Style Shakeup

Every now and then we need a style shakeup.  Seasons change and fashion is always progressing.  It doesn't feel good to be in a rut; especially a fashion rut.  The thought seems daunting to have to revamp your wardrobe, but it doesn't have to be complicated.  Truly.  When I hear that someone wants a style shakeup, I tell them to take it slowly and make only a few changes at a time.  A style shakeup is a long distance run, not a sprint.  And it doesn't mean you have to rush out and purchase all new clothes, shoes, and accessories.  Often even a small change will result in a whole different look in the way you put together outfits.  Style is based on what what and how we perceive it and what we think we need.  Style has many different layers.  Personal style varies greatly from person to person and it should.  Wouldn't it be boring if we all work the same outfits?  For some personal style is fast and one knows exactly what she likes and wants to wear.  There are others, like myself, who had to experiment with different looks in order to arrive at a personal style.

Once I began experimenting with different looks, I easily knew what sort of style I favored.  My style is minimal and then when I want to shake it up, I add little pops of color.  Once you have a base style established, that's when I say you can experiment more.  Is most of your closet filled with monochromatic colors?  If so, then you can always add a bright accent color into the mix.  On a snowy winter day if you are dressed in head to toe grey and black, think about an accent color in winter white.  The light accent color will really make your look stand out.  In the summer, I tend to favor a bit more color for my personal style.  On a hot July day at home, you can find me in a pair of cutoff shorts and a colorful cotton blouse.  I find blouses the perfect way to add color to your wardrobe.  I'm very particular about my tops in the summer.  Just because a design is short sleeved doesn't mean it is cool.  I'm also choosy about the sort of cotton I like.  It's so cheap when you can see through a cotton blouse.  You shouldn't have to wear a camisole under a shirt.

For a good style shakeup, I recommend adding a new handbag to your arsenal.  With just one new purchase you can add a lot of spice to your wardrobe.  Handbags I consider a neutral territory.  You may choose a new handbag made of colorful leather and it's the perfect accent color, but it's not overbearing the way maybe a bright pink blazer would be.  There are so many different options when shopping designer luxury bags.  And now designers are creating bags in various sizes.  From micro to large, there is a handbag size for everyone. Don't ignore famous designer handbags during a style shakeup, they are invaluable because they are smaller than clothing, but they provide just enough change to make a difference.

Leather Handbags

I recently started thinking about the difference between fabric and leather handbags.  What started this brainstorm is I wondered how a fabric bag would fit into my life.  I’ve always owned mostly leather handbags because they seem the most practical.  You can’t lug your laptop and various essentials to work everyday in a fabric creation.  One, it wouldn’t protect your electronics.  Two, fabric handbags are usually lightweight and lose their shape easily.  The same with thin leather.  When you put things into a fabric bag or one made of thin leather you can see the outline of everything from the outside.  This doesn’t bother some people, but I don’t like it.  It looks saggy and sloppy from my perspective.

I do think a fabric handbag could make its way into my wardrobe as a clutch.  A small clutch bag in a heavy weight fabric would fit in well with many of my outfits and jewelry.  On a smaller scale, a fabric handbag can be a great fit.  And with clutches, you don’t really need a lot of interior room.  That’s the beauty of a clutch.  It’s small enough to hold in the palm of your hand or clutch under your arm, and it holds only a few select items.  Clutch bags are normally used for evenings such as dinner and cocktail parties.  However, I’m very partial to clutch bags during the day while I’m on holiday.  When I vacation in the Caribbean, I often use a clutch during the day.  I put a clutch in my large beach bag.  When I’m on the beach, I use the clutch to go back to my room or to go to the hotel and purchase drinks.  It perfectly holds my ID, money, and room key.  So if someone steals my beach bag, I have everything valuable with me in the clutch.  I plan to purchase a few fabric clutches in colorful prints.  They will be well used on my upcoming holiday by the sea.

