Lanvin proves that beautiful things can come in small packages

Yesterday, I got to talking about my love for Lanvin in general and Alber Elbaz in particular over at TalkShoes, and now I’m prepared to do to do the same here. Bags like the Lanvin Lizard Box Clutch just inspire that in me. I could look at this little bag all day, mostly because it shirks the traditional conventions of evening bags in order to pursue a look that’s a bit more unexpected; you won’t find any gleaming hardware or intricate beading here.


If I saw this clutch in someone’s hands and didn’t know any better, I’d assume it was the vintage find of a lifetime. The dusty teal lizard accented with tortoise shell gussets and weathered brass hardware looks like nothing else on the market right now, and the combination is beautiful in a subtle, restrained, well-edited way that’s genuinely hard to come by.

Naturally, the color palette gives this piece a retro feel, but that’s part of its success. Almost all clutches go for shine, whether it be through polished hardware, beading and rhinestones or fabric that has an inherent sheen to it. This clutch goes in the exact opposite direction and feels completely fresh as a result.

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Leather Messenger Bag

The resistance to man bags that I most often hear from my straight male friends is that they’re too feminine and too expensive. I think that the “feminine” thing is totally BS – no one’s suggesting that a dude carry a purse, and stereotypically masculine options abound for anyone who’s concerned. Men have carried bags for ages, this isn’t some kind of new metrosexual trend we have here.

The price-consciousness, however, makes a little more sense. Most men aren’t used to the price levels of luxury goods, which is why the Marc by Marc Jacobs Leather Messenger Bag is the focus of this week’s Man Bag Monday. With a non-fussy design and a price that rings up under $500, it’s the perfect gift choice for the boyfriend or husband who’s new to the accessories world.

Versace pulls from its brand heritage for an ornately printed clutch

I’m as hard on Versace as anyone, but I like to think of it as a tough love situation. I talk smack because I want the brand to improve its handbags, not because I take any particular delight in its struggles. Although I have to admit, some of the company’s past bags have been almost delightfully bad, so there may have been a modicum of enjoyment on my part.

Versace may have turned the corner, though. The past couple seasons of ready-to-wear have been intriguing, and during the same period of time, I’ve noticed a conspicuous and considerable lack of Versace purses that make me want to throw a small fit. Not to mention that I actually like the Versace Baroque Printed Bag in all of its pattern-on-pattern glory.


This bag works for a few reasons. First, mixed patterns are having a moment in fashion right now, so the maximal look of brocade on leopard seems relevant in the context of current trends. Second, these two patterns in particular have a very “Versace” look to them, which results in a successful balance of brand identity and modern fashion ideas. Third, the bag isn’t very big. When an item is ornate and mixes several bold elements, a smaller scale tends to be kinder to the finished look.

The Look for Less of Loewe Amazona Bag

I didn’t take much of a shine to the Loewe Amazona Bag until I saw one in person, but since I did, my borderline-obsessive interest in the brand has yet to falter. Loewe’s leather really is something that needs to be experienced to be understood; I’ve yet to see a photo that accurately depicts the simple beauty of one of the brand’s bags.

Loewe Amazona Bag

The problem, of course, is that not only is Loewe prohibitively expensive for the average consumer, but trying to find one of its bags in-store is the stuff of slight mental breakdowns. I’ve only seen them two places: Bergdorf Goodman, which has only one location (New York), and Jeffrey, which has only two (New York and Atlanta). The brand’s website has e-commerce, but doesn’t ship to the US. So what’s a girl with a limited budget and limited access to Loewe do?

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