to shop / what i bought and like

FYI, Everlane is currently Pop-In@Nordstrom.

I am a fan of the idea of Alex Mill, by J.Crew’s Mickey Drexler’s son. Most pieces are simple, a little boxy, and certainly too simple to pay full price. Nordstrom has some items on sale; I kept the balcamaan jacket and textured dot shirt.

via

COS dainty earrings on my list.

2018 thoughts on bags

Updated: Bao Bao Issey Miyake added

Every year I intend to write ‘year in review’ posts. Somehow time escapes me, so let’s see if this works this year. I plan to write on different topics. First up: bags.

I go through periods of times of buying no bags and then bam! I get a few. I bought a few recently, mostly black bags.

($$$$ to $)

• The spendiest purchases were driven by Hedi’s takeover of Céline. I couldn’t get myself to Europe soon enough, so I managed with duty free shops in Seoul. Prices are comfortably below US prices and the # of stores are somewhat plentiful. I went to 4 duty free boutiques – 3 in Seoul and 1 in the Incheon airport! For the most part, what I purchased is what I have wanted to purchase for years but the opportunity and urgency never arose. I have no regrets with my purchases, although I have yet to use all of them. I have invested in Samorga inserts for most of them.

I am hesitant to buy Céline secondhand online. It’s hard to assess the structure of a non-super structured bag on the internet. Or for example, the Trio was quietly redesigned in recent years where the straps that connect to the purse were reinforced. This isn’t apparent in most online listings. I wouldn’t want to buy an older Trio. I haven’t sold any of my Célines, but the resale of some of them look roughly the same as duty free. It’s a no lose situation, in my opinion. Some of the classic Phoebe Philo designs are still around but now don the new Celine logo (no accent over the é) and new colors.

Image: Celine

• (Updated: Can’t believe I forgot to include Bao Bao!) My friend Pam got me into Bao Bao Issey Miyake bags. At some point, they were super hard to buy in Asia. Almost everyone and their mom has one, it seems. They are popular with the older crowd. The brand is Japanese, but I found these bags much better stocked in the US and sometimes on sale/discount! I have four of the totes in different sizes (Prism or Lucent) and got the last one when I was in Tokyo. I highly recommend these for its lightweight, low maintenance, easy to pack (flattens), and uncommon style (at least outside of Asia). I think I’m done for now!

Prism Tote in a Japan-exclusive color

to shop / {sale alert} clare v la tropezienne in white and black

My favorite Clare Vivier style after all of these years is still the La Tropezienne (previously reviewed). There are two colors (white and black) in the short handle length (the OG) that is currently on super sale. Rare, considering CV’s own site no longer carries them.

Note: If anybody else loves the original La Trop luscious, thick, durable leather as much as I do, they refer to it as “Old Fashion” and I think “Rustic”. They are using this leather in the new Le Big Sac on Clare V and Anthropologie. They also used it for the black Frances shoulder bag, which is now sold out (Edit: Found it here). I got both bags in black in late 2017 and they had both sold out quickly. Le Big Sac just came back in new colors. I may eventually post a review of both. If you see either sold on Garmentory, proceed with caution.

Without further ado, a mini ode to the white La Trop:

Images: Clare V’s blog and Instagram

to shop / shopping directory: where to buy clare vivier (including current discounts)

Last updated March 4, 2018.

Here’s a full directory of where you can find Clare Vivier on the internet.

• (*) denotes non-US stores.
• (**) denotes I’ve seen them have a sale on CV bags.
• (***) denotes that items may be backordered.

This is periodically updated. If you have any updates, please leave a comment.

My Clare Vivier collection started in 2009 and includes two brown Tropeziennes (both handle lengths), a black Tropezienne (short handle), a navy messenger, a black leather simple tote, and various clutches. I’ve also owned the leather weekender, Bando, Wren leopard tote, and a patent shopping tote (that is no longer sold), but bid farewell to them via eBay.

Anthropologie**, ***. In general, they have a nice selection of Clare V’s handbags and clutches. Keep an eye out for markdowns.

Bird Boutique. Limited selection.

Clare Vivier**, ***. Naturally has the best selection. Sales are very infrequent and typically not site-wide.

Eaton Trading Company**. Good sales on major holidays, however, limited selection.

eBay. Secondhand but best way to find something you missed out on.

Garmentory. I’m not linking them here for a reason. I shopped from them and was disappointed that one of their boutiques shipped me a non-flat CV handbag in a plastic Garmentory shipping bag with no padding or protection. That alone is not enough for me to write them off, but the fact that they never bothered to respond to emails is. Stick with the other sites!

Lane-Knight**

Lisa Says Gah

Need Supply

Net-A-Porter US**

Net-A-Porter Europe

Nicole Kwon Concept Store

Nordstrom**

Olivela

Revolve Clothing**

Serafina

Shopbop**

Shop Spring** Similar to Garmentory, it’s a network of retailers/boutiques, but they tend to be much larger and more reputable.

The Outnet** Net-A-Porter’s outlet. Below retail.

TheRealReal** Items may be used. Always below retail.

Yoox

And some collab exclusives…

Apolis market bag

The Inside Pillow home decor and furniture

Clare V wallpaper at One Kings Lane and Lulu and Georgia

Maya Brenner necklaces

Casetify iPhone leather cases

Paige Jeans wristlets

 

to shop / {purse diaries} clare vivier petit simple tote review

The new Clare V petit simple tote in perforated leather is trim, structured, and chic. (And it’s included in the Shopbop site-wide up to 25% off promotion.)