Bag Review: Anya + Burberry + Bottega + Gucci

Boy, I am always swimming in these illusions of grandeur. When I get bored, I had to snoop around to check out what the European royals are wearing/carrying. (It all started with those Goyard crowns. Having Goyard refuse to paint them on non-royalty owned bags *i.e. mine* got me all riled up haha *see, if I were VIP, they’d paint them on my bags now, like asap haha*) Anyway, I don’t know what made me think that I can channel royalty in my own little noggin by associating a bag they carry with a bag I own (deluded, I’m telling you haha). But hey, this is a little feel good factor, knowing the bag brand you have is also the brand of choice for celebs and royalty. Which leads me to say this– we buy designer bags (sometimes sadly even breaking our bank for it *guilty, your honor!*) because we feel good about owning them, carrying them. It’s not to say that the bag is your portable confidence booster, but oftentimes, it can be. I get into my happy camper mode when I see my fave bag brand being featured, or carried by some media heavyweight. Case in point! Queen Silvia of Sweden (who has two pretty daughters– Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine). Queen Silvia is seen here carrying what seems to be a 32cm Hermes kelly in beige rose clemence with gold hardware 🙂 She carried this to the 70th birthday celebration of Queen Sonja of Norway. I know you probably think that the Hermes Kelly is reserved for the more “mature” woman, but I beg to differ. Sure, if you carry a more neutral shade like that bag of Queen Silvia, then wear day suits all the time, you could channel that more “matured” and more distinguished look. But then go with an uber bright- colored kelly *go against the grain so to speak* (red, fuchsia, orange), and though you still carry that “distinguished” air, all thoughts of you being considered “mature” are eradicated. And that’s also what makes me love the kelly. The style easily “swings” both ways 🙂

Ok, it’s ripe for another bag review. 😀 I’ve actually been so discouraged from doing bag reviews lately because I am afraid of what I’ll see…what if I like the bag? *Bawl* Purse ban 🙁 hehe..
Bottega Veneta Nappa Umbria Intrecciato tote in chalk. (I want this!!!! Help!!) This is such a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful tote! I can’t sing enough praises about this bag because it looks so immaculate. And the detail is as always, amazing! It has glazed leather piping in taupe, adding to the classiness of the bag. If I had a good US$2,580 in my wallet now, hands down, I’d head straight to the “checkout” of Saksfifthavenue.com to buy it. *Ugh* I need to test drive this bag.
Burberry Quilted Patent Tote in black. This is a pretty nondescript bag. If anything, it seems like the quilting of Marc Jacobs bags and the belt buckle of Fendi B. bags got married. I feel that there is no originality to the bag design. However, if you want to veer away from the nova checks of Burberry and want to carry something a bit “fun”and less conservative (patent bags can be fun hehe), for US$1,595 this might be for you. (would be nice if this were in red :D)
Anya Hindmarch Beverly Metallic hobo. Anya is back on the lips of baghags because of her uber cheap $15 tote. It prompted me to look at her other bags like this one. I like the bag because well, it’s made of cracked metallic leather. Of course the exterior pocket helps too. It’s hard to be looking for your mobile phone inside the abyss of a bag when it rings. 🙂 Priced at US$980 for saksfifthavenue.com

Gucci Aviatrix Medium Boston. This monogrammed signature Gucci bag looks too chunky. I don’t know where Gucci plans to take its bag line, but I’m beginning to feel the Donatella Versace touch. (haha and they’re not even from the same brand haha). Tsk, sooo not nice 🙁 I wonder if anyone would be interested to pay US$1790 for the bag… *cough bugly*

Ok,it’s time to answer all blog comments:

1. Mia from LA- yes, that was me! You should’ve come up to say hello 🙂 Would’ve loved to meet you! 🙂
2. Mel– I actually am getting a US version of the Anya Hindmarch “I’m not a Plastic Bag” through Splendeeds. Splendeeds (www.splendeeds.com) was able to get a number of them for their clients 🙂 *woohoooo!!* I wouldn’t buy the bag if I were asked to pay black market price for it *I’m a cheapskate!* Someone on the comments page also said “it would defeat the purpose” of it being the cheapest designer bag if you pay more than $15. I couldn’t agree with her more 🙂 You can still get yourself “listed” for it. I think they’re launching it on July 18 Stateside (someone correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t know anyone at Anya US *sniff*).
3. Re: Miu Miu bags– you can also check net-a-porter.com
4. Sorry it takes longer for me to reply to my text messages. For one, the phone is sorta screwy (sometimes messages can’t even be displayed *don’t worry, I’m saving up to buy a new phone haha*).
5. Re: Suggestions for Cross-body bags, I’m afraid I’m gonna have to bow out of answering this one– because I actually don’t know much about these bags. Not having one in my bag closet is a big minus *and I dare call myself a baghag?! Scoff!* Hehe, I’m just a tutti frutti baghag wannabe!
6. Re:Applegarde, we don’t have the shipment in yet. However if it’s a hand sanitizer stain, even Applegarde’s not gonna do the job of removing it. If it’s a liquid stain, the chances of it getting “cleaned” out, is slim to none 🙁 Sad eh?
7. Re: Judith Leiber bags, some are actually ok. But personally I don’t think I’m at that level in life yet to own one– coz I have no social life *forever the social climber, but never the socialite haha* 🙂

P.S. There’s a new store in town called Lime (located at Eastwood City). Thought you guys might be interested in their clothes :)Check out their Flickr account: www.flickr.com/lime_

P.P.S. Just wanted to inform the clothes hags out there that Tinsley has new clothes that came in today, and there’s also a few more pieces of the Rima top available.

That’s all 😀

xx
Jackie T.