Loewe's Poplular Puzzle Bag

Photo: Fashionphile

The popular decade-old Puzzle bag was the debut bag of Loewe's new creative director in 2014, Jonathan Anderson, and what a brilliant brainchild it turned out to be, putting a purse from a forgotten heritage brand on top of every luxury fashionista's wish list. The puzzle bag's unique cuboid shape and cutting method create its recognizable geometric lines. It was first conceived as a man's duffle bag. After women began buying it, the puzzle bag was also parlayed over to the women's department.

The Puzzle bag became a hit, not only due to its artistic modern design but also because of its rich and durable calf leather and outstanding craftsmanship. Each bag is hand-stitched together. The bag is fairly practical too. Not only does it hold all your everyday essentials, but it's also super versatile to use: You can clutch carry it, grab its top handle, or wear it as a shoulder or crossbody bag. Plus the bag has no screaming logos. Industry people like to call the Puzzle bag quiet-luxury, an if you know, you know bag. It also folds flat.

The bag is available in 5 sizes: Nano (5.25 x 4" x 2"), Mini (6.75" x 4.5"), Small (9.5" x 6.25" x 4.25"), Medium (11.5" x 7.75" x 4.75") and Large (14" x 8.25" x 5.75"). 

Now there are 2 versions, the Original Puzzle bag and a redesigned version called the Puzzle Edge bag. Here's the difference: (1) The Original Puzzle bag is made of several pieces of leather that are separately hand-sewn together, and it takes longer to make while (2) the Puzzle Edge bag has fewer pieces of leather that are folded into the same iconic cuboid shape for quicker production. (1) The Original has visible black lines where the seams are sewn together (2) while the Edge with leather folds doesn't. (1) The Original bag has metal feet and (2) the Puzzle Edge omits them. I don't know about you, but I favor bags with metal feet to protect the bottom of the bag. Why remove them?

Photo: Fashionphile

Many observers fear the Puzzle Edge is replacing the Original Puzzle bag, but so far both editions are for sell on the company's website at about the same price.

So will the original puzzle bag eventually be phased out? Nobody knows, but it kind of looks like it. More customers seem to prefer the original over the newer puzzle edge.

The puzzle bag still maintains its early duffle bag likeness, and fashion editors think it will be around for a long, long time to become a classic, making it hold its value on the resale market.

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COACH In Lieu Of Jacquemus

I sound like a broken record, in saying I'm not a luxury bag maven. Instead, I'm loyal to COACH because you can't beat the leather, craftsmanship, or durability of its bags while spending far less money than what you'd pay for similar in-quality, luxury handbags. I hope the fantastic value of COACH continues into the future as Tapestry, COACH's parent company, recently bought Versace. How disappointing if we start seeing steep price hikes on COACH bags! So far, so good!

Certainly, I appreciate a well-made handbag, and can understand the appeal and temptation of procuring the top-tier luxury brands! Yet, even luxury bags that aren't as exclusive, well-made, or insanely overpriced as Hermès are expensive! Let me show you one example that sells for around $1,000 then I'll show you a COACH handbag to consider costing about 1/7 less in price. Wouldn't it be great to keep a tidy sum of your own money in your bank account?

The Jacquemus Le Grand Bambino Crossbody at $1,025 is a stunning classic handbag. If you bought it in a department store like Nordstrom, or Neiman Marcus at the right time, you could shave off roughly $130 from its full retail price. There is nothing wrong with this bag ... it's notable in leather, style, and craftsmanship.

And yet, if you're willing to compromise a tad on style to still end up with a smart, classic, and stellar leather handbag, consider the COACH Large Morgan Crossbody. At COACH's Outlet, the Morgan costs between $135 - $199 depending on color. It comes in black, white, light violet, light blue, dark green, red, and blocked canvas. While stock lasts, the Morgan is offered in either refined calf or crocodile-textured leathers. The workmanship of COACH is impeccable, plus guaranteed for life.

Obviously, the Morgan and Bombino aren't replicas of one another, but both bags have a similar shape, size, and classic vibe. Although I love the top handle and edginess of the Jacquemus, personally I wouldn't pay an extra $800 for it because the bags are enough alike in the ways that matter. You get the effect for far less moola. A true handbag aficionado would likely want the Bombino at any cost. Are you a bag enthusiast who'd part with an extra $800 if you had a similar cheaper option?

COACH is accessible to everyone with a job. I prefer sales to exclusiveness. COACH possesses everything I need: Classic style, fine leather, excellent craftsmanship, and durability at a fair price.

