handbag reviews

Givenchy Antigona Sugar small review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged classic style / givenchy / handbag reviews / investment dressing / satchels by

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Pictured: Givenchy Antigona Sugar in size small. iPhone cover online here.

The Givenchy Antigona is one of my favorite handbags of all time. So, I am thrilled to review the Givenchy Antigona in Sugar leather, size small, for you!

The Givenchy Antigona satchel is considered a classic, doctor bag style satchel. It has an east/west silhouette with a roomy interior. The sides are wide; allowing the handbag to be larger inside than it appears from the outside.

Givenchy has designed the Antigona in several sizes. The smallest size is the mini, which is a cross-body style that fits perfectly into the current mini-satchel trend. The next size up is the small. This is the size I own. The interior easily fits a paperback novel, an iPad mini, a wallet, keys, lipstick, smart phone, and more! I wore my small Antigona to fashion week last February and my DSLR camera fit nicely inside, along with my wallet, phone, keys, gloves, and knit beanie! It definitely is bigger inside than it seems on paper! The next size up is the medium. This is a larger version of the Antigona which is ideal for someone who needs more space than what I described the small size offers.

Givenchy’s Antigona features two top handles which are easy to wear on the forearm or handheld. There is also a detachable shoulder strap which is ideal for short periods of time. Since the handbag is rounded, and the strap is short, the handles end up getting in the way when it is worn as a shoulder bag. I only use the strap when I need both hands, or if I need to be able to run after one of my kids, or a taxi. I find the easiest way to carry the bag is by hand; but I also wear it on my forearm about 30% of the time.

The sugar leather is soft and pebbled. This leather is fabulous! I was caught in the snow in New York and the handbag didn’t show any signs of moisture. I also wear the bag when I am with my kids at the park, and other child-related activities. The leather does not show any scratches. It is as strong as pebbled leather, or saffiano leather. Love it!

The top handles on the Givenchy Antigona are extremely strong. When I was in New York, I stuffed my DSLR camera, and many other objects, into the bag. The camera alone has quite a bit of weight to it, and the handbag didn’t sag or show any signs of stress. Perfection!

The interior space of the Givenchy Antigona is nicely made and easy to use. The lining is a thick, strong canvas which can take a beating. There is a roomy zipper pocket on one of the interior, and an open, double pocket on the opposite side. The double pocket has one small opening and one medium sized opening. The medium opening is perfect for my iPhone, and the small pocket is the perfect size for a lipstick, or portable phone charger. These pockets come in very handy while traveling.

Overall, I have zero complaints about my Givenchy Antigona. I would love to own another one in a light neutral color; or maybe a fun seasonal color! If I do purchase a second one, I will stick with the small size and sugar leather. The small size is perfect for my lifestyle, and the sugar leather is strong, and it remains scratch-free from travel; and the wrath of my  three children!

Givenchy Antigona Sugar size small rating: five out of five stars! I am in love 🙂

Givenchy Antigona round the web:

Homanz Diamond Leather Handbag from Trendcy

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged blue / handbag reviews / homanz / trendcy by

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Do you love a diamond? I sure do! So when Trendcy introduced me to Homanz’s Diamond Ring handbag I was thrilled! 

Kitschy handbags are a huge trend right now, so why not rock this trend with a handbag shaped like a precious diamond! Homanz’s Diamond Handbag comes in three precious diamond colors; silver, blue, and pink. Since blue is my favorite color, I chose the blue diamond handbag to review. 

The Diamond Handbag by Homanz is the ideal size for semi-formal occasions. It has enough room inside for a wallet, phone, keys, lipstick, and glasses case; without moving into the daytime, medium handbag size-range. The metallic sheen on the leather, and diamond silhouette instantly add a dressy flair to the handbag. Of course, bling can be worn at any hour of the day, so if you want to sparkle at brunch, wear the diamond handbag!

The closure has a magnetic closure which makes it easy to open and close when you are on the go. The handle is easy to carry hand-held, or draped over the forearm. The Diamond Handbag by Homanz is lightweight, so when you add your purse essentials inside the bag, it is not heavy to carry around. Love that!

Homanz’s Diamond Handbag can be found online at Trendcy.com.

Be sure to follow Homanz and Trendcy on Twitter at @homanz51 and @trendcy

*Brought to you by Trendcy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag review

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged bucket bag / drawstring bag / handbag reviews / investment dressing / mansur gavriel / reviews by

DSC_0941DSC_0821mansur gavriel bucket bag reviewDSC_0954DSC_0952mansur gavriel mini drawstring bagDSC_0946DSC_0956DSC_0966DSC_0960Pictured: Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bags. Black bag is vegetable tanned leather. White bag is saffiano leather. Mini bag is vegetable tanned leather. Photos: 2015©

The Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag is one of the most sought-after handbags on the planet. This has made the handbag even more alluring than it would be if it was found sitting alone on a store shelf. Mansur Gavriel’s handbags are handmade in Italy and extremely high quality. This fact, combined with the moderate pricing structure, makes Mansur Gavriel’s handbags a great deal!

I have owned both the large size drawstring bag and mini drawstring bag for about one year. They have both held up extremely well. Although not shown, my DSLR camera fits nicely into both sizes. Even when my DSLR is inside, the handbag still offers plenty of room for everything I need in day-to-life. With the weight of my camera and other items, Mansur Gavriel’s handbags have held up perfectly. They are extremely strong! This is a key feature for a Mom like me.

One of the concerns a handbag fan may have with vegetable tanned leather is how much wear and tear will show on the leather itself. Although it does show scratches, the scratches blend into the leather, and with time, the patina is beautiful and does not look scratched at all. 

While my black handbag, and white handbag, have held their colors nicely, my mini bag has darkened over the past year. It went from a light tan to a medium tan. I like how it looks, but if you are looking for a pale tan or beige bag, this will not be the one you are looking for.

The drawstring handbags by Mansur Gavriel are lightweight, which makes them easy to stuff with things without worrying about making the bag too heavy. The strap is comfortable and the handbag stays put on my shoulder; unless I am bending down or running.

I find the mini drawstring bag to be the perfect size for day to day use. The regular drawstring bag is a little bit big and I find myself having to dig in deep to find my wallet or lipstick. 

My white drawstring bag is only a few months old, but it has held up well too. The white is incredibly durable and does not take any dirt. The saffiano leather is durable and remains scratch-free after daily use. Love that!

Although the regular size drawstring bucket bag comes with a detachable pouch, I have not used it. The pouch is narrow and only seems to be useful for storing receipts or business cards.

Overall, I rate Mansur Gavriel’s drawstring bags; both regular and mini, five out of five stars. They are durable, priced right, offer clean lines, and fit everything one would need to get through the day! Love that!

To shop Mansur Gavriel, please click here, here, or here. If they are currently sold out, please refer to my previous article about getting your hands on a coveted Mansur Gavriel handbag by clicking here.