Every new beginning heralds a blank page and the purchase of something new. Or something like that. And because I have naught a fabulous night out for New Year’s Eve to brag of, but a new handbag to boast of instead, I decided to start 2013 with a toast to my latest acquisition. It’s quite romantic if you think about it: a tribute to why I started blogging, and an ode to the future…
Kidding. I got a bag for Christmas, and that’s about as deep as it gets.
Four years ago I had my heart set on the Michael Kors Hamilton and my eyes on the price tag. It’s nothing in comparison to your slew of designer with a capital “D,” but what’s a 16-year-old girl to do with a $400 handbag but parade it around the mall? (Movies are so last millenium.) Sure, I was a baby fashion blogger and won “Best Dressed” in senior superlatives but let’s face it: my varsity jacket was the greatest investment of my high school career.
Life got in the way and I had a few flings with a various bags. But it was like time had never passed once I laid eyes on this bad boy come Christmas. If that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is: the things that stand the test of time are the best investments. It only goes to show that I’m picky about my bags. The pressure of finding the perfect everyday bag is, relatively speaking, immense. There’s so many thing’s to consider like size, fit, durability, level of chic-ness. Day-wear appropriateness. Not too flashy, yet not inconspicuous.
I’m not quite bag snob per se, but I’m a bag whore with standards—meaning any handbag purchases made forth-ward must meet the following requirements:
- Classic, in every which sense. But of course. Timelessness is everything.
- Structure. Satchels are my happy place; a bit of boning juxtaposed with a bit of slouch reads easy, effortless and elegant.
- Top-handles. How else is a girl to get her arm workout in a full 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. day?
- Leather. Borderline fetishist, but I know none who can resist a beautiful, buttery leather piece. I coo over good leather and am not ashamed to admit it.
…and the Hamilton passed with flying colors. (Bag-buying requires careful deliberation, you see.)
Below is a tall latte from Starbucks for visual reference; this hunker was half my size and triple my width. Had I not been so drunk with glee I would have been horrified at its sheer monstrosity that posed a threat to oblivious shoppers in my path:
It even makes tracksuits and joggers look chic.
And in the spirit of all that glitters and glows, I couldn’t resist this soft gold number. The Jet Set Continental wallet was yet another one of Kors’ pieces I’ve had my eye on. It’s pretty, compartmented, and has just enough shimmer—meaning both my inner magpie and Aries personality are appeased. Fetching my wallet in cavernous bags will no longer be in vain, and I now have the perfect post-work/happy hour/cocktail clutch. Double-duty does it.
Nothing rings in the new year like a freshly organized wallet, no? Here’s to prosperity and wishing that money grew on trees.
. . .
x
(P.S.: Sweater from Calvin Klein.)
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oh wow…that is a beautiful piece of structured leather. I am in love with it. so gorgeous and that wallet is a beauty too! Now you just have to do more outfit photos because otherwise it wouldn’t be fair haha!
Happy New Year beautiful
xo
N – you are just to sweet. I just replied to Camille’s comment about ootds! I do a few on Instagram from time to time because it’s kind of fun (#selfiecentral, lol!), but as for a regular feature on the blog, I’m afraid I’m not as cool or chic as the other fashion bloggers out there! No photographer or self-timer too, I’m afraid (; x
Your bag is beautiful and your wallet is even more so! You should consider doing outfit photos!
http://thefunkyfashionista.blogspot.com/
Camille! Hope your new year is off to a fab start (:
You think? I did a few quick/cheesy Instagram snaps here before, but I don’t think my outfits are nearly interesting or fashionable enough to render them regular occurrences. Maybe if a streak of inspiration comes my way I’ll do a few ootds? (; x
New bag, new year? Sounds about right to me. That is a gorgeous start to 2013!
theresenicole.blogspot.com
That’s the philosophy (; x
Love it! Good on you girl for getting exactly what you want and deserve. A great bag is loved forever and such a good investment 🙂
Thanks love! x
Yay!! Okay, don’t ask me how, but I can totally tell you why that Hamilton in particular is perfect! This particular bag (I don’t know if you got it from a MK outlet or store) is made for the outlets (but don’t worry, all MK bags are manufactured in the same factory, outlet or retail, so it’s not a comment on quality or anything). The size is a East-West and if you compare it to the other Hamiltons, it’s medium, and, in my opinion, the perfect size for a purse. The retail store as far as I can tell only goes North-South or the smaller size, and they’ve been using a lot of saffiano lately, which is really stiff (looks nice on Prada bags, but not my favorite for MK Hamiltons). This leather is cowhide, so it’s malleable, but not too soft like lambskin can be. Also I prefer the plate to the lock (which is another characteristic of the retail version), but I don’t really have an explanation as to why. ALSO a big one for me, these Hamiltons have a zipper compartment in the middle and the retail Hamiltons don’t, so it actually helps hold the shape of the bag and keep you more organized.
Also I hope the sales girls were super nice and friendly to you, and you bought at least the repellent or the cleaner since you can’t just use any protectant or cleaner spray since most have alcohol, and alcohol will strip the color of MK bags since they’re died with a vegetable base dye (I have both for my bag/shoes/any leather products).
Woo-wee, sorry for that. TL;DR, I LOVE this MK bag in particular. It’s just so classic and easy to wear.
Sam! First things first: your latest post has me in a state of bliss and wanderlust. I hope you’re having a beautiful time.
And I had no idea! I had the feeling that the outlets and the flagships carried some different/exclusive lines, but thanks for letting me know. So interesting! I saw the models with the locks but reached for the ones with the plates instead. The huge padlocks were a bit too gaudy for my liking, and I prefer my leather soft and grainy. I totally agree with you: saffiano only works on Prada! It looks cheap – almost like PU – on some of the MK handbags.
The zipper was a TOTAL selling point for me… I’m a organization freak (;
I didn’t even think to buy a protectant! I’ll have to do that – thanks for the tip (: I loved the salesgirls, they were super sweet and incredibly helpful. xo
Hi ! I came across your picture while on my quest for the perfect handbag! As soon as I saw the picture of you holding your MK Hamilton, I knew it was the one I had been searching for. Only problem is, I can’t find it anywhere! I live in Edmonton, Alberta and I went to the nearest Michael Kors and searched online but to no avail.
Can you please help me!?
You can email me at Jean.Riel@hotmail.CA
Thank you in advance!
Super chic! I have the same bag with the studs on it. I scored it at TJMaxx of all places! It looks great without the studs too. Just a perfect, classic bag. enjoy!!