Handbags

PVC shoes and PVC handbags for spring 2019

 in Handbags / Shoes / Trends  tagged pvc / spring 2019 by

staud clear plastic tote bag

pictured: PVC mini tote with removable pouch (current IT bag-see review here)

You knew it was coming back! Clear bags and shoes have been popping up on the runways, and on the streets, for the past few seasons. Now, for the spring 2019 season, they are taking everyone’s closet by storm! That is, if you let PVC into your closet-and I hope you do!

PVC is a fun trend. Let’s face it. You can’t take jelly shoes, or clear handbags, too seriously. This playful trend is popping up mainly in the form of  PVC shoes, and PVC handbags; although, you will find it on other accessories, and on clothing.

The PVC trend has been fading in and out of style for the past five years. While it appeared to fade away roughly two years ago, it really emerged in 2018 to tell the world it was never really gone. In 2019, PVC plans to take over your closet-if you are brave enough to let it.

When it comes to shoes, the PVC trend can be tricky. As we know from the past, PVC is not nice to your skin when it directly rubs against it. PVC edges on shoes can leave you in stitches; literally. Also, PVC shoes that don’t have holes will turn your shoe into a swimming pool; not a good look, and not very comfortable at all. Plus, it’s gross. Ew.

When looking for PVC shoes this spring 2019 season, I recommend finding shoes with edging covered in something soft like leather. Or, look for jelly-like plastic.

Shop PVC shoes for spring 2019:

My favorite way to rock the PVC trend is with a handbag. A PVC handbag won’t hurt your skin, and it is quite fun! You can find PVC handbags in clear white plastic, as well as clear tinted plastic, and solid plastic. Just remember, the see-through plastic is the most on-trend for the spring season. The world wants to see what’s in your bag! Of course, if you don’t want to the world to see what’s in your bag, find one with a pouch; or you can use make-up bags from your closet to hide your belongings.

Shop PVC handbags for spring 2019:

What do you think of the PVC trend for spring 2019? Will  you be rocking it, or skipping it? If you plan to rock it, are you a shoe or a handbag gal? I’m definitely a handbag gal; but you knew that right?! haha

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

The death of the logo bag

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged winter 2019 by

staud clear plastic tote bag

pictured: not a logo bag. Categorized as a quiet, trendy bag. Can be found online here, check out my review here.

The death of the logo bag. You knew it was coming.

Logo bags have been a hot trend for the past few years, but in 2018, they started to wane. As we move into 2019, the logo bag is over. 2019 is all about expressing yourself through your handbag. It is a year to tell the world a story. It is not a year to be a walking billboard.

There isn’t one stand out IT bag this year, instead, we are looking at IT trends in the handbag world. There are three distinct handbag trends that will evolve over the coming year, branching off into separate trends for each distinct season. In 2019, we are looking at forms of the understated trendy bag, the quiet status bag, and the bold bag.

The Understated Trendy Bag

Are you always on the cusp of the latest trends? Then a handbag from an emerging designer will be your bag of the moment. This bag will have a distinct structure and style; without a distinct logo. Those in-the-know will recognize your bag instantly, while those not in-the-know, will be left scratching their heads.

Shop understated trendy bags:

The Quiet Status Bag

Does your bag show your status? If you wear your bag the way you drive your car, then your Hermes, Chanel, Louis, and Gucci will still be OK; just don’t flaunt them. If your bag is full of logos, then you are telling the world you are all flash and no cash. Stop trying to prove something to the world. In 2019, you can wear silent IT designers. Wear Chanel, just wear a quiet Chanel. Wear Louis, just wear a quiet Louis. You get the picture? There is no reason for the designer logo to be splashed all over your bag. It’s so last year, and so not #money.

Shop quiet status bags:

The Bold Handbag

Do you love standing out in the crowd? This year look for handbags that stand out. Perhaps a multi-colored, artistic handbag will be your go-to bag. Or, you might opt for a neon pink bag. If you want to get noticed, then look for a bright handbag that stands out. Your bag needs to shout “Look at Me!” not “Look at How Much I Cost!” That’s so last year.