For larger work bags, however, I do believe one should stick to leather.  I own several designer handbags and they are all crafted of the most amazing leather.  What’s great about leather handbags is they retain their shape much better than their fabric counterparts.  Leather handbags also look more polished and sophisticated.  If you are debating what sort of new handbag to buy, I would definitely lean more towards a leather bag.  I’ve owned several of my leather handbags for over twenty years.  They accompany me to work, shopping trips during the weekend, and even to multi-task as carry-on bags whilst traveling.  When I’m caught in the rain, I always know my leather handbags will hold up well.  Larger fabric handbags are not suitable for outdoor elements such as rain and snow.  Believe me, you do not want to be carrying a large fabric handbag while be pelted with rain.  Talk about a saggy mess.  And if you don’t use leather, there are many faux leather handbag options as well.  If you are starting to add more ultra-luxe designer handbags to your wardrobe, I high suggest you lean towards leather.  

The Long Haul: Youtube Handbag Reviews and Reveals

My latest addiction online is watching Youtube haul videos.  I've explained in a previous article all about haul videos.  If you didn't read it, a haul video is basically where a consumer talks about what they recently bought.  Many of these videos give you an insiders view into products such as handbags and makeup.  Most of these videos give you a close up look of the products and you can see details that often websites do not show.  For example, the vlogger will show an extreme close-up of a handbag's interior and small things such as pockets and the leather.  Vloggers often review their new products giving both positive and negative thoughts.  For instance if a sales clerk was rude to them during their shopping spree, vloggers will let you know.  Hopefully boutiques and department stores watch these videos to gain better knowledge of their products and how to treat customers.  Not only are these videos fun to watch, but they provide a wealth of insider information.  Usually vloggers review popular brands and products that everyone is dying to get their hands on.  Beauty and fashion vloggers are especially popular and their videos are often watched hundreds of thousands of times.

Why have these Youtube videos become so popular?  My theory is that consumers relate better to an honest review from someone they identify with.  For example if an editor at a famous fashion magazine talks about a product, chances are they receive a kick back.  However, that is changing in the online world as well.  Popular vloggers now receive a hefty payment for "reviewing" a product.  They receive the product and they also accept payment to discuss it with their followers.  But if you click around enough, you can still find vloggers that are honest in their reveals and reviews and many of them our normal consumers like ourselves and they do not receive payment for making their videos.  These are the Youtubers I prefer, the ones that do not receive any sort of compensation from companies.  They give really honest reviews and I thoroughly enjoy watching what they bought.  And I think other consumers are like me as well, they want to hear honestly what someone thinks of a product, because let's face it, who gives a negative review when they receive payment for said product?

Some of my favorite haul videos include handbags.  I'm a handbag addict and I love watching all of the many videos related to them.  The haul reveals really give you an insiders view about a new handbag on your wish list.  I've had one of the most amazing designer handbags on my radar for a while and yesterday I watched a handbag reveal video on Youtube.  It looked even better than I'd imagined.  The vlogger showed several close ups of the exterior, bottom, and interior.  I sort of wish I hadn't watched it as I now want this handbag even more.  In fact, I now want more than one of this brands designer handbags.  I can think this vlogger for fueling my handbag addiction.  Do you like to watch Youtube reviews?  Which ones are your favorites?

Moderate Luxury

The term luxury is thrown around quite a bit. Open any fashion glossy or business magazine and you can spot ‘luxury’ literally hundreds of times.  And not to take away the importance of the word, but it’s been used so much that it’s very watered down.  What does luxury even mean anymore?  Is it tangible or intangible?  For the sake of my industry and this particular article, we relate luxury to fashion in terms of tangible, lust worthy products.  Over the past few years especially, luxury has changed in the world of fashion.  But it still means something different to different people.

Many consumers believe luxury is all about a price tag.  The higher the price, then the product must be more luxurious.  However, that is not necessarily the case.  We have seen several examples of expensive handbags that cost over $2,000 are not well made and have shoddy craftsmanship.  Consumers from all generations are increasingly starting examine to see if a product is well made or if it’s cheap.  Not all shoppers are fooled by a high price tag.  They know that just because it’s expensive, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily worth it.  Because we live in the digital age, people can buy nearly anything they want from the comfort of their own home.  This equals the playing field for many so-called luxury brands.  It used to be that the shopper had to go to the brands boutique to buy the product, now they can simply view it with the click of a mouse.  The Internet in some ways is a great equalizer.   Products in every price range are available to purchase online.  You no longer have to worry about looking as if you fit in when you go to a store or boutique to buy something.

