Handbags

Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano tote review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged cross body bags / handbag reviews / reviews / saint laurent / satchels by

saint laurent handbagDSC_0870 saint laurent nano tote review saint laurent sac du jour mini review saint laurent sac du jour nano interior saint laurent sac du jour nano tote reviewsaint laurent handbag spring

Pictured: Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano in cobalt blue. 

Welcome to the first-ever handbag review on Bay Area Fashionista! Although I have discussed, and recommended, specific handbags before in the past, this is the first time I have written an actual review of a specific handbag. As someone who loves handbags, and is a former Handbag Journalist, I decided a handbag review feature on the blog was much-needed! I know many of you are handbag lovers too, therefore, I believe many of you will appreciate thorough reviews of classic, and current, handbags. I hope to review one handbag per week starting. . .now!

The Saint Laurent Sac du Jour tote is currently enjoying “IT” status on the street. Fashionistas everywhere are choosing the Sac du jour by Saint Laurent as their tote bag, or satchel, of the moment. It is no secret as to why the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour is enjoying it’s moment in the sun. The handbag is well constructed, simple, elegant, and available in a variety of sizes and colors. What’s not to love?!

Since blue is my favorite color, and I was in need of a mini-satchel (yes, I am a huge trend follower), the nano Sac du Jour by Saint Laurent fit my needs of the moment perfectly. I debated with myself for a few weeks as to whether or not I should go with the nano or small Sac du Jour. My final decision was made because I loved the fact that the nano Sac du Jour offers a wide-open interior, while the small Sac du Jour has a middle compartment which, in my opinion, takes up too much room. In addition, Saint Laurent has a slightly larger size in it’s Sac du Jour line-up which is named the “Baby.” This Sac du Jour is closer in size to the small than the nano, and offers a wide-open interior. This is very appealing and makes me wonder if I need the baby Sac du Jour in black in my life! But I digress. . .

The nano Sac du Jour fits perfectly into the mini-satchel trend of the moment. It is a mini bag with a detachable cross body strap. The strap can be worn as both a shoulder bag and a cross body bag; adding versatility to the style. Of course the strap can be detached, and the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano can be worn hand-held as a traditional satchel. Although, holding the nano can be quite cumbersome. The handles are small which does not allow a lot of room for one’s hand. I prefer to wear my Sac du Jour nano with the strap as a shoulder bag. Once in a while I switch things up and wear it cross-body. 

The Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano measures in at 8.5″ H x 7″ W x 4.33″ D. The top handles offer a 3″ drop, and the shoulder strap offers a 20″ drop. There are five metal feet on the bottom of the bag; making it easy to place on a counter-top without worrying about dirtying the leather. Although there is an interior pocket, it is much too tight to use for anything other than storing a couple of quarters, or an emergency safety pin. The interior is soft, luxurious suede; tempting you to touch the interior periodically throughout the day. Not that I do that, ok, maybe I do! Don’t judge 😉

The interior of Saint Laurent’s Sac du Jour nano can fit a fold-over wallet, coin purse, keys, lipstick, and glasses out of a case. As you can see from the photo above, with these items, minus the glasses, there is still a little bit of room inside the bag for an additional item or items.

I purchased my Saint Laurent Sac du Jour in January. After using it regularly for four and a half months, I have found the quality to be superior to that of handbags priced, or valued at, twice the price of the Sac du jour nano. The leather is strong and does not loose it’s shape. It is surprisingly difficult to scratch the leather. I thought it would scratch easily since it is smooth, but that has not been the case. Love that! Weighing in at one pound, the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano is lightweight and easy to carry throughout the day.

My only complaint about the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano is that it is quite small. I would like to be able to fit my sunglasses, in their case, inside the bag. I believe the “baby” size will solve the size issue I have found. Perhaps a baby is in my future! And yes, that does sound funny!

Overall, I rate the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano five out of five stars! I am truly in love. If you are thinking about purchasing the Sac du Jour nano, consider what you would like to carry with you on a daily basis. The nano could be the right size for you, or perhaps the baby size would better fit your lifestyle.

If you have any questions about the Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano, or would like alternative information shared in future handbag reviews, please feel free to comment below and/or email me!

The Saint Laurent Sac du Jour nano can be found online here, here, here, here, and here.

Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Chloe Drew shoulder bag | The new “IT” bag for 2015

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged chloe / shoulder bags / spring 2015 / summer 2015 by

chloe drew shoulder bag

Pictured: Chloe Drew shoulder bag in off-white for spring 2015

There is a new IT bag in town! The Chloe Drew is what’s hot on the street for 2015.

Spotted on the shoulders of fashion insiders, influencers, socialites, and more at fashion week in New York, Paris, London, and Milan, the Chloe Drew has made quite a splash. Despite being around for a couple of seasons already, the Chloe Drew has come out of its’ shell for spring 2015 and has exploded as the only shoulder bag worth dropping a dime on for 2015.

