cross body bags

Balenciaga Hourglass top handle bag review

 in Handbags  tagged balenciaga / cross body bags / handbag reviews / satchels / shoulder bags by
balenciaga hourglass top handle bag review
balenciaga hourglass satchel top handle small satchel lady bag

Pictured: Balenciaga Hourglass top handle bag in small /

Balenciaga is having a moment, and it’s more of a grown-up moment than back in the day when the moto bag was all the rage. This time around, Balenciaga is sophisticated, tailored, and offering us a handbag with classic and avant-garde fused together into a design that is both fabulous and practical. Say what???? Yes, yes, I put fabulous and practical in one sentence about that same bag. Let’s dive in…

This structured little handbag was debuted by Balenciaga a few seasons ago, and handbag fans such as celebrities, Bravolebrities, street style stars, and style setters around the globe took notice. Slowly, we have started to see this little bag pop up on television, street style photos, and around town on the streets. This is the emerging IT bag of the moment, and I am here for it!

Balenciaga is giving us a few versions of the Hourglass bag to choose from. This top handle satchel version comes in micro-mini (nano), small, and medium. I purchased the small which is just the right size for me to rock the small bag trend without sacrificing internal capacity. There is also a wallet-on-a-chain version which is also popular, and available in both classic and trendy hues. I had a hard time choosing between the two styles, but ultimately went with the top handle because I felt like the wallet-on-a-chain was too similar to other bags I currently have on rotation.

I love the Balenciaga Hourglass top handle bag because it can be worn in a few different ways; offering versatility. The strap is detachable, so it can be worn as a satchel on the forearm or handheld. With the strap, it can be worn as a cross-body bag or shoulder bag. I notice most people wear it as a shoulder bag.

The Balanciaga Hourglass top handle bag in small offers a magnetic closure, opera ticket pocket on the backside (this pocket does not fit a phone-it’s good for receipts and tickets), there is a zipper pocket inside the bag, and I can fit my wallet, iPhone, lipstick, and keys inside. Sunglasses or glasses do not fit inside with these items present. Remember, I purchased the small. If you want to fit more inside, consider the medium size version of the Hourglass bag. The dimensions for the small size are 8.75″ x 6.25″ x 4″.

The stamped croc gives the bag a luxurious and dressy look which I love. It’s a nice contrast to the smooth leather, soft leather, and polished leather we are seeing from other designers. Of course, stamped exotic is a huge trend in 2022, so this fits right in, and yes, other designers are stamping their leather with exotics too. That being said, stamped exotic is timeless anyway, so trend or no trend, it’s always in fashion. Love that!

Shop the Balenciaga Hourglass top handle bag online:

I’m excited about this no-fuss, structured bag from Balenciaga. It is a nice contrast to the hobo trend which is hot right now. When you are not in the mood for a hobo, this is your bag!

Thanks for stopping by! Stay tuned for my 2022 IT bag trend report coming up next week!

XOXO
Cathy

it bag 2022 hottest must have handbag balenciaga hourglass top handle bag

Coach Swinger handbag review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged coach / cross body bags / handbag reviews / shoulder bags by

Coach Swinger handbag review: spring 2021 nail polish / Coach Swinger in black leather (under $300) /

This is the year of the IT bag comeback! This cute little handbag by Coach was a hot IT bag roughly twenty years, and it’s back for a second round in the spotlight. The Coach Swinger bag is the affordable IT bag of the year. This cute little leather handbag is priced under $300 and has everything you need in 2021 for fitting right into the hottest handbag trends.

Flashback IT bags are hotter than hot in 2021. The Coach Swinger is exactly that; it is a comeback kid IT bag. In addition to fitting in the second-time-around IT bag trend, the Coach Swinger offer the baguette silhouette which is a hot trend in handbags this year. Plus, it has two straps! Whaaa-aaat? Yes, you read that right. If you don’t like wearing your bag under your armpit, which isn’t convenient when you are at the park chasing your kids, or running to the supermarket to shop for food, you can switch out the short and trendy strap for the long, cross body strap the bag comes with. Yes, it comes with a cross body strap. Love that!

This bag is the ultimate day-into-evening bag for when things start opening up! In fact, it will also be a great bag for travel since you can switch out the strap for sightseeing or enjoying a beautiful dinner at a luxurious restaurant. I am very excited about the return of the Coach Swinger for 2021!

Inside my Coach Swinger bag: handbag / phone case / lipstick /

What fits inside the Coach Swinger? It’s a small bag, so don’t expect to stuff a baggie of crackers inside, or use it as a shopping tote. This little bag fits the bare essentials: wallet, keys, lipstick, and phone. That’s all you really need, and it all fits perfectly inside with space for your fingers to reach and grab something. Don’t worry, it’s not stuffed, and you won’t chip a nail reaching for your keys. This bag has just enough room for you grab what you need from inside.

I’m in love with my new Coach Swinger bag! I am not sure why I didn’t purchase one back in the day when it was hot the first time around. I do remember people carrying it around!

The Coach Swinger comes in several neutral colors, as well as a seasonal hue or two. It is also available in nylon which is priced under $200, and is great for rainy days.

Shop the Coach Swinger handbag online:

What do you think of this cute little IT bag for 2021? Don’t you love the price?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Jord Haifa cross body clutch review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged clutches / cork / cross body bags / eco chic / handbag reviews / jord watches by

jord haifa handbag review

pictured: Jord Haifa cross body clutch c/o Jord Watches /

How cute is this convertible cork clutch! You may recognize it from my holiday handbag capsule, which I posted last week. I always love owning bags which have more than one purpose in life. The Jord Haifa has exactly that. It is a dressy clutch and it is also a dressy cross body bag. Or, if you are feeling a little disco, you can wear it on your shoulder and rock the long strap shoulder strap look which was hotter than hot in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. This is great news because it means the Jord Haifa can be worn three ways! Love that!

One of the big movements in the fashion industry right now is sustainability. Fashion designers and brands are working hard to make their products more sustainable and environmentally friendly. What I love about Jord’s handbags is that they are made from cork; making them inherently sustainable and vegan. It feels good to wear something I know is sustainable, and not damaging to the environment.

What fits inside the Jord Haifa cross body bag

It’s the ideal size inside. In addition to a zipper pouch and credit card slots, I can fit my full-size wallet, lipstick, keys, and iPhone inside the Jord Haifa. This makes it very easy to wear since I don’t have to pair down my purse essentials when I leave the house. I can throw what I need inside, and I am ready to leave the house! Love that!

The Jord Haifa cross body bag also offers luxurious design details. I love the gold flecks on the black cork, and high quality hardware. In addition, the red, faux suede lining is soft and beautiful. I love how everything works together to create a bag which looks much, much more expensive than $149! I really would add numbers to that price! It’s an amazing value.

Attention to details

The details on the Jord Haifa are absolutely amazing, and high quality. The clasp has a lock on it which snaps into place, making the bag secure yet still easy to get into. The two little knobs push together and voila! the clasp opens, allowing you access to the interior of the bag. Thankfully it’s tricky enough to keep pick-pocking fingers out of the bag. Love!

There is a strong, gold chain strap which is detachable that comes with the Jord Haifa cross body clutch. It has easy-to-snap-on clasps which go underneath the exterior flap; so the loops are hidden. This is a really luxurious feature. The straps adds additional luxury to the bag which adds security when you are wearing it hands free. I love how it looks with the strap!

You can find the Jord Haifa cross body bag online at Jord.co.

Loving this bag! I hope you do too. It would make a great holiday bag, as well as gift for the handbag fan on your holiday list!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

*sponsored by Jord Watches. all thoughts and opinions are my own.