Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth, Jessica Simpson
What it Says About You: Anyone who chooses the Chloe Paddington clearly has her nose in fashion magazines on a regular basis. Still, she’s often down to earth and carefree with an easy sense of style. Chloe Paddington owners aren’t afraid of a pair of jeans and are known for their pragmatic tendencies and genial dispositions.
About the Bag: The compact Chanel 2.55 may be small in size, but it’s big in the style world. It was designed by fashion darling Coco Chanel in 1955 and features a slick, quilted leather exterior and chain for hands-free carrying. Even though the bag is nearly 60 years old, it’s never gone out of style and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Celebs Who Carry It: Lauren Conrad, Katy Perry, Jessica Biel, Nicole Richie
What it Says About You: The bag itself is timeless and fuss-free, but never blends in with the crowd. Women who choose the Chanel 2.55 are likely multi-taskers who are always on the run, but want to make sure they look good tending to their errands. They also value function just as much as style and appreciate that this bag goes from the office to the grocery to a formal event with ease.
To Be Continued………
By Wendy Rose Gould
Posted by Wendy Rose Gould at 01:26 PM
Fashion: Trends, Style, and Business , Opinions , Trends , Trends |
0 Outside of an elite minority of buyers, iconic handbags in the five or six digit price range are an unrealistic splurge for many. Fair enough. Spending over 10 grand on a bag — more than a year’s worth of rent in my case — seems an eager display of extraordinary affluence.
Still, many argue — and prove their point via purchases — that owning a well made, coveted designer handbag is a worthy investment. (Granted, bags that sit comfortably in the three to four digit retail range are more often procured than their exorbitant 10k to 500k brethren.)
I’m not here to preach or even to sell you a bag, but I will say that splurging on certain handbags makes sense. Especially if you are fashion forward and appreciate the creative genius behind quality products.
Keep in mind that, yes, bags serve a utilitarian purpose, but they’re also art. Art that’s viewed by most everyone who passes you by on the street, as opposed to art that hangs on walls and is only viewed by the few who visit your home.
“While the dress goes out of style — or gets stained if it’s me we’re talking about — and a shoe gets ruined while running for the bus, a bag could really be forever,” notes Mirela, Stylish City founder and Upper East Side shopping ambassador. “Why not invest in something that really says who you want to be, as sometimes [bags] really are aspirational pieces.”
Speaking of investing in something that tells the world who you are (or who you want to be), we’ve rounded up eight of the most iconic handbags to date. Some have more history than others, but all are prized by the world’s most fashion savvy veterans. Based on the bag’s appearance, history, price range and celebrities who carry it, we’ve generated a mini profile about the person who chooses to carry each bag.
About the Bag: Hermès designed this bag in 1981 for English singer and actress Jane Birkin. Legend has it that Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to Birkin on a Paris to London flight when the contents of her current bag took a spill. After explaining that she couldn’t find a suitable leather weekend bag, Dumas created the now world-renowned Birkin bag.
Celebs Who Carry It: Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Rachel Zoe, Katie Holmes
What it Says About You: The Birkin bag was created as a weekend tote, so it’s large. In addition to being large in size and price, this bag also has a larger than life reputation. As a result, women who carry the Birkin most likely enjoy standing out in a crowd, clearly care about the way they’re perceived and are often high maintenance. The bag’s sophisticated, streamlined design also shows that the woman who wears it is confident and isn’t afraid to stand her ground.
About the Bag: At over 10 years old, Balenciaga’s City Motorcycle bag remains a treasured favorite to celebrities and fashion icons across the world. It features a naturally distressed leather exterior — available in just about every color under the sun — and a hearty supply of pockets, tassels, studs and buckles.
Celebs Who Carry It: Khloe Kardashian, Christina Aguilera, Tori Spelling
What it Says About You: The owner of a Balenciaga City Motorcycle bag is a chick with an ultra tough exterior and style sense that’s easy, relaxed and downright cool. Despite her hard shell, though, the City Motorcycle owner has a soft heart. As a result, she’s easily moved by heartwarming stories, romantic gestures and charitable deeds.
To Be Continued………
By Wendy Rose Gould
Posted by Wendy Rose Gould at 07:00 AM
bargain news , Fashion: Trends, Style, and Business , Opinions , Trends , Trends |
