Cheap designer handbags

So while handbags are never explicitly sold as a female only product we all know that they are. However the lines do definitely get blurred now and again as to what is a handbag and what isn’t, this has inevitably given rise to the ubiquitous “man bag” that we hear so much about but rarely see. Can you remember ever seeing a guy with a bonafide “man bag”?

The thing is quite a few of the items on this blog could be used by men, especially the laptop bags and briefcases (as recently just featured). So as I was snooping around on the Bottega Veneta website for the last post I came across the men’s section and found a handbag department.

I couldn’t actually find the handbag in the picture above as I think it’s from their current collection launch and not available to buy. However I did spot this lovely Bitter Polonaise Messenger Bag in the “man bag” section which somehow looks amazing but understated at the same time (quite a feat). So weather you call this a “man bag” or not I don’t know as it is essentially a laptop bag which many men are more than happy to “wear” day in day out.

I have to admit £1400 is a lot pay for something to carry your computer around in, actually it will probably cost more than the laptop its carrying in most occasions. Still this is genuine calf leather which I don’t think I’ve seen before in a messenger bag. The colour just looks fantastic and leaves me wondering why we don’t see this shade more often in the fashion world (may be too understated for some).

So the big question still remains “is this a man bag”. Well no from the point of view that it’s a laptop bag that most men have already but yes from the view of it costing £1400 and being made of the finest cured calf leather!

Sometimes I just can’t help myself and completely forget the name of this blog to tell you about a bag that costs more than and your average Audi J. Still it’s always nice to look and that’s something you would be doing quite a bit if you were ever lucky enough to own this Bottega Veneta briefcase in tan crocodile leather. First thing I have to get out of the way is the price which is the nice round figure of £16,700, hopefully you were sitting down when I said that.

Leaving aside the issue of price for the moment I think this is the first briefcase I’ve ever reviewed here a cheaphandbags so it’s nice to have a first. The thing is though I’ve never really seen the appeal of a designer briefcase unless you’re using it to carry a laptop/notebook around. Also the shape is always constrained to that same rectangle out of necessity to fit standard documents (boring stuff) inside. Whereas if you take your standard handbag there’s literally no end to the possibilities and designers can (and do) go a bit crazy.

I think the problem as you can tell is I’m just not sold on the briefcase idea in general and especially such an expensive one like this. There’s no doubt that the material used in this Bottega is incredible as you can’t take your eyes off it. However at the same time I’m thinking wouldn’t this been even better as a tote or even a slouch bag where the material can move with you instead of just being a big box? Ok so calling this bag a big box may be a little cruel but I think this fabulous crocodile leather could find a much better home somewhere else.

So the days of nerdy grey laptop bags seem to be number as i just found this new laptop bag from almost innocent which really is quite special. I suppose the best thing about this designer bag is it doesn’t look like a laptop bag at all. Even some of the official designer laptop bags that i have seem before look way to boxy to be fashionable. Despite is curves you should be able to fit a reasonable size laptop and all netbooks inside it.

Price is really good too as its a very reasonable £39 which for a designer computer bag is really good. I know that the standard nerdy bags in PC world are around that price anyway so why not pay the same and get a bag to make your friends jealous instead of feeling sorry for you!