I believe luxury is a well crafted product that will last for many years to come.  I also believe that not all luxury products need to be priced astronomical amounts.  There is a term I do approve of called ‘moderate luxury.’  What is moderate luxury?  Moderate luxury are products that are very high quality, but don’t cost an arm and a leg.  It’s not budget luxury by any means; rather it’s fairly priced products that are luxurious.  One of the best brands that does moderate luxury is PLIA Designs.  PLIA Designs creates a range of luxury designer handbags and carryalls.  Their handbags are absolutely amazing and there is great craftsmanship that backs them up.  What’s best about a PLIA Designs handbag is that they are well priced below the $1,000 mark.  Also, not everyone is carrying them because they are constantly sold out.  It’s an exclusive range, but moderately priced for a luxury design firm.  When I carry one of my PLIA Designs handbags, I’m often stopped and asked its origins.  I love pointing them to their website.  These are luxury handbags that are beautifully created and will be a part of my wardrobe for a very long time.  I can get behind moderate luxury if its products look like this.

Best Designer Handbags of 2014 and Beyond

If you read my blog and my  articles in British VOGUE, you know I pen extensive columns on finding the best.  The best of cashmere sweaters; the best Italian loafers; the best Caribbean beaches; the best on scalp cream bleach, etc.  Over the past twenty years, I've written over 500 The Best of articles.  Several of them have won awards.  Many are saved and referred to on a weekly basis.  I regularly receive emails from readers telling me they have cut out my The Best of articles for years and still read them for purchases and inspiration.  One reader told me she has a special file in her file cabinet just for my articles.  I'm not going to lie, readers and other fashionables depend on me to let them in on the latest and greatest.  They don't want someone to pander to them.  What they crave is the true word from a real fashion insider.  Not that I'm crowning myself the insider of all fashion insiders.  But I will admit, I love to research.  I research and research so many different labels and products within the fashion world.  No topic or label is too small.  I'll read and research a small unknown label just as much as a larger more famous one.  Everyone knows about large labels simply because they are everywhere.  You can’t open a magazine without seeing advertisements by mega fashion labels.  They pay for massive billboards to make sure pedestrians and drivers see their logo.  But it’s often the quieter labels that grab my attention.  And most of you know how I feel about logos.  A logo by itself doesn’t bother me.  It’s when said logo is splattered several times over one product that it becomes a horrendous fashion mess.

Three months ago I set out to create The Best of for handbags.  It would be published in the September issue of VOGUE and then of course on their website.  I took researching this article very seriously.  Why?  Because designer handbags are a very hot topic.  What I may think of as a designer category, may not be designer to another person.  Price and quality are not always related when it comes to designer bags.  It’s a tricky topic because it’s so varied and everyone has their own opinion.  Even within the fashion world, opinions very about designer handbags and what constitutes one.  I have my own opinions and this was one of the few columns where I let them influence what I wrote.  Let’s face it, the vast majority of shoppers and even fashionistas are not going to pay two thousand American dollars for one handbag.  Maybe for one special handbag, but not for each new bag purchase.  My article skewed more democratic.  I made a point to include several different price points and brands.  The snob element in fashion is outdated and outlandish.  We live in a time when anyone can be involved in fashion.  You don’t need to be a New Yorker to love fashion.  A fashionista can live in Iowa and have a better sense of style than many.  Fashion barriers are lower than they have ever been and that is a good thing in my opinion.

There is nothing worse than a crowded department store on the weekends.  So I did a lot of my research at more high-end stores and online.  The handbag floor at Bergdorf Goodman is divine and not packed with too many shoppers.  There I examined several labels up close.  I like to pick up a handbag and really study the stitches, feel the leather, and check out the overall craftsmanship and quality.  It was at Bergdorfs I saw PLIA Designs handbags in person.  I’d read about PLIA Designs in many magazines.  From my inner circle of fashion friends I know they are highly coveted.  PLIA Designs makes the most delicious range of designer handbags.  They also craft leather goods such as luxury laptop cases.  In fact, the sales associate told me most of the bags were sold out, but there would be a new delivery next week.  I told her to put my name on the list and to let me know when they arrived.

