satchels

Proenza Schouler Hava satchel review

 in Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / proenza schouler / satchels by

proenza schouler hava medium satchel review proenza schouler hava satchel proenza schouler hava satchel proenza schouler hava satchel proenza schouler hava satchelproenza schouler hava satchel

Pictured: Proenza Schouler Hava satchel, medium size, black leather /  lipstick / book (so good!!) / similar wallet / sunglasses

Proenza Schouler’s new Hava satchel immediately caught my eye for the fall season. I love the structured, yet relaxed vibe of the handbag. The Hava  satchel offers a lady bag, single top handle silhouette, with edgy hardware, and contrasting stitching; making it easy to wear with with jeans, or structured office attire. Love that!

The Proenza Schouler Hava satchel comes in two sizes thus far; small and medium. For the fall 2016 season, Proenza Schouler is offering the Hava satchel in smooth, soft leather, suede, and snakeskin. The handbag has been designed in neutral, classic hues, making it an instantly classic handbag to wear now, and in the future.

I chose the Proenza Schouler Hava satchel in medium. I had a hard time deciding between sharp white, or classic black. I decided to get black since I felt like I would get the most wear out of the hue.

The medium Hava is a great size! I can fit a novel, wallet, sunglasses case, keys, lipstick, small notebook, and a pen inside with plenty of wiggle room for additional items. If I remove the book, I can fit my DSLR camera inside the bag. It is more roomy than it looks!

Normally I shy away from satchela which are split in half inside. I prefer wide, open interiors because I can fit more things inside. The split in the Hava satchel is ideal because it leaves one large interior space, with a roomy pocket section which helps me separate small items from my larger items. Having an off-center split also allows me to fit my DSLR camera inside the bag, which as a blogger and Mother, is an essential feature I must have in my handbags!

The interior of the Proenza Schouler Hava satchel also offers a slit pocket which is great for receipts or keys. There is also a slim zipper compartment on the exterior of the handbag, on the backside. This is handy for large papers, tickets, or anything you want quick, yet secure access to.

Since this is a top handle satchel, it can be hard to secure the flap closure over the bag. Proenza Schouler has solved this common problem by including a hidden, interior chain which hooks on the front of the bag, making it really easy to secure the twist lock closure on the front of the handbag. Easy access, in and out of a handbag is also a key, essential feature. Thankfully the Proenza Schouler Hava satchel has that due to the smart little chain inside! Love it!

I am looking forward to wearing my Proenza Schouler Hava satchel in medium quite often. You can find the Hava satchel online in the small size here. The medium can be found online here.

Proenza Schouler Hava satchel around the web:

Top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016

 in Handbags / Trends  tagged cross body bags / fall 2016 / runway trends / satchels / shoulder bags / street style trends / tech gear / winter 2017 by

top ten handbag trends for fall 2016

My five favorite handbags from the top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016 from top left: box bag / snakeskin black shoulder bag / mini bag / saddle bag / circle bag

The fall 2016 fashion season is upon us. Stores are starting to stock their shelves with the very best from the fall  2016 runways, and this means it is time to think about the top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016.

The fall 2016 runways gave us many fashion trends to think about for the upcoming cool weather season. The 1970s are still in full swing, and neutrals are the new color palette. Pops of autumn hues such as burgundy, navy, dark mustard, and hunter green will add dimension to our charcoal, black, and white ensembles. Texture, embellishments, and flowing silhouettes will shape the way we put our outfits together. Best of all, our handbags will complete our looks; showing the world how fabulous we really are. Because let’s face it, you are never fully dressed without a handbag, and a bright smile!

There are some handbag trends for fall 2016 which are continuing from last season, and there are some which are emerging for now, and the fashion future. Whichever handbag trend catches your eye, you are sure to find at least one trend in fall handbags to suit your own personal style. So, without future adieu, here are the top ten handbag trends for fall 2016.

