Almost Packed

Caveat Emptor and The Danger of Bag Blogs

In The Cult of The Amateur Andrew Keen makes a few low blows about the ability of the average consumer to understand his consumption choices as a buttress to his central thesis that blogging is quite reprehensible. Apparently the fact that all of us are constantly blogging with very little discrimination makes the addled consumer even more confused about what is and is not worthwhile in life. The trouble phenomenon of extended adolescence aside, we aren't much for a didactic press.

Perhaps it makes it harder for some consumers to have a multitude of voices vouching for their fashion preferences. But our mothers always told us you can't always believe what you read. And seeing is not always believing. And even at a low resolution we are pretty sure you can still tell which bag is a Balenciaga Matelasse and what is a random quilted bag from Forever 21. And if you can't, or won't, be bothered to do a little due diligence on your shopping then you don't have much right to complain. Caveat Emptor now more than ever!

Budget Bag Blog: Arden B Metallic Plated Clutch

Having Comcast OnDemand has proven dangerous for us. This weekend we holed up watching the entire Robocop series with our boyfriend. Combine that with having Starship's "We Built This City on Rock and Roll" on replay on iTunes and we have 80s faux anti-commercialism, silly glam rock and corporate angst on our brain. And Murphy's silver plated body and rock and roll really combine with this Arden B Metallic Plated Clutch.

Budget Bag Blog: Under $50 Budget Holiday Party Bags

Christmas is coming and we are getting fat! Please put a penny in an old woman's clutch! The holiday season is upon us and the money is being spent and furiously and generally not on ourselves. And yet somehow we are still expected to look respectable at any number of parties. Thus we have decided a list of Under $50 Holiday Party Bags is in order. You may break your back this season but you shouldn't break the bank right?

Beginning at top left and spiraling in clockwise: La Regale Gold Beaded Satin Frame Clutch $32, Cold Water Creek Black Moc Croc Embossed Clutch $37, Savanna Crinkled Satin Red Frame Clutch $32, Asos Jessica Simpson Black Hard Case Glitter Clutch, $36,Paul's Boutique Copper Bow Clutch, $44,Nine West Black Satin Bow Clutch, $39, Nine West Pink Satin Girl Clutch, $49,Asos Mischa Barton Mini Gem Detail Box Clutch in Black, $24

Ann Taylor Rectangular Box Evening Bag

Theodor Adorno said modernity is a qualitative, not a chronological, category. And while his beloved Frankfurt school that typified so much of the philosophy of modernity (and indeed Marxism as well) seems dated now in our post-post modern world we can in that sense we can still have fashion design that is modern. This Ann Taylor Rectangular Box Evening Bag is modernity in a box. And while Adorno had problems with mass production and aesthetics we hope that as a consumer you can see beyond pseudo-individualization and use this bag to make your own style.

Jimmy Choo's Magazine Clutch Inspired By Richard Phillips

Art Basel Miami Beach is here and Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon isn't going to let it pass without a special edition set of bags. Done in collaboration with artist Richard Phillips, Jimmy Choo is releasing a clutch and a tote that feature Phillip's signature media image style

The Magazine is a hard-resin clutch that resembles a glossy folded in two. It shows a woman's eyes glowing with green eye shadow and mile-long lashes, and was taken from the artist's 1997 portrait, "Nuclear.'

At just $595, Mellon wants the bag to be accessible to a wider and younger audience. "I didn't want to make these bags $5,000," Mellon said. "I wanted to make them available to a wider audience. I'm also hoping that younger customers, who wouldn't necessarily be able to afford our core product, can buy these." How very honorable and SMART of her.

Coach Gold Logo Jewelry Minaudiere

Karl Popper said that "science may be described as the art of systematic oversimplification." Coach clearly has a science behind its best selling bags and they are nothing if not systematic in the application of their logos but we do think they could stand to learn a thing or two about simplification or Heaven forbid even oversimplification. Take for instance this new Coach Gold Logo Jewelry Minaudiere. A dash of simplicity could do it good.

Pantera Eel Skin Cigarette Clutch

Rousseau said "Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains." As much as women like their bags sometimes we admit to feeling a bit chained by the possessions inside our bags. And be extension the bags themselves.

Sometimes we wish we could just leave our bags behind and carry things in our pockets. But then we come to our senses and realize we just want a smaller bag. Like for instance this bright red Pantera Eel Skin Cigarette Clutch
Slim, sexy and not a bit burdensome. May we regain that freedom yet!

Alexander McQueen Skull Clasp Clutch

Rebellion seems so passé these days when opting out of the system means you opt out of the solution. And the traditional skull motif that has so long represented a wilder take on life is often co-opted by those who wish to demonstrate their "cool" without any reflection on its history or meaning. They simply bought into the culture. There are however two people who are still allowed to use the skull, Hamlet and Alexander McQueen.


These two classic English characters (well Shakespeare was British so close enough) have transcended the stigma of false rebellion making this Alexander McQueen Skull Clasp Clutch just OK in our book. It has always been his thing after all. It will take the right girl to wear it and we don't mean some trust funded Williamsburg girl in a loft. No, this one is just perfect for a true Upper East Side Princess.

Top Ten Bags For Cruise/Resort 2008 According to Net-A-Porter.com

The weather is just starting to cool but savvy fashionistas are already planning what to wear when they escape the chill to their winter warm retreats! Net-a-Porter has the Top Ten Bags Of Cruise 2008


They include Anya Hindmarch Clutch Control, Bottega Veneta's Under Canvas, Devi Kroell Satin Touch, Marc Jacob's Guilt Trip, Jimmy Choo Meshed Up, Zac Posen No Strings Attached, Be & D Ruffle Your Feathers,  Miu Miu White Out, Mulberry Gold Dust, Botkier Get Strappy, and for good measure Marni's Balloon Ridge.

Sounds like the copy writers had fun huh?

Nancy Gonzalez Bow Croc Clutch on Jessica Alba At Awake Premier

We have been admiring this Nancy Gonzalez Bow Croc Clutch for sometime now. To use all the clichés, it is both feminine and classic thanks to a big bow, sleek lines underneath and fantastic crocodile materials.




Apparently Jessica Alba goes for a similar mix of styles because she was spoted carrying the clutch last night at the opening of her film Awake. Nice taste Jessica! We are also digging her Jacob and Co Jewelry. Classy.