As I wrapped up my column:  Best Designer Handbags of 2014 and Beyond, the line that won the top slot and number is PLIA Designs.  I look forward to when the article is published, but I wanted to let everyone know right now which handbag brand I chose.  I cannot express how impressed I am with PLIA Designs range of designer handbags.  There are a myriad of reasons why I love them so much.  First, their craftsmanship is impeccable.  You won’t find their bags falling apart after carrying then one or two times.  Secondly, they don’t break the bank.  The designers behind the brand pride themselves on a good price point so that nearly anyone can purchase one of their bags.  PLIA Designs will stay at the forefront of chic handbags and there is no doubt about that.  

The Cult Favorite Handbag Label

Every so often I get wind of a favorite cult fashion label.  It's not that I always need to purchase what is popular or what fashion insiders love, but I do like to know these sorts of things.  As a buyer for a well known boutique in Paris, it's important for me keep my ear to the ground and my eyes wide open.  After all, my customers depend on me not only for the latest and greatest, but for new labels that truly deliver an amazing fashion punch.  Our customers, many of whom have become great friends over the years, don't want to look like fashion victims.  Their lives demand a wardrobe that is wearable, but creative at the same time.  They are women with their hands in many amazing endeavers;  several are lawyers, a few work in fashion, and others work with tech startups.  It's in their best interest to look put together without wearing a label from head to toe.  Many of our customers have stated they need looks that are easy to put together, but have an element of personalized fashion as well.  Translate:  They don't want a boring corporate look, but they can't look like Lady GaGa either.

Our boutique is more of a mini department store.  It takes up half a block and is well stocked over 4 floors.  The below ground level houses a cafe, small wine bar, and a newsstand with magazines from all over the globe.  This is the heart of the boutique and is packed daily with people stopping in before work for coffee and customers grabbing a wine at the end of the day after shopping the floors above.  The first floor houses one of the most beautiful beauty spaces I've ever seen.  And I'm not stating that because I'm biased.  The combination of marbled floors and walls with chrome and steel trim is jaw dropping.  It's not overpowering, but it's slick and gorgeous providing the best backdrop for shoppers to explore some of their favorite beauty brands.  I'm fairly certain in my past life I was a beauty editor.  This is one of my favorite floors.  I'm always searching for the perfect eye cream and treatments on a nearly weekly basis.  Most of my paycheck goes here.  These aren't normal beauty labels.  They are some of the most sought after in the world and extremely hard to find.  

The second floor is probably our most popular.  It's the accessories and shoe salons.  In fact, it was rated the number one accessories assortment in Paris.  That's a major honor as we beat many well known and famous department stores.  We have customers fly to Paris just so they can shop our boutique.  It's amazing actually what loyal and devoted customers we are able to serve.  I am lucky that I get to see many of our devoted customers on the accessory floor as this is my buying department.  My main goal is to always stock the floor with beautiful accessories.  From those brands that are well known to those that are coveted in tight knit fashion circles.  I have been with this department for over ten years and I love it.  It doesn't even feel like work and I've made so many incredible friends.  I've also been lucky to make friends with some of the designers behind the labels we cary.  The accessories floor is always buzzing with activity and it's my job to make sure it's well stocked with the best and brightest in the industry.

One of my best friends is a fashion editor and we agreed to meet for dinner one night after work.  Not only did I want to catch up with her, but she wanted to introduce me to the new handbag label that already had a cult following.  Finally Friday evening came around and we met at a nearby café.  It's a world famous eatery and great for celeb and famous faces spotting.  I found her back in the corner.  Our favorite table and perfect for people watching.  She carried the most amazing designer handbags and it looked vaguely familiar.  As we sat down, chatter took us directly to fashion.  No surprise there.  We are best friends, but we also love fashion and love to talk about it.  She told me this is what she wanted to discuss-  the new handbag label with the cult status.

