Gustto

Slowly but surely Gustto bags have made their way into the hearts of many readers on this site. Many have said that at first glance, this brand is a little too far out there for their liking. However, as the brand continues to grow and diversify, there are more bags I like than bags I’m not fond of. There are certain details that are a bit much for me, but with the right outfit, I really think you can let the bag do the talking and pull together a great look.

Continue reading →

Here at Purse Blog and Purse Blog Savvy we cover great handbags all day every single day. Trust me when I say that I love every aspect of picking out some of the best, and sometimes the worst, handbags out there. However, you can’t neglect what goes inside that gorgeous handbag you are carrying. Enter the Gustto Alina Leather Coin Purse.

Continue reading →

Stock photos are, very often, terrible. There’s always harsh overhead lighting and a bunch of tissue paper stuffed into a bag until it might burst, and that’s just not any way to decide what a bag might look like in real life, with your stuff inside of it. I’m always surprised by how many bags look beautiful in person that I would have dismissed completely based only on their online pictures. There is a right way to photograph a bag, of course, just not many people do it. We do, though, and it proves that sometimes it take a non-stock photo to realize how tremendously beautiful a bag really is.

My favorite example of this phenomenon is the Gustto Donna Torsa Satchel. It looks perfectly serviceable, if a tad odd, in its stock photos from Bloomingdale’s. But when you take a look at the beautiful Bag Art photos that Megs and Vlad took, which can be found here, the bag seems much softer and slouchier than it does when stuffed with tissue and the overall effect is much more fashionable and chic. Buy through Bloomingdales for $790.

Gustto is not a new brand, yet it still might have just entered many of handbag lovers radar screens. I’ve mentioned before that I had a chance to visit the Gustto office out in San Diego, California last November. It was great to meet so many folks that help drive the company. While I was out there, I was told that many handbags had been picked up by some of our favorite celebs and that we were bound to see them more and more. Well, that certainly is the truth. Hilary Duff has been spotted carrying the Gustto Pavia handbag all over the place. And although I know some of you might not really follow the whole “It Brand”, but Gustto handbags seem to have made their way up there. The Gustto Pavia is a gorgeous large soft suede bucket style handbag. The vertical zigzag pattern gives the handbag personality while the open top and handles with brass hardware offers a different look and feel. Duff carried the grey Pavia, but you can get yours in purple, olive or black if you are not fond of the grey. Buy through shoprumor for $665.

While I was out on the West Coast I had the chance to head down to San Diego and check out the Gustto offices. It was great to be surrounded by people who clearly have a passion for what they do. I was able to check out where they keep all their bags (seriously it was like a little piece of heaven) as well as meet with some people on the creative side of the table. Although I know it happens, I can’t believe designers are already seasons ahead of us right now! As I came across the Gustto Baca Bag I was reminded of the time and attention to detail I saw going into the upcoming designs. This bag screams fun. The pebbled leather, metal ring detail, and gold hardware come together as a handbag that can be carried by such a wide variety of women. I can see someone young grabbing this as they run out to meet up for happy hour just as woman a bit older picks up this bag in order to add a bit of spice to her wardrobe. I absolutely love when I think I’ve found a handbag that might be able to transcend generations. Even if you don’t find yourself craving this particular Gustto bag, definitely keep your eye out, they are putting out some amazing handbags! Buy this bag through Shop Bop for $695.

I’ve been on a navy kick this week. A couple days ago over on Purse Blog, I wrote about the Fendi Borderline Satin Clutch which boasts gorgeous blue satin. Now, I just have to share the Gustto Cala Croco Satchel. Since I mentioned the navy kick, I am sure you already know that the first thing I noticed about this handbag was the gorgeous navy stamped italian croco leather. But the more I looked at it, the more I fell in love with the double handles. These aren’t just any double handles, they have character! The bag has plenty of storage space and sturdy canvas lining. At the same time, I can’t get over how durable yet fashionable the bag looks. This being the case, this is the kind of handbag that will last for seasons to come without ever becoming dated. Add the reasonable price tag to the equation and you have a great handbag! Buy through Saks for $539.

Gustto Umbria Bag

I’ve never written about a Gustto bag before, and the reason why is simple: I usually don’t like them very much, and sometimes I actually try to stick to the adage of “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” My discretion and ability to hold my tongue should be noted, because I don’t usually get a lot of opportunities to brag about it.

And now, all of that tongue-holding has paid off, because some of Gustto’s fall collection is actually quite attractive – particularly their Gustto Umbria Bag. And as such, I get to say nice things, and I feel like a good person for at least 20 minutes. Until I go and steal some of my roommate’s milk because I forgot to buy my own (shhh, don’t tell her, she never drinks it all before it expires anyway).

The Gustto Umbria bag looks like it’d be soft as a pillow and light as a feather, and if that extra strap is detachable (please, God, why must you assault our eyes with such unnecessary things on so many otherwise-beautiful bags?), then I bet it would be a great everyday bag for winter. I always prefer an arm-held bag to a shoulder bag during colder seasons since I find that it can be hard to wedge a regular hobo or tote onto a shoulder over layers of coats and sweaters, but you find no such problem with a bag carried by hand or in the crook of the elbow. Plus, the little airplane-like seatbelt detail is really cute and different and adds a touch of irreverent personality.

It also comes in some beautiful shades – both a to-die-for medium grey and a brown-based burgundy are available, plus a black for those of you that buy that sort of color. It’s available for a very reasonable $620 via ShopBop.