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| Inspiration: FabSugar |
Basic black is not something you will generally find me wearing. However, when black is mixed with interesting textures (leather, gold buckles), and yummy neutrals (beige, olive, taupe), then I'm a huge fan. I love Kate Moss' outfit and was excited to give it a try with my own clothes. Speaking of basic black, I'm on the hunt for my first black handbag; read about my shopping adventures below. How do you wear black?
Shirt: H&M, $13 (similar)
Scarf: c/o Ross, $8 (similar, similar, similar)
Black jeans: Gap, $35 (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79 and $32 and $39
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| Michael Kors / Marc Jacobs / Marc Jacobs / Michael Kors / Calvin Klein |
I've been on the hunt for my first black handbag for months. I don't want to pay full price, but I also don't have time to scour TJ Maxx and the like. So I've been keeping an eye out for coupons - Macy's just had Friends & Family (25% off everything) a few weeks ago, and Piperlime recently had two coupons (20% and 15%, respectively), all of which worked on designer bags. Here's what I bought and considered!
1. Santa tells me this bag might be under the tree this year! Piperlime had a 15% off coupon this week.
2. This one is my absolute favorite, but it's too expensive, even with a coupon.
3. I ordred this purse with a 20% off Piperlime coupon a couple weeks ago, thinking it was much larger. Turns out it's tiny - smaller than most of my clutches.
4. I also considered this Michael Kors bag - love it.
5. I randomly stumbled upon this beauty during my online search and had to share.
2. This one is my absolute favorite, but it's too expensive, even with a coupon.
3. I ordred this purse with a 20% off Piperlime coupon a couple weeks ago, thinking it was much larger. Turns out it's tiny - smaller than most of my clutches.
4. I also considered this Michael Kors bag - love it.
5. I randomly stumbled upon this beauty during my online search and had to share.
Which handbag do you like best?
I know the Marc Jacobs bag(#2) is pricey, but trust me, it is worth the investment. I bought a Marc Jacobs bag last year which is so out of my price range and I have used it just about every day since. Bags are the one place I will spend my money on for a neutral, well made one.
ReplyDeleteBut if you are looking for real leather, designer knock off bags check out http://www.shoplush.com. I have a ton from them and they are awesome.
This is my bag for today:
https://www.shoplush.com/Detail.cfm?Cat=Totes&ID=509&DetailID=1130
I love this look on you -- I wear black ALL THE TIME! It goes with everything! xo
ReplyDeletehttp://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
J - we've got some great designers with those same styles at our boutique and your definately not going to pay those prices. We are on facebook under Bargain Barn Boutique Marble Falls, Texas.
ReplyDeleteWill come to visit you soon from New Braunfels! Great looking resale shop...keep up the advertising!! Teresa
Deleteooo... #2 to gorgeous!
ReplyDeletealso, love your leather jacket... i having been wanting one in black & one in brown for a while!
cute outfit - xo - heather
www.ThisLifeIsYours.com
I love the MK bag on the bottom ( if you're not keeping the MJ bag). The Top MK bag is great, just overdone, everyone has it. The bottom one's unexpected, love it!
ReplyDeleteI have the Michael Kors bag in Eggplant and love it. The pefect size for daily use!
ReplyDeleteI am very much a color person, but sometimes I just feel like wearing black. When wearing black, I try to wear texture and subtle prints. You picked some great bags too.
ReplyDeleteLove this look. The booties are great, and the olive green is a great complementary color. And the jacket is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI know it seems pricey, but the Marc Jacobs(#2) bag is really worth the money. Last year I bought an MJ bag and it was the best money I have ever spent. That is the one thing I will splurge on is a good bag.
ReplyDeleteBut if you are looking for a leather bag that is designer like, you should look at shoplush.com. I love the bags there.
I'm using this one today:
https://www.shoplush.com/Detail.cfm?Cat=Totes&ID=509&DetailID=1130
Love this look, I love to find other Floridian blogs.
