To the readers of Cuffington....recently someone sent me a fantastic question. In referring to
this post about shelling out more money than you normally would for an item that has staying power, she asks more specifically about what to look for in handbags.
In the aforementioned post, you pointed out it is probably better (if you are going for simplicity) not to stockpile handbags but have one main "go to". Here is the problem I have: many of the handbag designers out there don't make a handbag of quality up to day-in-day out wear (where you will actually be able to get your cost-per-wear out of it). Do you have any favorites up to the challenge? Are there any design elements that you look for in a handbag that may help with a search? You mentioned that with shoes, you get what you pay for. For the most part, I find that only a few handbag designers are worth the price they command. In a recent post, you stated that your beloved Chloe bag lasted about 3 years - do you think that is a fair output of value for the cost? (I realize that if I am going to use something daily, I probably can't be thinking about it still being around 30 years from now).
-- Questioning in Maryland
You bring up some excellent points, my friend. But I first want to back my ass up a bit and say that I wrote that eulogy for my Chloe bag prematurely. I think I had glanced at the small scratches on the leather and how the black canvas had faded to brown on one side and it filled me with a bit of despair. So I made a pretty big leap in saying I was euthanizing it. Hardly the case. I still use my Chloe bag about five or six days a week and will no doubt keep it in heavy use for years to come.
You ask about what to look for in picking out something that will stand the test of time. For something that you plan on using a lot, there are quite a few things to consider. Keeping the following things in mind as you browse will hopefully be of use to you.
1. Quality of material. Not just the leather, canvas and/or nylon that comprises the bag's body, but stitching, lining, and existence of hardware are super important. Here's where I elaborate:
2. Would the material scratch easily? Would it bother you if it got scratched? Some folks opt to buy a fancy sort of shoulder bag that has a slightly more rugged/lived-in feel to it, so that over time, as natural small amounts of wear and tear occur, it adds to the bag's character, augmenting it's look and making the fact that it looks lived-in adds an air of worldliness rather than carelessness. Darker colors work nicely. My bag is a combination of brown leather and black canvas, which I have found works really well. A black patent doctor style bag with a frame top is very classic and patent is also nice because it is very easy to keep clean.
3. Stitching. Look to see that the bag was made with love. Check for places where the stitching might be fraying or looks ready to unravel, especially around areas near the handles. Look for straight lines; this again speaks to the quality of the craftsmanship and the time spent in getting it right. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it should be to your satisfaction.
4. Hardware. Like the above two categories, look for quality and resistance to scratching. How is the closure? The zipper, if there is one? Can you envision yourself opening and closing this thing thousands and thousands of times and it holding up to the challenge? I also recommend some sort of hardware on the bottom of the bag - a scattering of a few little metal grommets can really make things last.
5. Be super honest with yourself about how you will physically carry the bag. If you truly want something that allows you to be hands-free, don't compromise or lower your expectations when you suddenly see a really cool bag that unfortunately has very short straps that would necessitate always carrying it in your hands. The space between the straps and the top of the bag is called the "drop" - so look for something that has a longer drop if you want a bag that you can sling over your shoulder. I think keeping it on your shoulder is better in terms of keeping it looking new (if that is something that concerns you), because the natural moisture and oils in your hands can cause discoloration on the handles of the bag over time. But ultimately, having the option of carrying it in your hands or over your shoulder makes it all the more versatile, and you'll get more use out of it.
6. Does it come with a dust bag? If you're not sure, ask, or just flat out ask the sales person helping you for an extra one. Like a nice case for your new sunglasses, you want to take care and protect your investment. With bags that I use a lot, it's kind of a pain to keep them inside dust bags because then you're constantly pulling them in and out, so instead I stuff the dust bags with balled up pieces of tissue paper or crumpled up newspaper and put it inside the bag when it's just sitting on the shelf. This really helps the bag keep it's shape. Then when you're ready to travel, dump out the crumpled up newspaper (I always set aside and reuse over and over again) and now you have a safe place for your bag to hang out in while it's in your suitcase. (I use that travel method for my clutches only, pretty much - putting a big bag in a suitcase can flatten it).
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It can take a long time until you find something that works for you. There are a lot of bags out there, so make a list of the components you couldn't live without and use it as a jumping-off point. Good luck!
Finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma is a cause that is quite near and dear to my heart. Team in Training will auction off every pair of jeans collected by Azalea and donate the proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. So either way you slice it, something positive comes from handing over your gently worn jeans. Go forth and do good, my friends.
