handbag reviews

Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag review

November 13, 2015 in General Fashion / Handbags tagged handbag reviews / mansur gavriel / satchels by Bay Area Fashionista

Pictured: Mansur Gavriel small lady bag in black with ballerina

The new Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, which came out this summer, is the newest IT bag from acclaimed handbag brand Mansur Gavriel. There are so many wonderful traits in the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, it is hard to know where to start!

Let’s start with the color combinations. Like Mansur Gavriel’s famous drawstring bucket bag, the Lady Bag, in both the small and large sizes, offers bi-color styling. The Lady Bag features the same contrasting interior/exterior that Mansur Gavriel fans have grown to love from both the totes, and the drawstring bags. This automatically sets the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag apart from the competition. Love that!

The Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag has more to covet when it comes to style besides the bi-color styling. The handbag offers a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap which allows you the versatility to carry the Lady Bag by the top handle, or over the shoulder, or cross body. How fabulous is that?!

In addition to practicality, and style, the single top handle lady bag is one of the hottest emerging trends in handbags we move into 2016. While the bucket bag, and the 70’s style saddle bag, have been enjoying thier moment in the IT bag spotlight, the single top handle satchel is positioned to take over the IT bag title as 2016 progresses. This makes the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag a great investment for now, and into the next few years.

Make no mistake, the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag is not just an emerging trend. The single top handle satchel, also called a “Lady Bag,” is a classic handbag style. Whether it is on the IT list, or not, the lady bag can be carried year after year, and passed down to future generations. Just look at the famous Hermes Kelly for lady bag history and reference!

The Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag comes in two sizes; small and large. The large size is ideal for the office, and can fit a small laptop. I chose to purchase the small Lady Bag since I don’t need room in my bag for a laptop. I find the small lady bag to be quite roomy, and practical!

The interior has a drawstring, so I can open or close up the bag according to how much I am carrying. This gives the bag a little bit more versatility when it comes to adjustments. I can carry around a sunglasses case, a novel, three iPads to keep my kids busy at a restaurant, a scarf; you name it! It holds as much as the large bucket bag, which is perfect for a busy mom like me!

I might bring this bag to New York in February to act as my fashion week workhorse. It can definitely fit everything I will need; DSLR camera, scarf, beanie, gloves, pen, and paper.

I am in love with my Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, and cannot wait to wear it for many years. Mansur Gavriel handbags are high quality, and the construction is hearty. I can fill any Mansur Gavriel handbag, including the lady bag, with heavy items and not have to worry about the straps breaking, or any fraying. These are definitely workhorse bags! Love!

You can find the Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag available for pre-order right now online here, and here. I hope you love yours, as much as I love mine! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Mansur Gavriel in stock or available for pre-order online now:

Chloe Hudson review

October 22, 2015 in Handbags tagged chloe / handbag reviews / shoulder bags by Bay Area Fashionista

Pictured: Chloe Hudson in tan, medium size. Outfit details from top photo can be found here.

The Chloe Hudson is arguably fall 2015’s hottest IT bag. Over the past few seasons, Chloe has designed a series of fabulous handbags which have instantly shot up to cool status. In these handbags status as cool, many have been elevated to IT bag status; and for fall 2015, Chloe has done it again.

First we had the classic Chloe Marcie, then we had the chic Chloe Drew, then Chloe gave us the retro styled Chloe Faye in not one, but two amazing sizes, then, for fall 2015, Chloe has given us the Hudson. The Hudson is everything, everyone wants in a handbag for fall.

The Chloe Hudson has earned it’s current IT bag status by offering high fashion on a handbag which can be worn effortlessly, everyday. Chloe designed several versions of the Chloe Hudson, and will be reinventing the style every season. Love that!

The 1970s are huge decade of influence for the fall 2015 season, and the Chloe Hudson delivers on the trend. On my version of the Chloe Hudson, there is a medium sized tassel in the center of the front flap closure of the handbag, which offers a playful take on a ’70’s trend. The stitching around the edges of the flap closure offer a bohemian vibe, while the small studs around the edges of the bag offer just a tiny bit of edgy-cool. Oh yes, this bag has it all where style is concerned.

The interior of the Chloe Hudson offers three compartments which are perfect for organizing one’s purse essentials. The outer pocket offers enough room for a smart phone, notepad, or anything small you need to access quickly. I use it solely for my phone so I can quickly grab it when I need it.

The main interior compartment is luxuriously roomy. It offers enough room for a paperback book in addition to a wallet, keys, lipstick, sunglasses, and more! As you can see in the photos above, there is a lot of room to spare. The inner interior pocket is slim, and ideal for holding theater tickets, papers, a passport, or anything important.

I love everything about the Chloe Hudson. It is made from a sturdy calf leather which lends itself well to everyday wear. The flap closure gives the shoulder bag a saddle bag style, which is the hottest handbag silhouette of the moment. I love the 1970s vibe of the bag, and the construction is beautiful.

Sometimes IT bags are on the dressier side, and look out of place when paired with casual clothing and denim. The Chloe Hudson is the perfect answer to this problem. This beautiful handbag looks at home with jeans, and anything casual! It looks out of place with dressy attire, or anything too structured. This is the ultimate, casual IT bag. Love it!

The Chloe Hudson is flying off of store shelves for the fall 2015 season, and Chloe is already beginning to stock it in new colors, and variations, for resort 2016; proving the Chloe Hudson will have longevity as we move into 2016, and beyond!

I rate the Chloe Hudson, five out of five stars!

I found a few fabulous versions of the Chloe Hudson in mini, small, and medium sizes; and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love this bag as much as I do! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Jill Milan wallet review

September 25, 2015 in Eco Chic / General Fashion / Handbags tagged handbag reviews / jill milan / vegan style / wallets by Bay Area Fashionista

Pictured: wallet c/o Jill Milan in berry vegan suede

Jill Milan has launched a fabulous collection of wallets; just in time for fall! This collection of wallets is made from a luxurious, and sturdy, vegan fabrication called Elitis Microsuede; which mimics suede. Love them!

The wallets are long, continental style wallets which can also double as a slim clutch. The exterior is microsuede and comes in Blue Iris, Berry (my love!), Teal, Orange, and classic Black. The interior is dark grey, microsuede and organic cotton.

Jill Milan’s wallets offer a zipper closure; which is handy and secure when using the wallet as a clutch. It also helps keeps small receipts and coins in their place.

The interior offers several compartments, and plenty of credit card slots. My iPhone fits comfortably inside one of the compartments, as well as a small set of keys.

The fabrication on Jill Milan’s wallets is made in Italy, but the wallets are made right here in the United States. Love that!

I absolutely adore my Jill Milan Wallet in berry. I have had it for a little over one month, and have been using it everyday. It holds my credit cards, with extra slots to spare, and has enough room for my iPhone, cash, coupons, and receipts. I’m in love!

Jill Milan has also launched a collection of coats and jackets made from vegan fabrics for the fall season. I am in love with the pale pink coat! You can view Jill Milan’s outerwear collection online here. The outerwear is available for pre-order until October 1, 2015 at discounted pricing. Prices go up October 2, 2015.

Of course, for fall, Jill Milan also has a fabulous collection of handbags; what the luxury vegan brand is known for.

In addition to new handbags from Jill Milan, her “New Canaan” clutches are on major sale right now. I have one in green and adore it. These prices are amazing, grab one while you still can!

To learn more about Jill Milan, and all of the luxurious vegan products the San Francisco Bay Area based brand has to offer, please visit JillMilan.com.

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