Foley + Corinna

I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that my favorite brand is Balenciaga. I’ve had more Balenciaga bags over the years than any other brand, and although their designs remain largely unchanged since their debut, their many-colored motorcycle mags never cease to catch my attention. Of all the Balenciaga bags, the City style is probably by second favorite. I’m a hobo girl, so I prefer the Day, but I had a 2005 Teal City that I used over and over again for several years. For the uninitiated, the City is a simple, lightweight, often candy-colored small satchel that also has a long strap for coulder carry. In this economy, though, my only criticism of the Balenciaga City is its price: at over $1,000, it’s simply not feasible to own one for the vast majority of people. I may have found a high-quality and much more affordable alternative, though: the Foley + Corinna Glazed City Clutch (appropriate name, eh?). The size and shape are very similar to the Balenciaga bag of almost the same name and it retains both the satchel handle and the longer strap for shoulder carry. Also like the Balenciaga, it comes in a variety of colors, but my favorite is the Glossy Eggplant. What’s not like Balenciaga, however? The price: buy through ShopBop for $444.

I tend to be the kind of person who finds a day to day bag and just sticks with it. When you think about it, for the most part there is one bag that tends to be your “go to bag”, right? It’s that bag that seems to go with every outfit and serves multiple purposes. Sure I will switch things up when I go out at night or if I have a really awesome handbag that goes with a certain outfit. It usually takes my sister or my mom to point out that it is time for a new bag. So, when I saw the Foley + Corinna Studded City Clutch, I thought this could be my next “go to bag” replacement. The leather looks soft and the studs give the bag an extra bit of flare. Is it just me or when you hear “flare” in certain contexts do you instantly think of Office Space and the pieces of flare Jennifer Aniston is required to wear while working at ChiChi’s? Ok, I digress, back to the bag. You know what I like even more about the bag? It can double as a clutch. There are handles and a detachable shoulder strap and by folding the handbag you have a clutch! Two functional bags for the price of one? Not too shabby. I guess the only thing I am wondering is if the bag is too small for all my day-to-day stuff. I guess I’ll just have to think about it a bit. Buy through ShopBop for $478.