Cole Haan Sale!

It's long been une femme's opinion that Cole Haan shoes and bags are a great value for the price point.  Well constructed of high quality leathers, they are durable, stylish and comfortable. And as long as you're going to wear a gladiator sandal, it may as well be durable, stylish and comfortable.  Whitney Gladiator Sandals above, on sale for $119.95.

Hey lady, I got yer laceless Oxford right heah...

Though why they call this style "Giggle Water" is beyond me.  $219.95.  I am sorely tempted.  According to LPC, the flat oxfords are de rigeur among the fashionable set this year.  (Have I mentioned I'll have the rare ~Privilege of meeting LPC in a couple of days?)

While we're talking "de rigeur," ballet flats are Quite The Thing in Paris right now. 

 

How about a pair in purple patent leather, $99.95?  (Many other colors too!)

Here's a high heeled attempt to appease Wendy B.

I like the mix of patent and natural leathers on this one.  Air Jocelyn sandal, $159.95.  Wendy, I know these are a bit low for you, but I'll bet you could learn to walk in them with practice.  ;-)

No, I haven't forgotten about bags.

Daisy Triangle Tote, $159.95.  Available in several colors.  Honest-to-goodness style that doesn't have to imitate an "It" bag.

Triple Zip Satchel, $249.95.  The design and leather on this one are scrumptious.  Also available in ivory and metallic pale silver.  The workmanship on this bag is comparable to designer bags I've seen at five times this price.  And the handles are really soft and comfortable to wear or carry.

Cute summer evening bag!  $119.95.

Much more at colehaan.com.

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Call me old-fashioned...

but it just seems so wrong to Bedazzle a Birkin.

Picture from style.com Paris Fashion Week coverage.

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The Flap Continues...

I'm liking this one.... kate spade, $395. Clean, simple, nice color.

Metscan (whose lovely blog is a treat...do go check it out!) mentioned on the original look-for-less post comments that I'm "beating around the bush" in looking for cheaper bags to scratch the classic Chanel itch. And that's true to some degree. But I'm also not ready to drop that kind of money on a bag at the moment, and want to leave myself open to something more affordable. Though perhaps only the Chanel will ultimately do, the hunt is half the fun and I always enjoy sharing the pretty things I find with all of you.

More thoughts on style, satisfaction vs. substitutes, and shall ever the twain meet coming up next week...
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Another addition to the lineup...

$300. You might be surprised to find where this one is from. (Click on the link to see bag in better detail.)

I really do want to see this bag up close, but if it's in line with the quality I've seen from their other bags recently, it's a great option at a good price point.
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The Look for Less: Classic Flap Bag

Chanel Beige Jumbo, $2,995 in Caviar Leather (if you can even find one...they're sold out everywhere right now). The bag pictured above is a vintage version; Chanel doesn't sell their bags online and authentic online pictures of current bags are tough to find.
Marc Jacobs "Large Single," $625 and available everywhere. This is one of those bag designs that our friend MJ got very, very right. I know, it's not an iconic Chanel. But for less than 1/4 the price of the Chanel classic flap, it's pretty darn cute and has that same dress-it-up/dress-it-down versatility and its own classic-with-just-a-bit-of-edge look. (Just a note, the color IRL is less pink and more beige than it appears in the picture.)

For a less literal interpretation of the classic flap, this kate spade "Windsor Palace" snake embossed leather bag is cute, and still a fraction of the Chanel at $595. (I'd probably remove the bow, but some might like it.)

If you have your heart set on le vrais Chanel, that's OK too; start saving up and get your name on some waiting lists now, as the demand for these seems to be outstripping supply. Go figure.
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Bag designed by....You!

If you've ever seen a beautiful bag and thought, "oh it would be perfect if it only had gold hardware/ was available in a different color/ had a messenger strap/ had different tassels" or if you are just tired of designer logos or seeing *your* bag coming and going, then you should check out Belen Echandia's BE Couture, where you can create your very own bespoke bag.

Start with one of over 30 basic bag designs, customize with different strap and tassel options, choose from dozens of leather textures and colors (including python), gold or silver hardware, lining color and fabric and "extras" such as laptop sleeves, additional interior pockets and extra long messenger straps. Your bag will be as unique as you, and at a price much less than most designer bags.

