The Budget Fashionista: Handbags – Longchamp “Le Pliage” Totes

If you are are looking for a handbag and need one that is versatile, roomy, stylish, and affordable

…the Longchamp “Le Pliage” totes are a must buy.

What I like about them:

The “Le Pliage” totes are without a doubt the most well known of the French company’s products. With their vinyl and leather makeup these totes were originally marketed as fashionable and easily storable travel bags. However now they have become a fashion staple for every modern day woman.

I love the vinyl because it’s easy clean and does not require much maintenance. Also the “Le Pliage” totes come in many sizes, almost every color you can think of, and there are ones with some really unique designs.

Prices and where to buy:

The prices range from $98 for the smaller versions to $145 for the large totes. You can buy them online at Longchamp.com, Nordstrom (online or in store), and Amazon.com.
🙂 Go buy yours today…happy travels!

Whimsically Yours,
PnC

The Budget Fashionista: Handbags – Kate Spade New York

Kate Spade makes what are in my opinion some very beautiful, simple, yet surprisingly stylish and versatile handbags.

1. Kate Spade NY “Thomas” Nylon Crossbody Bag:

Why I like it: It is simple, it is cute, it is versatile, and it is nylon which equals easy cleaning…need I say more 🙂

Price & Where to buy: $138 at Nordstrom…definitely one of the most affordable designer handbags of its size

(it is an older style so you might not be able to find it everywhere but I know that Nordstrom has it 🙂

2.  Kate Spade NY “Tenley” Crossbody Bags:

                                 

   

 In order they are the: “copa cabana”, “stripe nylon”, “palm groves”, “flicker”, “cobble hill”, and “grove park” Kate Spade NY tenley crossbody bags.

Why I like them: Options, options, options!!! In Kate Spade’s  Tenley Crossbody bag collection we see some very simplistic handbags that also have very different styles and designs giving you the ability to pick the purse that suits your personal taste.  Having options are always a great thing!

Prices & Where to buy: The prices range from around $148, with the feisty “Tenley – copa cabana” crossbody, to $188, with the “Tenley – grove park” crossbody bag, and you can buy them at almost any major department store that sells designer handbags (Dillard’s, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus…)

Runners Up: 

At $248 – (“gold coast – ginnie”) & $278 (“brianne” metallic leather) I am in love with these purses.  However because they are is the same size as (or smaller than) the others yet at almost double the price…I decided to put them in this section 🙂

They are cute, classy, and oh so very elegant…easy to dress up & make any outfit shine.

(I am putting both on my to-buy list)

As stated above: You can buy them at almost any major department store that sells designer handbags

(Dillard’s, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus…)

Go & check them out…enjoy!

Whimsically Yours,

PnC

The Budget Fashionista: Handbags – MARC by Marc Jacobs

MARC by Marc Jacobs is the world renown fashion designer Marc Jacobs’ “affordable” line.

I say that in quotes because while it is much more affordable that his main line it definitely is not one of my everyday shopping favs.

This line is very stylish and the handbags in it are no less so.  In the MARC by Marc Jacobs line  the handbags that I’d put in the “if you can only have one then you’d better pick me” category would be his Crossbody bags.  

I have been a huge fan of Crossbody bags aka “bags that cross over your body” since before they were fashionable but now they are and you can find them everywhere.  They are usually smaller & lighter bags (though there are large Crossbody bags), and they are perfect for a day out.

I know  that when people invision women shopping they imagine us with our big purses in hand but seriousl folks…have you ever walked around a shopping mall with a huge purse…it’s such a pain 😦

So hence the Crossbody:

MARC by Marc Jacobs “Sia” Crossbody bags: 

In order they are the: “Preppy Sia Nylon”, “Sia”, “Petal to the Metal Sia”, and the “Preppy Sia” Crossbody bags.

 

 

Why I like them: 

They are cute, simple, and at under $300 they are definitely some of his most affordable bags.

Additional Info:

The “Preppy Sia Nylon” as its name states is made of Nylon therefore meaning that it is easy to clean that along with the fact that at $138 is the most affordable on the “Sia” Crossbody bags = you must put this one on your to-buy list.

I really like the “Petal to the Metal Sia” because of the metal bird on the front of the purse…I know its not a Mockingjay but it reminds me of The Hunger Games! (<3)

Prices & where to buy:

Like I said the Nylon Sis is the most affordable at $138 and they go up to $298 (Petal to the Metal Sia).  No they are not cheap but in the designer fashion world those prices = worth it.

You can buy them from Nordstrom, one of my personal favorites (I could live in that store) or Neiman Marcus.

Runners Up

In order they are the: “Classic Q Karlie”, the “Classic Q Percy”, and the  “Preppy Nylon Natasha” Crossbody bags. 

What I like: They are small, cute, and fashionable looking.  And the “Classy Q” Crossbody bags can easily be dressed up or down.

What’s wrong with them: While they are all under $300, like the “Sia” Crossbody bags are, the “Classic Q” Crossbody bags are too pricey to be that small for me and the  I often buy smaller purses in order to help me minize my stuff but these are entirely too small for everyday wear, for me, they might work for a night out though.

Prices & where to buy:

They range from $178 to $258, with the “Preppy Nylon Natasha” on the lower end, and they can be purchased at Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom.

The Budget Fashionista: Handbags

Not everyone can afford a $150,000 Louis Vuitton “trash” aka Urban Satchel handbag.

(Of course hopefully not many people want to)

Trust me I understand. But from years of diligence and planning I have amassed what I consider to be a pretty good designer purse collection.

No I don’t have any Louis Vuitton’s, but that’s mainly because I just started liking them. In the Budget Fashionista I will pick a topic such as handbags and give my current ratings for for the top handbags.

These handbags will not only be stylish but they will also fall into the category of “if you can only have one then you’d better pick me”.

SO…stay tuned and look for the first post to be up tomorrow (that would be 7/14/2012 for me)!

I can’t wait!!!

Whimsically Yours,

PnC