chloe

Chloe Marcie review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged chloe / classic style / handbag reviews by

pictured: stripe tee / fall nail polish / Chloe Marcie size small / black joggers /

The iconic Chloe Marcie. You might be wondering why I am reviewing a bag that has been on the market for well over a decade. Well, let me tell you, it has become an iconic handbag which remains a top seller at major department stores. So, if you are looking for an IT bag with staying power, read on!

I originally purchased my Chloe Marcie over a decade ago. I loved how it had a casual, everyday vibe while feeling luxurious. The leather was thick and strong; and the craftsmanship was flawless. I found I was able to carry heavy items inside the bag, and the stitching remained secure and strong. This is when I knew, I had a workhorse bag!

The Chloe Marcie has two top handles, and a detachable strap. I have found throughout the years I switch between carrying it on my forearm, and over my shoulder. When my kids were younger, I found myself throwing it on cross-body so I could pick up my smaller kids and/or chase them. My middle child loves to run! Haha

The bag offers a convenient opera ticket pocket on the front of the bag, hidden by the front flap. Normally this type of pocket is found on the backside of a bag, but in this case, Chloe hid it under the front flap of the bag. This is actually a very nice location for the pocket since it is easier to reach for what is inside on the front of the bag, instead of the back.

The interior offers one zipper pocket, and one open pocket. These pockets are good sized, and very convenient for storing smaller items inside the bag. The top zipper unlatches at the end in case you need to put something wide or large inside the bag. This is a nice feature which keeps the zipper from the getting misaligned.

If you like to travel, you will like this feature! The Chloe Marcie flattens out like a pancake. No joke! This is a really easy bag to travel with since it can go inside of a suitcase and lay flat. I don’t know how many times I have been packing for a trip and wanted to bring an extra handbag, only to find the one I wanted to pack didn’t fit inside my suitcase. This one is perfect! It has become my go-to bag to throw in a suitcase as an extra handbag. I love traveling with it since it can fit a lot of items inside, and I can wear it cross-body. Those are good features for a bag to wear while sight-seeing and exploring a new town.

I feel like my Chloe Marcie was one of the best handbag purchases I have ever made. It is an everyday bag which is strong and versatile. I can travel with it; and since it is strong, I don’t have to worry about it around my kids. Of course, I love a good IT bag. The Chloe Marcie turned from a trendy IT bag when it was first introduced, to a classic IT bag you can still purchase and wear now. Plus, it is priced under $2000. That’s rare for an IT bag!

Shop Chloe Marcie in all versions online:

I have the small size Chloe Marcie in black, and it is over ten years old. I also love the grey version, which is a pretty alternative to black. The small size is quite roomy, but if you carry a lot of things, you might want to size up to the medium. If you prefer smaller bags, the Chloe Marcie comes in a cute cross body bag without top handles. It too, is a classic IT bag!

Do you have a Chloe Marcie? Have you been eyeing it over the years? If so, I hope you decide to invest in one! It is a great bag and a longtime favorite of mine. Love!!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

My Chloe Marcie, photographed for a blog post back in 2012.

Former IT bags that are now classic IT bags

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged chloe / givenchy / loewe / mansur gavriel by

classic fashion IT bags

Classic IT bags from top left: Loewe Puzzle Tote in black / Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag in black/flamma / Chloe Marcie in black / Givenchy Antigona in black /

Almost every season we have a stand-out IT bag. Often times an IT bags travels through a few seasons before running it’s course. IT bags normally live roughly two to three years before ending up on the resale market, and ultimately getting marked down on store shelves. When this happens, those of us who invested in a designer IT bag, which ends up on clearance and is ultimately discontinued; we die a little inside.

How much money did I spend? Can I resell it now? How much can I get if I resell it? These are the questions which race through our heads as we realize we held on to a fly-by-night IT bag too long. We can be really careful when we purchase an IT bag, but we truly never know how long it will last. Will it have a life after it has achieved IT status? If I wear the bag after it has peaked, will people give me side eye? Unless someone has a crystal ball, we really are playing guessing games!

Well, if playing IT bag roulette isn’t your thing, and you find classic IT bags boring, then you’re in luck! You don’t have to invest in a Chanel, Louis Vuitton, or Hermes bag to rock a classic IT bag. You can still have an IT bag with longevity and cutting-edge style, without feeling cliche. After all, not everyone wants to wear a classic IT bag that has been around for fifty years. Some of us want a little bit of flair, without throwing money away; or at least variety in our bag wardrobe.

If you want more pizzazz in your IT bag, then you are in luck! There are currently four IT bags which have withstood the test of time. These four bags are still on retailers top seller lists, after their peak, and years after their debut. If you want an IT bag that will last, and which isn’t plastered in logos, these are your four bags!

Chloe Marcie (shown in small)

chloe marcie small black

(old picture from 2014, my photos have come a long way over the years!)

Let’s start with the Chloe Marcie. This casual and soft IT bag debuted back in 2009. That’s over a decade of IT status. Whaaaaat??? Yes. This bag offers cutting-edge, casual style without the fear of it being over next year. The Chloe Marcie has withstood the test of time. To top things off, it comes in many sizes, colors, and variations. If you plan to invest in the Chloe Marcie, go with a neutral color. Seasonal colors only last a season or two. There is a Chloe Marcie for everyone. I own a small black satchel which I love! I purchased it back in 2009, well before I started handbag reviews. Stay tuned, I am planning to review her soon!

