It’s the first week of Summer but stores are starting to feel like Fall. I am always perplexed by this strange retail phenomenon of selling Summer clothes when it’s snowing outside and hawking Furs in the dead heat of August. I understand they are trying to maximize sales by putting it on the floor early but wouldn’t it make more sense to sell bikinis and hot pants in June instead of Feb? Maybe then they wouldn’t be forced to mark it down to 75% off. Not that I am complaining, I grabbed the most amazing Summer stuff at Barneys and Neiman Marcus this month, just in time for the warm weather!

But let’s get back to the real reason I am writing you, the arrival of Fall bags at Net-a-Porter. I haven’t seen any worthy to mention until this Jimmy Choo Alex suede bag caught my eye (cuz I am a sucker for chocolate suede and overdose in it each Fall). This lush suede hobo looks very comfy and soft, and I love that it is secured by a strap above the opening, good for people in big cities who are concerned with pick pockets. I also love that it has little metal feet; a feature not often found on slouchy bags which means they get all scruffy on the bottom, especially in suede. The light stitching is also a nice contrast to the rich brown suede as is the divine snakeskin trim. The bag is a bit big for my taste but if New York girls are any indication, big bags will continue strong for a very long time! I have never seen so many girls lugging giant bags around, my New York friends tell me it’s because they literally carry everything I keep in my car in their bag! Can you imagine? It’s a good thing I have a big car cuz I like my bags to be smaller than my Range Rover. $1,975 at Net-a-Porter.

What do you guys think of the Alex suede bag from Jimmy Choo?

Medor clutch at Hermes, call Craig– 214-528-0197, he has lots of colors!A clutch by any other brand would merely be a clutch. The Medor clutch from Hermes, however, is a stunning piece of sculpted art with multiple functions to boot. I picked one up yesterday in ardoise (a beautiful shade of dark gray) with palladium collier de chien hardware and have not stopped playing with it (notice how chic it looks with the scarf as shoulder strap– transforming it to an instant shoulder bag!) I was going to wait until I arrived in Paris (Monday!) to get it but decided to grab it now considering the weak greenback against the Euro. My Medor clutch is made of structured veau box which will age and patina beautifully, it’s lined in chevre and has an interior pocket. A generous size at 11 1/4″ x 6″, my giant Hermes Kelly wallet ligne fits in it perfectly along with my cell and lip gloss. The hardware is actually adjustable and allows me a few more inches should I want to stuff my make up bag in there, too. I am a punk rock child of the 80’s; I love the chunky stud detail and have my eye on the Collier de Chien belt in black– which I hope to bring home from Paris among many other things. Have a lovely weekend everyone. I’ll see you in Paris! (Jump for more pictures!)

 
OK, so this is not the most subtle hint but what the hell, I am just trying to be practical and maybe help out those thoughtful and considerate husbands who read our site to get gift ideas for their lucky wives. Any one of these would be an AWESOME Mother’s Day gift but all of them would be a dream come true. For a real surprise, the Hermes Lindy would do the trick. If you have been in the dog house, this will get you out. $5,600 Craig at Hermes, 214-528-0197. Any practical mom can use the Bottega Veneta Tri Compartment ($2780) and in pink, it is sure to delight! The Zagliani Puffy Python Satchel ($3100), has been on my list of must haves for a while now. The puffy shape makes it young and easy to wear everyday and the silicone injected python makes the skin luscious! For the bag and beauty snob, Smythson’s Beauty Roll ($510) in Azure is not only beautiful but quite useful! All the mink and sable brushes are included. You are getting a deal here for this one. Be good to your mother’s. Sure it’s the thought that counts and a hug is the best gift in the world, but come on! This is the real world and we expect nice gifts!!! =)

I meant to post this last week but with our server down for two days, I completely forgot! So here it is, my favorite ways to tie and knot scarves on bags. The blue jean birkin above is tied with a limited edition cotton Hermes scarf. I found that the cotton ones were easiest to work with but I like the way the silk scarves hang better. The style above may be done by folding your scarf diagonally (2 inch thickness), then tie a knot on the handle– keeping one side four inches longer than the other, pull through a single bow instead of two and voila, instant chic-ness. See more styles after the jump!

