Get the Essentials: Bag Shopping 101
Finding the perfect “pocketbook” as my Dad calls it can be a trying and exciting event in any lady’s life. For most of us the purse is an essential wardrobe piece. It is the item that keeps all of our worldly possessions while we are on the go. Finding the perfect handbag is a very personal and individual purchase.
Some helpful tips for shopping for your perfect handbag:
- Know what you need to carry (work file, computer, text book, water bottle, kid crap, etc)
- Do not be afraid of color, any solid color can act as a neutral!
- Try out the bag: put your things in it before committing.
- Ask lots of questions; How durable is this brand? How will the leather hold up?
- Make sure the bag is proportional to your frame.
Other things to think about:
- Washed leathers, which are softer and more pliable, will wear faster.
- Examine the straps. The way they are secured to the body of the bag makes a difference (especially in terms of how much weight the bag can hold.)
- Bright linings are a good thing, they help you see all the goodies that fall to the bottom of your bag.
Good luck finding that perfect bag! Stop in, we have a ton to choose from and are more than happy to help you try as many styles as possible before you commit!
-AJ
Friday Night Swag
Friday night, as a single gal, is one of my favorite nights of the week. Pourqui? Because the possibilities are endless, especially in a town like Portland where there is a little of everything to get into. You can choose to eat a delicious restaurant like Lincoln, hit up a street fair festival (this weekend Portland Brewfest is going down on the waterfront) or you can catch a live performance of just about any variety, just to name a few activities on the menu.
I like to mix it up, tonight my friends and I are having a slip n’ slide party. Its going to ROCK! I have already started to plan a frilly outfit around my latest buy: Swedish Hasbeens (this is for pre-ridiculousness that will be our night). They are so comfy and transition nicely from work to an evening with friends.
This is more or less my Friday night fit. What are you wearing?
White Out:
Speaking for all the lovely ladies (and gents) who like to wear all black, all the time, I know how it is to love how it makes one feel- especially in Portland, where you don’t see much all-black ensembles. As some-what of an extremist, I wanted a twist, a slight alteration to my dark wardrobe- and then I discovered the color white; a color connected to many connotations, and most definitely the opposite of black. But because of the stark opposition, I started really digging the notion of wearing all white- it has become a fad, that is, well, sort of bad*ss. A fad that connects even to the good ole days of the accidentally fashionable Doc wearin’, city slickin’, stud reppin’ punks.
Stop It Right Now is my all-time favorite individual fashion blog- this gal’s style is impeccable, mixing skate chic with goth/ punk fever, yet can slip into a silk Celine dress and rep it just as hard as her Creepers. In this look, she pulls off the all-white ensemble perfectly, all that’s missing is our super fab Jeffrey Campbell Zuma wedges in an icy grey to complete the look!
xx- Leslie
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They say in retail, like in parenting, you’re not supposed to pick favorites. But when my little bundle of joy arrived today, who was I to resist their charms? These little babies, names “5686” by Giraudon, are as close to my perfect shoes as I could imagine:*
Special, without feeling like you couldn’t wear them every day (and knowing Giraudons, you can most certainly wear them all day), versatile (I can just as easily picture them at work, or with a great vintage dress, or with some skinny jeans and a men’s shirt, or with my cuffed trousers and a blazer… Ok, I’ll stop.), and- as if you needed any other reasons- the two-strap pumps are very much on-trend right now. Designers like Primark and Miu Miu have their collections stocked this Fall with double strap Mary Janes. Also, the heel is gorgeous. Also, they will be mine. Also, I’m taking donations. Also, I learned how to make .gifs (see above!)
Until next time, dear readers, stay stylish. Hope to see you around the shop!
xoxo,
Sally
*Diclaimer: I imagine lots of perfect shoes, almost constantly.
UPDATE: Ok, fine, you twisted my arm about it! Here’s what I would wear on my first outing in my Dream Giraudons. I’m thinking maybe to an art gallery and a fancy dinner? What do you think?