Shop bold handbags:

The economy is good, but individual people are not always good. Taxes have gone up, and wages have been stagnant or gone down. People have disposable income, but not as much as they did a few years ago. There is an overall feeling of being unsettled as global politics shifts to the far-left, and to the far-right; leaving the moderate middle feeling unsafe.

This unsettled political climate means fashion is more about self-expression, and less about showing off the price of something. Handbags will be the hardest hit by this shift as they are often thought of as the ultimate status item in a woman’s closet. In 2019, the handbag shifts from a status piece, to a form of telling the world who you are, or how you are feeling.

What are your thoughts? Are you still feeling the logo bag trend, or are you over it? Which type of bag will you wear this year?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Mansur Gavriel Protea bag review

 in Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / mansur gavriel by

mansur gavriel protea bag review

pictured: Mansur Gavriel Protea bag in blue with navy interior / nail polish / grey faux fur coat / purple scarf /

If you have been here awhile, you know I am a HUGE Mansur Gavriel fan. I have been collecting their handbags steadily over the past several years, so it comes as no surprise that I have found another style to acquire; the new Mansur Gavriel Protea bag in blue with navy interior. I am in love!

The Mansur Gavriel Protea Bag is a bit different than other handbags we have grown to love from the New York brand. This bag is soft, lush, and relaxed; the yin to the traditional bucket bag’s yang. It is a must-have for any Mansur Gavriel fan; or handbag fan for that matter!

The Protea bag by Mansur Gavriel offers the same dual coloring that put MG on the map five years ago. With the contrasting interior color, the bag is instantly elevated from a regular, slouchy drawstring bag, to a must-have basic which is anything but basic. It is currently available in black with flamma interior, blue with navy interior (the one that caught my eye), yellow with blush interior (almost went with this one), red with yellow interior (this one is on fire!), and blush with medium pink interior. Like the bucket bag, the black with red interior sold out quickly and is currently wait list only. You can get yourself on the list online here.

There are two sizes of the Mansur Gavriel Protea handbag currently available. You can find the regular size, which is the one I purchased and am featuring in this post, or you can find a mini size which is great for everyday too. I went with the bigger size because with my kids, I never know how many things I might need to carry with me. That being said, I think I could have survived with the smaller size too; I just wanted to be safe.

What fits inside the Mansur Gavriel Protea bag

mansur gavriel protea bag in stockmansur gavriel protea handbag sizermansur gavriel protea bag interior capacity

Inside my Protea bag: lip balm / lipstick / phone case / sunglasses / wallet /

The interior of the Protea bag by Mansur Gavriel is quite roomy. I normally carry my wallet, sunglasses, lipstick, lip balm, and phone with me. With these essential items, there is still plenty of room to add items my kids no longer want to carry; or we acquire throughout the day. You would be surprised how many cookies and phones end up in my bag when I am out with my family! haha

In addition to being practical, and beautiful, the new Mansur Gavriel Protea bag is lightweight. I can pile a lot of items inside the bag and it is very lightweight; much more so than the bucket bag; which was the previous IT bag by MG.

There are drawstrings on the sides of the bag which can be individually adjusted to cinch the bag more or less; depending upon your mood. The sides of the bag also have hidden magnets which can help give the bag the illusion of being slimmer than it is.

mansur gavriel lamb protea bag mansur gavriel lamb protea bag review

These magnets can be worn open, which is how I leave them, or cinched together to close up the bag a bit. This is very soft and luxurious to the touch, love it!

I love the slouchy silhouette of this bag, and how it gives off a relaxed vibe. The open top makes it easy to get in and out of, while the magnets and drawstring help you close up the bag to make it more secure. This is definitely going to be my go-to bag this spring season. I am starting to think I might need to purchase the black with red interior too! It is such an easy to use bag, and I love how it looks; why not own more than one!

Shop the Mansur Gavriel lamb Protea bag online:

What do you think of the new Protea bag by Mansur Gavriel?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy