Purple! Today is a very purpley kind of day, don’t you think? No? Well, I do, and it’s my blog, so I say it’s a purpley day! Yeah, I could’ve gone with something red, white, or blue today, but that would just be too cliché, you know? Yes, it’s our country’s birthday, and I understand about having pride and everything. I’m just not into seeing people wear flag motif…well, anything. It’s a bit much for me, and isn’t it kind of disrespectful to sit on the flag? Not to mention, to wear the flag as underwear. I don’t think that’s what Betsy Ross had in mind when she was creating the Stars and Stripes, and I seriously doubt George Washington was wearing Old Glory boxers when he crossed the Delaware. So wave your flags, enjoy the fireworks, but let’s avoid wearing the flag, huh? So back to the purple. Lavender, to be specific. It’s the perfect complement to the straw in this Serpui Marie Maria Angela Tote.
Obviously, straw makes for a great summer tote. It’s light, airy, and will dry quickly if it gets wet at the beach or pool. This Angela Tote would also make for a great shopping companion, though. The braided straw is trimmed with lavender leather,which includes the dual handles that give the tote a six-inch shoulder drop. For some odd reason, Serpui Marie decided to add two animal print panels to the tops of the handles. I could really do without those. They’re completely incongruous with the rest of the bag. The interior is lined with twill canvas, and has a back wall zip pocket as well as a slip pocket, perfect for holding sunglasses or a cell phone. They’re all leather trimmed, too, and the tote closes at the top with a magnetic snap. The Angela Tote is also on sale, marked down from $400 to $361 at Endless.com.
Budget Saving Alternative 1
Again with the animal print? Really? I like this Dooney & Bourke Fairfield Large Champosa tote for the most part. Mostly, it’s the color. But it’s leather, so it’s not really made for summer adventures at the shore. Stick to the mall. And I like the duck logo plate on the front, but it’s made in an animal print! Whose brilliant idea was it to give a duck leopard spots? Ok, maybe it’s ambiguous enough that it could pass for just tortoise shell, but that’s still a little on the weird side. Anyway, the tote is all leather, including the brown trim and rolled handles. The inside is lined with an interestingly colored fabric that complements the lavender exterior perfecly. There’s a back wall zip pocket, a slip pocket, and a key fob attached to a long leather tether. The top zips shut, and the bottom is flat to keep the bag upright. The Champosa is also available in black, brown, cobalt, gold yellow, hot pink, red, and taupe. It’s also on sale, although not by much. Usually $265, it’s now $212 at Zappos.com.
Budget Saving Alternative 2
Lacoste. Stylish. Classic. Eternal. This is my favorite of the three. The Lacoste Summer II Shopping Bag is roomy, beautifully colored, and affordably priced. Love it. It’s made from cotton canvas, which would also make it washable. Just don’t put it in the dryer unless you want to end up with a Barbie-sized tote. What’s great about this tote is it could probably double as a weekend getaway bag, especially with the included, detachable makeup pouch in the same lavender cotton canvas. The front of the tote has a slip pocket for extra storage, while inside there’s a huge zip pocket, and a key fob. Both bags have the signature embroidered crocodile logo (I guess today isn’t just a purpley day, but animal embellishment day on StyleCynics), and the hardware is all silver-tone metal. The Summer II also comes in pastel turquoise, strawberry sorbet, and vivid red. I may just get a couple of them since it’s only $100 at Zappos.com.
