Today CF is partnering with nine other top fashion blogs in a promotion sponsored by Avelle to talk about our favorite designer handbags and do a $250 giftcard giveaway in celebration of Avelle‘s 5th Anniversary!
Since many of you responded a few weeks ago that you are against designer knockoffs, Avelle is the perfect solution if you’re on a budget but still want to carry a real designer bag. You can rent most bags by the week for a reasonable fee and return the bag when you’re done. Even better, a portion of your rental fees go toward buying the bag should you want to keep it in the future.
If you want to try Avelle out for yourself, I’m giving away a $250 gift certificate to one lucky reader! For all the contest details, keep reading.
My Favorite Designer Bags
Before we get to the contest, I thought I’d feature some amazing bags here. If I were renting from Avelle, here are the 9 designer bags I’d most want to borrow!
1. Balenciaga Arena City Handbag – I’m unhealthily obsessed with Balenciaga bags. While I don’t own one yet, I plan to someday buy myself a pink City bag similar to the one pictured above! Balenciaga is a brand whose handbags are known for their buttery soft leather, unique hardware, and investment-bag status. Renting this bag might tide me over until I get a real City bag of my own.
2. Burberry Leather Hobo with Spikes – How badass is this Burberry bag? I’m obsessed with it! I know it’s hard to see because the picture is so small, but it’s a leather bag covered in studs, which I LOVE right now. The bag is pretty and shiny with just the right amount of bad girl edge. This is probably the number one bag I would rent from Avelle if given the chance!
3. Cynthia Rowley ‘Angie’ Tote – I really love the color of this one, and I think it would be perfect for spring. The girly design reminds me of flower petals, and the size is just right – not too big, not too small.
4. YSL ‘Muse’ Handbag – A total classic in chic patent leather. Do I even need to explain why I love this one? Okay, I’ll make it quick – the YSL Muse would go with everything, would hold all my essentials, and would make me extremely blissfully happy in the process.
5. Jimmy Choo ‘Ramona’ Patent Ring Handbag – I love Jimmy Choo bags, and this style is one of my favorites. White bags are perfect for spring, and the Ramona is simply flawless. The patent leather is a fun material choice, and the gold hardware helps set it off. I also love the lace-up detail at the top of the bag – so cute!
6. Valentino Side Bow Duffel – This one is the epitome of girly – isn’t it so Gossip Girl? The black patent leather makes it basic enough to take everywhere, but the pretty bow detail brings it from everyday to special-occasion status.
7. BE & D Garbo Satchel Handbag – I love the color of this bag as well, but I really chose it because it’s covered in studs! You know how obsessed I am with studs. This bag definitely wouldn’t be something I’d wear every day but could be so fun with the right outfit.
8. Felix Rey ‘Emma’ Tote – Again with the studs. Notice a pattern here? Avelle’s description of this bag is the best: “Ideal for prom queens who like to date bad boys.”
9. Mulberry ‘Roxanne’ Tote – I had to include this one because it’s one of the only hot pink bags Avelle carries. Since pink is my favorite color, I’m all for pink bags. I think this one would be great for everyday – it would hold all my notebooks for class and probably even my Macbook while adding a pop of color to any outfit.
Avelle Giveaway Details
You’ve seen my handbag picks – now it’s time to share yours. The best part? One lucky CF reader will win a $250 Avelle gift certificate!
How to enter: Now that you’ve seen my favorite Avelle bags, I want to see yours! Visit Avelle’s website, find a bag you like, post the link in the comments section of this post, and write a little bit about why you like it. Don’t forget to include an email address when you comment.
On May 13th I’ll choose randomly from all the entries, and the lucky winner will be announced here.
You have from now until May 12th at midnight to enter the giveaway, so get going and be sure to tell your friends to enter too!
tory burch is simple and elegant thats the one for me. [email protected]
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/product/13349/Handbag/Gucci/Gucci-%27Hysteria%27-Top-Handle-Handbag/&ssid=51
Awesome bag. Big and bright but only three colors that would go with a ton of outfits. Perfect for carrying all those books and notebooks to class. And Gucci…it couldn’t get better
=)
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Badgley-Mischka/Badgley-Mischka-Cecilia-Medium-Shopper-Tote/14651/1944/1862
I am absolutely in love with this bag! The bright blue color just makes me feel happy, and it’s just big enough to hold my essentials without overwhelming my small frame. It would also be soooooooooooo nice to be able to move away from my chunky backpack, and if I had this bag I would wean myself away from it.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Donald-J-Pliner/Donald-J-Pliner-Aurora-Drawstring-Handbag/14975/46/42
I absolutely love this mustard color on bags!