ReplyDeletexo
Rachelle
http://pinksole.com
I love the first and fourth bag! Michael Kors knows how to make a good bag, that's for sure. :) So funny that of all the wonderful pieces you have, you don't have a black bag! I hope you find the one you're looking for :)
ReplyDeleteAlso I was wondering, do you read or subscribe to fashion magazines? I've been thinking about it lately (random!) but wondered which was the best. So I'm asking you. :)
I love the structure of bag #1, very classic lines and feel to it. Cute bag and the price is quite reasonable.
ReplyDeleteLove this! one of my fav outfits
ReplyDeleteFunny...I wore almost all black today with my teal necklace and leopard print purse!!
ReplyDeletehttp://designerinteal.blogspot.com
I love this outfit. I probably wear basic black more than I should. It just matches everything and can be worn to any event. It's just too easy to wear!
ReplyDeleteLove all of those bags!
Jenn
With Luck
I love Love LOVE the Michael Kors Hamilton bag. But I've been stalking it for a while now. It's just a gorgeous bag and very versatile.
ReplyDelete#4!!!! Oh I love that Michael Kors bag!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to say the larger Marc Jacobs bag. I've been eyeing it forever. My only issue with it is the inside lining has black and white MARC JACOBS written everywhere, which might make it hard to find stuff (unless they've changed it.. I hope they did).
ReplyDeleteThis is the purse I use every day: http://www.katespade.com/designer-handbags/leather-handbags/cobble-hill-ellen/PXRU2233,default,pd.html?dwvar_PXRU2233_color=001&start=6&cgid=handbags-cross-body I'm obsessed with it. I've never been a big fan of bigger purses, or constantly switching bags, so this one is perfect. It's not large, but it fits my huge wallet, a hair brush, lotion.. everything I need and it's not too bulky for when I go out. I'm seriously considering buying another one right now for when mine bag wears out..just in case they stop making it.
Love! I really need to purchase a black leather jacket. They're so chic!
ReplyDeletexoKelseyhttp://thekelseywolfeblog.wordpress.com
I love that Michael Kors one near the bottom! It just seems liek a greta work bag. Easy for commuting with all the pockets. I think I may want it...
ReplyDeleteI love wearing black or charcoal with brown and darker blue colors. It's somewhat unexpected. And I vote also for the MK bag - classic!
ReplyDeleteI used to work at Michael Kors & you cannot go wrong with a Hamilton. I want one myself!
ReplyDeletexo,
Tiffany
http://shoeschampagne.blogspot.com
I don't know if you've ever heard of DesignerSocial, but they consign designer bags for a fraction of the original price! That's where I've gotten my last two Michael Kors bags. Check it out www.designersocial.com
ReplyDeleteThe only problem is if I'm looking for something specific its kind of hit-or-miss, but they have a few Hamiltons right now!
ReplyDeleteThe first MK bag is my fav.. it's a great shape and would add to your wardrobe!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the MK bag too (the first one). I saw the orange version at TJ Maxx (haha) and thought it was beautiful. FYI, it's about $220 at TJ Maxx just to give you an idea of prices there. Also, I'm not sure if you are an eBayer but eBay has a few listed for about $200-250. Anyways, hope you pick the first one!
ReplyDeletehttp://fashionedible.blogspot.com
It's a shame you don't have time to shop TJMaxx. My nearest is a small store in a small town, but they often have MK bags at about a third of retail price. Love the Maxx!!! My favorite bag right now is a Tiganello, not a big designer name, but they make quality leather bags at really good prices. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeletei love and want the second Marc Jacobs only because you can fit more in it!
ReplyDeleteand I would wear that outfit with a wedge swede shoe instead of that heel...just looks a bit awk in profile view
xo Cassy
http://theworkette.blogspot.com/
Emily, nope the lining is still the same and I'm not a huge fan either! Cute Kate Spade, does it also come in gold? (I insist all my bags/shoes/leather jacket have to have gold hardware!)
ReplyDeleteI used to read tons of magazines - InStyle, Bazaar are my favorites. But I don't have time anymore. :-( Now I just subscribe to daily emails on my favorite fashion websites and get my news that way!
ReplyDeleteI notice you always list the price you spent on each item. Do you have a file with an inventory, a good memory, or some other way that you know all the prices?