Givenchy Antigona (shown in small)

fall 2020 it bags givenchy

Are you surprised the Givenchy Antigona is on the list? Of course not. If you haven’t spotted it all over the streets, then you have read about this beauty here. This doctor style satchel has been on the market for ten years, and still retains her IT status. This is a strong, high quality, workhorse bag. If you don’t have one, what are you waiting for?

Mansur Gavriel bucket bag (shown in black/flamma-regular size)

bucket bag trend 2020

Ah! The Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag. This is a rare IT bag priced well under $1000. Not only that, this is an IT bag by an American Designer; another rarity. The Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag went from wait list to IT bag classic. If you don’t have one in your closet, you’re missing out. It holds everything and the kitchen sink without looking huge. This bag is also extremely durable; another workhorse. I recommend grabbing the black with flamma interior for your first bucket bag. It had the longest wait list back in the day, and is the most popular color combo on the streets today. Love!

Loewe Puzzle Tote

The Loewe Puzzle Tote is another IT bag classic. Debuting in 2014, this beauty is standard in tan and black. You can also find it in seasonal hues as well as seasonal color blocking. The Puzzle tote comes in various sizes too. Plus, this bag is unisex! It can be worn by men and women; making it very versatile! I have always wanted one, but haven’t purchased one just yet. I plan to add one to my collection someday. I would love one in tan or grey.

There is a common theme with these four IT bags which have jumped from being trendy to being classic. They are all roomy enough to fit what we need day-to-day, and they offer sturdy construction so we can lug around heavy items such as full water bottles. In addition, these bags can be worn with casual clothing or office attire. They also are comfortable to wear. These bags don’t have weird handles which poke into our hands, and they don’t have uncomfortable chains or odd fabrications on their straps. What makes an IT bag? Comfort, practicality, strong quality, and chic style. These four have IT.

Do you own any of these IT bags? Are you planning to invest in any of them?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Pre-Fall 2020 IT bags to watch

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged bottega veneta / chloe / fall 2020 / gucci / mansur gavriel by

fall 2020 it bags

Pre-Fall 2020 IT bags from top left: soft black clutch / Gucci bag / soft blue clutch / soft sea green hobo bag / small cross body pouch / brown soft satchel / grey structured hobo bag / black puffy woven chain bag /

Pre-Fall 2020 is starting to hit store shelves, and online store websites. As new, and repeat, handbag styles start to emerge for early fall, we are seeing a clearer picture as to which bags will be hot for the fall 2020 season. These bags reflect the handbag trends we have been talking about since spring, and they are fabulous.

The Pouch

The pouch is the impractical bag that keeps on giving! This large, soft, pouch clutch fits everything you need throughout the day, without a convenient strap. The Bottega Veneta version is the trend starter, and it comes in over ten colors! This is the bag we saw on the arms of street style stars at fashion week; and it is showing signs of speeding up in popularity; not slowing down!

Since this bag is such a hot trend, other IT handbag brands are answering the trend with their own versions. There is really only one other version of this style worth your time; Mansur Gavriel’s Cloud clutch. This fabulous clutch offers an unique silhouette, and a price point well under $1000. This means it is the more affordable way to rock the trend. It is also the way I rock the trend! I own it in black with flamma interior, and I love it. It is actually comfortable to carry around, and fits everything I need to bring with me during the day; with space to spare! The Cloud clutch comes in several colors too. You’ll love it!

If a clutch is just to cumbersome for you, Mansur Gavriel has a fabulous small version with a cross body strap. It too comes in a variety of colors. I’m trying to decide if I want this pretty beige color, or the blue. Decisions decisions!

To up the pouch game, Bottega Veneta has also introduced a pouch version with a chunky chain. I dream about this bag. I believe you may too.

The Hobo

Yes, the hobo is back. You can rock your hobo bag small or large. You can choose soft and slouchy, or stiff and structured. There is no wrong way to rock the hobo. This fits perfectly in with the emerging ’70’s influence in apparel we will see hit store shelves this fall 2020 season. It is also a great casual bag; since this year is very casual in style. You should have one in your closet, if not, go for the IT version of the hobo bag by Chloe or Bottega Veneta. They are two hot ways to rock a hobo. I’m crushing on Chloe’s version. It’s fabulous.

Puffy Bags

Playing off the pouch, puffy bags are hotter than hot for fall. Look for puffy, pillow-like bags which double as a pillow for a daytime nap, as well as puffy quilts from YSL, and puffy weaves from Bottega Veneta. The number one IT bags in the world of puffy bags is from Bottega Veneta; and it has a chunky chain. Love!

Vintage vibe satchels

Satchels are loosening their collar for fall 2020. Look for soft leather from Chloe and Givenchy. Also look for 1970’s era logo looks from Gucci. These are the ultimate carry-alls for the fall 2020 season.

Pastel Hues and Neutrals

The color palette in handbags for pre-fall 2020 is offering pastels as well as neutrals hues. Look for shades of brown, white, black and grey for neutrals. Also look for pastel hues in blues, green, pink, and yellow.

I love all the choices we have for fall 2020 when it comes to IT bags. Which IT bag catches your eye from the pre-fall 2020 collections?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy