Its in The Bag

Over the weekend I had a conversation with a friend and we were talking shop....bags, clutch bags to be precise.

I have a long standing love affair with clutch bags. They're what I started with for Tiger Tem, I own too many to count and I love a good clutch bag.

So when my friend said she didn't own one or particularly like them...I had to slowly pick my jaw off the floor. Don't like clutch bags? That's like saying don't like heels? Non?

She went on to explain after losing every clutch bag she'd owned as they either go stolen when she put them down or she kept forgetting them in clubs/bars/restaurants, she discovered the clutch bag underdog, the shoulder bag.

Never been a fan of the shoulder bag, I'm a day bag by day and a clutch bag by night kinda girl, but I felt inspired to do some major research into relatively unchartered territory. AND I haven't done a big fat bag post for ages.

So ladies, here's my selection of the best evening shoulder bags around, I've separated them into three price categories to make the looking, lusting, and choosing a little easier. As always half the fun of shopping is the aspiration and uberstylish ideas to emulate.

(I've done a straight swap with currencies which is what most retailers do i.e. $500 = £500 so if you're earning pounds, take advantage of the weak currency and promote yourself to a higher spending category by ordering online from the US!)

Enjoy.

Big Pimpin $500/£500 and above
I'll start with the biggest pimpin of all shoulder bags. The Chanel 2.55. Gotta love it. And this is the original chainlink strap, made even more popular by Marc Jacobs but if you're looking for a cheaper option choose carefully. Nothing like crappy hardware to kill a bag.


In second position to the Big Pimpin throne is the Fendi Baguette. One of the things I love about Fendi bags is they take their time honing one fabulous shape then offer it in a multitude of colours, prints, fabrics which keeps it all quite interesting and all the more covetable.



I'm in all types of love with the Jimmy Choo troy. Its a rather sizeable evening shoulder bag and in gold its a little more blingtastic than I'd like but its just so damn fabulous. £890.www.net-a-porter.com


I like this Jimmy Choo Discorama, partly because of the name but partly because its so unusual looking. Again no love lost for me with gold leather, but I'm loving that arabic style hardware detail at the bottom. A little tip, great hardware makes a bag look superexpensive and its always the little details like these that set the Big Pimpers apart from the Not Quite Pimpin Yet.


Hmm. I love the combination of chocolate and jade green and the peacock print on this,the double strap. I LOVE this bag. And you know it would look fabulous for all occasions, a black tie event to a night out rocking your baddest jeans. Valentino £680.www.net-a-porter.com


Mr McQueen had me at hello with the fabulous Novak bag but I think I actually prefer the mini Novak. See that hardware in the middle? And the detail on the straps....that the good stuff. The very good stuff. £770
.www.net-a-porter.com


The Chloe 'Gina' is a more understated choice. The supersoft buttery nappa leather is not for kids or to be used near kids as its the stuff that gets grubby really easily. All the more reason why a superclean one looks divinely luxurious. £597.
.www.brownsfashion.com


I'm a little undecided about the new Prada Campaign bag. Its called the Champagne and Caviar...great name. But I think all those ruffles would really irritate me. Anyway, its looks fabulous in this picture! $2000.www.neimanmarcus.com


I love me some GoldenBleu and this Audra fuses the classic Chanel quilting and chain strap with very modern red patent and I just love that double clasp thing, so useful!
$650.www.neimanmarcus.com


For someone that doesn't like gold bags that much I seem to have a lot on this page. (they photograph well, that's my excuse). This python skin bag from Pauric Sweeney is a little tougher and less pretty pretty thanks to the chocolate brown braided strap. Me likey.

Medium Pimpin $150/£150- $500/£500

Corto Moltedo is a relatively new name in the bag business...and you know being son of the Bottega Veneta founders must have been one serious leg up...but I'm not sipping from the cup of hatorade...I'm just stating the facts! I love this bag, the colour, the fact that it folds over, the braid detail, the gold studs (see? good hardware again). £499.www.brownsfashion.com



I'm loving the Gryson Elissa bag. Its tiny so supercute but the muted colours and the braid strap, chunky zip and clipped up sides give it a more rock edge. Me likey. $525.www.tobi.com



I love Hollywould! Their designs are always fabulous feminine and fun and flirty. Love this wicker clutch with the delicate marine life detail. (very very good hardware). $525.www.ilovehollywould.com (p.s. check out their site, they got a ker-razy summer sale going on)



Love the strap detail on this Armani bag. Sign up for fabulous sample sales at www.hautelook.com for more of the same. $195 down from $450.



Some fabulousity from one of the biggest names in the business Anya Hindmarch. Love the pleats and that strap. £410 www.anyahindmarch.com



Botkier is a force to be reckoned with and their edgy, tough looking bags are a new favourite on my radar. Who knew one so small could look so tough? The Cairo was $407 now $285. www.tobi.com



This is from fabulous Italian site www.forzieri.com. Love the colour combo and the dragon crest makes it look uberexpensive...that and the chainlink and leather strap. Yes its a total rip off the Valentino, but at $269 I won't tell if you won't tell.



Matthew Williamson seems a little quiet these days but I love this honeycomb inspired bag. The beaded patches over the white leather make this a perfect summery party bag. £305. www.net-a-porter.com.


