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!
The Chanel quilted tote–a classic that will stand the test of fashion time–which is why I love it.
The Coach Signature Stripe Patchwork Shoulder Bag is to die for!
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/kate-spade/kate-spade-Niki-Handbag/13720/18/51#
So for the last year I have resorted to putting the necessities (phone, slim wallet, keys, buss/train pass, and of course the emergency tampon) in my pockets. I know, I know, completely disgraceful really.
Thing is, I am a college student, a fashion-conscious college student who is torn between quality fashion and a stingy budget (dreadfully stingy budget). About a year ago I decided I could no longer stand my sad excuses for purses (cheap materials, average-looking design), so until I could afford a purse of artistic, designer quality, I decided to solely utilize my pockets.
Doing so has been slightly annoying since there is limited room, but it is motivating me to work work work, so that one day I can get my beautiful bag, fill it with whatever I want (including money!), and flaunt my hard work.
Until then…I will keep window/site “shopping” & I suppose I will also start to save up in order to borrow on Avelle!
I am surprised I picked a Kate Spade bag, I am not usually that big a fan of KS. I looked through many, many pages but KS kept catching my attention. I even almost put this YSL bag — http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Yves-Saint-Laurent/Yves-Saint-Laurent-Rive-Gauche-Handbag-/13555/18/51–but switched back because this Kate Spade bag really does beat it out. Bet its the frugal-student in me.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Balenciaga/Balenciaga-Giant-City-Handbag/14613/1/113846#
This little number would be perfect for starting my new job…
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Balenciaga/Balenciaga-Giant-City-Handbag/14613/1/113846#
I just like the sleek look and the hardware accents. I would be so stoked to carry this bag.
txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com
I love the Gucci ‘Hysteria’ Embroidered Leather Handbag – neutral to go with anything, but far from boring!
OMG! I absolutely LOVE this Gustto Pavia Leather Hobo in Fusia Pink. It is so NOT me. I always say Im going to “TRY” to get out of my always using a black purse thing but then I get scared to try something new and bold, scared that it might not match with something, Lazy to change purses etc. This whole renting thing is an absolutely AWSOME idea, not only economical but lets you have a new purse every week or month. I can’t wait to start, maybe this will get me out of my old black purse phase Ive been in for my entire adult life now. Awsome purse.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Gustto/Gustto-Pavia-Leather-Hobo-Handbag/16882/1767/46
I want to tote around the MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Astor’ N/S Tote. However, I wouldn’t mind any of these bags, that is for sure.
I absolutely love the metalic stripes on this bag! It seems similar to zebra stripes but a classier gold and black. It also looks like it is big enough to hold everything you could need in a day, like on the way to a university class, but not be too big at the same time!
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Prada/Prada-Medium-Metallic-Stripe-Handbag/12130/46/42
I love the Betsey Johnson ‘Take a Bow’ N/S Frame Handbag! This would be a perfect bag for work. It is so cute and it would go well with much of my wardrobe. Thanks for the giveaway.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Donald-J-Pliner/Donald-J-Pliner-Aurora-Drawstring-Handbag/14975/46/42
wouldn’t this be great for an afternoon in town
I love the Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Sunset Boulevard Evening Handbag. http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Louis-Vuitton/Louis-Vuitton-Monogram-Vernis-Sunset-Boulevard-Evening-Handbag/13507/43/131
I think it is gorgeous and I’d look great carrying it for a night out with my hubby!
I would pick the black “Gucci” Bag, hope I linked it right,
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Gucci/Gucci-Hysteria-Large-Top-Handle-Tote/12154/18/886612#
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Gucci/Gucci-Britt-Small-Boston-Handbag/9694/18/51. The black patent leather is appealing to me.
electricisland(at)gmail.com
I love Fendi Secret Code Handbag
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Fendi/Fendi-Secret-Code-Handbag/15605/18/1320
Bold and bright color, unique design, you can wear it with casual summer brights or evening attire or with anything….what’s not to love?
And it’s Fendi 🙂
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Prada/Prada-Striped-Nappa-Hobo-Handbag/15422/1/864010
I have been diagnosed with bag boredom! I would love to make every day a little special with the decadently delightful Prada Striped Nappa Hobo Handbag. It would complete my look with so many of my outfits and make even the most basic outfit look hip and chic. Thank you for the opportunity to win the use of a perfect around town companion!