For the Love of Bags

I had the opportunity to play with the Cole Haan Genevieve collection recently. They had the Triangle Tote on the left and the Hobo on the right.

The weave is really interesting because it is woven into a 3D effect - thicker strips on the outside getting thinner as it approaches the middle. It is very well done and it looks like a woven basket. The color I saw was Marigold (as per the Hobo) which is a bright yellow and very Spring 2008.

Although I loved the shape of the Small Triangle, I decided not to get it in the end, because it does not have a zip closure. It closes with a lobster clasp and tends to gape at the top. You’d have to hold it very close to your body to keep your items safe and I felt that defeated the purpose of carrying a handbag.

The Hobo is nice but quite conventional and quite large. The weave makes it an interesting bag but otherwise it is quite normal. The leather weave felt a bit stiff, but I’d expect that it’ll soften with use.

Nice bags. Too bad I could not find a use for either. Next!

Ah! In my search for a Bottega Veneta woven bag lookalike, I came across the Cole Haan Genevieve Collection.

I like the leather on Cole Haan bags. They are of excellent quality and very soft and supple. Very nice for an everyday bag that will take some abuse.

I’m partial towards the Genevieve Small Triangle Tote (First in the picture) (US$395). Its got a nice shape and size. I can only imagine one problem with it - there is no zip. True, there is a clasp, but still, I’m wary about bags without zips.

For a zippered bag, the Genevieve Hobo (2nd in picture)(US$425) would be a better choice. It reminds me a little of the Coach Ergo Hobo though.

I guess I’ll have to check out Cole Haan’s stores here in Malaysia and see how the Genevieve Collection feels. But from previous experience with Cole Haan, prices here are marked up quite high compared to the US prices - pity really. I think they are pretty under-rated and definitely worth a look.

Doris left me a comment on my previous post about the MO Outlet and I’m so happy to find another Cole Haan fan! I used to walk into the Cole Haan boutique in Starhill Gallery and drool over their buttery soft leather bags, but I’d walk out again, empty-handed, as I could not justify paying the 4 figures they were asking for.

You see, I went to check out prices online and they are so much cheaper in the USA! I’d feel cheated paying RM2000 for 1 bag which you can get in the USA for say $300 (RM1200) or even less. So, I abstained.

That is, until I discovered the MO Outlet in Cheras. Suddenly, these bags became affordable! Well, just…

This one caught my eye first. Its a bright fuschia in the pic but slightly more muted in real life. I love colourful bags so I didn’t mind that it would draw attention. Its a Cole Haan Alexa range, and is rather on the long side. There is no zipper at the top but there are zippers by the side. The no zipper at the top thing bugs me a little but with a bit of care, its actually ok. The straps are long enough to sling, which I like too.

The other I bought is also in the Alexa range. This one is large - it can fit an A4 file without problems. To be honest, I don’t know why I bought it then as it was really quite big. I came home and googled it and found it was supposed to be a diaper bag!! Wah luxurious mommies!

Anyway, I left it in my cupboard for a spell, and then tried to sell it, but to no avail. Then, I changed jobs and suddenly, I needed to tote around a whole lot of stuff - documents, stationery, wallet, cheque book… and this baby came in handy. Its lined in a tiffany blue nylon lining which is very unexpected, and has loads of compartments, which is of course, useful!

Both bags are leather. The leather is very soft and pliable and feels smooth to the touch. They are also both past season bags, but I don’t quite care LOL… They serve me well, and both together cost less than what 1 new one would cost in the store!

I’ve been carrying my black one everywhere for about 2 months now - dumping it on floors, swinging it around, and it still looks new, except around the corners. I guess this is what a good quality bag is all about! Yes, I love Cole Haan bags, and I’m dying to get more hehe…