Most of you have heard the crazy frenzy involving Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not a Plastic Bag”, which is indeed made of cotton. The 5 pound bag (currency, not weight) sold out in the UK within one hour of being released. Then resellers reaped hundreds of dollars of profit via eBay.

Now a U.S. version is coming stateside (pictured). And the wait-listing is set to begin.

So why do I make the bold claim that Anya is an eco-poser? The bags are limited edition, with a 2 tote-per-customer limit. But to use these at groceries, one would need oh say five. When they sold out, what happened? Well, they didn’t immediately continue production, just lived it up from the buzz. When limited edition colours hit stores in outside countries, UK will be stocking more at Sainsburys stores. (So hopefully the correct steps will be set in motion.)

I understand that buzz is very good to make people want to follow this earth-friendly trend, but Hindmarch is 1: just hawking a fashion for fellow faux environmentalists, girls who will do it because it’s trendy, and 2: it’s just plain ironically twisted that these bags can’t serve their intended function, and most people who want one for that function can’t get one. The eBay buyers, by the way, in no way intend their main desire to be to help the Earth. They want a piece of IT, ’cause hey, even at $400 it’s not too-too bad a price to catch a HOT celebrity-toted designer bag. And the ones who sell, are they anti-green and pro the greens (if you know what I mean)? Yes, but who can blame them, when I’m sure 90% of you reading this would sell one if you had two. Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 75% [?]

Are we prejudiced against petite women with the big bag trend? Hmm. Well to those of you who still think the size of the bag is limited by the size of the girl, get with it, I say!

Sarah Michelle Gellar (5′3″) with

Lanvin Kentucky Tote $1545 @ Barneys.com

It is discrimination to not “allow” some of the world’s most fabulous bags be carried by 5′0 and unders. I will absolutely agree with you if somehow you prove short girls need fewer belongings with them. Well? No, it’s not true. We need just as much junk, and we deserve to carry what.ever. we. want. to keep it in. Whether it be the Stam (honestly I don’t know how I could fill the thing up!) or a Silverado Tote, don’t try to keep the short girls down!

I personally think that we short girls are more blessed when it comes to looking fabbu with our purses. Why would I say such a crazy thing? Well, the bigger the bag, the more it overpowers our look. Yes, I may be a true bag crazed lady to want that in the first place, but I love it! That Stam or Snake skin bag will attract more attention being so large, and people will stop to notice and they will think it must be IT (if they don’t already know).

Besides, big bags can hide chubby parts no matter what the height, and don’t try to keep that benefit from us, either!

But that’s all just me, maybe. What do you think?

Photo Source

Popularity: 62% [?]

Celebrities love Louboutin, so it was only a matter of time before I spotted his new hot handbag on a star, this is model Cindy Crawford, with a general Spring-is-coming vacation look.

The handbag above is Louboutin’s Metallic Hobo, which sells on Neiman Marcus for $950. There’s also the “Gathered Hobo” with metallic brown leather going for somewhat more at $1020. Buying one would be a not-too-too expensive way of grabbing some star style. And a piece of history, as this gathered design is Louboutin’s first handbag!

Good choice, Cindy.

Source

Popularity: 91% [?]

Chloé Debbie bags‘ main feature is a large zipper, much like the Bay, but the actual zipper pull closely resembles that from the Edith (last year’s IT bag). An equally large feature, yet less prominently unique, is its clip flap closure. (That’s also similar to the Edith’s buckle flap closure.) The bags all also boast a contrast-colored stripe on the flaps.

Styles on Neiman Marcus .com consist of (1) a shoulder flap satchel with double front zipper pockets, (2) an east/west shoulder tote sans pockets and (3) a divine looking north south hobo with double front pockets (best of them ALL in cream).

Colors are brown, tan, cream and yellow. Prices from $1,120 to $1,130; not bad.

Shop Chloé Debbies on Neiman Marcus .com.

All photos below:

Popularity: 89% [?]

Coach has actually made an accessory line printed with a red/pink fragrance theme in celebration of their new perfume. They’ve also made up a limited edition compilation of the LE Jasmine XL Straw “Basket” bag filled with pieces from the line, plus a pair of shades and the exclusive to the “gift basket”, bronzer compact (which I think is a pretty awesome little beauty case).

The main feature of this LE gift set is the Jasmine XL Straw Basket ($998 separately, limited on its own as well) which features a rounded body of straw, orange leather and snake skin trim, brass hardware with ringed full-height straps and fragrance-print lining with 5 interior pockets. It’s sized 24″ x 13.5″ x 10.5″!
The official list of items included is: Fragrance-print crusher hat, beach towel, Framed coin purse, Patti sunglasses, and an exclusive Bronzer Set in the Fragrance Print Case.

The cost of the package is $1600 (eek) too steep for me even though I’d love to own this, but instead I can pick up a little piece of the “fragrance” line separately. My choice is the unique “Brush case” which can be used as a beauty case or even a clutch! Love it. If you can’t get the package, which is in limited quantities, perhaps look on eBay for that exclusive bronzer, as I will. (No low price guarantee, though.)

If you have the cash/budgeting and love for Coach or just plain cute accessories, go for it, it’s sold online at coach.com or in select boutiques, but you can always have it shipped free by calling your favorite store location/favorite SA.

Below are photos of what’s included in the Limited Edition Fragrance Straw Gift Basket:

And here are photos of separate items from Coach’s Fragrance-Print collection:

Popularity: 72% [?]

 A new great style from Marc Jacobs is this Deborah Bag, a shoulder tote with zipper details. Selling now in white, the bag also features a signature push lock (on the zipped attachment closing the large front pocket) and classic square strap buckles, in addition to the double zipper feature toward the top of the bag.

The Deborah measures 15″ x 10″ x 2.5″ and costs $975.

I’m hoping this purse at some point, or in another store, is released in other colours. Yes, white is trendy and attractive, but practical alternatives need to be offered. I like this bag, and it has a little bit of everything Marc (aside from quilting, a chain strap, or anything Stam-y) but I don’t desire it nor see IT in it. Still it’s a very pretty purse, with a great price especially for its size and amount of style. If this is your dream bag, grab her!

Popularity: 36% [?]

It’s a summery tote with gold metallic fabric. It’s quite trendy, I suppose, but that won’t cut it. Where are the Louboutin signature elements? They should think of some - I can:

They have platform shoes, espadrilles, and wedges right? So the bags could be raffia, have wooden elements, or even have pockets on the bottom a la the Zippy by Chloé. That compartment could be a different colour - a tan, perhaps in raffia?

Then of course all Louboutin shoes have the red sole - I think bags could be subtler; red fabric lining. That is a definite must and I will lose all hope if all bags don’t have that already. (The store description doesn’t say.)

The details it does have are a chain drawstring strap, nice, gotta hand them that - but then a dangling key charm? Everyone does that!

Oh sigh, why am I such a better designer than the professionals? Hmm? I need this job and this job needs moi!

The plus side, this seemingly (Neimans doesn’t give size) roomy bag costs only $950.

Popularity: 27% [?]

This tote is from Chanel’s new Paris Biarritz collection for SS 2007. Wow!

If all my body fat were removed (please god) all my extra matter would easily fit in here.
My whole torso would fit in here.
Both of my legs would fit in here.
My paddington collection could fit in here.
A weekend’s worth of clothing could fit in here.

You get the drill, but …

It wouldn’t fit in …

On my lap,
Just barely on a car seat,
On a shelf or hook or in my closet.

Oh boy.

Preview more Paris Biarritz below.

Popularity: 60% [?]

Ooh, I’m seeing indication of an IT bag budding! Featured in InStyle Magazine, and now carried by Madonna, this unique tote by Yves Saint Laurent is prepped to be the house’s next big bag.

Featuring side belts (yummmmmm, mmmmmmmm *drool*), horizontal zippers and a trio of studs, the YSL Downtown Tote is certainly identifiable.

But is it all that attractive? I only kind of like it. But I say if I were to buy into this trend, I’d go for the Raffia version—it’s in two-toned brown and less expensive.

Madonna’s black leather style costs $1,395 and pre-orders through Neiman Marcus.

Popularity: 25% [?]

I’ve hated the Gaucho by Dior. There wasn’t one aspect to pinpoint, or so I thought, but with the arrival of a new Gaucho style, I suddenly know.

The bag is 1,000 times better with short double handles instead of a long shoulder (or cross body - bleck!) strap.

Unfortunately I’ve only seen this style in a yellow-creme white, but hey that’s in right?

The new Gaucho is sized 18″ x 12″ and through Diabro.net costs roughly $1,277.

Popularity: 27% [?]