Of the two brands featured, which bag would you buy? Please explain.

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Coach Has Cute Novelty Bags

Bow or bone bag

I'm a huge fan of COACH bags for the brand's quality leather(s), craftsmanship, and price. You get a lot of bag for the money, especially when catching a sale. I don't tend to buy novelty bags but think they're super cute! So I'll feature several of the fun, unconventional COACH bags for the handbag mavens who read the blog. Perhaps you have functions to attend where you can sport a statement bag that is less practical with a touch of whimsy, as well as, have the closet space to store it.

Star bag

Duck bag

Heart bags in Nappa or Glovetan leathers 

A Lip bag in Glovetan leather

Much like an evening bag, you can only carry a few essentials - a cardholder or slim wallet, keys, comb, maybe lipstick, inside these bags ... not your go-everywhere necessities. These fun bags are about the same price as a roomy-sized everyday bag. Some customers have the budget and closet space for such bags, and if so, they need to look no further than COACH for the same stellar quality as you'll find in all COACH bags.

 

Do you have a favorite shape?

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Delvaux Tempète Is The Hermès Bag Alternative

Regardless of what critics say about how Hermès does business or what it charges for its Birkins and Kellys, everybody agrees the quality especially the craftsmanship of Hermès handbags is impeccable. You cannot buy a better-made bag, and the company has no shortage of luxury customers. Despite its cost, a Birken is the world's #1 best-selling luxury bag.

Repeatedly I've disclosed that I'm not a bag maven and would never spend more on a handbag than what I pay at Coach. I love my capsule of Coach bags. They fill my every need for status😛, style, and usefulness around town, but it doesn't mean I don't admire Hermès or other exclusive handbags. Is there anyone who doesn't love touching and examining leather goods, especially from the top-of-the-heap, stellar brands? New York City is a fun place to browse! You get to know fashion and labels whether you buy them or not.

Delvaux Tempèux is a handbag for consumers who want the peerless quality of Hermès without playing the games or paying the price of Hermès. Nowhere near cheap -- at $5,900 -- but far less than a Birken or Kelly and customers don't have to wait years to buy it, nor cultivate a relationship with a sales associate by making prior purchases just to get offered a Birkin handbag that is sometimes not in your color of choice. In fact, Hermès' way of doing business has given rise to a healthy resale market, where Birkens often cost much more than what owners paid for them new.

Founded in 1829 by luggage maker Charles Delvaux, Delvaux is a Belgian fine leather goods company. 

Bar none, the Delvaux Tempèux is a gorgeous handbag made of full-grain calf leather and lining. With a sleek, functional design and gold metal hardware, it has a closure I personally like over Birken's and Kelly's more complicated closures. Unlike a Birken, this bag comes with a crossbody strap.

If you pine for a Hermès handbag without the wait or added expense, the Delvaux Tempèux is the perfect bag for you! Just like the Hermès Birken and Kelly, the leather and craftsmanship of the Delvaux Tempèux is flawless. You can get it in the standard sizes and the usual variety of colors and leathers just like Hermès handbags. Industry people like to call it an "if you know you know" bag. You can call it checking all the boxes without nonsense for a lot less moola.

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Aspinal The Alternative to Logo Luxury Bags

Full grain leathers - nappa and cow

Welcome to the world of Aspinal of London, where customers can buy top-notch luxury bags or small leather goods without the hype, games, serial price hikes, or ostentatious logos that are becoming disturbing among a few well-known luxury brands. Merchants who don't value their customers are not our friends. Aspinal of London is!

Aspinal offers high caliber leather(s), expert craftsmanship, and attention to detail with extras for your money; and their bags list for $1000s less than the showy logo brands. 

Furthermore, you are provided with excellent and friendly customer care. Just for signing up for emails, you get an instant 10% savings, and periodically there are sales with up to 70% off. Save your Alexander Hamiltons on fine leather goods. Frankly spending them for exclusiveness is a middle-class illusion according to marketers! Luxury houses design special lines not for public sale for their wealthy clients.

Aspinal's fine leather bags are ultra stylish, sturdy, tasteful, and timeless. Does the quilted black bag with gold hardware on the left remind you of a coveted bag that just announced another price increase (of 15.7%)? The Chanel medium double flap bag now sells for $11,850 (up from $10,200) without offering customers any improvements! In fact, numerous customers claim the quality of the double-flap bag has taken a nose-dive and is no longer worth its asking price.