Pierre Hardy 40% off at Barneys Dallas on May 5th for one day only! Call Pam or Cory at 469-221-4807 to pre-order!

Anya Hindmarch Oakley, Goyard Saint Louis, Pierre Hardy, YSL Downtown

Dear Bag Snob,

I have been looking for a big bag suitable to be used as a diaper bag for almost 4 years now (my oldest is almost 4 and second baby just turned 1). I am looking for something that is light (not heavy) in a spring color and big to carry all my baby items. I know you are not a fan of the Goyard bags, but they look like they could be used as handy diaper bags. I am referring to the Saint Louis bags. What do you think? Do you think they’re worth what they cost?

Thank you!

Love,
Stephany

There is nothing more effortless than an Hermes scarf worn every which way. French women have it down. They toss it, knot it, twist it, and voila — instant “Je ne sais quoi chic-ness.” But don’t fret! You, too, can achieve this look easily! Just follow these simple instructions for my favorite styles. I wear my scarves all summer long; on my bags, as belts, halter tops, tank tops, head wraps, skirts, you name it! They are so light and easy to travel with, so I never leave home without them. Jump to see five easy summer looks! Scarves at Hermes.com $355 for 36″x36″

The Lindy in 30cm. Call Craig at Hermes, 214-528-0197.

I have admired the Lindy bag from Hermes since it burst on the bag scene in the fall of 2006. I ordered one in pale pink last year but changed my mind and decided to wait for a brighter color, and what could be more bright and bold than the Vert Anis? A cheeky sour apple hue, it is such a wonderful shade of green! I got it in Veau Swift, which is soft, but sturdy, and the shape is so fun and youthful. I love the birkins and kellys, but have to admit they’re a bit mature (not that I’ll ever give them up!). The Lindy is fun and casual and not on every fashionista’s radar, which is a plus for me. I am totally greedy and don’t want anyone else to have my bags! Now that birkins are on the arm of every actress in town, I am moving on to the Lindy! I love that there is a shoulder strap option; many designers have convertible bags, but Hermes is the only one to get it perfectly right. When not in use, the strap hangs out of the way in the back, but is easily slipped on the shoulder within seconds! There are two outer pockets and two in the interior; no more digging in the kelly bag for keys or valet tickets! My dear friend, Florence, the Shoe Goddess apparently has the same taste as me. She got a tan one on the same day! Hopefully we’re not starting a trend. It is also undervalued, compared to the birkin or kelly, but I expect that to change soon. At Hermes. (Jump to see more photos of the lovely Lindy!)

How incredibly cute is the Julie foldover clutch from JALDA? I am featuring a lot of indie designers this week, with bags under $500 because great bags are to be had at every price level! As we all know by now, price is not indicative of one’s style or taste. I spend hours going to stores to see the latest in bags, and I always find myself drifting away from the Prada, Gucci and Fendi counters to the corners of the department–that’s where the real finds are and is how I first discovered Jalda last year! The lovely bag designer from the Netherlands has done it again this season with a flirty pleated, foldover clutch, The Julie. I love a puffy clutch. It holds more stuff and has a girly vibe that all of us could use at one time or another. This one is generously sized at 10.5″x8″x2.5″ which means I can fit my giant Hermes Kelly wallet in it (It’s been a nightmare fitting that wallet in my clutches and Chanel bags!). I love the signature polished, bean-shaped handle–it fits the curve of your hand perfectly, so you can tote it around or clutch it depending on your mood! At $350, I want to get one in every color, especially the sky blue on top. At JALDA at Saks and Neiman Marcus.

Photo courtesy of Jalda. Jump for more!