Style Cynics » Burberry

Burberry Gems Satin Wristlet

Fashionista — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:49:25 +0000

Burberry, I’m absolutely applauding at my computer, here. You’ve finally broken the mold and created something that’s absolutely stunning! When I was a young girl in high school, one of my favorite things to do was to shop for the prom. Getting “the” dress was the highlight of it all, but I also loved to peruse the hundreds of candy-colored clutches on display to complete your look. I used to pick the shiniest, sparkliest clutch I could – so much so that now my closet at my parents’ house is full of old costume clutch handbags. The point is, this Gems Satin Wristlet by Burberry is exactly the sort of purse I would have chosen for my senior prom. That was the year of the Red Dress. I chose a silver clutch, but this would have done even better to set my outfit’s level to fabulous.

The Gem Satin Wristlet is made of red satin and has a silver-toned zip top. The clutch has all-over gem stud accents in an attractive X-pattern. It’s also got a detachable wristlet strap for easy carrying. Inside, the purse is lined with satin and has a five-inch depth so you can fit anything you need for the night in there. This bag is equally at home on the runway and paired with a beautiful evening gown. It doesn’t have to be prom-style – I could see myself carrying this at the next major function I attend. Burberry’s got it spot-on – even the price is right. You can get yours at SaksFifthAve.com for $620.00.

Here’s another red be-gemmed clutch from Stuart Weitzman. The Luna Bownight has a red leather exterior with a silver-and-Swarovski-crystal all-over accent. It’s got a top flap magnetic closure with a detailed interior lining, including a back-wall zip pocket. What’s especially nice is the fact that it’s small enough to carry with any evening gown. Fit lipstick, a slim cell phone, and a little wallet inside. Find it for $450 at Zappos.com.

If you’re not so much into the red handbags (and I am; also, I’m a fan of red shoes), you might try the Santi Jewelled Clutch. A carefully beaded evening bag, the snakeskin silver leather is ruched and decked with hundreds of little rhinestone jewels. You can choose to carry it in your hands or shoulder it with the delicate silver chain. Find it for $390.00 at Endless.com.

Burberry Shoulder Hobo

Fashionista — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:57:48 +0000

This is a hobo? Really? The last time I checked, hobo bags were, you know, a little more relaxed than this. Just when I thought Burberry was finally loosening up, they’ve gone back to their uptight plaid design. Now, don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I don’t appreciate the style of this bag and Burberry itself, but this is just not a hobo! Where’s the slouch? Where’s the soft fabric or leather? Not in this bag.

However, it is a stylish bag for everyday city wear or even work. It’s got a top zip closure with a stiff little buckle across the black and peach plaid exterior. The handle is made of dark-brown leather reinforced with silver hardware trimmings. It’s even got a detailed interior lining, with places for your cell phone and wallet. It’s made of PVC with leather trim. As bags go, this one isn’t bad. It’s just not one I would ever call a hobo. Thankfully, with the myriad of hobo handbags out there, I don’t have just this one to choose from.

What can you wear with a Burberry handbag that isn’t a suit? Well, I could see some girls wearing this with couture jeans and a nice top, or with a pencil skirt and white blouse. Burberry doesn’t really seem to do casual well – they’re more comfortable when they can dress up an already-amazing-looking woman. The price of this bag isn’t too shabby, either – most Burberry bags normally run to about $1500 on average. This one is $750 at Nordstrom.com.

Okay, so what’s a real hobo? Well, this bag, for instance. The Kate Spade Bilbao Flat Serena is on the fancier side of hobo bags, but it still gives an impression of elegant relaxation. You can get this one in shining red or black patent leather. It’s got silver-toned hardware, a license-plate signature detail, and drool-worthy metallic cowhide trim on the strap. In short, this is one of the best fancy hobo bags I’ve seen. Get it at Zappos.com for $478.95.

This, too, is a lovely fancy hobo bag that doesn’t give the impression of stiffness. In fact, it’s unique and wine-colored, two of my criteria for an excellent handbag. The Luba J Gecko Hobo has a berry-colored patent leather exterior with a reinforced strap and fine-grained leather trim. It’s got antiquated brass hardware, a violet suede lining and three-inch depth. This bag is so beautiful that it’s worth every penny. Find it for $645.00 at Endless.com.

Burberry Beaton Shopper

Fashionista — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:57:53 +0000

You know, it’s really nice to see Burberry breaking out of the stiff country-club-and-yacht design rut that they seemed to be in. It’s not that I hated Burberry handbags; rather, I just hated the same stiff plaid and two strap design. Now, the design company’s got their priorities straight – just look at this beautiful wine-colored quilted leather creation. It’s got an open top with a satin interior lining and beautiful polished nickel hardware. What I like most about this bag is the fact that it has the typical Burberry quilted exterior, but it also has a decorative belt and buckle detail that gives it a little bit more of a trendy look and appeals to younger fashionistas. Don’t worry, however; it’s still got enough room inside for all of your odds and ends, from sunglasses to cell phones, and everything in between. Heck, you could even take it to your country club, if you wanted – it’s versatile enough for casual and business wear.

Personally, I really like the fact that it has a double handle, because when I’m in a hurry, I don’t always wait to sling the bag over my shoulder. Of course, this means that I sometimes look a bit silly; running down the street holding the bag by its straps, but this sort of handle design ensures that when I’m running down the street with the bag in my hand, I actually don’t look like I just grabbed the purse randomly on my way out the door. Plus, with a beautiful purse like this, you want to make sure you’ve got a good hold on it. You can find the Burberry Beaton for a whopping $1995.00 at Nordstrom.com, but with this design, I think it’s worth it.

Here’s a shopper in the same genre as the Burberry, but it’s quite a bit cheaper and a little more casual. The Rampage Aspire Crinkle Patent North/South Shopper made of synthetic red leather and has silver-toned hardware, but it’s slightly larger at 11.75 inches wide and four inches deep. As well, it’s got a detailed interior lining and an eight-and-a-half-inch shoulder drop, so you can sling it over your shoulder, if that’s your thing. Find it for $81.95 at Zappos.com.

The Maxx New York Uganda Satchel is a hot little number that’s shiny, red and ultimately cool. You can get it in black or red, but either color’s going to shine. If you’re concerned with leather, don’t worry – this one’s manmade. It’s nine inches high, sixteen inches wide, and five inches deep and has silver-toned hardware. In short, this bag is awesome, and the price isn’t bad either – about 1/10 the price of the Burberry. Get it at Endless.com for $188.00.

Burberry Metallic Mesh Leather Shopper

afleet — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:09:42 +0000

It’s about time we finally saw some Burberry with an edge. Let’s face it, the traditional Burberry design makes me think of tennis matches and country club soirees – it definitely doesn’t reek of fun or excitement. Most purses from Burberry have been about as out of the box as their signature black, white, tan and burgundy rigid plaid. And plaid is about just as exciting as a game of cricket. It just seems stuffy and dry to me.

However suddenly out of nowhere comes this electrifying black mesh Burberry metallic leather shopper. Did you hear that “MESH”! What kind of tennis going cricket player wears mesh? One who has a great sense of style – that’s who!

There’s no doubt that Burberry makes mesh look stylish once again. You might think the metallic mesh might be overdoing it a bit, but it’s not as glam 1980’s as you might expect. This handbag has a double zip top practical design, with smoothed double rolled and rounded handles with polished nickel accents – oh and a nice polite pleat down the center to keep things on the up and up. I think the pairing of edgy black metallic mesh and classic Burberry name will welcome a generation of new Burberry fans.If you want to get your hands on what in my opinion is the most stylish and (dare I say Burberry and edgy in the same sentence) edgy Burberry to ever hit the runway, you’ll have to pre-order from the Fall 2007 collection, as there are limited quantities available for $2,295 from Nordstrom.com.Want to go even more daring – mix woven leather with metallic mesh with this Davis Woven Lambskin Hobo for $420 at Endless.com.Or choose from black, white or bronze colored brass mesh with the Whiting and Davis Dimple Mesh with Bamboo shoulder bag for $450, also from Endless.com.