Handbag S.O.S: Splurge Or Save?

’Tis the season of giving, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be the season of saving.  My grandparents and parents instilled in me a love for the finest things in life, as long as they were purchased half-off.  I am allergic to paying full retail.  Fast fashion has its time and place (thank you, UNIF, for this fluffy rainbow sweater!), but when it comes to handbags, quality really matters.  I see a luxury handbag as a collectable--an investment piece that I will G-d willing, pass on to my daughters one day.  If that’s not a good enough reason to splurge, here are a few more justifications that help me with my spending guilt: 

1.  A bag doesn’t get worn out like shoes.
2.  It always fits. You can gain and lose weight and even get pregnant and it does not affect your handbag.
3. Even though styles and trends change, a gorgeous designer handbag will almost always stand the test of time.  Even if you put it away for a couple years, when you bring it back out, it’s like an old friend.  My mom has a phenomenal collection she started when she was my age.  She still regularly uses the Judith Leiber bags my dad bought her in the 70’s and 80’s!   

So, what am I getting at here? How can you avoid paying retail for a luxury, designer handbag this holiday season? The answer: Trendlee. Trendlee is a highly-curated site featuring pre-loved, luxury bags from brands like Hermes, Chanel, Fendi, Celine, and many more designers, at up to 80% off their retail prices.  The bags are in pristine condition and you would never know they were previously owned.  The only problem? Deciding which one to choose! 

In case the deal wasn’t sweet enough already, use the promo code EXCESSORIESEXPERT for an extra 5% off your purchase from Trendlee!

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About the Look:
We have been seeing the unconventional use of fur with accessories like handbags and shoes from Gucci, Fendi, Derek Lam, Miu Miu and many other designers. This fur Fendi bag is festive for the holiday season as seen here with metallic pairings and a chunky sweater, but will still be on-trend in the spring when worn with a retro-printed dress or ruffled blouse.

Bag: Fendi via Trendlee, Sweater: UNIF, Skirt: RE:NAMED, Necklace and Ring: Erickson Beamon (e-mail me for inquiries), Shoes: Whistles

Photography: Glass Foto by Brian Eisenberg

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Mini Bag, HUGE Trend

There is something so adorable about seeing a miniature model of our favorite designer bags.  It's like the handbag version of a baby sister or teeny puppy. You can't help but say (or at least think), "Awww, so cute!"  When I had my second daughter, Juliet, my husband wanted to buy me a gift, so I asked for a mini pink Chanel brick bag.  My friend was flabbergasted by my choice and said "Is this a gift for you or for your daughters? It looks like a toy!" It does sort of resemble a toy and my two-year-old, Stella, does often think my mini bags belong to her as she prances off to her imaginary supermarket to "go buy apple juice." I finally had to buy her her own baby bag so I wouldn't have to worry about mine getting too much extra wear and tear.

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Surprisingly, these bags serve a practical purpose.  They may not hold much, but what more do you need besides your iPhone and lipstick? These days with Apple Pay, Uber, and the Starbucks App, you no longer even need to bring a wallet on most outings!

Toting a teeny bag is much easier on the shoulders and back, and is perfect for the stroller-pushing mama-on-the-go who needs her necessities to be easily accessible via cross-body strap.  It also seamlessly transitions from day to night.  You can even "double bag it" (as seen by Fendi) by tossing baby sis (the mini bag) into a larger tote if you need to carry your iPad and other office essentials around during the day and want your cutie for your evening out.  

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Stella with her own mini bag from Chloe K New York (shop similar here)

You can think of the mini bag as a chicer, more functional version of a wallet.  While the price tag may not be as cute and mini as the bag itself, this is a trend worth investing in.  These minis are here to stay for a good while and their functionality (not to mention "'awww' factor") has the longevity to make them a classic style in the handbag world for years to come.