Halloween spider clutch from Corto Moltedo

So it’s about time I got around to a seasonal handbag here and its getting very close to Halloween so I think the time is about right. First thing I have to admit about this Corto Moltedo clutch is that you can’t actually buy it yet which is slightly annoying. I’m told it’s going to be available online within the next month and hopefully in retailers for Christmas. Main reason I like it though is just how well this scary little spider fits the proportions of the clutch, even the metal web that has hold of the purse looks great.

I suppose the main reason I’ve held off from seasonal handbags here is because most of them look really naff off season, I mean do you know anyone with a Christmas purse that cost more than £5 and didn’t come in a cracker? However this cool little clutch does have the look of something that’s going to fit in any goth wannabes wardrobe, I can totally see people wearing this year round. Another point is it rare to see a great accessory on a modern bag these days but the intricate black widow spider on this Halloween bag really does stand out but still fits in with the overall look. I suppose that’s not an easy thing to pull off and it’s probably easier to design a great colour scheme or use great materials in your bag. Still it is something I would like to see more of, how about you guys? Before I forget the official site doesn’t have any prices or any real details yet but hopefully they will update it soon.

Fendi designs the Peekaboo for grown ups

So Fendi is one of those designers that can slip by quite unnoticed a lot of the time and I suppose when you’re in the business of fashion that’s not generally a good thing. Maybe it’s the down to earth style or the grown up tones but they rarely seem to ripple the handbag world pond with anything even slightly weird, then again there’s plenty of designers doing that already so why crowd the market?

Still I wouldn’t call this Fendi Peekaboo Tote that I just spotted conservative as the pink/violet leather really jumps out at you from a distance, yet it does seem dark enough to fit with a good range of trousers and belts. At the Fendi site it actually says the bag is made from goat and calf skin which is strange as it looks more like lizard or python to me, though at the same time all that really matters is that it looks great right? I also have to note another worrying pattern in the form of this tractor beam attracting me to handbags over £2,000 of which this is one (price will vary a lot though). Sometimes it’s hard to remember that this blog is supposed to be about cheap handbags lol, though as I keep saying what’s expensive to some is cheap to others. The thing is everyone’s range seems to be different these days (apparently there’s a recession on) so for some anything over £200 in the bag market is going to be out of reach. Still I do think there are lots of great bags in the “discount” range (apart from this one) eg DKNY and also Breadcrumb at only £15.

With all that being said if you do have a spare grand lying around doing nothing and also a passion for deep pink then check out the latest Fendi collection for some grown up bags!

Valentino Nymphe Floral Tote

Valentino isn’t well known for their cheap handbags and this floral tote really is no different as its well over the £2,000 mark. Still it is cheaper than his last few offerings so maybe this is progress after all?

Obviously the first thing I or anyone else is going to notice is the petal ruffles that seem to have just landed on the bag from a nearby tree in autumn (ok I don’t know many trees with pink leaves but you get the idea). I suppose the main selling point is it makes a difference from tall the faux animal skins we get in the designer handbag world month in month out, there is a limit to how much leather any one girl needs (i think). Also its very season appropriate which is a rarity for a tote and since autumn is my favourite season by a mile it wins on both on counts for me.

 Only thing that does scare me just a tiny little bit is how hard will this handbag be to keep clean? I mean it just looks like it will be a magnet for spilt coffee and chocolate? Maybe I need to be a little bit more optimistic, it is my favourite time of year after all! Check out the official site for more…

Christmas handbag without the tinsel?

So it’s getting to be that time of year again when everyone goes a little crazy shopping for new wares and also looking for great designer deals. I’m also getting the feeling that many of you are thinking about a Christmas handbag for the holidays. As I’ve mentioned before I’m not totally convinced on the idea of a “seasonal handbag” as I mentioned before at Halloween. I mean sure it’s going to look great at the time and will get lots of envious looks but what about the rest of the year? Also I’m not really sure what a Christmas handbag would look like, fairy lights and tinsel?

With that rant over I really love this Lanvin Jeweled Shoulder Bag which has just come up on the radar and looks amazing from all angles. The reason I’m calling this a Christmas bag is because of the red jewels patterned on the sides and also the gold strap the whole thing just seems to sparkle (would go great with snow lol). I was a little disappointed the jewels didn’t go all around the bag, the black gaps don’t look completely natural to me but still your eye isn’t going to be drawn to that part.

It’s impressive that Lavin have made a bag that looks amazing with all this decoration and “stuff” without looking tacky as it’s a very thin line to tread. Hopefully I’ll find you guys another few seasonal bags before it’s all over!

Coach Floral Audrey – wait till spring

So somehow this seems to be the first time I’ve had a coach handbag here on the blog. I’m not sure why as they’ve really grown in reputation over the last few years but at the same time they are not to everyone’s tastes. For example I just noticed this Floral Audrey tote which is definitely allot to take in at first glance as the floral design does anything but fade into the background.

I suppose it also has to be mentioned this isn’t really the season for flowery prints so it could be just me looking at it with wintery eyes. I do like the top clasp and gold handles which remind me of wristbands from the 80s though as somehow they still fit into this outrageous colour scheme. I suppose it’s one of those bags you either love or you hate, though usually they are the best ones. There seems to be so many designers playing it safe these days so it’s great coach are out there creating something memorable. One plus is it does look quite cheap for a Coach as its around the £200 mark on the official site although I could only find the standard Audrey bag.

DKNY Python print in zebra

So it’s been quite some time since my last post and I suppose I don’t really have an excuse as “because I’m lazy” isn’t really an excuse is it? Still I didn’t want to let February pass us by without at least one post about a cheap designer handbag that you have to own right now.

I was looking the other day at some of my categories and the DKNY handbags section is looking a little light so I thought I would let you know about this lovely new Python print from Donna Karan which caught my eye. Now I have to admit that £240 is quite a lot to be paying for a “print” but I still really love the overall look of this tote and how the oblong shape almost makes it into a slouch bag which is quite neat. The two handles mean you could legitimately call this a shoulder bag but I think they are determined to market it as a tote for reasons unknown. I know there are quite a few examples of zebra print around these days but I do feel this DKNY is a great example of out to get it right, also at this price I have to say it’s one of the cheaper handbags I’ve reviewed in a while which is a nice trend to be seeing.

So as you can tell this is a short but sweet post from me. If curious the main reason for my absence is the extended holiday I’m having around Northern Ireland at the moment in places like Newry etc. BTW if anyone can recommend any good Newry hotels let me know as its quite hard to find any reliable information (blog is friend of mine sorry J). Anyway until next time, stay shoppin!

New DKNY scarf tote handbag

So after a long time off I have another post for you guys. What better way to come back than with a review of a cool new DKNY handbag that I just spotted on houseoffraser for £155. It’s called the Scarf tote bag and it should be obvious why from the picture.

I think it’s great that designers like DKNY are starting to try new things with their totes and the accessory route they seem to be going down is a neat little departure. One Idea they don’t mention though is that you could potentially add your own scarf to the bag (if it’s the right size) which opens up a whole world of colour options.
I also have to mention that the price is quite reasonable for a genuine DKNY as I have noticed that the trend in recent years for totes has be the £300+ range which for me is way too much. Still you do always get a certain level of quality from Donna Karan which you don’t get from some of the smaller bespoke designers.
I really love the look of the cream pattern on the front and the brown leather strap on the top. Although part of me wonders what the whole bag would have looked like in brown as the texture of the leather on in the inside of the bag is amazing. If you’re looking for a DKNY bag to add to your collection this autumn then you could do a lot worse than this beautifully accessorised bag.