Belen Echandia bags are made in Italy by skilled craftspeople, and the hand-picked leathers are gorgeous. Take note of measurements, as some of the bags are quite generously sized. Often, "midi" or "mini" (smaller) versions of the same design are available. The Belen Echandia bags I've seen up close and owned are beautiful, well-made, have excellent interior organization and bright fuscia linings which are not only gorgeous but make it easy to see inside the bags (and find stuff!). Jackie Cawthra (the Founder and Creative Director) and her associates provide personal and prompt customer service, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance or for more information.

(And if prior posts whetted your appetite for a red bag and you still haven't found the perfect one, check out some of the gorgeous red leathers that Belen Echandia is offering!)


Belen Echandia also has many styles and colors of bags already in stock and ready to ship, including wallets and clutches, which you can see here.
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No compendium of red bags would be complete without...

Lady Dior Cannage Tote, $2250.
(Thanks to Aradia for the reminder.)

Marion Cotillard for Dior:

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Une femme recommends...

Having seen this bag up close over the weekend, I can now fully recommend it. The detailing is much nicer in person than it appears in this picture, the leather is great and the red a bit more subdued than some of the other selections posted last week. Talbots, $159.

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Seeing Red, Encore

Two more rouge beauties:

DKNY, $295.
Valentino, $2150.
That Valentino knows and loves his reds.

Don't forget to enter the drawing for the Lancome "Chris & Tell" lipstick! Deadline is tomorrow, 11:59:59pm Pacific Time.
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Seeing Red

Inspired and triggered by materfamilias recent "Polyvore on the floor" escapades featuring a new pair of spectator "wingtips" (warning: drooling may be a side effect of viewing these) teamed up with a gorgeous red doctor's bag and some great menswear-inspired ensembles, and Karen's description of her new red Lancel "L'Adjani" bag from Paris, une femme has been seeing gorgeous red bags everywhere!

As materfamilias mentions, a red bag can be surprisingly neutral itself, and a great way to add some color to more neutral ensembles. My preference: when the color is this strong and bright, keep the rest of the details simple.
kate spade "westbury dani hobo" now on sale $236.90.

(Simple, classic...what kate spade does best.)

Talbot's Dome bag, $159.
(Love the shape of this and great price point!)Belen Echandia python Clutch Me, $850.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Natasha Crossbody Bag, $328.

(I've seen this one up close and it's really cute and functional!)
Another Marc by Marc Jacobs, Classic Q Groovee Satchel, on sale for $329.90.

Prada Saffiano Lux Tote, $1495.

Tod's D-Styling Bauletto Medio, $1445.

(Almost more coral than red, but WOW, what a color!)

Prada Saffiano Lux Bowler, $1390.

(Prada does some outstanding reds, from warm brick reds to cool-but-bright cranberries.)
The Empress of red bags, the Hemès Birkin, $12,783 from Luxury-Shops.com.

Do you have any red bags? Do you find them to be versatile?
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Want the jacket....

Classic With a Twist -YSL by deja pseu featuring Yves Saint Laurent

...bought the perfume.

Une femme has finally given up on the Chanel jacket fantasy. Too boxy, too fussy pour moi. (Though I will continue to admire on others and sigh that what-might-have-been-had-I-been-born-with-a-trust-fund-and-different-genes sigh.) But as one door closes, another opens, and I've switched my jacket obsession to Yves Saint Laurent, specifically the "le Smoking" style jacket. First, it's much more within my aesthetic comfort zone and also probably a much better style for my body. Even though the YSL is still out of my price range, it's far less so than Chanel (including on ebay).

In the meantime, I will assuage and sublimate my YSL-lust with a new fragrance. I'll own up, I tried it because of the name, "Parisienne." (How could I not??) But I was surprised to find I really like this fragrance. It's feminine with an edge. The beginning of the drydown yields a distinctive rose fragrance, but soon after it becomes something slightly more earthy and just a little bit smoky (thanks to sandalwood notes) though the floral remains dominant. This isn't a sweet floral. It's a bit powdery, but not too soft.

And if I decide I must have a reasonable facsimile of the "le Smoking" jacket sometime this decade, there's always this one from J.Crew. We'll talk about that Muse bag later...
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Retail Reconnaissance

Just a few items seen while out and about over the weekend that made le coeur d'une femme go pitty-pat:

Banana Republic merino ruffle sweater, $79.50. LOVE this aubergine color, and the ruffle adds visual interest without bulk. Remember if you are a BR card holder, Tuesdays are 10% off!

