Remember that old fashion maxim that you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day? It’s crap. How was that ever supposed to work, anyway? If you look at a calendar as a circle, in that Labor Day eventually rolls around again, when were you supposed to be able to start wearing it again? Technically, any day that’s not Labor Day is after the Labor Day that preceded it. Anyway, white is one of my favorite colors to wear in winter. Other than providing great camouflage, it’s a great way to add some brightness or even sparkle to your wardrobe without overdoing it on the sequins. For me, though, adding white to my wardrobe works much better by carrying a white handbag than actually wearing white. White clothes on me are like food magnets. I cannot wear any article of white clothing and then eat without getting some of whatever I’m eating on me. That is a rule more ironclad than not wearing white after Labor Day. But I need to replace my favorite white handbag because, well, it’s my favorite so I use it a lot and it’s looking a little worn. Not to mention, what is that there on the side, tomato sauce? Anyway, I went looking for a great white handbag (Heh. Sounds like it should have teeth.) and ran across this Bodhi Oval Box handbag.
This is the cutest! It reminds me of the pillbox hats Jackie Kennedy used to wear, but it also has a bit of a picnic basket look to it. But in a good way! Hmm…I wonder how many cupcakes it would hold. In any case, it’s a true vintage look with a bit of a modern twist. I love the quilt detailing, which reminds me of Chanel without the price tag. And this Bodhi bag is made from super soft lambskin. I know, those poor little lambs. But they were going to get whacked anyway to make lambchops, right? So don’t feel too guilty about it. I like this wintry white, but the bag is also available with a white body and different colored lids and straps—black, yellow, orange, and blue. It has a beautiful logo jacquard lining, and the top flap has a magnetic closure, and an oval mirror inside that mimics the shape of the bag, not to mention gives you a way to give your lip gloss a quick check on the go. What’s really interesting is, just below the mirror is a slender strip of leather with the following saying embossed on it: “Those who bend in the wind are strongest.” While you ponder that, go check out this Bodhi handbag. It’s on sale, down from $398 to $378.10 at Endless.com.
Budget Saving Alternative 1
Hey, did you know Chinese Laundry also makes handbags?! I didn’t, until I saw this Michelle satchel. I like the unconventional shape of it. It reminds me of a fan somehow, like the ones ladies used to carry all the time way back when. The other thing that’s cool about this bag is its versatility. You could definitely carry it to the office, but it would just as easily go with jeans and a sweater. It would also go great with a pencil skirt. With the way the bag itself flares out, I think you’d be better off carrying it with more fitted clothing. The strap that wraps around the middle contrasts just a bit, but not so much as to detract from the design, and boasts contrast stitching as well. At 26 inches wide, there’s enough room to carry anything and everything you may need. The bag is made from vinyl, with nylon lining that is also in contrast to the rest of the bag. The lining in this white bag is a beautiful fuchsia. The purple bag has a mustard colored lining, and the dark gray bag has a deep red lining. Get a couple of them since they’re only $108 at Endless.com.
Budget Saving Alternative 2
This is my favorite of the bunch. I like Big Buddha bags anyway, and I’ve featured a Big Buddha Miranda before, but that was a hobo bag. This Big Buddha Miranda satchel is not quite as wide, but it does have the same awesome quilted look and braided handles. But the reason this is my favorite isn’t just that it’s white—it’s that it’s pearlized white. I can’t stop looking at it. It’d be like carrying around a big jewel. Look at the way the light hits it, and imagine how it would look in soft, ambient light. Beautiful. Just like all Big Buddha bags, it’s made from PVC. And get this: The interior is lined with synthetic leather that’s a soft, metallic gold. I love this bag! It also has a wide, flat base to make it more stable, and to give extra room. In addition to the braided double handles, it comes with a detachable shoulder strap. I think I’d prefer to hand carry this one. It would almost be like wearing a big pearl ring. If the white’s not doing it for you—which I would totally not understand, but whatever—it also comes in a drab, flat mustard with the same gold lining. Blech. Go for the pearly white! Come on, it’s only $80 at Endless.com.
