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Do you enjoy catalogue shopping? Visit the fashion retailer Ellos where they stock everything from men and women's clothing to shoes and accessories!

May 23, 2011

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Mulberry Bags and Alexa Chung

If there is one designer brand that springs to mind when you think of handbags it has to be Mulberry.

The luxury brand was established in 1971 and since then has been a byword in IT bags with the Bayswater and Roxanne firm favourites with celebs. However, since then the brand has created a new IT bag the Alexa.

Named after the British fashion icon Alexa Chung the Alexa is cross between the classic Bayswater and Mulberry’s men’s briefcase design the Elkington with a bit of vintage styling thrown in. Alexa is well known as a huge Mulberry fan so when she was seen out and about using the Elkington the team at Mulberry decided to create a whole new bag inspired by Alexa.

The satchel bag comes with a gold postman lock detail and belt strap detailing. The bag can either be carried or because of its messenger strap it can be worn across the body which makes it a practical option for everyday wear. What’s great about the Alexa is that it such a classic design and as such won’t date the look goes with most outfits and is perfect for everyday use.

While the bag does come in classic brown, black and oak it also comes in a number of styles and colours from watermelon to tiger print. It also comes in a mini version, which with its messenger bag details is perfect for the festival season – although you may not want to take your best bag with you! The standard size is big enough to lug around all the bits you need for every day wear while the oversized version is of a similar size to the Bayswater and could even double as an overnight bag or maybe just for the daily paraphernalia us women need to carry!
Because the bag is Mulberry you know you are getting quality that lasts so an investment in an Alexa bag is exactly that it will last for years and will never go out of style because of its chic detailing and practical style it is the perfect wardrobe staple.

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May 15, 2011

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Dogs and Bags

For a while it was the ultimate style statement with no celebrity worth their salt being seen without a miniature dog – preferably in a handbag.
Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and singer Ciara have all been spotted carrying a tiny pouch around in their designer handbag. In fact it became the ultimate fashion accessory. So much so that the Kennel Club has recently reported that registrations for so-called handbag dogs have increased.

Their statistics for 2010 show that the number of pug registrations have increased by 170 per cent since 2005 while registrations for the Smooth Coat Chihuahua have gone up by a staggering 350 per cent in the same period. This increase has led to animal welfare charities to warn about the conditions that fashionable dogs are often breed in. The Kennel Club warns that some dog breeders take advantage of a fashion for a particular dog and often breed them in appalling conditions in a bid to meet demand.

The RSPCA also warns against carrying dogs in bags as it means they aren’t getting any exercise and in many cases will actually restrict their natural instincts. For example you could take your dog into a situation they are not happy with but can’t escape or run away because they are in the bag. The RSPCA say if you are going to insist on carrying a dog in a handbag to take it out regularly to let it run round and go to the loo. While they are small toy breeds also still need plenty of exercise so they are still going to need a good daily walk and not be carried round.

Therefore, if you want to keep your dog healthy and want to keep your handbag for your essentials like your purse, phone etc and not to mention free of dog mess then why not opt for a gorgeous lead for your pouch – to match your bag off course. That way you can carry your handbag and still give the dog some exercise and if you really can’t do with a dog handbag what about one with a picture of a dog on it and save the poor pet from being lugged about.

April 18, 2011

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DKNY

One of the top names in designer bags is DKNY out of New York. Trendy, yet not as expensive as many of the top names in the industry, there is a bag for almost any occasion. While bags are categorized by satchels, shoulder bags, crossbody, totes & shoppers and clutches, the trendiest DKNY bags at the moment appear to be the oversized shoulder and crossbody bags.

Most bags by DKNY range in price from approximately $150 to $500, but of course there are always exceptions to the rule. Designed for the younger crowd, DKNY bags are most popular with ladies in their early twenties to perhaps late thirties, although in fashion anything goes. As a result, you may find a middle aged woman carrying a trendy clutch designed by Donna Karan and then again you may find a teenage girl carrying a shoulder bag as well.

Some of the most popular bags by this New York designer are the Abstract Paneled Leather Tote, the Croc Leather medium sized leather tote and the Python clutch that sports a chain handle. The Python can be worn either over the shoulder or as a crossbody bag because of the chain handle but it can also be transformed into a clutch as needed. The Abstract Paneled tote generally retails for $395 but has been found on sale for as low as $165! If you want to stay in touch with the current trends then DKNY is the place to start. Whether you are hitting the streets in skinny jeans or going to the office in business casual, there is a DKNY bag to match your outfit.

March 5, 2011

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Jimmy Choo

Jimmy Choo handbags always fetch a hefty price, but as far as designer handbags go, they are top notch in every way. While Choo was born in Malaysia, he is actually of Chinese ancestry and is based in London. His line is world famous for his trend setting designs, many of which are quite ‘busy’ and as a result, quite captivating. Although he is most famous for his fashionable footwear line, Choo is also renowned for his amazingly creative designs in handbags. You have probably heard the phrase “to die for,” well, that sums up Choo’s handbags in a nutshell!

Perhaps most notable is his Limited Edition PEP Printed Tote that retails for close to $1,000 USD but you won’t find another bag that ‘says’ quite as much. With both the U.S. and the U.K. flag in the printed design as well as his signature logo and some other well place graphics such as a big red lips and a pair of spiked heels. The straps have press stud fastenings and the bag is fashioned from grosgrain fabric.

