Store Appeal

Marc by Marc Jacobs: Online Bargains

Marc Jacobs is infamous for being creative director with Louis Vuitton, as well as his Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs brands. Seen in the arms of tons of celebrities and stylish people alike, you can’t go wrong with one in your arm too. But, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the Marc Jacobs bag you covet. I’ve been finding tons of really great bargains online. Here are some Marc Jacobs bags I found that won’t leave you feeling broke.

This is an adorable classic, in a color that would go with any outfit in your closet. The Marc Jacobs Natasha Q Crossbody bag, only $138.99 (60% off of $348.00 original price) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The perfect small classic leather saddle bag, in a trend forward olive green. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Bell Saddle Bag, $90.99 (60% off of $228.00) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

This one is my favorites that I found, with it’s adorable slouchy silhouette and sleek grey color. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita Satchel, $347.99 (30% off of $$498.00)

Find more deals from Marc Jacobs here.

Botkier Handbags & Shoes – Accessories with Downtown Edge

Store Appeal: I know what you might be thinking, with the Tory Burchs and Rebecca Minkoffs of the world, do we really need yet another contemporary-on-the-cusp-of-high-end designer handbag collection? But just like with Tory Burch and Rebecca Minkoff, Botkier offers something unique that sets it apart from the other brands it tends to be grouped in. The eponymous handbags, shoes and accessories line from New York fashion photographer, Monica Botkier, has made a splash on the celeb scene, worn by boho starlets such as Joy Bryant, Ashley Greene and Rachel Bilson. Each style of purse not only has detailed stitching and fun hardware or trendy zippers, but also comes with a fob of sorts. Such as the neutrals line which features an elephant shaped fob. Fans of designer shoes, but hate stilts (aka 5 inch heels), will love the sturdy, cone heels, as they are cutting edge without invoking a fear of falling over the edge of the sidewalk. The brand terms itself “downtown edge” and embodies “luxury through custom detailing, innovation and quality while focusing on functionality.” Quite possibly, Botkier is the answer to all of our fashion woes!

Our Vote: The store’s site is easily navigable and had great photos and will show you the available shoe sizes from a drop-down menu and lists the dimensions of each purse so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting! Plus, there’s a lot of great information about Monica and the brand as well as a blog all about Monica’s Musings which stretch out of the world of fashion and into the culture that breeds it. Because if you’re going to drop $500 on a purse, you want to know there’s a community to back you up!

Our Favorites:

1.)   Botkier Uma Satchel – $595

2.)   Botkier Howard Street Satchel – $575

3.)   Botkier Lula Sandals – $229

Alice + Olivia: Funky + Contemporary

Store Appeal: So if there’s one thing Alice + Olivia are good for – and known for – it’s their impeccable selection of party dresses. The youthful, contemporary line represents the “quirky style” of its founder, Stacey Bendet. In addition to the dresses, the line expands into tops, pants, jackets and even basics (read: white tees with a flair) and some accessories. A kids line and a charity tee selection makes this hipster fashionista brand quite likeable.

Our Vote: With over 60 dresses on their site to choose from, it’s a virtual closet of young Hollywood. Priced well between the $200s and $500s, it’s a great online destination to find that killer cocktail dress that most likely no one else in your circle will have. But probably what’s more entertaining that sifting through the well-stocked online showroom is the “4AM Finds” which truly represents that quirky nature Stacey confesses to have. These pieces include oddball frocks and accessories from other stores like Sephora and Amazon.com that not only make it a pleasure for the online shopper, but make the brand that much more…appealing!

Our Favorites:

1.)    Alice + Olivia Tabitha Dress – $198

2.)    Alice + Olivia Sydney Faux Wrap Dress – $368

3.)    Alice + Olivia CeliaVest – $264

Be&D Handbags, Shoes and Accessories

Store Appeal: Very rarely does an American designer craft handbags that could pass for the Old World glory that is seen in Chanel and Balenciaga – with the exception of Marc Jacobs.  But many American handbag designers have a very streamlined, modern interpretation, which is not a fault, but they find it hard to recreate what’s already been so successful in Europe for over a century.  American designer handbag line Be&D does a brilliant job of melding the two for modern twist on an old favorite, though this is not by accident.  Be&D, which was founded in 2004 by Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain, is now helmed solely by Dumain, who grew up with an affection for antique luggage and in college studied international business, Spanish and art. The handbags, shoes and other leather goods are modern and sexy, but carry elegant and flattering lines. Just what every woman wants.  My personal favorite is the Be&D Kan Kan Tote.

Our Vote: While the online store is easily navigable, the photos are only one-dimensional and can be a bit lackluster, particularly when trying to demonstrate the detail of the fabrics, materials and hardware used on the products. Nonetheless, the shopper still gets a decent idea of what the product might feel and look like in hand, and fortunately, the dimensions and vivid descriptions of the materials used in each product are listed.

