Dupi-CAUGHT: Zara (again) vs Phillip Lim

Ever feel like whenever you go into a Zara there's an air of familiarity in 90% of their merch? It's probably because you've seen it before - the pieces aren't outright duplicates of other labels but man, they come pretty damn close. What I love about Zara is the speed at which they work - their carbon copy abilities are lightning fast and they take a bit from everybody - just to keep it fair. Gotta love Zara!

Enter Phillip Lim's 31 hour bag. It's a larger bag which sports a zipped closure that extends halfway down the sides, has thick center handles and a fold over flap in contrasting color. This will set you back $750-$995 depending on the finish of the bag.

Meet the copycat - Zara's Citybag with Zip. Although this version sports slimmer handles and an added strap, a shorter zipper and a less rugged look overall - you definitely know where Zara got it's inspiration from.

Sample Sale Report: Tusk

If you’re in need of an affordable lightweight handbag at a great price the Tusk Sample Sale is definitely the place to go.  While the handbags may be manufactured in India – fine Italian leathers are used in combination with handcrafted hardware from Italy or Japan.  Each piece is sturdy yet super lightweight so the bag itself won’t weigh you down. 

As for the sale itself it was brightly lit and well organized by bins and racks with clearly marked prices. Staffers were super friendly and knowledgeable about the products.  Everything is marked significantly off retail at 50-75% off  and  if you spend $300 or more you get an extra 10% off!

There are also plenty of small leather goods at this sale that start at just $15. With a wide assortment of affordable items like card cases, jewelry boxes, iPod cases, wallets and clutches – the Tusk Sample Sale is a great gift giving destination.  Most of what is available to buy is carefully wrapped in plastic to protect the items from being touched and torn apart by rabid shoppers.  An example item of each is displayed on top of each bin so you can look inside and get a feel for the item.  The same goes for the handbags – everything that is currently out on the floor are “display models” - the staffers have brand new inventory in the back that they will bring you for purchase until they reach the last item/floor model that they will offer at a discounted price.

More Sample Sales This Week!

Who: threeASFOUR x Salvor Joint Sample Sale Event
What: Snag discounts on samples and production items. Bags by threeASFOUR at the lowest prices they've ever been offered for + scarves by Salvor and so much more
When: August 11-13, 2011. Thurs-Sat noon-8pm
Where: Salvor, 172 Forsyth St (b/n Stanton & Rivington St)

Who: Ash Footwear Warehouse Sale
What: 60-75% off all spring/summer merchandise. Shoes from $49, Bags from $139.
When: August 5-14, 2011. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
Where: Ash Flagship Store, 44 Mercer Street (b/n Grand and Broome St)

Who: In Suede Sample Sale
What: Suede Jackets $25, Leather Jackets $50, Leather/Suede Coats $35. Cash and credit cards only.
When: August 9-12, 2011. Tue, Wed, Fri 10am-6pm, Thurs 10am-6:30pm
Where: 463 7th Ave (b/n 35th & 36th St)Suite 1304, 13th Floor. 212-947-9865

Question of the Week: Stylish Bags & Backpacks for School

A few people have been writing asking me to do a shopping round up of bags and backpacks for back to school, specifically grad school. Totes look great if you're only carrying a couple notebooks. But if you have a laptop and then some, I would recommend considering a backpack because the two straps really do help distribute the weight. That being said, be careful when packing your bag because too much weight can hurt your posture regardless of bag design.

The word backpack might bring back childhood memories of Jansport and Eastpak, but they've actually quite hot right now. They've recently appeared on runways (Louis Vuitton, D&G, etc) and even the red carpet. A few months ago Mary-Kate Olsen sporting a Pendleton backpack at a restaurant grand opening in NYC.

Photo credit: Huffington Post
In my search for practical, yet stylish bags, I looked for backpacks big enough to hold a laptop (and a book or two) and grown-up enough to potentially take to the office. And I know school is expensive, so I kept price point in mind.


Baggu Canvas Backpack $28.00 + $4 shippingI've featured this bag before on the blog in a Deal of the Day post. It's a simple, washable and affordable backpack. The darker colors would probably be your best bet for versatility.


Matt & Nat, $123 + free shippingThis bag is a little bit smaller, but I love the look of this bag from vegan line, Matt & Nat. The coated canvas, hardware and "leather" strip down the middle are a unique touch. And did I mention that it's 40% off (retail $205) at mattandnat.com? The discounted backpack is a final sale item, so if you want to be sure, check out endless.com which offers free returns.


David King Convertible Laptop Backpack, $132.99 + free shippingThere is only one view of this bag online, so I can't fully endorse it. But luggage.com also offers free returns! I like how clean this back looks and that it was designed to hold laptops.

Readers, those are my back to school picks. What would you recommend?

Murses 101: Four Types and Uses

The Murse: aka male handbag or man-purse
If you don't like the terminology - get over it. Murses have taken the world by storm and are definitely here to stay. If you're tired of losing things and forgetting your keys, wallet or passcard in the pair of pants you wore the other day - suck it up and get yourself a murse. It'll save you aggravation, time in the long run and I guarantee you'll never go back to being bag-less.

I've broken down the 4 main types of bags available for men and provided a few options at different price points.

The Messenger:

The messenger bag is one of the most versatile bags out there and comes in a variety of sizes. There is usually one main compartment accompanied by a few smaller ones that are useful for storing whatever would normally be shoved into your pockets. If you're in the market for an all purpose bag - this is definitely one you should consider. Also, if you plan on carrying heavier items, look out for some sort of shoulder support or padding that will help with the comfort factor.