It is possible to find this bag for a bit less money and if you are into doing something good for those less fortunate in the world, this would be the time to spend a bit of money. You not only get a trendy handbag but 25 percent of the net sales will benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation and their work with the Simelela Rape Centre which is in Cape Town. How great is that? Get a fashionable handbag and do something nice for a lady in distress.

February 14, 2011

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Mulberry

The amazing thing about Mulberry bags is that this is one trendy handbag designer that actually started as a British lifestyle brand of handbags and clothing! While other fashionable designers added handbags and accessories after their lines of apparel became successful, Mulberry approached the fashion world from another perspective – first bags, then clothing. These bags are enormously successful around the globe and can always fetch a good price.

Mulberry was actually founded in the early 1970’s by Roger Saul along with his mother in Somerset, England. At the moment it is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange and their designs are sold both in Mulberry stores around the world as well as by other retailers and online as well. Of particular note, the Mulberry Bayswater Ink-Print leather clutch bag has the appeal of the natural outdoors while providing the style to be among the trendiest of bags on the market. However, this is quite pricey as it retails for more than $1,150 USD.

The difference between Mulberry bags and other top designers is that this company will not sacrifice detail to keep costs low. If you own a Mulberry bag then that, in itself, is a status symbol. Mulberry bags appeal to young women, but a great majority of ladies who own a bag designed by this British fashion house are perhaps in their late 20’s through middle age. It could be the cost of Mulberry bags that keeps them limited to women a bit older, but it could also be that they were designed to appeal to ladies in that age bracket.

January 30, 2011

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Marc Jacobs

You can’t talk about American fashion designers unless the name Marc Jacobs is brought up at least once in a conversation. Although he has a line of his own clothing and handbags as well as other accessories he is also the current creative director for Louis Vuitton, a French design house. Therefore, you can probably bet your bottom dollar that any of the trendy handbags available from either Marc Jacobs or Louis Vuitton have his hand somewhere in the creative process. If he is not the designer then at a minimum he approved the design for production.

At the moment, one of the top 10 favorite designer bags in the country is the Hillsy Buffalo Shoulder Bag by Marc Jacobs. Although it is a little bit costly it is worth every penny you spend for this bag. Retailing at $480 is a little bit pricey but affordable. From clutches to larger bags, Marc has a style that is absolutely perfect for the younger set. His bags are preferred by women in their 20’s and 30’s while his Louis Vuitton creations might appeal to ladies with a bit more sophistication and worldliness.

In any event, Marc Jacobs has become a brand to contend with in designer handbags as they are extremely fashionable and always in demand. Whether you live in a big metropolis like New York or L.A. or a small town like Seaside, Oregon, Marc Jacobs handbags are sure to be a huge success with any outfit, any time of day or season of the year.

December 12, 2010

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Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture is a trendy line of apparel and accessories based in California and owned by Liz Claiborne. While their signature line is casual clothing into velour, their handbags are renowned worldwide as being among the trendiest to be found. Although their products are upscale they are quite affordable. However, Juicy Couture is actually geared toward a dairy young crowd between the ages of ten and the mid-twenties. While the men’s a line of clothing has been discontinued, Juicy Couture still carries clothing and accessories for the younger crowd including children and babies as well as a novel line for pets. Even so, it is Juicy Couture handbags that have established the company as one to contend with.

Juicy Couture handbags include the Polka Dot Collection, Spring Take Away Bags, Mini Bags and Clutches, Daydreamer Bags, Leather Bags, Canvas Bags, Velour Bags, Novelty Bags as well as Wallets and other small bags. While being fashionable is important to ladies of any age it is all the more important to the younger crowd. Peer pressure plays a big role in a young lady’s life so having a Juicy Couture bag is a surefire way to ensure popularity. Again, these are upscale bags that would normally have very high price tags but Juicy Couture keeps their line affordable to the average consumer. If your daughter comes home one day and tells you that she absolutely has to have a Juicy Couture handbag, then you will understand why. Anyone with any social standing at all has a Juicy Couture handbag.

November 23, 2010

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Versace

While there are Versace bags on the market that are extremely expensive, it appears that their midrange collections are training at the moment. Among the most popular of those bags is the Versace Venita Bow Satchel that comes in black, delicate pink, purple, and royal blue. This particular bag has double handles that are embellished with a bow at the front and is the perfect metro bag for the younger set. It can be held in the crook of the arm or worn crossbody when going casual. It has an official Versace name plate on the front and the shoulder strap is both adjustable and/or removable.

The Venita trimming is done in leather and the hardware is golden brass. This bag features interior pocket zips as does the bag itself and there is a genuine Versace signature patch on the inside. The dimensions of the Venita are 47 x 35 x 4.5 cm. Also, in keeping with all genuine Versace bags, there is a serial number, a certificate, and even a dust cover to keep it in top Versace form along with a booklet that details how to care for this fashionable genuine Versace. Retail price is $244 USD but if you shop around, who knows? You just might be able to beat that price! However, should you find a price that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Genuine Versace bags will have both the nametag on the front as well as the signature panel inside and they will come with a certificate and serial number as well. If those items are not included, beware.