If I hadn't just spent my next three months' clothing budget shopping in Paris, I'd be all over this kate spade tote. It's Chanel-esque but better: softer, lighter, a fraction of the price.

I normally don't get excited about watches, especially "fashion" watches, but this Michael Kors tortoiseshell-look watch is fabulous! It's a fun and modern alternative to a metal watch with just enough sparkle to lend a bit of "I might be an heiress" attitude to a simple, casual ensemble.
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Paris Loot - les sacs!

Vraiment, I had not planned to buy any bags. In fact, I'm trying to reduce my inventory.

My first slip happened as a result of picking up some bags at Louis Vuitton for a friend.* The rumors are true; it really is cheaper to buy them in Paris. The price is a bit lower, even with the execrable exchange rate, there's no sales tax, plus non-European residents get back a 12% VAT refund. I know they've become a symbol of conspicuous consumption, but every time I visit one of the LV boutiques I surprise myself with how much I really like some of their pieces. Most of the canvas styles are lightweight and wear very well. After buying my friend's bags and realizing how much money she had saved, I caved and went for one I've actually been considering for some time. As is my tendency, I went for "classic with a twist," a classic Speedy 30 but in the Damier canvas which I prefer to the LV monogram design; it's a bit more subtle and not as often seen (or faked).

The Speedy, though handheld, is a great bag for traveling. It weighs next to nothing, holds quite a lot, and can take a lot of knocking around without showing wear. And when not in use, it folds flat for storage.

I really surprised myself with the second bag. Because one cannot buy Lancel bags in the US (except for the Duty Free shop at JFK Airport apparently) I wanted to peruse one of their boutiques just to see what these bags were about, after reading some good reviews over at the Purse Forum. Purely research, mind you; I was not familiar with their styles, and had not set out with a purchase in mind.

This bag did not catch my eye at first. I was looking at some of the simpler, more subtle styles. The sales associate pointed to one wall and indicated several bags that were 30-40% off, and that's when I noticed it. At first, the color was what piqued my interest. I loved the deep green, but this normally isn't the type of bag I go for. There's a lot of visual detail with the contrast stitching, braid trim and the drawstrings/tassels. But was a great color, it did have a strap long enough to wear the bag cross-body, it was 30% off, and the sales guy started showing me all of the different ways it could be worn...

and then I saw the lining.

I am an absolute sucker for cute lining. And this is one of the best ever.

This style of bag is called the "Premier Flirt" and it really did flirt with me, and won me over. It wasn't until later that I saw the color of the leather in natural light and realized just how rich and saturated this color is, and how high the quality of the leather.

When I unpacked at home, I discovered that the Lancel folks had also included a small book about the history and tradition of Maison Lancel. It's full of gorgeous vintage ads, drawings and photos. I'll work on translating some of it, and share more from the book in a later post. But in the meantime, below are a photo of Angèle Lancel, (whom, from what I'm gathering from the text in French was the initial brains behind the operation) and an ad for luggage in Art Deco style.

*and if you are planning a Louis Vuitton purchase while in Paris, skip the Champs Elysées and Avenue Montaigne stores, and head straight for the smaller, quiet boutique in the 6th just off Boulevard St. Germain. You'll be able to shop without having to fight your way through busloads of tourists, and will have several eager sales associates just waiting to assist you.

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The Look for Less: Woven Leather Bag

The Look:
Bottega Veneta, $2250 Bottega Veneta, known their woven leather bags, in une femme's opinion is among the most timeless and classy among all of the designer brands.

For Less:
Cole Haan "Delaunay" tote, $428 (Not as subtle as the BV, but really stunning!)

Cole Haan "Prudence," $428 I haven't seen this one up close yet, but really like the design!

Eileen Fisher Earth Conscious Leather Bag, $578. The feel of this leather really rivals the BV, very soft and luxe.


Cole Haan "Genevieve," on sale for $249.95 The "optic" look of this weave adds a bit of visual interest.

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Spotted: temptation...

kate spade "Beauville" tote, $299. Girly, but wild. If I were in the market for a larger tote right now, I'd be all over this.
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And now for something pretty

I couldn't allow that wretched bit of decrepitude below to have the last word, so here's something pretty from Fendi, a brand which has also had it's share of cringe-worthy bags in recent years. I rather like this one, though.
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