Botkier for Target? Oh HELLS No.
Anyone eagerly anticipating the July 20 release of the Botkier for Target handbag line needs to take a good, hard look at these photos. Witness Exhibit A:
It’s not just painfully obvious that the sparkling, buttery, buckled beauty at left is the real thing; it’s fucking insulting that the gold, stiff, pleather disaster at right is being pawned off as a desirable alternative to its overpriced inspiration. Witness Exhibit B:
If the JPEG placement switcheroo was enough to trick you, you’re clearly one of the sheep who’ll actually buy this crapola and I pity you. Even if the Target-ized version at left is real leather, it’s of the immobile, low-cost ilk. It’s not just the intricate stitching that outs the bag on the right as the real thing; it’s the scrunching of soft, mobile leather around the buckle strap. Versions of its pathetic copy lurk on the corners of Broadway and every other street in Soho and - if you don’t mind looking not-even-close-to-loaded - can be had for twenty bucks.
Last night marked the end of an era for me and my own (real) Botkier bag. After five years of constant wear and tear, the shoulder strap finally snapped. While I’ve obvs been mourning its expiration all day, I’m not angry in the least. Why? Because the strap snappage has nothing to do with the quality of the bag and everything to do with my wearing the hell out of it. As soon as I have it repaired, I’ll continue to do so - its leather is even softer than when I first purchased it and it molds to my right hip every time I put it on. It might not look new anymore, but it looks loved. Most importantly, it still makes me look and feel loaded (strap in tact, obvs).
Yes, the notion that $695 is a reasonable price for an Italian lambskin handbag is utter bullshit. But so too is the notion that a quality, classic, leather tote you’ll wear for years can be found at Target. Where handbags are concerned, you get what you pay for. You don’t need to drop a grand on a real Botkier - absolutely JAPtastic bags can be had for less than half of what the brand usually costs. You do need to avoid Botkier for Target for the sake of your dignity.
Kvelling and Kvetching
This post amused me. I am a totally clueless handbag person and never heard of Botkier at all. Where I live everyone dies for Coach (no thanks to that one too). I liked the Target version of the bags. But I don’t spend more than $25 on a handbag.I know I know. I can here an “Oy Vey” coming straight outta NYC now lol! But remember this my japtastic friend its not what you have its how you rock it!
@ 9:25 pm on June 11th, 2008Your Botkier bag is beautiful! I have 1 or 2 really nice bags that I totally cherish and they were worth every penny. One of them is a light color leather and it unfortunately has acquired a few spots. Do you have suggestions for cleaning high quality leather? Have you ever done this? Or taken it to a leather specialist?
I’m just wondering because while having a bag that looks well-loved is awesome, one with spots on it isn’t so good. Thanks Alexandra.
@ 12:09 am on June 12th, 2008I just bought my first “status bag” about a month ago - Don Ed Hardy. Yes, the tattoo guy now has a line of Tshirts, loungewear and handbags. I didn’t even buy it on sale! (shameless WASP *haha!*)
@ 1:25 pm on June 18th, 2008Anyway…it’s funny how having an ex$pen$ive handbag has improved my attitude toward the world in general. Since I rotate my handbags and don’t carry just one single one all the time, I expect Don Ed’s masterpiece to last a good long time, too.
* ; )
No exaggeration the ugliness of this collection actually haunted me in my sleep. I don’t understand how these designers could just throw their [usually good] names out for free PR into such cheap/crappy looking pieces.
@ 12:50 pm on June 19th, 2008I saw that magentaish botkier on the gilt website and I love it. Impractical as hell? Um…yes. But just looking at the leather made me wanting it. I totally spotted the switcharoo, you totally confused me at first (:
@ 2:52 pm on June 27th, 2008Leave a Reply