Her handbag is by PLIA Designs and they make a dreamy line of designer handbags.  I immediately knew this was a line the boutique needed and the bags would instantly sell out.  Their satchels were spot on and incredibly fashion forward while still being classic.  My friend said all of the editors were carrying designer handbags by PLIA Designs and they loved their satchel bag.  The boutique would be packed with customers once they got wind of PLIA Designs and their marvelous designer handbags.

Our Favorite Designer Handbag Label is Coming to London

This morning I read some of the most exciting news in a while:  PLIA Designs is coming to London.  In my in-box this morning was a fresh press release from PLIA Designs head of PR, Dante.  He was reaching out to all of his fashion colleagues and magazine editors informing us that a new PLIA Designs shop-in-shop would debut on the accessories floor in Harrods at the first of March.  I was so excited that I couldn’t finish reading the rest of my emails.  That gave me plenty of time to plan my trip across the pond.  PLIA Designs is renowned for their aesthetic and quality.  And compared to other designer labels, they are ultra affordable and always stalwart classical style with a twist.  You will never have to pay two thousand dollars for one of their handbags nor does the label aspire to those sort of exuberant prices.  It’s a democratic designer label that is available to everyone.  With PLIA Designs, nothing is in or its out; rather it’s all about how you carry their handbags.  You can team up one of their satchel handbags with your favorite moto jacket.  Their sleek lambskin Milton clutches carry you from day to evening.  These beautiful clutch bags are large, but not overly so.  The square shape fits perfectly under your arm and with the detachable shoulder chain, you can also wear it cross body.  There have been many occasions where I carry my Milton clutch to work and then go straight from the office to a cocktail party.  It’s the best clutch I’ve carried that transitions so seamlessly from day to night.  Londoners are going to be in for a huge surprise with PLIA Designs hits Harrods.  Many British fashionistas may already own one of their handbags, but there is nothing like seeing them close up in a department store.  Attached to the press release was an invite to the new shop-in-shop.  (As an aside, I’m so glad they didn’t use the term ‘pop-up.’  That term is so overplayed it needs to be put to rest.  I think many of you reading this will agree.)  I immediately emailed Dante back and told him I would make the grand opening and that I was already planning my outfits in my head.  Seriously, who doesn’t plan their outfits far in advance?  

Three weeks later I booked my flight to London.  It just so happened I needed to be there a few days later to interview two new designers debuting at London Fashion Week.  I’m a huge fan and advocate of British design and talent.  There is a freshness and a stronger will to take risks compared to New York and Paris.  I like seeing designers take risks in the fashion world.  It’s so stagnate when everything stays the same.  After all, the beauty of fashion is that so many different styles exist and people gravitate towards different ways of dressing.  It would be boring if everyone wore the same outfit and hate the same taste and style.  Fashion is about exploration and discovering.  No doubt Londoners will love discovering PLIA Designs.  Their edited collections of designer handbags are appropriate with colorful, over the top creations and also with paired down business basics.  

That same afternoon after booking my flight, my boss asked if I’d like to also cover the opening party for PLIA Designs.  Of course I jumped on the chance.  I work for an entertainment television network and I knew my viewers would love seeing this handbag label that is carried and adored by celebrities like Charlize Theron and Kim Kardashian.  I knew Dante would love the publicity and let me bring my camera crew to the festivities.  It looked like I was gearing up to be rather busy whilst in London.  But that is fine.  I love mixing work with travel and a side dish of fun.  Because I’d mentally laid out my wardrobe, I already knew what I was going to pack and I laid many of those outfits aside.  That’s how I like to back for work and vacation.  I like to lay out everything I will wear and that way the hard part is over.  Except for putting the items in a suitcase, the packing is nearly complete.

Over the weekend I prepped and studied up on PLIA Designs.  Actually, there wasn’t much studying as I know a lot about the brand.  PLIA Designs makes some of the worlds most beautiful and coveted designer handbags.  These designer handbags have a waiting list in many department stores and boutiques.  I knew there would be a long line snaking its way through Harrods for PLIA’s new shop-in-shop.  The world of PLIA Designs designer handbags is made up of craftsmanship, beautiful leathers and fabrics and most of all ultra-amazing leather goods and bags that are simply irresistible.  I could not wait for the grand opening party.  Keep reading for my reporting from London.  I may even be able to post video.