The only thing I would be weary of when looking for a messenger is the main flap. If you're like me, I want easy access to whatever it is I'm stashing in my bag. That being said, the flap usually doesn't do it for me since you always have to hold it up while searching through your bag. In general, I'm more about convenience and try to opt for simpler closures like zippers, clasps or some sort of magnetic button - but to each his own. Go with what you feel comfortable with.

Canvas Messenger by Ben Sherman (Reg $89 - on sale for $45 @ Bluefly), Nylon Canvas Field Bag by Jack Spade ($198)

Mr. Postman by George, Gina & Lucy ($150-$200), Mini Messenger Shoulder Bag by Dior Homme ($1,200)

The Tote:

Once only thought of as an item used to stash your beach towel in, the tote has definitely grown in popularity over the years. It's definitely not for everyone but if you're into this style, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you do opt for a tote, I'd recommend carrying it by the handles versus the shoulder.

Canvas Strap Tote by J. Crew (on sale for $60), Tote Bag by The Brother Bray & Co. (available at Urban Outfitters for $88)

Soft Nylon Work Tote by Jack Spade ($159), Hamptons Washed Canvas Medium Weekend Tote by Coach ($298)

The Briefcase:

While not everyone needs a bag for work - if you do, a briefcase is what you want. Briefcases offer more structure and internal support than any of their counterparts which makes them ideal for storing laptops, files or papers. Keep in mind that briefcases tend to be on the pricier side of the spectrum, since the majority of them are made out of leather.

Durango Leather Port by Kenneth Cole ($298), Schiller Briefcase by Shipley & Halmos ($485)

Trudeau Bag by WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie ($1,050), Folder Travel Bag by Balenciaga ($1,595)

The Weekender:

The weekender is a great bag for light travel or if you need to carry something larger that wouldn't normally fit in one of the other types of bags. While some of these bag can also double as a gym bag - I'd be a bit careful if you opt for a leather piece since it can scuff or tear if you try to shove it into your locker (been there, done that).

In general, I would only recommend this style of bag if you have a true need for it - otherwise it'll likely end up collecting dust in your closet.

Bauhaus by Matt & Nat ($285), Country Weekender Bag by Ralph Lauren ($395)

Weekend Bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs ($558)

With all bags, it's important to remember the end purpose of the bag when taking into consideration which material to choose. If you plan on storing papers or other items that can get damaged by rain you might want to consider a more durable material like leather - or if you're going for something lightweight, canvas or nylon are good choices.

Bags are functional - plain and simple. That's why people carry them. They also double as an accessory and can enhance your overall look when done right. While bags are not necessarily the most affordable items in your wardrobe, they're great investments as they are something you can use everyday.

If you're looking to purchase a bag, always pick the style of bag first (e.g. messenger, tote, briefcase, etc.) based on your intended use (e.g. work, travel, everyday, etc.). Once you hammer out what type of bag you're looking for, then you can consider things like the color, aesthetic, and so forth.

On a side note, if you're in the market for a Ben Minkoff bag (covered in an earlier post) the line is set to launch sometime in November just before the holiday season.

Ben Minkoff Launch: The Full Collection

Earlier this week, Erin and I had a chance to stop by the launch of Rebecca Minkoff's new men's line entitled Ben Minkoff (named after her grandfather who was a fighter pilot in WWII). Overall, the pieces combine vintage elements, great hardware detailing and most importantly - functionality.

I can't speak for everyone - but I always carry a bag with me. It's convenient, practical, prevents me from losing things and keeps my pockets empty. If you want to avoid creasing your wallet, getting lint trapped in your cell phone screen or looking like you're sporting saddle bags - invest in a bag....it's totally worth it.

In general there aren't too many of options for men's bags, so I'm definitely glad another one is joining the party!

The Line:

Justin Tote ($295-$395), Greggor Tote ($405-$495)

Danny iPad Sling ($365-$485), Foster Tote ($275-$285)

Foster Tote ($275-$285), Urz Computer Bag ($385-$475)

Sunny Days Tote ($315)

iPad Cases, Toiletry bags, wallets and card cases

The Big Little Bag:

Danny iPad Sling in black waxwear ($365)

(also available in grey lamb leather for $485)

Don't let the size of this bag deceive you - it opens up to reveal a ton of practical space for you to store pens, wallet, passport, cards, etc. and has plenty of zippered compartments so things don't get lost when you're on the run. This would definitely be a great piece for traveling due to it's small size and multiple compartments.

And of course you can house your iPad or whatever else you like in the main compartment.

Erin's Pick:

Greggor Tote in black leather ($495)

(also available checker waxwear for $405)

This is a great piece. The bag is not too big but has plenty of room for everything you need including your wallet, cellphone, pens, ipod and laptop (separate removable padded compartment). There is also a zippered compartment in the center of the bag which is definitely useful for keeping things organized.

*Erin's note: Although this is a line that is geared towards a male audience, I anticipate that this line will soon become a unisex line with women wanting to get in on the action*

My Pick:

Nicky Messenger in brown leather ($525)

(also available in black leather for $525 and green waxwear for $395)

This is a great all purpose bag with one main compartment and several smaller compartments on the inside, two on the sides of the bag and one in the front for easy access to small items. There's also one slit pouch in the back, which would be perfect for storing newspapers or magazines.

The Finer Points:

An up-close look at some of the hardware used on the majority of the pieces.

Great details like zippers and screw-like rivets echoed throughout the collection.