Nothing quite beats the sexiness of a slick red bag and I'm loving this one from Julie K. The bow detail is just the cuteness. $160. www.lunaboston.com.


Its the unusual shape of this Furla bag that caught my attention. And the unusual shade of blue works a treat too. £155. www.furla.com.


Again the combination of unusual shape and colour is always going to catch my eye. And this is a perfect night out bag. Just enough room for your phone, cash, make up, keys and camera. The Jalda 'Doris' is $430 and available from www.neimanmarcus.com.


Not Quite Pimpin Yet $150/£150 and below

I wouldn't be Tiger if I didn't engage in some shameless plugging. This fabulous purple suede and gold croc bag with the antiqye gold strap (FYI antique gold straps look MUCH better than the 24k type). This is the fabulous little Sao Tome from Tiger Tem $150.


Absolutely fabulous winged detail on this handy edgy little bag from Blush B-lush. £175. www.asos.com.



Melie Bianco hails from LA and is making a name for themselves with their affordable 'interpretations' of runway style. I love the bold green of this foldover bag, and the raw edges and at $58...what's not to love? www.silviasshop.net.



Baghaus is another californian company that's doing brisk trade with their 'catwalk inspired' creations. Love this red bag, careful with the hardware though, it would have to look really good up close to pass the test! $25...www.baghaus.com.


Betsey Johnson is one of those smart designers who does a budget line. Hers is called Betseyville and I love this oversized vintage inspired bag. $110 www.nordstrom.com.



How cute is this accordion shaped bag? $150 from Bliss Lau at www.armcandy.com.



This adorable sunny yellow clutch is from a company better known for their gloves, Dents. Love the contrast of colour and the beaded strap. £28.


Forzieri are an Italian company that produce their own brand in fabulous little ancient manufacturers in Tuscany. If that hasn't sold this shimmery bronze leather bag to you, maybe the $94 price tag will. www.forzieri.com.



Calfhair bags have been a long standing favourite of mine and this print on the calf hair makes this Kate Landry bag look infinitely more expensive than its $65 price tag.


And last but not least on what must be my longest blog post ever, this canvas Marc Jacobs printed hobo. At £125 you know its Marc by Marc Jacobs and not Marc Jacobs, but its all good, its supercute. www.net-a-porter.com.

Tiger Tem Wants...Plenty

In this day and age when everything seems to be owned by the same people and backed by megabucks, its refreshing and inspiring to see a designer that has slowly and steadily worked her way up through the ranks without selling her soul to LVMH or PPR.

Today, the lady is question is Tracy Reese. Not really big in Europe but big in America. I'm a complete magazine whore so I had seen some of her stuff and heard the name a few times. Middle upper price range. Feminine, vintage inspired, quirky pieces.

Her designs are undeniably feminine with a wearable vintage/bohemian influence. Tracy Reese is the higher end line and Plenty is her diffusion line. In general you loose me at the word ‘boho’…I’m not a huge fan of the boho look, but Tracy Reese’s style sensibility seems to reflect the needs of the typical NY woman who needs to wear her clothes out the door in the morning, to the office, to dinner, to the bar and to the club.

A fabulous cream bag caught my eye and I did a little research in my usual obsessive way. And then I found out she was black. That made her story infinitely more inspiring because can someone please name one other black female designer with a flagship store in manhattan (2200 square foot), who’s line is sold at Neimans, Nordstrom, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Anthropologie and Scoop. Her work is consistently featured in Vogue, Elle, Harpers, Lucky, is a firm favourite with industry insiders, celebs and fashionistas. In 2006 she branched out into Home and Accessory collections.

Oh. My. God. That reads like my ultimate fantasy CV.





Plenty by Tracy Reese Halter Dress

I’m loving this dress. Its flowy without being shapeless and with a cute cardi and some vertiginous heels, this is the type of dress that works for so many occasions and on so many different body shapes. And you see that little peek a boo keyhole…as tyra would say, FIERCE!




Plenty by Tracy Reese Inset Cardigan

And this adorable cardi has my name all over it. The colour, the unusual crochet detail that gives a nod to vintage aesthetics but still looks sexy, pulled together and absolutely fabulous. The way it nips in at the waist is so flattering. Hmm. Think I’m going to get this one. And the stylists at www.tobi.com are just too damn good. I’m all over the bangles too.




And this is SO ME! Love it love it love it. Its a quirky twist on the LBD. The perfect cockatil dress...and I do like my cocktail dresses.




And this one too. I love the colours, the print, and the pockets on such a fitted dress are an unusual but fabulous choice. Perfect for dinner, drinks, parties, formal events, weddings..you name it, this dress has got it covered. I WANT this. I mean you'd she was paying me for this type of praise but you know how it is when you find something and you get that 'rush'...that WantItNeedItGottaHaveIt rush. Well that was what Tracy did for me.

And before you think that's it, just take a look at her handbags.




This satchel would make a great travel bag.



And this is such a gorgeous shape and colour.

Check out more of Tracy's collection on these sites
www.tracyreese.com
www.revolveclothing.com
www.nordstrom.com
www.anthropologie.com