Moschino Cheap & Chic Baby Butterfly Shoulder Bag

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 Alternative 1

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.

Budget Saving Alternative 2

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.