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 Satchel! YES, thank you
My fav is the kate spade Preston Hollow ‘Small Flower Pot’ Tote http://tinyurl.com/cwpl98 It is so springy and cute, I just drool over it. My current handbag is a white kate spade that I have had for several years now and I just love it. It has held up as a bag of that quality should. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Rafe-New-York/Rafe-New-York-Laos-Martina-Wood-Frame-Clutch/10700/42/122
I love this clutch from Rafe New York. This would be perfect for me. Just enough room for my phone, my money, my chapstick and a couple other essentials. The cream color and exquisite details of the cutaway flowers would compliment my style perfectly. I wear a lot of second-hand and vintage pieces. This clutch is modern but looks vintage enough to blend in or stand out whenever I wanted it to. It would be a great piece to transition from day to night, also. I love the wood handle and the antique rivets.
This clutch is stunning. I absolutely love it!
I like this one: Dooney & Bourke Large Sac with Twisted Strap
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Chloe/Chloe-Paddington-New-Shopper-Handbag/6186/46/681
When it comes to bags I have a very specific taste and some very important rules. I need a bag that is neutral, roomy, slouchy and because I tend to lose things, it needs to close in some manner. I really liked how Avelle gave you different filters, that made it easier to find designers whose aesthetic I liked. My top three designers were Prada, Botkier and Chloé. I eventually found the perfect drool-worthy bag of my dreams: the Chloé Paddington New Shopper Bag. I’ve lusted over the Paddington forever, but this bag is absolute perfection. The dove gray color is perfect for Summer and Winter because it complements either season’s trends, whereas most bag colors are strictly one seasonal. The size is perfect for someone like me who can’t leave the house without taking her whole life with her. I could even fit my laptop in, if necessary. The bag is slouchy while still maintaining a good shape. I can’t imagine getting to carry a Chloé bag– especially a Paddington– for only $80… that’s insane!!
Oh WOW!! Your picks are to die for! I think I’d rent this delicious vintage bag.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Dallas-Handbags/Dallas-Vintage-Telephone-Shoulder-Bag/11327/2083/143
Looks like a telephone? I’m in vintage love! With my fabulous white shift dress (totally 60’s)and the saddle shoes of my dreams (drat that college budget!), I’d traipse down the sidewalk, talking on a strangely large, yet still mobile, phone.
Oh the stares!
I’m in love with the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Handbag. It is the absolute perfect leather bag: stylish, sophisticated, with a bit of edginess….Perfect!
The shiny Kooba black handbag. I could look fierce both at work and play.
I like the tory burch
I’d pick the Filippa Sweet ‘Cherokee’ Large Python Hobo Handbag as my first choice.
It’s really just the perfect bag for the warm weather that’s happening so suddenly in NYC right now. I’d throw it on with a sun dress and some heels and go for a walk in SoHo. Then I’d probably drop the classy act, stuff it with delicious snacks and go catch 17 Again. Yeah I said it. I’m a dork who thinks Zac Efron is hot. You wanna make somethin’ of it?! ;D
After a thorough survey of the entire Avelle site, I’ve decided that one of my favorite pieces is the Hermes Vintage Crocodile Birkin Handbag. I’m a sucker for classics, and the edgy take on a classic shape is just wild enough to take an outfit from boring to brilliant in one swoop! Another of my favorites is the Kate Spade ‘Bilbao’ Quinn Handbag. It is the perfect size for carrying essentials but will not impede posture due to the weight of the bag.
[email protected]
So my favorite is: http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Badgley-Mischka/Badgley-Mischka-Kara-Flat-Tote-/14649/18/3847#
For one, I have way too much stuff that I carry around so a tote is basically an essential for me. The neutral, yet feminine color ties into a lot of my wardrobe and I could probably carry it every day. I also love the contrast between the feminine colors and the chain and metal detailing.
Thanks for the opportunity. 🙂
Coach Holiday Patchwork Gallery Tote
SKU# 7349
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Balenciaga/Balenciaga-Giant-City%5C%22-Handbag/16075/1971/328
I like big, oversize bags and this one will go with anything! I always carry everything with me and this could double as a school bag!
Chanel Vintage Large 2.55 Leather Backpack
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Chanel/Chanel-Vintage-Large-2.55-Leather-Backpack/10469/2083/143
I like this bag because it is classic yet still fun and youthful.
madamerkf at aol dot com
I’m pretty sure that was the hardest decision of my life. But i have to get some work done ;P
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Louis-Vuitton/Louis-Vuitton-Babylone-Tote/5173/1/326