ReplyDeleteLike both of the Michael Kors bags. However from experience (im a big bag lady), bag 1 tends to get very heavy, and anything with a thick chain, buckles, padlock-look or lots of metal details tends to weight you down fast. I would literally get a red welt in my shoulder after carrying that baby around all day. I have also had the Marc Jacobs lil Ukita bag in the past and have worn it to bits, love it! However, as much as a fan as I was, when it came time to replace it with something similar J.Crew makes a great version for considerably less. I have since purchased the Jcrew mini-hobo Brompton and love it, and its 30% off right now. The leather on the Brompton is pebbled, ultra soft and wears BEAUTIFULLY.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/handbags/PRDOVR~63020/63020.jsp
When I first buy an item I know the price by memory. When I post an item that's older, I just look up a past blog post to find the price.
ReplyDeleteI got the smaller Hamilton bag, it's pretty small so hopefully not as heavy. I really like the J.Crew one you linked to but I need something with lots of hardware, otherwise I feel like it's too "blah" (I want something more rock-n-roll). The leather looks really soft though!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering so quickly. I have been curious about that. I am the same way but I also have an excel file that I frequently forget to update. I did look at it recently and I started it in 2009 and only seem to put a shopping trip on that every few months. It also helped that over the last 2 years I have put my major purchases right there on my blog so then I can find them.
ReplyDeleteExample that has a screen shot to my excel file: http://scrapandrun.blogspot.com/2012/03/shopping-skinny-colorful-jeans.html
Another example of when I just posted it to my blog http://scrapandrun.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-clothes-101411.html
I notice you put your monthly purchases but I'm not sure how far back you've been going with that.
I notice you don't tag your posts with the article of clothing so do you just scroll back through to find when you wore it or do you have another way of a quick search to find the price?
I wear black all the time and wear it with just about everything. I am obsessed with black pants. Since I wear so much black, I am always looking for interesting cuts, textures, hardware, or other details. For example, my favorite pants right now are my black velvet skinnies and my skinny tuxedo pants with a faux leather stripe. I love how versatile black is - it can go rock-n-roll, classic, retro, edgy/modern, etc. depending on shapes, fabrics, details and styling. Also, I never get tired of my black pieces. It always seems like when I clear my closet, it's the color or printed items that are the first to go.
ReplyDeletestylecassentials.blogspot.com
My favorite by far is the Michael Kors Hamilton bag. I've been wanting one forever. I like it in the camel color. All great bags.
ReplyDeleteAgi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com
I like the MK the first one. I just bought a black leather MK jet set, love it! I checked the VS website and your leather jacket is now selling for $298.00 : ( You seem to find the deals!
ReplyDeleteMyself, I like the larger Marc Jacobs. Not a fan myself of MK. I don't have many black bags myself. I'd have to agree with you about hardware though...it can't be blah!.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Kat! I have the smaller version of the Hamilton bag (black leather with silver hardware) and it is H E A V Y! I love it so I put up with it but it's not good for long periods of time. If you plan on carrying it around all day you will definitely feel it in your shoulder or your arm depending on how you carry it. I wish it was lighter. On the other hand, this bag attracts lots of jealous stares so in that regard it's worth the soreness! Oh the things we do for fashion and style!
ReplyDeleteJ, I just recently purchased that exact Marc Jacobs bag in black, lil ukita, and I absolutely love it! I was also torn by the price and had been eyeing it forever. My friend has it in a really pretty camel color that she bought about a year ago and she wears it like everyday, but it still looks as fabulous as the day she bought it. It really is an investment. I was planning to save up and get it for christmas, and then it turns out my rewards points from my credit card gave me $350 to Zappos.com which also sells it, so i ended up only shelling out $78 for it! I was basically rewarded for shopping, which is never a bad thing!! If your heart is set on it, I would say get. I KNOW you wont be dissapointed <3
ReplyDeleteI think the first Michael Kors or the tan Calvin Klein ones are both so beautifully perfect! Hope you keep them both!
