7.28.2010

Limes

Back when everyone was carrying purses the size of a house, I remember seeing a photo of Katie Holmes wearing what can only be described as the mother of all Birkins. The style blog that posted it made fun of it; they questioned whether Katie carried it so Tom could crawl inside and take impromptu naps.  I laughed (guilty as charged). Everyone was sick of enormous, body-sized sacks.  And then, I switched to a metal clutch the size of a brick, which inevitably weighs just as much as one (the "golden brick," I call it) because while I like to think of myself as someone who can pare down, let's be honest, I have serious trouble! For me, an exercise in "paring down" is more like an exercise in squishing down. I ask myself: would it be possible to fold my magazine into fours? Slice the edges off? Lip balm, in the dead of winter? My friend is carrying it! And cash...oh, forget about it! Who even carries that anymore?

But, after a long hiatus, I've begun to start thinking about big 'ol bags again.  It's sort of nice to be able to carry around a laptop and a book, a pair of sunglasses, an ipod, AND a lipstick sometimes, isn't it? It feels so indulgent! I'm living large... why YES, I have a chapstick, and NO, it's not melting in my pocket!!

It's also great to be able to wear a bag, and by that, I don't just mean carry it, but I mean, drape it around you like a dress, use it like a blanket on the train, hide behind it when you run into an ex... It's decadent, it feels good.  Like big furniture in a little room.  (I know there was a designer who said it makes women look dainty... who was that?!)

So this is my take on the big, fabulously luxurious, delightfully over the top bag.  It's made of leather, it's hand painted, and the chains are solid brass. It's lined in a combo of linen and leather.  When a bag is big, I like it to feel substantial.



The leather, in the process of being painted.  Some of you might remember a similar image from a while back...I originally made a pillow like this, from which I came up with the idea for this bag.

The pattern was very simple: a basic, rectangular tote.  I chose to leave the seams exposed, on the outside of the bag.



And, wearing it.  Which brings me to another thought.  Is matching (nails, shoes, bag, at its most extreme) really terrible? I used to be repulsed by it, but now, I don't know, I'm feeling the allure.



30 comments:

Julia M said...

The bag's really nice, it looks like it would be really soft. It goes well with your outfit too!

Catherine said...

I LOVE this bag! The colors, the chain handle, the shape— just about everything, really! I call dibs if you ever want to sell it. ; )

As a New Yorker, I have a closetful of large bags. I use them the way some people use their cars— to store all those things I might need. Who wants to be caught without an umbrella/band-aids/gum/sunglasses/flip-flops?

- Catherine at Littlehouse of Style
http://littlehouseofstyle.blogspot.com/

caitlinmae said...

Love it. Love that the soft green accents match, but not so overtly/obnoxiously as to render the bag useless with other outfits/call attention to your matchymatchyness. Here's my question- i ADORE the chain straps but are the links big enough that when the bag's laden with goodies, they don't dig into your shoulder too harshly?
fantastic, Lauren. Can't wait to see what you're up to next.

wekilledCOUTURE. said...

love it, the painting is absoolutely beautiful!
and the colour doesnt seem overpowering because its just small accents.

Cheers,
Madeleine Louise
www.wekilledcouture.com

Susan @ SJ Designs said...

Oh my... I'm a card-sized-wallet-attached-to-my-keychain-and-call-it-a-"purse" type of person... but I'd make an exception for something like this. It's gorgeous, the contrast of those incredible chains against the leather and linen- wow!

Tennis Academy Melbourne said...

Love that bag with all my hearts.

Samantha Nandez said...

You have certainly made one of the most compelling arguments for a large purse I've ever read. I only own two purses. One is for formal occasions (which is rare) and the other I've had since 8th grade and haven't used since then, lol. But I have been actually considering a new purchase...maybe one day...

Jill said...

I'm not a bag person at all. I carry little hinged wallets by Asos that fits my credit cards and one lipstick.

However, this bag is beautiful...no blogging bullshit. I love the chain. Bravo!

Jill said...

Not asos...abas. Not enough coffee this morning.

L said...

Monet would be proud :) And I'm obsessed with those 'shoes'. Love, love, love!

L

The Rosenrot | Gracia Ventus said...

I'm all for big bags, even if my frame borders on the small side. There's something about carrying a sizeable chunk of leather that is so appealing to me. Not a fan of Katie's humoungous Birkin though

(IN)DECOROUS TASTE said...

Caitlinmae- I thought of that too, but ultimately opted for the chains. Just liked the aesthetics of it better. But I imagine having some padding for the shoulder area would make it easier to carry if there were a lot in the bag.

Joi said...

Oh Lauren!
Only you! You are the one that can have a big, handpainted bag, with matching shoes and toes...
AND pull it off!

I love everything about it!

Lara said...

Love this so much! Your painting skills are really impressive! You're a perfectionist after my own heart!

Do the chains hurt though? That's my biggest fear and why I always avoid chain straps... the digging.

Louise said...

Bloody hell, I love you! This bag is amazing, I would like to get inside and have nice, leather-swaddled naps any day. And that chain is something, too!

WendyB said...

That's beautiful. Much nicer than the atrocious Brobdingnagian Birkin.

anastassia said...

The green fading on the seams is an awesome idea. It seems almost like copper rust. You should do a matching wallet since you're in the mood for matchy matchy.

Dylana Suarez said...

Beautiful!

I just came across your blog! It is lovely!

colormenana.blogspot.com

Kellie Dobbie said...

Its just a simple bag but you made it into a fashionable item with hand-painted design and chains. Very creative!

Le Temps d'M said...

nice bag ;)

Theresa Cheek said...

OMG....you've used chandelier chain!!! I have been out of town working and just now catching up with blogs...this purse is fabulous! I love the tote shape, the baroque hand painting and that FABULOUS chain. You have me thinking here!

Theresa

Fatty Feliux said...

Love the mint green with the bronze, works so well. The design is kind of victorian 1870's chandelier, superb.

Would totally buy this bag if I saw it at a store.

xx

fatty feliux @ mustartblog.com

Andreia said...

Lovely bag!!!

http://makingfashionnotwar.blogspot.com/

Kellie Collis said...

Such a fabulous bag! Hope you are having a perfect weekend! Kellie xx

by Joanna DeVoe said...

Love the lime border on the shoes & the almost pornographic way that you obsess on every lil detail. Badass!

Paris Hotel Boutique said...

This bag is AMAZING! I was hoping you were selling them! I think we would all line up to buy one. Just gorgeous. And, love the matching toes and nails :)

harps said...

I love it, the antique print modernized with the mint green and gold chains...its gorgeous. I can't live without a huge bag, its amazing all the shit I seem to carry around.

Claudia Juestel said...

The painted leather bag is gorgeous. I love the use of decorative chandelier chain.

Cheers,

Claudia

stephie said...

LOVE your blog - finally delurking to share this vintage bag giveaway with you!

http://www.stephiesays.com/?p=3689

MiAMARiONETTE said...

Wow! I love that bag!!

http://miamarionette.blogspot.com/

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