Style Cynics » Moschino

Love Moschino Cuori Tote

La Fashionista — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:00:07 +0000

I have to admit, the first thing I thought of when I saw this tote was Valentine’s Day. I almost didn’t include it here for that reason, but look at it! It’s just too cute to wait almost a whole year to blog about, and besides, by next February, it’ll be out in favor of some new style. There are very few fashions that are classic enough to stick around year after year. A lot of people make the mistake of getting too uptight about fashion. They have to have the latest releases from the hottest designers. Let’s face it, if we bought everything all the fashionistas said was hot, when they said it was hot, we’d be spending all our money for a closet full of only-worn-once clothes, shoes, and accessories. It’s best to go for classics for the majority of your wardrobe, and then have a few fun, fanciful items like this to punch up an ensemble when it suits you. So I say, take advantage of this while it’s available, and just enjoy it. The Love Moschino Cuori Tote is just too pretty to pass up.

Like most Moschino bags, this offshoot in the Love Moschino line is all leather. The exterior is true white, with bright red patent leather trim. The appliquéd hearts in multiple sizes are also bright red patent. Inside, you’ll find a cotton lining with a back wall zip pocket. The dual handles are also red patent, and attach to the bag with gold tone hardware, giving it a seven-inch shoulder drop. The top closes with a magnetic snap, which doesn’t mar the front pattern. The Cuori tote also comes in teal and blue, both of which have the red hearts on them, and both of which are absolutely hideous. Stick with the white for $480 at Endless.com.

Budget Saving Alternatives

The Elaine Turner Gidget Small Bucket is a more traditionally shaped tote, making it perfect for spring and summer. Not only that, it’s in one of the spring’s hottest colors, fuchsia. It’s made from cork and braided jute, woven together seamlessly. The trim, round platform bottom, and dual handles are bright white patent leather, which adds durability and shine. The handle bases are adorned with logoed studs, which for Elaine Turner, means cute little crowns. Inside is a pretty, coral-colored, logoed lining with a back wall zip pocket, and a magnetic closure. The Gidget also comes in natural, but I like the fuchsia best. And it’s on sale! Normally $275, it’s now just $151.25 at Endless.com.

This Rampage Venice Tote has a lot going on. So much, that I can’t really decide whether I like it or not. The exterior is all synthetic, and is comprised of woven strips of material in natural, beige, and fuchsia, the fuchsia strips being a shiny patent-like material. The top of the bag is trimmed with a wide band of dark brown synthetic material, with a few small braid accents, and a humongous silver tone embellishment that could double as a Texas belt buckle. Now, I like fuchsia. It’s one of my favorite colors. But the lining in this bag is just way too electric for me. It almost hurts my eyes to look at it. If you can manage to do so, there’s a back wall zip pocket in it. And it all comes together with rolled dual handles, and a magnetic closure. Like I said, there’s a lot going on. It’s also available in a black and white pattern, which somehow tones down the bright interior lining. Get the one you like for $98 at Endless.com.

Moschino A7503 Hobo

La Fashionista — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:58:30 +0000

One down, one to go. Thanksgiving is over, and it’s time to focus fully on the December holidays. Yeah, I know it’s not technically December yet. But if you’re like a lot of people, you were already getting ready for the big push last week. Or maybe you waited until today to buy gifts online because it’s Cyber Monday. I know I did. Nothing gets me out of bed at 4:30 in the morning but a fire, and even then, it had better be a big one. You do not want to be the one who disturbs my slumber. I can’t be held responsible for any scarring or detached body parts if you do. Anyway, while I’m not insane enough to stand in line for four hours just to get into a store at oh dark thirty, I will eventually venture out to the malls and box stores to do some holiday shopping. You can buy just about anything online now, but there are some things that need to be held and examined with your own eyes before you buy them. But I’ll tell you this—when I do go out shopping, I don’t dress to be fashionable. Oh no. It’s like combat. It’s all about comfort and utility. I’m not going to be walking around a mall in four-inch platforms. That’s just as insane as the early morning line-ups. So this week is about shopping gear, and we’re starting with a good, carry-all—the Moschino A7503 Hobo handbag.

I don’t know about you, but when I go in for some heavy duty shopping, I like to carry a big, slouchy handbag with lots of room. Other than my usual necessities—wallet, keys, sunglasses, whatever—I want some extra room to keep my hands free. If I buy something small, rather than hand-carrying an extra bag, it goes in my purse. I keep receipts for everything in case of returns. Well, I do that anyway, but especially during the holidays. I also stuff a celebrity rag in there to have something to do in case I do get stuck in a line, or in traffic, and I make sure it’s a good, recent one with great photos so I can look for deals on the fashions I find in the magazine. What, you think I’m going to be around all those holiday sales and not buy anything for myself?! I’m the easiest person I know to buy for. Makes the rest of my holiday shopping less stressful. I think I deserve a reward just for braving the mall when it’s all crazy busy. Anyway, this Moschino hobo has plenty of room for everything I need to carry, and then some. It’s 15.5 inches wide, 11.5 inches high, and 5 inches deep. Yeah, plenty of space. It’s made of soft, luxurious leather, with zip pockets on the exterior sides, and a platform bottom to stay upright while I’m digging through all the crap I’m carrying to find my wallet at the checkout. Yeah, I’m one of those. Deal with it. The interior of the bag is fully lined, with a back wall zip pocket, and magnetic snap closure. Dual shoulder straps give this roomy bag a 6.75-inch drop, just long enough to be comfortable, yet short enough to allow you to maintain control of the bag amidst the crowds. The Moschino hobo is on sale, too. It was $999, but now it’s $800 at Zappos.com.