ReplyDeleteKamola
www.99boxesofshoes.blogspot.com
Black is always classy and I think you totally rocked it! Some days I have outfits planned but I end up grabbing my black skinnies and a cozy shirt. It's just comforting and classic.
ReplyDeletewww.beautyandbows.com
love your interpretation of the look!! so gorgeous!
ReplyDeletethis is one of my go-to looks during winter. it's so easy but it looks so chic and edgy. Plus, you can wear any shirt or blouse underneath the leather jacket (sheer, t-shirt, sweater). I love your Victorias Secret jacket!! I have two black leather jackets that I got great deals on, one looks like a leather blazer. I don't wear it as much because I can't figure out how to style it.
ReplyDeleteAs for your black bags, I feel your pain! I have a fake Marc Jacobs (like the one in the pic) that I got abroad, (shhhh) and it's just not the same. I think getting a real bag is worth it if you save, but like you, I am still price conscious. I have a feeling my boyfriend bought me a designer bag for xmas, the box has been taunting me in our living room for weeks now!
-Courtney
www.415bond.blogspot.com
I'm partial to the Marc Jacobs bag since I own it in green (grass was the official name), but I really like the MK on in the bottom corner. It seems lighter than the ones with chain handles (and since I stuff everything but the kitchen sink in my purses this is important) and it looks like it could possibly hold an iPad (the MJ one does not).
ReplyDeleteThe first one is my favorite!! Such pretty details.
ReplyDelete#2, the too expensive one, was the one I was immediately drawn to! I've never been drawn to overly structured bags.
ReplyDeleteLove it! The jacket, skinnies and boots are great!
ReplyDeleteXO Nat
[nat in love]
I have the first one, the Michael Kors one, except my chain and lock are silver. By far my favorite bag ever. It fits EVERYTHING, including my iPad, and is versatile enough to be dressed up or down. Great bag!!
ReplyDeleteyou can't tell from the picture, but the hardware on the bag is gold. it's definitely noticeable in person too
ReplyDeleteJust FYI Kate Spade usually has some good sales and especially after Christmas in the new year they may run them again. Just sign up for their emails for a heads up. They have a great mix of structured and slouchy!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a Kate Spade outlet near you, they are doing 50% off the whole store with 20% off of handbags. I bought this beauty (http://www.polyvore.com/kingsbury_park_shelby/thing?id=68178793) on Tuesday with the 50%, 20% and they gave me an additional student discount of 15% off! The tag on the purse said $348 and I got it for $106 with tax. Had to share my great find, because you always have awesome steals!
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing in this ensemble. I love all the bags. These are my three favourite bag brands, and I have more than one purse from each of them. If I got any one of these, I would be jumping up with glee. :)
ReplyDeletecoverupchic.blogspt.ca
I love MK bags! Good choices. And I don't think your outfit is basic, its rocker chic and so fun.
ReplyDelete-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
TJMaxx had a great selection of MK the other day. Can't beat their prices! Worth a quick look. P.S. Love Michael Kors bags and shoes!
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit! I love all of it! My fave bag is the first one. However, that's because I only carry bags that have solid sides. I can't handle carrying a bag that collapses when I sit it down. I don't like the inside of my purse to become unorganized. :D
ReplyDeleteMy fave bag is #1, but I am a huge MK bag fan (and I have it in tan). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks so much for this look! I copied it today but I don't wear heels to work so went with gray flat boots. I would NEVER have thought black leather and black pants would work so well together!
ReplyDeleteI love the second to last one, the Michael Kors. That has the perfect shape
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind me asking, what size is the Victorias Secret Leather Jacket? I'm considering purchasing one but am not sure what size to get. I want to get that Shrunken Fit look and can't decide between a Small and XSmall, yours looks fab! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKayleigh, I got an XS in this jacket! Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting the Michael Kors Hamilton bag for years now, but was hesitant to pay so much. After reading this post the other day, I stopped by Marshall's on whim... and found a the black/gold Hamilton bag for nearly 50% off! Thanks J, and to the commenters, for the great advice!
ReplyDeleteI love these bags. Hope I can have one soon :)
ReplyDelete