Graphic Dimension

Cross Body Satchels

Circle Bags

Fringe, Tassels, and Embellishments

Saddle Bags with a 1970s vibe

Mini Bags

Snakeskin

Box Bags (Train Cases) and Camera Bags

Logo Prints

Smartphone Mini Bags

 

The size of one’s handbag has always been up for debate every fashion season. For the fall 2016 season, we are starting to see a shift from small and mini bags, to acceptance of large bags. As slouchy handbags make a resurgence in the background, signalling a possible rise of the hobo bag in future seasons, medium and large handbags are starting to move into mini-bag territory. So if the mini bag has become a complete bore to you, and cross body satchels put you to sleep, think about investing in a Circle Bag, a Smartphone Mini Bag, a logo fabric bag with vintage appeal, or a soft and slouchy bag such as this one by Proenza Schouler.

There you have it! The top 10 handbag trends for fall 2016. Which handbag trend tickles your fancy? I am looking forward to the Circle Bag trend, the continuing Saddle Bag trend, and getting back into logo fabrics. Perhaps a Smartphone Mini Bag would be handy to have around too.

Happy handbag shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag review

 in Handbags  tagged handbag reviews / mansur gavriel / satchels by

mansur gavriel small circle bag

mansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel circle bagmansur gavriel small circle bag

Pictured: For outfit post, click here / handbag: Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag in small / wallet / phone charger (similar) / phone charging cord (similar) / lipstick / sunglasses

The new Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag is a fresh take on the emerging box satchel trend. As satchels become more, and more structured, we are seeing box bags emerge as the ultimate in structured handbags. Thankfully, Mansur Gavriel always thinks outside of the box, and ahead of the curve. The circle bag is the most groundbreaking handbag silhouette to hit the market, and the street.

The circle bag takes it’s inspiration from the popular hat boxes of the mid-1900’s. This vintage style has sat dormant in the handbag world for several decades, resurrected, and modernized, only by Mansur Gavriel. Of course! Who else can take a classic design, add a small modern twist, and launch a handbag into iconic handbag status? No-one else-that’s who!

When I first laid eyes on Mansur Gavriel’s collection of circle bags, I fell in love. They are simple, and minimalist, yet completely different from your everyday handbag. I love the vintage vibe, and original styling.

The Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag comes in two sizes; large and small. I chose the small size since I felt like the large size would overwhelm my 5’4″ frame. I am happy I chose small, because it is quite roomy! The small circle bag holds my sunglasses case, wallet, keys, lipstick, phone, portable charger, and there is still plenty of room left over for whatever random items my kids may ask me to hold; all the moms out there know what I am talking about!

The handle on Mansur Gavriel’s circle bag is structured, yet feels soft, and comfortable; whether being hand-held, or draped over the forearm. This handbag does not have a detachable shoulder strap, so when you wear it, you need to be ready to always hold your handbag, or drape it on your forearm.

The small circle bag has a canvas interior lining. The larger version, offers a suede interior. I was surprised the interiors on the two sizes are different. I have to admit, I wish mine had suede interior. Suede interiors always feel more luxurious. That being said, the canvas is extremely durable, and high quality. I am happy with it nonetheless.

Inside the circle bag, there are two identical pockets. The pockets are slim, perfect for an iPhone, receipts, and a charging cord. They are not wide enough for lipstick, or keys. I just let my lipstick, and my keys, float within the roomy interior of the bag. It is easy to find things inside the handbag since you have to lay the bag down on its back to open it. This allows a full view of everything inside the bag. No lost keys! Love that!

The handbag is very easy to open and close. Mansur Gavriel’s Circle Bag needs to be paid down on its back when being opened, or closed. There are two zippers which can be used as you choose. The zippers are extremely smooth, and durable.

I would not classify the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag as an everyday bag. I see it as a great bag for occasions; both casual and dressy. I find it practical for activities such as meetings, (when I don’t need my laptop), church, eating out (fits nicely on your lap underneath a napkin), the theater, etc. I would not recommend it for attending your child’s baseball game, the supermarket, or an amusement park.

All in all, I rate the Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag five out of five stars. I am in love!

You can find the new Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag online here, here, and here. More choices below.

mansur gavriel circle bag feature image