I feel bad because i have never strongly recommended any Carlos Falchi bag. There are some great bags from the designer but somehow none has given any “kick” so far and now i have bad things to say about this bag. I am sure you see what i see… this bag is literally scary. It kinda looks like a monster face with moustaches hanging. The bag is also available in Whiskey color and NO! It is not any better. This thing costs USD2,675 which is quite a good price remembering the whole body is made of croc skin but who will pay 2 grands for this thing? If you are spending just to help the economy, rush to Bergdorf now and keep this for Halloween party.
Image is courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman
Many of you have written and asked for bag recommendations as a gift to either yourself or loved ones. We notice that we had been answering pretty much similar questions for a few times so we have decided to post some of the Questions and the recommended solutions from now on. Hopefully more than one person benefit from it. Email us here!
Hi Purseholic
Great job with the site! I just hope you updated the manbag section more frequently as guys visit your site frequently too. Today, i need a gift suggestion for my mom’s 60th birthday.
My mom is a working mom and has been using her trusted black Hermes Kelly as long as i could recall. To her, the bag works with any outfit and she prefers spending her money on shoes and jewelries. My dad and I are thinking of surprising her on her 60th birthday (in May) with a new handbag and we want it to be in white but not too different from her Kelly so she would definitely love it!
We thought of getting a Birkin in white but were told by the SA that the waiting list is at least 2 years and the price is more than HK$60,000. We tried some other shops such as Milan Stations in Hong Kong but the prices are almost double.
Our budget is around HK$30,000 – HK$ 35,000. What would you recommend for a white bag in the price range, preferably from a big name such as Gucci or LV and my mom? Help appreciated.
Tony in Hong Kong
Hello Tony
Thanks for the input, we will update the manbag more frequently. Just stay tune!
Let me just say that it is very thoughtful of you and your dad to go through the process of finding the right bag for your mom. She is one lucky lady and i am sure, she would love whatever you guys got her eventually.
Your budget is indeed pretty generous. I will say forget Birkin as everyone in Hong Kong who could afford it already has at least one. Besides, your mom already owns an Hermes so a change would be nice.
Louis Vuitton Suhali is the classiest and subtle collection of the brand and i think the L’Ingénieux PM (32cm x 20cm x 15cm) would suit you mom. The bag is classic, structured like Kelly and the goat skin of Suhali is very durable and scratch proof. I think your mom would love these attributes as she seems to be the type who keeps her bag for long. The price is USD3,660 (around HKD28,400) in US or €2,380 (around HKD24,000) in France. I think the price in HK will be around the same as in US, if not slightly higher.
Another option is the classic Chanel Cerf tote (35cm x 24cm x 15cm). The classic tote is simple yet classy and is much roomier than any Kelly. The Caviar leather is scratch proof and durable so it fits the bill. Another great point about this bag is its price which is around USD2,600 (around HKD20,200) and you could use the spare of your budget to buy more shoes for your mom.
Both are great options but your thought is priceless and i am sure whatever you guys decide on, she would really love it. Good luck and keep us posted!
J Purseholic
Before Karl Lagerfeld created the famous Fendi FF Zucca signature, the house was recognizable by its subtle duo-tone stripe pattern similar to the one on this bag. I have not seen this tote in person but it does remind me of some vintage Fendi bags i had seen before. It seems like Fendi has lately been revisiting its archive following the success of the Twins tote and if this is true, i think it is a good move remembering Fendi used to be THE handbag house. I am still not exactly head-over-heels with this bag but as a vintage lover, i could connect to and appreciate its beauty. Also available in black, this tote could be yours for USD1,000 (originally USD1,250) from Bluefly.
Image is courtesy of Bluefly
Kate Spade’s huge success in the world of handbag is due to her ability to create bags that are practical, fuss-free, non-intimidating and pretty with excellent quality for its price point. It’s been a while since the last bag from Kate got me talking. They are generally nice and pretty but not exactly outstanding. These mini satchels are not exactly out-of-the-box either but they are obviously cute, simple and spoilling in term of colors to choose from. I like the texture of Kate Spade’s signature leather, which is used in this bag. Isn’t this a good replacement to you basic Boston bags? The price is very attractive too at USD295 per pop. It makes you want to get it in the four colors, doesn’t it? There is also Black color but i say, go for the midnight if you fancy black. What are you waiting for? This makes a perfect gift to both yourself and loved ones.
From left: Midnight, Orange, Mauve and Robin’s Egg
Images are courtesy of Nordstrom
How do you change a doctor bag or a frame bag that is traditionally rigid and hyper-structured into something feminine and lovely? Leave it to the French luxury house Celine to do the modification and the result is a clean, chic bag that is still versatile enough for business. Dior made a similar bag last year with hardware handles and volume body in buttery soft leather but the one from Celine is closer to a diffusion of a frame bag. This bag also comes with a detachable messenger strap. Available in both super soft waxed calf leather and phyton. In this feminine pink, the phyton color definitely steals the spotlight. Available at your nearest Celine stores for around €1,200 for the calf leather version and €2,300 for the phyton skin.
Image is courtesy of Celine
Loewe is on fire! For those of you who think the Calle is too simple of a shape for a bag (it does look like a plastic bag but much prettier), Loewe has the Hobo version which is more structured yet as gorgeous. The largest one of this bag is size 40 which is way too big to be carried over one’s shoulder, including for the towering Ms Bundchen so she is toting it on her arm instead. The bag she is carrying is in purple Ostrich and is from the pre-fall/winter 2009 collection. Thanks to Tina of Bagsnob for spotting this picture of Gisele carrying the beautiful bag.
Image is courtesy of Loewe and Bagsnob
Gentlemen, there is one more reason for you to ditch that colorful backpack of yours this year (you do know that it jacks up your geek factor by a million folds and you are asking not to be taken seriously in all ways possible?) thanks to Stuart Vevers at Loewe. Loewe to Spain is Hermes to France or Valextra to Italy and its pre-fall/winter 2009 collection for men sent me to the state of hyperventilation in the count of nano seconds. I have been thinking about getting myself a bigger Amazona for the longest time but there are even more choices now. Look at that Calle 39. Victoria Beckham could not resist it and now it is available for men too!
Top row, from left: Calle 39, Flat leather coin purses
Bottom rom, from left: Amazona weekender, Pia 44
Images are courtesy of Loewe
