Longchamp

I remember being a small child and going to the hair salon with my mom. Megs and I would sit there patiently (well as close to patiently as possible) while my mom had her hair washed, cut and styled. As Megs and I sat and attempted to stay out of trouble and not fight with one another I remember watching all the other ladies come in and out of the salon. Each one of them seemed to carry a very large bag and it always intrigued me. Coming across the Longchamp Roseau Crocodile-Embossed Leather Tote instantly reminded me of those very bags I just described.

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Are you a tattoo person? I’m not. I don’t have any, although it has crossed my mind before. I love them on men – they give an average dude a bit of an edge, and there’s nothing I hate more than an average guy with no edge to be found (well, I don’t hate them, but I’m not attracted to them). The coolest tattoos I’ve ever seen were from an artist who made pixelated images on skin – they were absolutely fascinating. And they were also the first thing I thought of when I saw the Longchamp Imprime Tote.

The bigger issue for me now is trying to decide whether or not that’s the only reason I like it. I love the pixel effect and how it makes the colors bleed into one and other, but in a way that avoids the sloppiness of tie-dye. It gives it a geometric quality that makes it different than a lot of other things I’ve seen recent, and it would probably be a great choice to take to an outdoor event or a day at the park. I don’t adore it on the whole, however, and I definitely wouldn’t plunk down the price that they’re asking for a nylon bag. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $390.

I’m not normally one for funny or clever bags, or bags with writing on them. I think a bag should speak on its own, without gimmicks and without words, generally. For some reason, though, I find the Longchamp ‘It Bag’ Horizontal Tote completely charming. Maybe because it’s so innately French. Maybe because the back of the bag has the outline of one of their actual bags on it. Maybe because it would actually be a functional bag to have, and it has less unnecessary decoration, despite its words, than most of the real It Bags out there. The whole schtick is done in a minimalist way that keeps things simplistic and chic, which is the only way to pull off a joke like this. If it had been too overdone, it would have gotten hokey and unfashionable very quickly. The French understand these kinds of distinctions, though, and this bag is pitch-perfect as a result. Buy through Nordstrom for $340.

When I think of British accessory design, I think of clean, straight lines, limited adornment, and functional design and color choices. The Brits, even in their most avant garde incarnations (Alexander McQueen, anyone?) know that a bag has certain duties that it must perform, and it’s kind of useless if the bag doesn’t perform them. And in that regard, the Longchamp Roseau Embossed Toteis so British that its upper lip is probably stiff. Its lines are straight and staid, and it is little more than a flat-bottomed bag with handles, a natural pattern and a simple closure. In this case, though, the beauty is in the simpicity – the bag is so sure of itself that it doesn’t need a gimmick or any bling to be beautiful. Buy through Nordstrom for $380.

Longchamp Pliage Trolley

Vlad and I travel often, but I can’t say that we travel in style. I, of course, carry a designer bag with me as my purse carry on, but my actual carry on is typically a Samsonite Trolley. Not dissing Samsonite, because their luggage is super sturdy and durable. LV luggage? Nope! I still fly commercial and my luggage is thrown around like you wouldn’t believe. So would I spend money on a designer trolley? Nope. But what about the Longchamp Pliage Trolley? Longchamp is known for their sturdy nylon, but will this luggage do the job for your travel needs? Without seeing this trolley in person, I can not say for sure if it is a go or no go, but the perk is the price. This Longchamp Trolley is trimmed with cowhide leather and has a pull handle. There is a zip around closure. The material is polyamide canvas with PVC coating, which should be sturdy enough. 13″W X 20″H X 8¼”D.

Buy through Saks for $270.