The Yves Saint Laurent Silver Stamp Tote, I could travel in style.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/ui/details?productId=15072
i did the search for your perfect bag, and this was one of the first options that came up — i love the lose hobo shape (which seems to influence most of my bag choices) and the fun yellow is perfect for spring/summer! although, i also love this one: http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/ui/details?productId=15843
yum. that mint green just screams spring to me!
I love the Louis Vuitton Papillon 30 Handbag
b/c its a nice size, in a great color and looks divine.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Louis-Vuitton/Louis-Vuitton-Limited-Edition-Speedy-Roses–Handbag/16536/18/51
I absolutely love this Louis Vuitton purse. It’s different than any other purse I own. I usually stick to just plain colours, nothing too fancy, but when I saw this I fell in love.
I’m a university student so I need a purse that is trendy yet practical. It needs to be able to carry a couple school books, maybe my laptop, etc. So I thought this purse was perfect. It has a nice shape that can fit books/laptop but it’s so adorable.
Definitely the perfect bag to add a little spice to my wardrobe.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Chanel/Chanel-Small-Tote-Handbag/8211/46/721
Ok who doesn’t drool over a Chanel bag. This one is simple and classic, basically everything the idea behind Chanel.
I just got these grey suede peeptoe booties that would look great with this bag!!! Oh man…now I need that certificate haha.
Gucci ‘Aviatrix’ Medium Boston Handbag- It’s rusted gold accents give this black leather purse a classic look. The gold medallion that centers this piece gives it a chic vibe. It’s the perfect purse to accessorize any outfit on a Summer night out. It even has a pocket to hold a cellphone or a blackberry, which is every girl’s main accessory.
Tylie Malibu Sahara Hobo Handbag in grey is for me- the perfect size, cross-body-able if you are traveling a long way or wish to be hands free & a lovely color with terrific texture- goes with everything. Sumptuous & a tad posh but not over the top. The grey Jaguar of purses. Yes! 😀 The only thing I might not like is what appears to be gold toned hardware.
I really love this bag because it would be great if you lived in Hollywood. It just reminds me of something you would see on The Hills. With all those school papers and other class stuff you could keep tons of must have items in the big space the bag offers. The stylish grommets where the handle attaches to the bag is a very nice touch. I also love the crazy floral-like patten the bag has. It resembles something you would find in a one of a kind boutique. Take it to the beach or just a night out with the girls. I love it:)
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Juicy-Couture/Juicy-Couture-Mod-Baby-Fluffy-Handbag/9510/18/267#
I love this Juicy Couture handbag! My favorite purses have this shine to it. The material is perfect. I also love the style of the bag, its black so it will always be wearable, and the hints of gold along with the side pockets keep it young and fresh, perfect for someone my age (late teens – early twenties)
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Isabella-Fiore/Isabella-Fiore-Blossom-Hobo-Handbag/15239/18/51
This is definitely my choice! I’m trying to change my ways, and be a little more daring with my choice in handbags. I usually go with a basic black patent leather bag, and each time I would go shopping for a new one, I’d fall into the same rut!
The bag I chose is a drastic change for me because of it’s bright pop of color; something I would always shy away from. It’s also got a bohemian feel to it, and I absolutely love anything boho. I feel like it’s really “me,” and I’m trying to incorporate that into my wardrobe a lot more this spring.
Overall, I think it’s great, but the one thing that I would change is the straps. I’ve never worn a bag with straps so thin, and I’d probably prefer them a little thicker. Possibly even a rope-like strap for this type of bag?
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Louis-Vuitton/Louis-Vuitton-Mancrazy-Monogram-Jokes-Handbag/13512/18/294
The Louis Vuitton “Mancrazy” Monogram Jokes Handbag is simply amazing. It truly is a “converstion piece”, quite literally!
The limited edition bag designeed by Richard Prince is the traditional Louis Vuitton monogram, with burnt orange “paint” sprayed on that makes the leather look almost rustic.
The large bag (roughly the size of a Speedy) features snakeskin handles and the traditional tan lining and brass hardware.
However, the most amazing part of this bag is it’s jokes. On the front, there are two jokes printed on the left hand bottom side saying:
“Everytime I meet a girl who can cook like my Mother…She looks like my Father.”
and
“My wife went to the beauty shop and got a mud pack. For the next two days she looked beautiful; Then the mud fell off.”
This bag will MOST DEFINTELY guarantee smiles and possibly a few dates! 🙂
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Carla-Mancini/Carla-Mancini-Handbag/15276/18/51
I love this beautiful bag by Carla Mancini. It is just perfect for carrying around all my paperwork from my job and then can easily transition to toting around my little laptop and note book for class. All this without sacrificing an ounce of fashion, as it still make a statement as a piece in my everyday wardrobe. ( Plus i adore the defined yet slouchy structure to the bag ) How can you not love something that combines practicality and fashion so beautifully?