Budget Saving Alternatives

Ok, yeah, I know. If you spent 800 bucks on a handbag right now, you’d be giving glued macaroni houses as gifts. Hmm…add a little glitter, maybe some food coloring…no! I can’t do that again this year! Giving the same gift two years in a row is just tacky. Anyway, as pretty as that Moschino handbag is, I could buy at least eight handbags for that price, and still look just as good. Take a look at the Nine West Patty Hobo bag. It has roughly the same dimensions as the Moschino bag, so it will give you plenty of room for everything you need to throw in there for your shopping adventures. Part of the reason why it’s so affordable is that it’s not made from real leather. The bag is all synthetic material, but still has the rich look of leather. And really, who’s going to be walking up touching your bag to see if it’s real leather? Anyone touching my bag at the mall might lose a hand. I know, again with the losing limbs. It’s Monday, and I’m cranky. Just don’t mess with my sleep or my purse! The lining is nylon, and features a zip pocket and a slip pocket just right for a cell phone. It’s just $79 at Piperlime.com.

Now I didn’t purposely go looking for another Nine West bag, it just so happens I like the Antioni Large Hobo too. It’s made from soft, brushed fabric, and I like the ruching detail on it. It gives the bag a feminine appearance, while still being utilitarian. The trim is also synthetic with a leather look, which makes this bag just as affordable as the Patty. More so, actually. It’s fully lined in polyester, and has a top zip closure to keep everything safe and secure while you’re browsing the shops. The Antioni also has plenty of room for everything at 16 inches wide, 10 inches high, and 6.5 inches deep. The single shoulder strap gives the bag a ten-inch drop, and the front buckle adds a nice decorative detail. Best of all, it’s on sale! Usually $89, you can get the Antioni for just $66.75 right now at Endless.com.

Moschino Cheap & Chic Baby Butterfly Shoulder Bag

La Fashionista — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:00:47 +0000

I swear, I am not looking for all things butterfly! They just keep popping out at me. Maybe it’s a sign. If a white butterfly crosses your path, it’s supposed to be good luck. Well, none of the butterflies I’ve seen lately have been white, but I’ve still felt lucky because some of the butterfly things I’ve seen are just gorgeous. Whatever kind of sign it is that they keep showing up whenever I’m looking for new things to write about, I don’t think I should ignore it. And when it’s orange, too? No way I can ignore it. And I think if I were carrying this Moschino Cheap & Chic Baby Butterfly shoulder bag, no one would be able to ignore me, either.

Just look at it. It’s not blatantly butterfly-adorned like some of the other bags I’ve seen lately. It’s called a butterfly bag because of the pleats on the front and back. The buckled strap in the center tapers the bag, making it look like a butterfly. Ok, so maybe you have to use your imagination a bit, but trust me, it’s there. The bag is made from goat skin, and has a satin lining. Two buckled side pouches add extra space for small items, and the silver hardware adds a shiny touch. A platform bottom gives the bag stability, while the top zip closure keeps your belonging secure. The dual flat straps are the perfect length for either hand carrying, or for the shoulder with a seven-inch drop. What I love most is that in addition to it being orange, the leather has a shimmery metallic sheen to it. I have to say, though, the name irks me a bit. Cheap & Chic? Well, the chic part is a given, no doubt about that. But I find it difficult to call any bag cheap that normally costs $995. Who are they kidding with that name? Marketing only goes so far, guys. Nice try, but even at the sale price, it’s still a bit steep at $853.09 from Endless.com.

Budget Saving Alternatives

Maybe if the butterfly bag were white, we’d get lucky with a bargain price. Until that happens, there are tons of other options. One I like is this Big Buddha Tribeca shoulder bag. The olive green color is perfect for the transition into fall, but guess what? It also comes in orange. This bag just didn’t do justice to the orange after the metallic leather, though. For this synthetic suede, I like the green. It has a satin lining with an interior zip pocket, and there’s an outer zip pocket as well so you can easily access the things you need most, like your keys. The bag zips closed at the top, and the ridged double handle gives the bag a nine-inch drop. And get this—it’s 20 inches wide, 12 inches high. It could almost qualify as a weekender, and probably would work as an overnighter. You can find out for just $90 at Piperlime.com.

Ok, I know this bright blue isn’t exactly a fall color. Sue me. I’m still holding on to a little bit of summer. Besides, if you want something more fall-like, Volcom’s True Romance shoulder bag also comes in brown and black. Huh. Not sure where they got that name. I could see if it were red or pink, but black, brown, and shocking blue? Weird. Anyway, it’s made from very soft faux leather, and is not wanting for storage space. It’s 16.5 inches wide, and 9 inches high, so there’s plenty of room inside. There are also four exterior flap pockets with snap closures—two on the front of the bag, and two on the sides. The interior lining also has a back wall zip pocket. The storage possibilities are endless. The bag also has dual handles with a nine-inch drop, and a platform bottom to keep it upright. Check it—just $48 at Zappos.com.