Our Favorites:

1.    Be&D Kan Kan Tote - $1,390

2.    Be&D Rizzo Shoes – $458

3.    Be&D Dallas Tote - $895

Alexander McQueen – Legacy through Fashion

Store Appeal: In no capacity is it an overstatement to say that Alexander McQueen was a genius. He did more with clothing than most others could dare to dream. His collections mirrored the boundlessness of his imagination. While I’ve never been one for the oddities of fashion, something about McQueen’s visions, which often left the earthly realm, resonated favorably with the general public. It seems insulting to call his runway theatrics mere “fashion shows,” as they were performance art in every sense of the word. The fashion world lost a leader and a visionary – but his legacy lives on through his fashion. I have written about McQueen several times since I began fashion blogging in late 2008, and am privileged to continue doing so. His works of art became my immediate favorites because of his impeccable attention to tailoring and subtle detailing, like the sunbeam stitching found on his shoes and purses, and the hour-glass inducing curvature of his dresses. The McQueen brand is currently offering its spring/summer sale – 60% off – which in the world of high-fashion is both a steal and a crime. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of the McQueen brand, you do not want to forgo the Alexander McQueen sale.

Our Vote: There are less than a dozen McQueen boutiques in the world, so the majority of your McQueen shopping must be done online or in high-end department stores. This leaves many shoppers, such as yours truly, troubled with selecting a size, but luckily they have a generous return policy and customer service to assist. The website is a treat to navigate as it, unlike many other brands of the same nobility, provides high definition, multi-angle product shots of the products. The shopper may find it a bit laughable to click on “trousers and skirts” only to be met with geometric-print lycra leggings – not the typical “trouser” I’m used to, but the Brits are famous for their wry sense of humour. If you have a moment, check out the Alexander McQueen Experience which houses videos of his runway collections and a very moving tribute video.

Our Favorites:

1. Alexander McQueen Draped Jersey Dress – $750

2. Alexander McQueen Purple Skull and Bee Cocktail Ring – $280

3. Alexander McQueen Skull Brittana Clutch – $1,350

See by Chloe Summer Sandals

Store Appeal: See by Chloe, the ready-to-wear line by Chloe is a younger, sportier feel. Though the brand still uses the same great colors and signature styles as the Chloe line, the pieces are little bit more budget friendly.

Our Vote: Shopping the site is a bit like most high-end lines where you have to choose the collection, choose the season and then click through styled photos of the products. So ultimately the actual shopping has to be done through affiliate sites like net-a-porter or of course, Beso! Still the products are displayed beautifully and showcased for the fashion-loving online shopper.

Our Favorites

1.) Red Espadrilles – $241

2.) Yellow and White Flats with Chain Detail $245

3.) Blue and White Leather Wedge – $259

4.) Jelly Sandal with Interchangeable Straps

See more See by Chloe…

Balenciaga Handbags and Wallets – Old World Meets Modern Girl

Store Appeal: While Balenciaga has been around since the beginning of the Twentieth Century, this luxury lifestyle brand has expanded its collection of handbags, leather goods and fragrances to appeal to the modern women while maintaining the couture quality the brand is rooted in. From opulent materials like lambskin, to vibrant use of color and shapes, a Balenciaga bag is easily defined by its structure, use of hardware and well-designed details.

Our Vote: Unlike many high-end designer’s online stores which either have very little content or are more about the design of the site versus the utility of shopping, the Balenciaga site combines both artistry and function, making it highly navigable and a pleasure to view. While Balenciaga is well-known for its red carpet gowns and couture frocks, its handbags and leather goods are perhaps what the brand is best known for in recent years, thanks to the advent of the “it bag.”

Our Favorites:

1.) City Patchwork (in blues or golds) – $2,345

2.) Giant Money (in Moutarde) – $555

3.) Canard Compagnon Wallet – $ 575

Shop Balenciaga online…

Bare Escentuals – The Mineral Gold Standard

Store Appeal: Best known for their line of mineral makeup, cosmetics line Bare Escentuals has hundreds of skin care and makeup products as well as different product lines to that appeal to women across age groups and sectors and is considered to be the gold standard when it comes to mineral makeup. The “Buxom Babes” line is a bold 40s and 50s homage to the glamorous looks of Hollywood’s golden era. Rare Minerals is the skincare line that activates the minerals from the makeup designed to make your skin better from the inside-out. With collections and kits that

Our Vote: The Bare Escentuals online store is very much focused on the shoppers needs. The cosmetics line not only has hundreds of different products to look at and review, but it also has a strong social media presence and is well laid-out. The site “spotlights” varying products to help educate the customer and offers free shipping for orders over $50 – just what the savvy shopper looks for!  Plus, Bare Escentuals is the undisputed leader in mineral makeup and if you haven’t used mineral makeup before, chances are you know somebody who probably does – a testament to how popular this trend has become thanks to Bare Escentuals.

Our Favorites:

1.) Brush with Greatness – $49

2.) bareMinerals Blue Eyecolor – $13

3.) Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish – $18

See more from Bare Esenctuals…

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