Cheap designer handbags

So it’s been quite some time since my last post and I suppose I don’t really have an excuse as “because I’m lazy” isn’t really an excuse is it? Still I didn’t want to let February pass us by without at least one post about a cheap designer handbag that you have to own right now.

I was looking the other day at some of my categories and the DKNY handbags section is looking a little light so I thought I would let you know about this lovely new Python print from Donna Karan which caught my eye. Now I have to admit that £240 is quite a lot to be paying for a “print” but I still really love the overall look of this tote and how the oblong shape almost makes it into a slouch bag which is quite neat. The two handles mean you could legitimately call this a shoulder bag but I think they are determined to market it as a tote for reasons unknown. I know there are quite a few examples of zebra print around these days but I do feel this DKNY is a great example of out to get it right, also at this price I have to say it’s one of the cheaper handbags I’ve reviewed in a while which is a nice trend to be seeing.

So as you can tell this is a short but sweet post from me. If curious the main reason for my absence is the extended holiday I’m having around Northern Ireland at the moment in places like Newry etc. BTW if anyone can recommend any good Newry hotels let me know as its quite hard to find any reliable information (blog is friend of mine sorry J). Anyway until next time, stay shoppin!

I do want to at least try to be positive about this latest handbag from Stella McCartney as I think she comes up with some really off the wall ideas when it comes to fashion, and for that she should be applauded. However you will quickly realise after forking out £600 for this “python” bag that it is not python at all but full lovely nylon instead. Yes while it really is great and noble that Stella refuses to use any animal skins in her work I really don’t think this comes anywhere close so some of the python bags I’ve reviewed here by Nancy Gonzalez and Carlos Falchi.

Even if you put aside the aesthetics (i don’t know why you would) the feel of 100% pure nylon sends shivers up my spine every time I think about it. How a bag feels is just as important as the look and I know that python and some leathers really mould to your body with use and if you are using your bag for practical reasons and not just for show then this is essential.

On the one hand I could understand Stellas stance if it were fur she was against as that bandwagon has been going since the 90s, but python isn’t an endangered species (according to Wikipedia which hasn’t lied to me yet) and cows as far as I’m aware aren’t going anywhere soon. Besides if you where a cow (stay with me) would you rather end up as a lovely Crossbody from Donna Karan or a big mac in McDonalds? I think I need to stop writing posts late at night lol

Nancy Gonzalez is a designer that is certainly starting to attract a lot of attention both here in the UK and across the pond. It’s always great to see new designers really strike out on their own instead of being just another Prada or Gucci copycat and as you can see from the Python handbag above by her  it’s definitely unique.

It’s worth saying that Python is still a relatively unique material in the fashion world as so many designers just don’t seem to know what to do with it. It almost seems the case will all eccentric skins these days as they sometimes seem to want to hide what it really is. As you can see from the picture this Python bag screams at you what it is from the very first glance as the skin pattern is about as bold as it gets. I also really love the colour gradient that’s going on too. For some reason purple and white reminds me of Miami Vice and 80s in general, it’s not necessarily a bad thing though as we all know the 80s are coming back in a big way.

£1800 is quite reasonable for a Python bag in my opinion as it’s a style and material becoming more popular by the day. One reason for the low price I’m told is that Nancy Gonzalez actually has her own snake farms to acquire her own skins and thus keep the price down (I wonder if she goes in to catch them too?). I know I have featured many exotic skin handbags here but I have a feeling this one is going to remain a firm favourite for some time to come. One problem I do foresee is the old availability problem as over 3 of the big handbag online shops (you know who they are) already seem to be out of stock either due to the low production runs or just plain demand from lovers of great handbags

Yes i know, two Christian Louboutin bags in a row i must be getting lazy right? Well this bag is actually quite interesting so i thought i would post on it regardless. First point is that this is another Python bag which as you can see here seems to be all the rage this week. Im not sure if the python thing is here to stay but it is definitely here in a big way now and I’m seeing a lot of designers taking advantage of the fact. There is something about snake skin though that has always fascinated me, i suppose it just makes you want to touch it to see what the texture is like, most of us don’t handle real snakes on a daily basis lol.

It also probably hasn’t escaped your attention that the bag has a leopard print on the python skin which is so absurd it actually works! I also really like the way the bag handles as its rigid enough to hold its shape but at the same time comfortable. How it feels is very important to me as any shoulder bag in my experience is not just going to be used for styles sake but actually to carry things around (now and again), the strap in gold is also really fitting. I think Christian Louboutin has put together a really cheap designer handbag in the truest sense as this bag is only £1200 in most stores. I can tell you for real python skin this is proper bargain, also considering the quality of the material and the history of this designer i think you have a bag that is going to last a long time both in fashion and practical terms.

Ive always liked slouch bags mainly because they can look great but always stay comfortable at the same time. What i really like about this Carlos Falchi Python bag is the way this material looks on the surface. I have to admit that im not a great fan of animal skins in general on bags (oh wait leather lol) but i suppose Python isn’t an endangered species is it? Even if the RSPCA doesn’t approve i think this skin really does look amazing on this bag and takes things to a whole new exotic level. One thing that i have always worried about this these “scaly” bags is the scales flaking off due to wear and tear but i have heard good things about Carlos Falchi as they are considered specialists in exotic skins in fashion so hopefully know what they are doing with this hobo.

The colour in light brown is really natural and i think the overall look doesn’t stand out too much (a bad thing?). Also it is quite a big bag as you got a 12” drop from the zip to the bottom so it does fulfil the primary purpose of any slough and that’s to be able to carry alot of stuff around (if necessary). As you can expect with any exotic hobo/slough the price is pretty exotic too at around £2000. Still for something as special as Python skin i think its worth the price as you are buying a handbag that is sure to be as timeless as it looks.

I really love exotic leathers and it doesn’t get much better than this beautiful Elise Python in whiskey leather. The fabric really looks incredible and its a rare occasion when one of the darker colours that i usually avoid stands out much more than your average pink.

I think this designer bag is going to be on the must haves for professional people in the new year as it has a classy but still understated look which i think is going to be a real hit. Still its not that cheap as its going to cost around £1400 in Saks but if you ask me its worth every penny and id have it over 100 tote bags any day.