I can almost say that my love for fashion started with a fascination with handbags, the accessory par excellence that can complete and define a look. No matter what is the colour of your hair, your size, your height and budget, somewhere out there, there is a purse that can make you happy.
This time I don't wish to talk about big designer hits, but to quote the girls of Bag Snob I want to share my current 'frugal' favourites. Last year Zara gave us the Plaited Leather Shopper, which won the hearts and arms of many fashion bloggers, and it seems that in 2012 the Spanish giant will renew the exploit. When I first spotted the Shopper Basket, I thought it would have been one of the most coveted high-street bag of the season and the confirmation arrived with its inclusion into this week Vogue.com's Steal of the Month: Super Cheap, But Still Chic.
Today I had the chance to see this purse live and I must say I was impressed: the clean design is perfect for a functional day bag, the shade is definitely what I would wear during the coming warm months, and you can hardly notice that it is made of polyurethanes, a plastic material I so far knew for its excellent insulation properties (an insight I got from my 'real life' job*). Personally I prefer natural materials over syntetics, but this baby is very tempting. In any case, if you are looking for a basic bag 100% leather, you will find a great option in the shape of the Classic Bowling Bag: so pretty, so Chloé-inspired...
* Which provides me with the most random information, helps me paying the bills and, more importantly, gives me the possibility to fill my wardrobe.
Images source: Zara
seriously i n love with the bowling bag! I decided not to go to town today so i would avoid spending money on such temptation, and then they show up on my screen... it’s a sign. seriously.
ReplyDeletehave a great week end,
xo sandra
Sandra, it's indeed a sign. And you can go next w-e...
DeleteThat bowling bag does look stunning. I think Zara is definitely the high street shop with the best bags - always very classy. My sister gave me one for my birthday a few years ago and it was really beautiful, it got me lots of compliments. Too bad the quality was pretty bad - it started falling apart after a few months... But then I do always overload my bags with books. :)
ReplyDeletethe second bag is impeccable !
ReplyDeleteCiao,
ReplyDeletesono entrambe molto belle : se la prima fosse in cuoio sarebbe veramente perfetta
ave
These bags are lovely!
ReplyDeletex
Michelle
www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com
Polyurethane might look like leather, but I prefer the real thing. At least for the way it ages and wears out.
ReplyDeleteBTW, your (real) job seems very intriguing to me. What it is, if not a secret? :}
No secrets and unfortunately nothing fashion-related: I work in public affairs and communications on environmental policy.
DeleteWow, the Zara bag does look great, at least in the picture! I wonder how it wears, though.
ReplyDeletejo from slowcatharsis.blogspot.com
I had my thoughts about PU as well as I recently bought something online that turned out to be PU instead of leather. Might do a post about it. I can live with a shopper bag made of PU, and this Zara one is very nice, but I wouldn't want to carry a tote made of PU.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe the Zara one is not leather. Looks great in the pic. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteOh I really like the second one! And I agree with @Fashionistable that its hard to believe Zara is not leather.
ReplyDeleteI have a weekend Balenciaga for my everyday life (The Baby Elephant). it is massive and it is actually a travel bag not a purse! Have to carry all my lives with me... ;)
great selection!X
ReplyDeleteI so want the CLASSIC Bowling bag! I can't find it on the Zara US sight. Did anyone buy it from there? I need this bag ASAP.
ReplyDeletewww.justpatience.com
Sorry, I don't know how to help you, but I'm sure that the Bowling bag will hit the US stores sooner than later...
DeleteZara gets it so right don't they? The plaited shopper is hard to beat, but do I love the second bowling bag xx
ReplyDeletethe second one also reminds me to celine!! anyways love them!!! and the color is just perfect :D
ReplyDeletexx
http://thegoldenpaillettes.blogspot.com/
I wouldn't necessary think that the last bag, costing more than 100 pounds, is particulalry kind to the wallet. Given that all staff in Zara is poorly made (Im not talking about the design, but the fabric, stiching etc) spending this much is not entirely blameless activity, even if you compare it with Celine or Chloe. Unfortunately most of the clothes these days, including designer- Im looking at Isabel Marant for example, is made in China and in India in the appaling conditions and with below living wage to the people manufacturing them. So we all oohhh and ahhh on the blogs.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to share different opinions and blogging is about sharing ideas. You are right on the Zara quality and on the fashion ethical issues. On the latter, I think nobody wants to ignore them and, more importantly, the increased consumer awareness is pushing many brands in the right direction in terms of ethical sourcing and production. If not on the grounds of 'moral' scruples at least for marketing reasons.
DeleteBoth bags look beautiful. I can't wait to see them live so that I can inspect them properly. Zara regularly comes up with classic style bags, simple design, just the way I like it. But the material has to be leather, otherwise I don't buy it and truth be told, at the price of a Zara leather bag I can purchase a local brand (Musette, I've blogged about it recently), but made with an incredible attention to detail. xo
ReplyDeleteAda
love the first one! but they're both amaze! X
ReplyDeleteI all over again admire your writing style! so witty and your posts make me smile here and there finding a 100% resembles of my ideas with what you write about!
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for bags! I can't get enough of them! But usually I buy some of a very good quality which also means pricy;((( not even b/s they are designer pieces or anything like this. But I just wear my bags so often and I treat them not the way I should...so if a bag is not of the best quality in a month it will be "killed"by me...the harsh truth:)
In any case I love the Classic Bowling Bag!:)
Xx
Alexandra
www.fashion-bridge.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for the kind comment!
DeleteWhat a shame it's poly... It looks very beautiful. Zara is brilliant with their accessories (and everything else, really).
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful weekend!
xxx
they are both beautiful classics. lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea really what you were talking about and I just googled CK jewellery and lo-and-behold (!!!) the chain is so similar! WTF seriously!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a freaky thing. Unfortunately I cannot claim ownership of the idea ;) will have to just wear it proudly as a unique PvdH Jewellery design haha (there is a fantastic store in Mexico called Mineralia where they sell precious stones from emeralds to the less expensive options and you can do your own stuff!)
I want to visit Mineralia...sounds like the place for me!
DeleteI love the colours but the second one is my favourite :)
ReplyDeleteWhich one(s) are you getting? :)
ReplyDeleteFor the moment, I will refrain myself from shopping: I have the Marni for H&M and Mary Katranzou for Topshop 'missions' in sight...
DeleteHello Caterina,
ReplyDeleteI am new reader of your blog. I will be in Brussels in June 2012 and wondered which 3 clothing/fashion stores you would reccommend.
Hello and thank you for stopping by my blog! In my opinion the best fashion boutiques of Belgian and niche labels are in the Dansaert area (I wrote a post about it: http://notjustaprettydress.blogspot.com/2011/06/shops-around-my-corner.html). If you want international brands, Av. Louise is the area to go. Hope it is helpful, but if you need more information, please feel free to send me an email and I'll be happy to expand the list!
DeleteThank you very much!!!
DeleteAw, i wish the Zara one was leather!!! im not that in to synthetics either! :) the other one you postet looks great too though!!
ReplyDeletelove K
omg you make me lunger for more bags with every blogpost :O
ReplyDeletexo
mydutchfashionstyle.blogspot.com