 Not only is the classic Aspiral bag of superior quality, but it also has a few frills such as 4 golden feet to protect the leather. You get more for less money.

If you are looking for a substantial full-grain leather luxury bag, then look no further than Aspinal of London where you find excellence, a fair shake, and outstanding customer service when you walk in the door, as well as, after you purchase your bag. Take a consumer oath: From now on, support brands who work to be your friends!

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Although I examine and admire many luxury bags I don't own any such as Hermes, Chanel, or Louis Vuitton. I'm a lover and owner of 5 Coach bags.

 

As it turns out Tapestry, Coach's parent company, is buying Capri Holdings, the parent company of Versace and Jimmy Choo, brands that position themselves as luxury goods. On the other hand, Coach since 1941 has always marketed itself as a fine leather goods company, not a luxury brand despite the stellar craftsmanship of its fine leather goods, and I hope with the acquisition of its new luxury targeting holdings Coach never lowers its own standards or raises its prices. Time will tell. Some well-known luxury brands in spite of hefty price tags aren't made as well as Coach!

Among its inventory, Coach offers several totes of different sizes and leathers. The Rae Tote is my newest favorite. At 11.1"H x 13.1"W x 5.1"D it's the perfect size to carry all our essentials including a 13" laptop, and yet it's compact and more roomy than enormous. I'm also hugely fond of its glovetan leather, named after the leather used to make baseball gloves. It has 2 inside slip pockets to hold smaller items plus a removable leather zip pouch and crossbody straps. The inside lining is suede. The handles are made to fold on the interior or exterior of the tote and when folded cleverly form 2 perfect "C"s for Coach!

Nothing about the Rae Tote gives me pause except its $750 price tag. Priced well below luxury bags, customers get superb quality and craftsmanship for the money. Still yikes! I want this one more than truly need it, and knowing that a change is coming ... oh Coach lead me not into temptation!👺

Let's hope and pray Coach stays Coach, a fine leather goods merchant outside the luxury market, and its bags won't double, triple, quadruple, quintuple, sextuple ... decuple in price!🙏🙏🙏

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Evening Bags With Glitter

ASOS Top Shop Fliss Diamante Chain Shoulder Bag

Evening bags don't hold much and don't get used daily so I've never wanted to spend over $50 to buy one, and frankly, I don't think we need to do so. The exception is if you find a multi-purpose bag you can dress up or down to use daily or take to galas. Examples include a small Lady Dior, a small Chanel flap bag, or my Coach Marlie Top Handle here.

Nigikala

But what if we're really in the mood to carry some serious shimmering, shiny, sparkle? Oh, lots of fun! Sooo, let's do a roundup of budget-friendly bags with fancy jewels and blinding glitter. All of the bags highlighted today are $50 or less.

Nigikala - technically no glitter but jeweled

I.N.C. International Concepts from Macy's

I.N.C. International Concepts at Macy's

Club Velvet Evening Bag with jewel closure

La Regale at Macy's

If you pin for an evening bag at Macy's that is over $50 -- I saw a ton of cute ones under $100 -- wait for a promotion (like a Friends and Family sale) to roll around or keep checking the Last Act rack (online) to bring its price down to under $50. You can count on Macy's to lower prices on everything eventually. Macy's carries a huge selection of ever-changing inventory that it keeps moving!

Another excellent place to find gently used evening bags is a good 2nd hand store. People tend to buy a glittery bag for a big event, use it a couple of times then give it away after it lays around unused for years. You can find a steal in like-new condition not at the RealReal or Preloved markets (they buy and resell pricey luxury bags) but at Housing Works, The Salvation Army, or Goodwill (they carry donated items)!

I'll go as far as saying if you apply yourself you'll pay less than $20 for your next good quality evening bag!

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Hulken's Schlepping Bag On Wheels

While walking home I saw a woman carry roughly 3 bags of groceries 40 blocks in a Heluken's Bag on Wheels and now I want one. I caught up with her and ended up chatting with her about the bag for 20 blocks or so. She gave me the details and discussed how she loved her Hulken's Bag on Wheels and uses it to carry so many heavy things. I noticed its wheels and 5 handles were strong and well-made which she confirmed, as well as, emphasized how happy she was with her purchase.

There are 3 sizes - Small: 14x8x18 inches, Medium: 16x12x20 inches (these 1st 2 sizes have 4 wheels) and Large: 20x16x24 (the large has 5 wheels); and 3 colors: Black, Silver and Rose Gold.

