Posts with tag totebags

Last week, a friend of Styledash asked for help in finding a gift for his wife for their 3rd wedding anniversary. After getting over the amazement that marriage has lasted that long (we live in LA and all we hear about our "marriages" that last no longer than the morning line at Starbucks), we started to panic. Third anniversary? What does one get one's spouse for a third anniversary?

Leather.

Putting visions of chaps and riding whips aside, we decided that a handbag would be the perfect leather gift. With a budget of $100-$200, and a willingness to go slightly over if it promised benefits, we found nine bags that would be perfect:

• Kenneth Cole Large Buckle Satchel - for a woman who has an entire shelf of black or brown leather bags, red is a great addition to spice things up. $204 at Bluefly.com
  
• Cole Haan "Paige" Medium Tote - A classic Cole Haan bag will always be the quintessential piece and will last forever, just like your marriage. $186 at Bluefly.
  
• BCBG Aloe Leather "Montana" Handbag - Shaped like a Boston bag, this handbag is functional and fashionable, especially in the brownish green aloe color. $161 at Bluefly.
• Hype "Canela" Satchel - Though camel color is usually associated with the warmer months, the Canela satchel is sturdy enough to work for fall and winter. $135 at Bluefly.com.
• Hype Chocolate Leather "Assago" Shoulder Bag - Chocolate colored leather is the perfect all-around bag since it dark color works well with both black and brown. $113 at Bluefly.com
• Via Spiga Pewter "Madeline" Leather Hobo - The hobo, though a relatively new-again trend, is now here to stay. In pewter leather, it's definitely "in" for the metallic trend of fall and winter. At Bluefly.com
• Via Spiga "Neela" Tassel Hobo - Another hobo style, and perhaps the best bargain of the bunch, the Neela is slightly more interesting with the addition of a tassel. $99 at Bluefly.com
• Furla Ivory Leather Logo Tote - Who says you can't wear (or carry) white in the winter? Furla certainly doesn't, with its simple, sophisticated ivory leather logo tote. $94 at Bluefly.com.
• Michael Kors "Wetherby" Large Shoulder Bag - This is the splurge for our friend, but the stylish lines of a functional shoulder bag are wrth it. It's Michael Kors. $348 at ShopBop.

Well, technically, you should have been thinking about Holiday travel about three months ago so that you could reserve your airline tickets and book a rental car. What I'm really talking about is how cute you're going to look sashaying through the airport like the global jetsetter you are with this adorable weekender bag from Le Sportsac.

Yes, I know Le Sportsac is so very, how do I say this nicely (?), '80s, but in case you haven't noticed, the nylon bag maker has been teaming up with some pretty cool partners to bring you Tokidoki printed diaper bags and little Gwen Stefani-inspired clutches. The reason Le Sportsac is way cool for travel is that the nylon truly is lightweight and for this bag in particular, can be had in one of 32 different prints. Somewhere in that selection you're going to find the one that suits your style! Obviously, I adore the pink print called Frou Frou that is pictured!

The Large Weekender tote is $94 and is available from the LeSportsac website.

Just about any bag will do as an overnighter -- something small to carry a change of clothes (or at least accessories to change your "look"), toiletries, and of course, makeup to freshen up. However, sometimes we like to be discreet about our overnight stays, so a bag that doesn't scream out "luggage!" or "totebag!" is probably better. It isn't hard to do these days, as regular handbags that women carry are rivaling a Samsonite in size.

However, Rebecca Minkoff makes a bag that's too cutely named to pass up just for this purpose. It's called "The Morning After" bag. I'm not exactly sure if it's meant to carry things Alka Seltzer, Tylenol, and bottled water (for a hazy morning after), or other overnight things, but either way, the bag is adorable in bright blue leather with woven brown leather trim. It's small enough to be handbag, large enough to carry a little more than your usual daily essentials.

Rebecca Minkoff bags are available in select boutiques across the US.

I'm not sure why it's considered a "must-have" for fall this year, since I've always associated plaid with fall every year, but this year, it's especially hot in everything from shorts and pants to full plaid-print dresses to accessories. If you haven't worn plaid since wearing your boyfriend's over-sized Abercrombie & Fitch flannel shirt 10 years ago, take a hint from Mrs. Beckham and add a little bit of plaid to your wardrobe.

Sunday - Just because it's autumn doesn't mean you can't keep wearing shorts, as long as they are made of cool-weather appropriate fabrics like wool. If you go with a truly short pair of shorts, like these Sophomore Shorts by LaRok in chamois plaid, stay warm with tights underneath (whether they are footless tights is up to you). If that's too short, wear knee-high boots with these longer tab-waisted shorts that hit just below the knee by Billy Blues.

Monday, back to work - Did someone say skinny pants? Yeah, I didn't hear that either. Thankfully, Fall 2006 also looks to the other end of the spectrum with wide-leg trousers. Alice+Olivia makes a pair of tweed trousers with an extra-wide waistband in chocolate plaid. For something more subtle, try the glen-plaid by Diane von Furstenberg. Of course, if you don't have $400, Target has a pair of blue/gray plaid pants by Mossimo Black for $23. A crisp white shirt is perfect for all of these trousers.

Tuesday - Short and pants are fine, but when I think of plaid, the first thing I think of are skirts. I think it's the result of years in private school, and a pleated blackwatch plaid skirt by Isaac Mizrahi for Target takes me back. For a naughty schoolgirl, Dorothy Perkins has a red plaid mini with a tiny bit of black lace peeping out from underneath. If you have $2,000 to spare, you can go with Alexander McQueen's short plaid kilt. If you're not quite a schoolgirl, you can be the Head Mistress in Nanette Lepoore's plaid skirt in chocolate.

Wednesday - A crisp white shirt is a natural with plaid on the bottom, but if you're a jeans-wearing gal, you can put plaid on top with any number of plaid flannel button down shirts. If that's a little too Paul Bunyan for you, Ivy adds a ruffle to the front, making you the most feminine lumberjackette to ever swing an axe. Even more feminine is a sheer blouse by Cynthia Steffe with velvet details, or a sateen-finish blouse by Burberry in gray (my favorite!).

Thursday - If you can't get enough plaid, wear it all over in a dress. Alexander McQueen's casual line McQ has a 100% cotton flannel plaid dress for $485. The plaid print is classy, but the zipper all the way down the front makes it sassy. Try Marc Jacobs brushed plaid dress in petroleum black-blue, or a jumper-style in blue plaid over a body-conscious turtleneck or a fitted white button-down shirt from What Goes Around Comes Around for daytime. Bebe's red plaid bustier dress with black lace trim is perfect for a night out.

Friday - Plaid is showing up in accessories from head to toe. Urban Outfitters has a headband in different types of plaid that'll go great with a complete school-girl look. These flats by Delman with a safety pin that echoes plaid kilts are cute in both brown and red. Charles David has a pair of rounded toe glen-plaid pumps that are a feminine take on men's wingtips. Bettye Mueller's pump has brown plaid in the front alternating with a different print. Of course, you can always go with Burberry's rain boots, which I tried on, but felt too silly wearing in the eternal sunshine of LA, or Target's olive plaid take on the same galoshes.

Saturday - Maybe you're not ready to add plaid to your wardrobe of wearables. Stick to plaid in bags. Paul & Joe has a totally adorable change purse at Target. Juicy Couture has plaid in everything from a little bowler handbag to a large tote for a weekend getaway. The Burberry plaid is a classic print that will never go out of style, and in updated shapes and adorned with gold chains, the Margaret Drawstring is perfect.