Imitation = Flattery?

I know a big part of what Pat Field likes to do is play with the high and reinterpret to the low but sometimes I think she goes a bit wrong... off into the tacky direction.

The obvious original piece - the YSL Mail clutch. Sleek, shiny and classic. I have to admit I adore this.

Pricey... yes, that too.



I applaud Ms. Field for making the style accessible but the way its done just looks a bit chintzy to me. It's too colorful. Too trying to look like a real piece of air mail. It loses the streamlined graphic design that makes the YSL version so appealing.

Express Mail Clutch by Pat Field -



I know you don't want a total knock-off but it is obvious to me where the "inspiration" came from. By trying to distance itself from the original it just came out messy. Rather a closer inspired design in maybe a new fresh color (hot pink? bright aqua?) that would have been a better way to go.

Pink. Sparkly. Cupcake.

I want this.



I think the picture speaks for itself.

I'll say no more. I'm overwhelmed.

*sigh*

Voila! An Adorable Bag Just For You.

I was just on Simply Soles and saw this adorable little clutch from Cate Adair. I just love the Ottoman Empire-inspired shape.



Not that I'm wearing any of the newly resurged harem pants, but if you want to be cheeky, pair them with this.

Give Me Liberty!

I mentioned I was going to an antiques festival this past weekend and hoped to come home with some great finds. As always, even when you go with an idea in mind, you never know what you are going to come home with.

Liberty antiques festival is actually pretty good. I was looking for things like vintage feathers and pins but didn't come home with either of that. I did buy a monogrammed pillow made from vintage grain bag fabric and a folk are mini vanity mirror. I also got this adorable little silverplate pitcher for $5.



I shined it up a bit. It isn't perfect but that doesn't bother me. I like how the silver looks like gathered fabric.



On the fashion front I got two vintage bags. This first one is a red, probably '80s, leather clutch.



It's a good large size but not over-sized and has two compartments. I think it was $20.



I also got this adorable little faux croc bag in black patent. It's very petite but just adorable.



I wouldn't classify it as pristine but I'd give it a good 90 - 95%.



Liberty was the source of my vintage lizard bag. So don't overlook the antiques festivals. Typically it's furniture, jewelry and housewares but this year there was a dealer who had only vintage lingerie. Miss C went with me and she got a lovely piece there.

You never know what you're going to find!

Y, oh Y Do I Love Paris???

I'm not sure why I want this so much. But I just do.

I am adoring this Yves Saint Laurent "Y-mail" postcard clutch. I don't even use clutches or evening bags all that often. Not often enough to have more than the few I own now which I also don't use that much. And especially given that it's $395.

But it's also very cute and cheeky. I love the lady's profile in the faux stamp. And the Paris address to which I aspire someday.

I'm just going to pine away for this over here for a little while. Okay?

Available at Neiman Marcus (but not online) and at the YSL online store. It says it comes in white too, although I haven't seen a picture.

Grab and Clutch

I've started to see large clutches slowly creeping in as a new style, probably exploding in spring. I like the idea of a large day clutch and decided that I wanted a large envelope style in white.

Because they are not really popular yet, I've been doing my searching on Etsy and eBay, but when I was on Saks the other day I saw this Brian Atwood Mattie clutch.



Now, it's pretty at all, and except for the gold corners, pretty much exactly what I wanted.

But it's freakin' $1660!!!!

That is ridiculous.

In my searches I found this very similar vintage number on eBay for about $14. It has two pockets and is real leather.



I bought this bag here from eBay for $16. It's white croc embossed leather and I would say it is a pretty large size as well as being in good vintage shape. I think it is even more interesting than the Brian Atwood bag. Plus, I'm not a fan of those gold accents.



So, get searching. Large clutches for day will be popular, especially white or light colors - in leather or a reptile of some sort.

Summing up my weekend

So this pretty much sums up my weekend:

Wore this:


Bought this:



Saw this:


Now on sale for $6293 from $8990! Run right out! Get two!

Went in to a covetous delirium for this:



And I'm spent.

See ya later, Alligator!

In my humble opinion, the more bold and colorful an item is, the better you can pull off a either a high end look with an affordable option. I doubt anyone would think that this purple alligator clutch is work thousands of dollars, but it does have a punchy color and, because it has a very streamlined shape (the wrist loop can be tucked in) it can be dressed up or down.


Target Xhilaration Clutch - $13

Or you can go very very high end. Again, it's "out there" but the classic lines and material will ensure this is never out of style.


Gucci Couture

Just as long as you are bold enough to wear it!

Python is an aquired taste

When Plumcake over on the Manolo site shared these shoes that she had just bought, I was instantly smitten. Darn fashionable bloggers! I had to have them. They weren't available on Zappos, so I had to do a shoe search. I doubt I got as good a deal as she did, but I did get them! And now I can't wait for some cooler weather so I can get into them. Not that they wouldn't be good for this late Summer time too.


Michael Kors Cairo in Python (also available in black on Zappos)

I'd love to create an ensemble of accessories that would highlight the gorgeous colors and pattern. If I had the cash I would get these elbow length gloves. Wearing gloves more than just for cold weather has got to come back into fashion, especially when you have options like these.



Burberry Python gloves - $750 at Neiman Marcus. Feel free to pick these up and send them my way!

And just to push the envelope a teeny bit, I'd add the clutch. I know it may be bordering on overkill but I think the small size and the fact that this is close in tone to the shoes, but the gloves are darker breaks it up a bit. Plus, I just like it.


Carlos Falchi Python Clutch - $795 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

But even I think that this would be too too much:




Bottega Venetta Limited Edition Python Hobo (brace yourself) - $4960 at Saks Fifth Avenue

I'm not that tacky. Even if I could afford it.

Big Friggin' Bling

I just saw this awesome clutch on Nine West. I think it has a really high end look for not too much money - about $80. I love the big "stones" and the glam/tough design. It's one of those classic pieces that can look totally current but you could wear for years.


You want an equally strong shoe to go with it. Something that has the same tough/glam vibe. On the high end you could pair this with:


Christian Louboutin Bling Bling Peep-toe in grey ($1325 at Neiman Marcus). The black velvet, clear crystal version is hot too.

Or this:


Jimmy Choo Watson Ballet Flats (not too bad at $340 - Neiman Marcus)

On a more accessible end, zip right back to Nine West and find these:
Nine West Dagner - $79

Want to go more casual and pair with jeans or even for during the day, go with these:

Nine West Dottie - $60

I even think the big stones on this really affordable option would be a good pairing:

I own these and they are very comfortable. Mossimo Dasha at Target - $25.

The big stones have a subtle glam-ness - great for nights out all year round but especially fun for adding some shine to the darker tones of Fall and Winter.

Limited Edition - Prada for the Neiman Marcus 100th

This year Neiman Marcus is celebrating 100 years of really nice but often really expensive stuff! Love them!



To help them celebrate, limited edition pieces in home goods, clothes, shoes, beauty, etc., are being created just for the occasion. Nothing makes me jones for something more than the words "limited edition".



If someone would like to let me borrow $9000 grand for this gor-ge-ous pink crocodile Prada logo clutch, I will love you for the next 100 years.