Rafe New York

As far as bag brands go, I’ve never been much for Rafe – they have a very distinct aesthetic that tends to be very over-the-top, and they’re usually extremely feminine, which has never really been my look. Sometimes I kind of like what they do, other times I think that their bags really limit what could be a huge customer base.

I have no second thoughts about the Rafe Agyness Chain-Embroidered Crossbody, however. It’s on-trend and just restrained enough to be cool and still have lots of personality.

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Zippers, I like. Buckle detailing, I like. However, there is one question I have to ask. Is there too much of a good thing going on with this bag? The Rafe New York Zippered Glazed Leather Hobo is a gorgeous bag yet the detailing might have gone just a bit too far. I like the shiny-glazed leather hobo. The deep, rich red color is divine and I do love the way the brushed goldtone hardware pops against the shiny leather. Yet, the over use of details still proves bothersome.

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When it comes to dressing for a fall night out, there’s nothing that I love more than a beautiful berry-colored clutch. It just so happens that the Rafe New York Erin Flap Clutch fits that description exactly.

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So, I bought a really cool straw-ish hat from J. Crew a few weeks ago. You know, one of those big, beachy hats and I absolutely love it. And when I say I love it, I mean I love it but have yet to wear it. The day will come though, I promise you and myself that. So speaking of straw hats, I can’t help but notice how fun and prevalent they are during the summer months. These months are also the months when I see more and more straw handbags. At times I am adamantly against the straw handbags I see and other times I am completely enamored.

The Rafe Carrie Rattan Clutch is a straw-esque clutch that I am enamored with. I think this clutch is nothing less than perfect for a hot summer night. And while this might shock you as much as it initially shocked me, I actually find the enamel elephant on the flap absolutely precious. It is cute, fun and flirty – all things I think of when I think about the summer. I might actually have to pick one of these up for me very soon! Buy through Luna Boston for $295.

Wow. I might be totally wrong here, but I like it, I actually really like it. The Rafe Blake Leather Hobo is a fantastic handbag with a bit of an edge to it. Italian waxed cowhide, shiny nickel studs and rivet details work well together to bring you that edge I speak of. I can see a real cowgirl (not just those of us who like to have a cowgirl hat and boots on every now and then) or a bad girl pull this look off perfectly.

So you know what that means, harness your inner cowgirl or bad girl and grab this bag as you run out the door. Come to think of it, I would grab this bag as I run out the door and hop on the back of a motorcycle for a ride around town. Yep, I like this bag! Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $575.

We all have those moments, moments when we find something we like but aren’t quite sure why. That was my initial reaction with the Rafé New York Riveted Leather Large Tote. Yet as I spent a little more time examining the handbag, I figured out exactly why I like the bag. It is different. Sure, many handbags are different from one another, but this bag is definitely not one you will see everywhere you look. The various detailing found throughout the bag is nothing less than eye catching. The rivets, studs and crossed straps actually all compliment one another. Usually I feel like less is more, but in this situation, I am pleased with the intricate design. And where there are cutouts, the grey linen lining can be seen. Clearly there is ample storage room. But more than that I have to go back to the fact that I like that the bag is a bit different. I can see someone going for a boho chic look carrying a bag like this, can’t you? Plus since the bag has a simple yet intricate look, there has to be several different situations in which you’d like to carry this bag. Buy through Nordstom for $695.

I know I might be getting a little ahead of myself here, but I am thrilled that spring is on its way. And for me, one of the best things about spring is the start of the outdoor concert season. There are so many things in this world that make me happy, but one of them has to be outdoor concerts. I love sitting out on a lawn with some friends and listening to live music as the sun is setting. And while I think about concerts, hey, why not think about the handbag that I might carry to an outdoor venue. I would want something fresh, chic, and bright; something like the Rafe Shiny Croc Ali East/West Tote. This is the kind of handbag that would not just work at an outdoor concert but also work so well through the spring, summer and even fall months. Shiny croco embossed leather tote with double shoulder straps and a magnetic snap closure to keep all your content where they should be is great. Plenty of pockets and storage space make this handbag one that lives up to its “tote” classification. All in all, I like it. Buy through Bloomingdales for $775.

Just yesterday I wrote about the Dooney and Bourke Large Croco Hobo. During this post I posed a question about whether you would rather wait for a real exotic handbag or if you would go for something like a croco embossed handbag. As I thought about it a little more, I began to think that an important thing to consider is how relatively close to “real” the handbag looks. Of course you know that it isn’t the real thing, but some look better than others. Take the Rafe New York Emma Convertible Shoulder Bag for example. This handbag looks to be a little more believable when it comes to the overall look of the bag. But even moving past authentic exotic or not, I like this handbag. The removable chain and leather strap lets you use the bag as a shoulder bag or a clutch. There are several pockets to choose from inside the handbag while lined with traditional Rafe logo fabric lining. More than anything I like how the handbag has a young, chic, sophisticated and versatile look. I could definitely see myself carrying this! Buy through Rafe for $525.

Rafe Totengco has made his Rafe New York Handbag line famous, accruing various awards and being the first designer to partner with Target back in 2006. A long time ago I ran into a few Rafe bags that I was not super fond of. But with time Rafe the designer grew as did we, and now I have found a beautiful jewel hued bag from this fashion designer. A perfect hobo option, the Rafe Hudson Blake Large Hobo Bag is designed with supple lambskin and accented with patchwork details and antique brass hardware. The bag is larger than it appears (16″ wide x 11″ high x 5″ deep, strap drop: 11″), meaning it will not overpower you by appearing too small, and a large hobo is a staple to every woman’s outfit. There is a single wide shoulder strap and a front zip pocket. We look forward to seeing more from this fabulous designer. Buy through Rafe for $575.