There are times I have to choose between a gallon of milk or a gallon of laundry detergent at Target or the supermarket because I can't carry both home on the same trip.

The reason I seriously want a Hulken's schlepping bag is ... it's ideal for Manhattan apartments since it's easy to store by folding up nearly flat when not in use. Metal carts take up more space, yet are about 1/3 of the expensive! The manufacturer put a lot of thought into making a durable tote bag on wheels. You pay for the design, innovation, and the fact there are no similar knockoffs on the market. 

I like the medium size in silver for schlepping groceries and goods around Manhattan but may want the large size. Buying both sizes is impractical, so I'll have to wait a beat to decide which size to get. Perhaps the large bag with a 5th wheel isn't too big. Plus wouldn't it be nice to find a deal somewhere on the web or at a retailer that sells the bag?!🛍

Stay tuned!

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Coach's Blaine Backpack Is a Hot Deal

Available in a few colors and materials

Coach's Blaine Backpack is perfect for today's need to carry your electronics out of your home into the world for work. With inside sleeves and multifunctional pockets to protect your devices, it holds your laptop and tablet, and phone plus their chargers. You'll also have space for documents you may need for the day, as well as, your sunglasses, keys, wallet, and a meal bar or snack to keep you going. Home away from home until evening.😊

An attractive sleek design in sturdy pebble leather or canvas-and-calf leather, I will always favor leather over canvas bags and backpacks however it's a personal preference. Both look fabulous!

This well-made, practical bad boy, originally priced at $598, is Coach Outlet's hot deal selling at 65% off for $209.30. Nice as with a degree of care (although you don't have to baby them), Coach bags last a lifetime!

Long-time readers know of my love for Coach bags ... all the quality and craftsmanship of French luxury bags without the ridiculous markups or silly games. Coach is a leather goods company that doesn't market itself as a status luxury retailer. Customers only pay for excellence ... not for pretentious, and ultimately meaningless hype.

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Pond Los Angeles 4-Way Transform Tote

Pond Los Angeles makes luxury leather bags and accessories at fair prices for the modern woman. It uses the same high-end materials as the haute couture brands without the latter's excessive markups. The independent retailer focuses on innovative design, expert craftsmanship, and attention to detail, all the features we want without the shocking markup! It's a label for consumers who want timeless well-made essentials but can't justify spending thousands of dollars more for a status name.

The brand's 4-Way Transform Tote is clever. Compact yet spacious with smartly placed organizing pockets, it fits a 13" or 15" laptop in a padded section, a water bottle, and everything else you need for work when on the run. The structured tote is produced from American Saffiano leather that is waterproof and scratch resistant. The tote's leather won't show wear and tear. And you have to admire the tote's versatility. A true multi-tasker!

Carry the tote by its handles, use it as a shoulder or crossover bag, or transform its straps into a backpack. Additionally, at the airport, the shoulder straps can convert into luggage straps using a built-in converter.

The Pond Los Angeles Transform Tote is the perfect, well-thought-out, travel bag with zippers and slots, and pockets, oh my! There's also an interior leather key leash with a D-ring. Not dirt cheap yet reasonably priced, plus it goes on sale, and it sometimes lands on the pre-loved market deeply discounted! This is the kind of leather bag, worth splurging on because you get a lot for it -- quality, functionality, and durability! You're not paying for a name. Be on the lookout for a deal!👀

On Thursday, I'll discuss a famously popular bag, and I've already written the blog. Please keep this bag in mind to understand how you might sometimes save for a worthwhile splurge verses one that perhaps isn't worth spending the money on.

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Portland Leather Is About Quality

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Portland Leather Goods Are About Quality

Portland Leather goods are designed to be simple, durable, and affordable. It's genuine leather people don't have to save 6 months of salary to buy! The inventory is understated and basic, yet well-crafted and pragmatic. In your possession, the well-priced pieces will endure for decades.

My favorite articles are the backpacks, totes, and Chelsea boots. A selection of small leather goods (again note, they're real leather, not synthetic!) is a good value even before applying a 25% discount code or perusing the Amost Perfect Sales section.

The wallets do everything we need them to do, and for simple basic designs, the above Chelsea boots (available in several colors) and matching tote bag are a smashing duo!

What Portland Leather items tempt you? Do the fair prices compared to their French competitors surprise you, or make you wonder why you'd ever pay 1000s more for a designer name?

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