Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Bags: the Affordable and the Exorbitant (nothing in between)


Chloe Paddington, the deadest of them all

The "it" bag is double-dead. Gone are the days of women fawning over the latest one to two-thousand dollar, hardware-laden, all-leather accessory. Women have since moved on to shoes, clothes, or jewelry and watches as investment pieces that would hopefully set them apart from the rest.

Peer into Jak and Jil's shoe porn, where footwear gets crazier and crazier. I admit it's beautiful and fresh now, but like it bags, what happens when the novelty of it shoes wanes?

I think the same goes for men, at least those who, a few years ago, jumped in the bandwagon of it bags and purchased the "man" versions for themselves. You're reading the blog of one of the biggest victims of this movement, having caved in to the briefcase version of the YSL Muse and the messenger version of the Balenciaga motorcycle bag. Since then, I've demoted myself to buying bags of the USD 0-300 range, amazed by their practicality and the presence of so many interesting choices out there. Let me share a few of my picks:
American Apparel duffle ($26)

Benjamin Bixby coach's attache ($148 at gilt.com)

Check out the "team autographs" on the back:



The one that got away # 1: Raf Simons for Eastpak duffle. I still want you.


The one that got away # 2: Jeremy Scott for Longchamp "Stomp" bag. Does anyone know who still stocks this?


Nom de Guerre helmet bag. An update on a military classic.

Y-3 messenger (from style-arena.jp). Close to perfection, in my opinion.

That, however, hasn't stopped me from lusting over expensive ones. Only now, they need to be ridiculously expensive and impractically unreachable to tickle my fancy.

Dries Van Noten hand-painted ostrich bag. My jaw dropped when I saw this on 00o00. It's a breathtaking piece.


Hermes 24/24 messenger. Ridiculously overpriced, it was love at first sight for me. One day, i say, one day!

Today's outfit: no bags involved. It's sweater weather in Manila!

red-framed specs from Hong Kong, Zara cashmere blend v-neck, Giordano Concepts shorts, NDC shoes


15 comments:

whats-he-wearing.com said...

i need that Benjamin Bixby coach's attache !!!!!!

i am so checking out gilt now, i hope they ship internationally!!!

whats-he-wearing.com said...

dang! it's a member's only group!! that bag is gorgeous!!

Dr. Debonaire said...

omg i love the bejamin bixby attache... i want to go bag shopping now!

whats-he-wearing.com said...

i joined, but they don't ship overseas!! i really love that benjamin bixby bag! such a great price too!

fuchsiaboy said...

i can swear by the AA gym bag and the longchamp x jeremy scott. i love how it's so light, foldable and practical.

i had all leather, hardware encrusted bags from mulberry, gaultier etc before and i had to 'retire' them because it's not just practical for my lifestyle now.

Anonymous said...

Stick to trousers, dear. Your legs, especially your buckling knee, are not for showing off. Sorry.

elysia mann said...

awesome!!!!!!! love it all.

i wrote a feature on weardrobe, check it out?

http://www.weardrobe.com/fashion/long-grey-cardigan

Giancinephile said...

No more it bags definitely!!!!

The Dries and Hermes are lovely but one thing to dread about Hermes are the prices! haha

Speaking of bags, the bags from Branquinho's SS09 collection are fantastic...

elysia mann said...

i'm so glad you liked it! would you like to post a link to it for all of your readers?! :))

if you're interested, here is the link again: http://www.weardrobe.com/fashion/long-grey-cardigan

fred said...

love everything on APC...

:D

ME BUDDHA BANANA said...

Dries, oh my - Love it!

nice shorts man!

Anonymous said...

The navy blue and yellow sweat shirt is just amazing ! I want the same. Would be perfect for a peppy style
Thanks for your comment on my blog !

chauss said...

love the shades...:)

mademoiselleb said...

The Benjamin Bixby's one looks PERFECT ! And I really really like your shoes.

Izzy said...

h: haha thank you for this. I didn't know that longchamp bag had a shoulder strap. makes me want one even more!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails