I love the look (and feel) of python. I love it for Spring and I love it on a classy satchel. So naturally I love this python frame bag by Prada. (Pitone is Italian for python, natch.)

In tan tonal python with braided handles and a framed top, this piece of high luxury is sized 17″ l x 13″ h and more than squeezes past my budget at $2,620. This fine bag is available for pre-order now through Neiman Marcus, though not in California.

Don’t hiss and moan about the price, you have plenty of time to save up. And Californians, think about moving to Florida now - where python is plentiful and you don’t have to smuggle the goods.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Kelly Ripa here proves that with a simple & chic ensemble, black and grey look smashing with a brown bag.

What’s that bag she’s carrying? Find out after the fold. Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 18% [?]

Is the Bay by Chloé all about zipper pulls and straps? What is the appeal to make Chloé’s new style IT? I’m waiting for the quilted version, which is quite interesting (just wait yourselves!).

This washed Lambskin Bay Bag at Neiman Marcus comes 13″ x 11″ x 7″ in a deep Mocha brown and rings $1,680.

It’s no Paddington to me, what do you think?

Popularity: 17% [?]

Luella’s Fury Box Bag is dainty and daring at once. A frame bag with studs at quilting meeting points, it’s a modern hip bag but with some lady elegance. I love the completely new and unique front pocket closure: a key on a chain simply slides through a loop! Finally there are two chain straps tied together with a bow; marvelously hip femme. Having not hit stores yet, but you can check this and others out at Luella.com, I’m unsure about size and price.

I apologize to those who are furious they must wait to purchase Luella’s fury bag! It’s so IT and chic - an instant classic, but definitely for any age!

Popularity: 10% [?]

From embarrassing and ugly in the 90s to faux useful and patriotic for 2007, the see-through bag is now being reported as “trendy” and even “the next big thing.”

Oh gah!

The myth being perpetrated by dim-witted fashion journalists that clear PVC designer handbags hold the answer to the 21st century fashionista’s travel dilemmas is insane! The see-through baggies that hold liquids for security checkpoints are required to be separate from the rest of one’s purse belongings and not be sized to hold more than 1 quart. Duh! Buying one of these clear bags at ridiculous prices for that reason is misguided, and I hope no one falls for it.

Still, the possibility of these bags actually having some style to them has not been decided as completely imbecilic yet. Time and plummeting sale pricetags will tell.

Here are some photos of clear designer bags, via IguanaFashions, which is holding a contest to find the coolest indie version of the new style. (Also see our original entry: Spring 2007 Garbage Bags: Oscar de la Renta)

Having this topic and blog entry sitting on my desktop awaiting me to post about finally led me to a genius idea …Our own contest - Pursed Lips .net’s first contest ever, in fact.

A) You send in a photo or a few of a clear bag with your actual personal necessities inside - what you carry around daily in your bag. We post it here and and then - you show you’re really not embarrassed. While the contest continues you post the link to your special page here in as many places as you can (forum signatures, Flickr*, Squidoo Lenses, blogs, blogrolls, e-mail signatures, MySpace, etc.) The person who shows the highest level of brevity and who has the coolest stuff in her bag will be deemed the winner - and she gets a collection of little goodies to go in her daily purse - such as makeup bags, even a wallet - by brands and luxe brands alike!

You can cheat a little taking the photos, sneak pics at a department store, you may even get away with really fantastic Photoshop skills, as a last resort. We understand it may be hard to even want to own one of these bags.

B) The 2nd option to entering is to submit photos of your favorite purse (one you think actually deserves to be “the next big bag”) and what’s inside, and then link to the contest entries’ main page in as many fashions as above, while also blogging, or in some other way posting or publishing an article with your opinions on clear bags. The other part of this contest is to find out what people think of the trend! Plus, by sending us a photo of your own IT bag, you’ll help us know which bags are actually the hottest for 2007!
Then, all that linking will hopefully pay off for you, because our visitors will help to vote on a winner! So essentially when you link to your own page here, ask for a vote! But that’s not all, the links also act as votes for you, as well!

Rules: Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 15% [?]

An IT bag from Miu Miu offers more of the ruching that Miuccia Prada likes to do, but is otherwise completely new and different. The Miu Miu Coffer’s front flap with lock tab and flap pockets give it a unique look, sitting on a round body a single short, braided handle and detachable long strap.

Like it, hate it? I can’t quite decide, but the general bag-loving public has spoken about this IT bag. Have to have it? This Italian-made piece of camel nappa leather costs $1,445 and sells at Neiman Marcus.

Popularity: 16% [?]

The newest B. Fendi bag is a hobo with one buckle, sort of simple, but bold and nice. The B. Fendi Zucca Hobo comes with large-logo, Zucca, printed canvas, antiqued brass logo hardware, leather shoulder strap with chain links, interior slip pocket and cell phone pocket. This not-so high maintenance bag’s oversized leather buckle hides a snap and flaps over a zippered closing. $1040.00 comes in a medium 12″ x 9.5″ x 5.5″ at eLUXURY.com.

Popularity: 25% [?]

You may know of my long documented search for and love of bags with side belts, well, although the Paddington is more known for a grandiose lock, I’ve realized it is truly my perfect side belt bag. Thus began the sale hunt for one in brown (my dream satchel color).

I found the perfect one on eBay with a perfect 50% off price, and now it is mine, here in my home, in my hands (in my bed ;-)), in front of my eyes - mine, all mine-mine .. mine. Sighhhhhh.

She is a 2005 Chocolate Brown Medium Regular Paddington by Chloé. A long wait, a dream bag mine, and I’m so happy. Here she is for your viewing pleasure, although you can’t touch her ecstasy. Sorry!

Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 15% [?]

Surprise, surprise! Or not really. I stand by my favorite new bag of the year, overall, being many others’ as well - it’s the Marc Jacobs Stam bag. From what I’ve seen, it’s been the number one copied bag of the year also, which of course gives the style votes.

It’s classic, it’s big (that has helped a lot lately), it’s unique (and recognizable), and it’s just a luxe, luxe looking bag. It has similarities to the top bag of 2005 - Fendi’s Spy - even, but this one’s all new and all Marc Jacobs.

It features a mixing of the top trends of the year with some of the most signature aspects of Marc Jacobs design, so no wonder it’s a winner. We’ve already previewed what’s on the horizon for Stams and I’m so excited!

Popularity: 15% [?]

Going, going, gone. The 85th year of Gucci is now passed, along with their collection. So back into Pursed Lips‘ archives for this small 85th Gucci Hobo to present our number 3 bag (actually; collection) of 2006.

With an intricate pattern and modern details, 8th Gucci seems to be all about the future. Why not? Gucci is a huge fashion house, and they’re pinned to remain that way. They’re the bag house for the modern, hip and young (but not so young as to not afford it). So Gucci, 85 never looked so good!

Popularity: 16% [?]