Almost Packed

Particularly Poignant Purples For Pleasing Purse Purchases

For whatever reason we feel the urge to be alliterative. We think this may come from sheer laziness or perhaps a perceived need for content but the idea of consonance is so appealing. As we learned today the relative formal accessibility of alliteration makes it one of the most commonly used literally tools in English, tracing its origins back to Old English and other Germanic languages.

Alliterative verse in which the poetry relies heavily on consonance and assonance rather than rhyme was used most notably in the epic Beowolf. And while we rather disliked the new animated 3D version with Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother we still like the alliterative poetry of these particularly purple purses They really POP from the page as you might say.

   



Clockwise from Left: Boy Renwick Purple Bag, Purple Quilted Balenciaga Bag, B Romanek Caimon "Rock Star" Clutch, Foley and Corinna The Little Clutch, Linea Pelle Angie Bag

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!

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.

Marc Jacobs Monica Mink and Python Clutch

We have nothing against fur per say as we own a few vintage coats ourselves. But we have never been able to figure out why people buy furry bags. It looks like you are carrying around a tribble (you know, those cute alien animals from Star Trek?)

The Marc Jacobs Monica Mink and Python Clutch is distinctly evocative of the little alien. With strips of mink and python pieced together we admit to wondering what the allure could possibly be to own this sort of bag. Sure it is made of luxurious materials but it doesn't keep you warm. Perhaps that is the true definition of luxury and we are simply too pedantic or bourgeois to really understand.

Coach Madison Satin Clutch

Lew Frankfort, the CEO of Coach is paid very handsomely to keep his brand beloved by many. And that has meant moving beyond the logo bags that made the brand famous. Clearly Lew is doing his job as Coach has accessible designer goods that will stand the test of time, well at least the design will! We love this Coach Madison Satin Clutch.


Simple in form and clearly timeless, this clutch is perfect as a starter evening bag for a young woman looking to purchase a bag that will get her through an number of more formal events from cocktails to charity committees. We hope Coach keeps churning out more trendy stuff because a bag is a classic that could fill any niche. And one classic bag in the wardrobe means you don't really need 15 trendy ones. You just want them. Which we think that is what Lew is counting on!