Ooow crap! Just when I thought that I would not be wanting to buy a new bag anymore soon because there has been nothing I really like, Berluti just pushed its classic E Mio in four irresistible colors – powdery caramel, smoky green (HOT!), ember red (HOT!) and silky blue. Price is GBP1,940, which is steep enough but it is retailing at SGD5,690 in the Berluti store at Ngee Ann City. The bag also includes a shoulder strap so it is just… well, perfect.
Image is courtesy of Berluti
Dear Purseholic
I am a doctor, starting my own practice soon and looking for a nice designer bag, shoes and watch suitable for my profession. I am a 30-year old male, 182cm and I like stylish stuff but suitable for my age. My budget is not more than S$4,000 for the bag, S$1,000 for the shoes and S$10,000 for the watch. I am not a big shopper so I would prefer classic models to last me for a long time. Appreciate your advice.
Jonathan, Singapore
Hi Jonathan
A doctor with a private practice and SGD1,5000 shopping spree? You are one lucky dude and object of jealousy to many men.
Anyways, I will try my best to do my job. For a bag, how about a full leather doctor’s bag from Gucci with the signature webbing? Not only that it suits your profession perfectly, it exudes style, class, timelessness and is appropriate for a 30-year old. The price is well under your SGD4,000 budget too at around SGD3,300 from Saks.
For shoes, I would recommend a pair of classic lace-up cap toe Balmoral from Berluti, if you could stretch your budget. The small Berluti store at Ngee Ann City is one of the best places for a gentleman to visit in Singapore. Be prepared to spend around SGD2,000 for this baby here. Alternatively, a pair from Gucci or Ferragamo will fit your under SGD1,000 budget well too.
Lastly, a great timepiece is probably the most important accessory for a man so it is crucial to get this one right. Based on your under SGD10,000 budget and your 182cm height, I would narrow down your choices to a classic Rolex Datejust II (USD7,950), a Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Grande Automatique (USD8,950) or a Glashutte Original Senator Panorama Date (USD8,800). I would get one of these three watches myself. Prices are before discounts.
All the best for your private practice, doctor!
Write to us at askme@purseholic.com
J Purseholic
Images are NOT owned by purseholic
For men who are desperately looking for a classically stylish bag but feel that monogram from Vuitton or GG from Gucci compromise your masculinity, look no further as Berluti has the answer for you. Berluti cleverly engraved ancient script making it the house signature, subtle yet iconic. At USD2,000 a pop, I think it is perfectly justifiable taking into consideration the superb polished leather (which is still very very masculine) and the ultimate workmanship comparable to that of Hermes. Berluti bags and shoes are high on my list now. Maybe it comes with age but I am in the out of looking for more classic than trendy stuff lately. Good thing is I have been very careful with my purchase.
Image is courtesy of Berluti
I am still not over Berluti. In fact, the more I see, the more I want many of them now. Bags like these are the bags you could buy, use now and leave behind for the next generation and that makes the price tags really justifiable, don’t you think? The Berluti Collection Venezia is a range of beautifully treated leather bags. The look is classic and luxury, beautiful then, now and forever.
Anti-clockwise from the left top: 2jours, jour apres jour, au grand jour, lex beaux jours and shopping d’1jour
Image is courtesy of Berluti
When Olga Berluti, the descendent of the century-old Parisian shoemaker who still helms the house today says, “your shoes have soul” she means it more than just a gimmicky tagline to market her products. I am not a big fan of heavy old-school shoes but when I first came to contact with a pair of Berluti shoes, I have to fall in love with its impeccable craftmanship and shiny perfectly flawed leather. Every pair of Berluti shoes also comes with one-time free color change and guaranteed sole replacement (with some fees) for life, this means, after years of wearing, you could have your shoes with a new sole and in a new color and what remains is just its soul. Not to mention, that Berluti shoes also come with comfort of which you would have thought impossible to achieve given the elegant look of the shoes. All these are just the basics as you could still choose to upgrade and have your own bespoke pair made and tailored to your taste and requirements, if nothing on the shelves readily suits you.
The most popular model of Berluti shoes would be the classic lace-up, made of a single piece of leather and is available (upon your order) in any color you want (black, brown, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, pink). Everything about a pair of Berluti shoes is an elegant whisper (not scream) of discreet yet ultimate luxury. For those ignorant souls out there, there is Berluti store in Singapore for about a year already right behind the ever-crowded Louis Vuitton store or next to the Hugo Boss store at Ngee Ann City. Little did you know that the real luxury is tucked somewhere at that corner, huh?
Berluti shoes and leather goods are exclusively available at Berluti stores or selected Barneys stores in the US. The classic lace-up starts from USD1,400 a pair.
Image is courtesy of Berluti