Love At First Grope
Yesterday, I fell in love. With a handbag. I’ll explain.
A week or so ago, I was strolling down my block when I noticed a new addition to the neighborhood. Like Athena from Zeus’s head, a bag shop had sprung unexpectedly from a deserted storefront. And not just any bag shop - a Petticoat Lane. I had it pegged as a JAP mecca even before I discovered the locations of their other branches (Chappaqua, Scarsdale). I knew I probably couldn’t afford anything in there, but figured there wasn’t any harm in browsing. And now, I am in trouble. Trouble of the impassioned, impulsive and fiscally irresponsible kind.
As you well know, I’ve been yearning and burning for a new leather bag to complete my soul (i.e. my closet) for quite some time now. While Petticoat Lane offers the eternally JAPtastic Furlas, Botkiers, Francesco Biasias and Bulgas we all know and love, they also have a less familiar brand called Abaco. After holding and feeling Abaco’s bags, I can honestly say it was love at first grope.
Abaco’s line is comprised of (in my humble opinion (HA!)) the highest quality handbags I’ve ever seen. Now, by “quality,” I do not mean well-made, classic, practical, aesthetically-pleasing and/or long-lasting - all that shit’s a given. When I say “quality,” I mean Looks Expensive As Hell. If you see this bag on the street, you don’t wonder if the girl on its strap got it at a sample sale, scored it on Canal, bought it at a boutique, whatever. You see it and think, “OMFG. I looooove that bag. And I so can’t afford it. Eff her.” And you’re right: You so can’t afford it. Neither can I. Hence the potentially heartbreaking and definitely gut-wrenching plight I now find myself in.
If you’ve ever experienced the L-word, you’re well aware that its unpredictable nature is part of what makes it the most awesome and fucked up emotion in existence. I thought a roomy, neutral-colored, go-with-everything tote was what I’d been looking for. Then this smaller, square-ish, navy blue shoulder bag knocked me on my ass, and I realized I don’t know myself nearly as well as I pretend to.
The Abaco Newport Bag is currently on sale for $499; a 30% reduction from its retail price of $739. I’m the first to admit that - even at more than $200 off - it’s not a deal in the slightest. But I can’t stop thinking about it, and need to make a decision before some yuppie Park Slope mom parks her stroller in the store and snaps it up with her hubbie’s Amex. Commenters (you’re all effing awesome, BTdubs): You have two hours before I leave for work to advise me on my situation. Tragedy will befall either my heart or my bank account depending on the outcome. Help a fellow Cheap JAP out, huh?
Tagged: Bag This • Label Whore
Kvelling and Kvetching
I vote no, based on price. If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it.
By the way, my choice for high quality JAP-tastic bag that I carry everywhere? I have a Tano bag that I’ve been carrying for the past year. Gets me compliments everywhere, high quality leather, pretty fabric lining, and their bags are generally under $200 full price. Much more affordable. Mine is a variation on this one:
@ 2:04 pm on June 23rd, 2008http://www.tanobag.com/detail.cfm?season=A&syear=2008&group=TR&style=9897&IMMED=&desc=BOOGIE%20BUCKET&makebuy=B
But the trim/handle on mine is braided leather instead of the buckle stuff.
I think you should ask yourself how quickly you will recover from this purchase. If after you buy this bag you can still pay your bills, have enough for food, going out, and other necessities before your next paycheck, then by all means treat yourself. But keep in mind that you may not be able to shop for anything sartorial for a while. If there is no way in hell that you can buy the bag AND have enough $$ to live, then forget it. Best thing to do would be request it as a bday gift — that’s what I do : ) Good luck!!
@ 2:26 pm on June 23rd, 2008ugh- what’s with the practical advice? go for it- skip the ciggz & red bulls for like a month and just buy the bag!
@ 4:30 pm on June 23rd, 2008Those bags look like garbage sacks. DENY.
@ 5:24 pm on June 23rd, 2008eh. the bow bag seems copied from the ysl bow bag from a few seasons back. but i agree with stazh.
@ 6:32 pm on June 23rd, 2008Hello,
I just found your blog a little bit ago. I don’t usually comment but as a fellow bag addict I thought I’d offer my 2 cents.
I assume you didn’t buy the bag or you’d already have announced it. I offer for your consideration: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5456402
@ 7:05 pm on June 28th, 2008The user name is valhallabrooklyn and she makes gorgeous leather bags out of recycled and new leather. See if there’s something you like or if not, she also does custom orders. I know that it won’t exactly satisfy your inner label whore but at $200-300 the price isn’t too bad.
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