I wore these out to the 7x7 Happier Hour last night, as part of an off kilter rockabilly meets 1920s Parisian ice cream parlor proprietor look and I have to say they really did the job. And this may sound very old person of me, but you know that feeling when you wake up after a night of standing or dancing in heels for hours on end and your knees are screaming at you? Didn't happen this morning at all. Two tone penny loafers are a go, my friends.
Do you ever pretend that you're in a movie, and during the scene in the movie where there is a montage of you doing stuff, some fluffy, catchy pop song plays in the background? In the movie of my life (starring Sigourney Weaver of course) I often reflect on what song would play during the scene where I am rifling through my closet, tossing items over my head, trying to figure out what to wear that day.
Today I had a morning coffee date with The Moms, then walked around the neighborhood documenting evidence of the arrival of the fairest of the seasons.
For me, images of spring indicators aren't just reserved for burgeoning flower buds. It's about something new and unexpected popping it's head up to say hello.
I took my leather jacket for a test drive. Although I thrifted it almost a year ago, the dolman-esque sleeves were never exactly to my liking. So, I had the sleeves taken in at Johnson Leathers and it is so much better now.
Things didn't really stop. And by 'things' I mean my relentless pursuit of more and more images of pieces from Miu Miu's S/S 2010 collection. Today I was trying to describe the collection for my friend Dyanna and gushed out something to the effect of 'It's this subversively high femme, whimsically jewel-encrusted, kitty-cat printed combination of pastels and navy blue with high collars, cut-outs, and totally pristine platform shoes that cause me to lose sleep over figuring out how I can get them on my own two feet.' She politely nodded and slowly backed away. 
This Starburst candy wrapper-pink dress was dangling from a hanger and at first it didn't really seem to have much to say. Until I took a closer look.
You see, it's not just that it's from Brass Plum, but the fact that it has the ultra old-school late 1980's Brass Plum tag (accompanied by the old style all lower-case Nordstrom lettering, not like the all-caps version we've had for about fifteen years or so). Some time in the early to mid 1990s we were suddenly supposed to call Brass Plum "B.P." and the tag changed to black and white block lettering. Why I remember these things and not other moments of my young life have been long since lost within the pages of that one issue of Sassy that is still collecting dust under my bed.
They had been just natural wood colored for all this time, and I had always meant to paint them white. I used Glidden spray paint and did it in the alley near my building. I like to use spray paint for these sorts of projects (movable items like picture frames and shelves that can be taken outside) because you don't have to mess with paint brushes and trays and all that stuff, and it always comes out evenly spread. I don't like the waste that brushes and trays create, but I fully realize that spray paint isn't perfect either and creates its own set of problems.
Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. This dress killed me with its crystalized ruffley piñata purple ombre can-can vibe. My favorite gown of the night. WHAT!
Nicole Richie in Reem Acra. I like how she chose a cut that was less conventional for Oscar. It has a low back which kept things glamorous and veered away from any tinfoil caftan parallels. Say what you will, I liked this one quite a bit. And someone under 50 wearing a long sleeve is unusual as well.
This one most people liked. Carrie Mulligan is a fan of Prada so it's no surprise she donned another frock by Ms. Miuccia this time around. The shorter hem in the front keeps this dress from being too pedestrian, and her long earrings really set it all off so well.
So many people loathed this one. I think if anything was wrong, this Chanel looked funny on SJP's skin tone more than anything else. In certain lights she looked too orange and that was unfortunate. It really is a knockout dress, and she's a dancer so she knows how to stand up straight and carry herself (I'm looking at you, Miley Cyrus).
The queen of the evening, the mother of my children, the impeccable Sigourney Weaver. In Lanvin. I about fell off the couch when my two favorite things in life merged together.
Now, a seasoned ginger is not something you'd find on the spice rack, but is rather a talented, charming, ass-kicking woman of a certain age who has held onto her natural ginger-haired color as she charges forward in life. A great example is Ms. Sonia Rykiel.
The formidable Bonnie Raitt gets to be part of the club as well - it's not just for the fashion world.
The grand dame of them all in my mind is Grace Coddington, one of my true heroes in life.
Honorable mention goes to my niece, who is far from being seasoned. She has yet to make one full trip around the sun, but she is a ginger, and truly fabulous in her own little ginger way.