This beautiful shoulder bag is made in Italy and comes in three sizes; medium, small, and mini. The clutch version does not count. 😉

The Chloe Drew is popular in any variation the iconic design house has put out there. It has been spotted on fashionable shoulders in color blocking, leopard print, and solid hues. Any color does the trick when it comes to this “IT” bag du jour.

The small and mini Chloe Drew are pure shoulder bags with a classic chain strap. The medium version offers an additional top handle adding a small satchel option to the handbag. While the medium version has a lot of “IT” factor, the small and mini are the most popular sizes on the street.

With the 1970’s being the trendy decade of the moment, the Chloe Drew offers that “saddle bag” look, which was popular in the 1970’s, with a flap and brass closure. The mini stick on a chain locks the closure and twists it to one size for added security. The interior of the Chloe Drew offers a zipper pocket and an open pocket which can help keep you organized. Love that!

As someone who feels the need to always own an “IT” bag du jour, I ran out and purchased the small Chloe Drew in off-white. Although it may sound like an impulse buy, at these prices, buying a handbag is never an impulse buy. I have needed a cream or off-white shoulder bag with gold-tone hardware for quite come time. I also happen to be a huge fan of Chloe handbags. I already own a Marcie from several years ago and Paraty from two years ago. I love the quality and craftsmanship of Chloe’s handbags. They are top-notch, and able to take a beating, remember I have three kids, without looking like they have been worn since exiting a store’s shelf.

Unlike some “IT” bags from seasons’ past, the Chloe Drew is not impossible to get your hands on; chances are you can find the size and color you want in stock! To make the Chloe Drew even more attractive, the price point is fair; it covers the craftsmanship and quality fabrications without being insanely priced; like the Chanel Boy bag which starts at around $4500!

The Chloe Drew is not a heavy handbag. The interior is roomy. My small Chloe Drew can fit a wallet, sunglasses, lipstick, keys and iPhone with room to spare. Even the mini is fairly roomy. If you require more the space, the medium might be the right size for you. 

The closure is easy to use and with twist lock, it feels secure while walking around the city. The closure also has a magnetic feature to it which helps the top of the clasp find the bottom without fussing. This make it easy to go in and out of the bag while on the run; and if you have kids, you know what being on the run can actually be! Let’s just say, sometimes you run in high heels in places high heels should never be worn!

The final verdict on the Chloe Drew shoulder bag is that this is a handbag which is easy to wear, has classic appeal, can be dressed up or down, offers investment quality, and has that ultimate IT factor. Five out of five stars; what more could you ask for?!

If you are an IT bag seeker like me, here are a few beautiful Chloe Drew handbags for spring 2015 I found around the web. I hope you find the Chloe Drew of your spring 2015 dreams! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Mini bags for spring 2015

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged cross body bags / satchels / shoulder bags / spring 2015 / street style trends / summer 2015 by

mini bags for spring 2015

Mini bags for spring 2015: Black mini bag / White mini bag / Cobalt blue mini bag / Fuchsia mini satchel / Polka Dot mini convertible satchel

Mini bags have been a huge trend over the past few seasons; and the trend is showing no sign of slowing down as we move into spring 2015. Consumers love this trend, which means mini bags are hot on the streets; mainly in the form of cross body bags and satchels.

If you already have a mini bag from a past season, you are all set! If not, this is the perfect time to invest in a mini bag for the spring and summer seasons. If you are looking for a shoulder bag version, look for a strap which can be worn cross body. The handbag silhouette should be rectangular or round. These are the two hottest silhouettes! Some designers are showing patterns such as polka dots, while other are showing kitschy designs such as monster face. The most popular style is being in a solid color. Look for  neutrals, shades of blue, pinks, red, and cheery yellow.

Mini satchels catch your eye? Look for east/west silhouettes and squares. Mini satchels are a great way to wear the mini bag trend and not sacrifice too much on interior space. Mini satchels tend to be roomier than mini shoulder bags. Designers are showing mini satchels mainly in solid colors; although, you will find a few color blocked versions on store shelves. Look for suede blocked with smooth leather; or canvas blocked with leather. Love that!

Mini bucket bags and drawstring bags are also on the market for the spring 2015 season, although, not as popular as the shoulder bag and satchel versions. Drawstring and bucket bags are a great way to wear the mini bag trend if you are worried about fitting things into a small handbag. Since the bottom of the bag is round, there is quite a bit of room inside a mini drawstring or mini bucket bag. This is a great way to wear the drawstring or bucket handbag trend if you feel like the traditional versions are too large. The mini version will be perfect for you!

Here are a few fabulous mini bags for spring 2015. Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