Fab or Drab: Balenciaga Polka Dot Bags

http://www.angrybag.com/balenciaga-bag-balenciaga-giant-city-c-34_2371.htmlGenerally I love anything that Balenciaga does with its much-loved Balenciaga Motorcycle Bags. I love them inyou get the idea, I’m a fan, and so is the rest of the PurseBlog team. In fact, the only trepidation I can remember expressing over Balenciaga’s bags in the past concerned the brand’s first foray into perforated leather, and I don’t think I like the Balenciaga Polka Dot Bags any more.
This design features perhaps the biggest perforations I’ve ever seen on a handbag, and I can’t help but wonder how that will play into the bag’s longterm wear. Cutting that many holes of that size into a piece of leather significantly changes how the material distributes stress and weight, which will likely lead to a shorter lifespan for the bag. Of course, if you’re buying a look this bold, you probably don’t want to wear it forever; a single season might do just fine. And now that I think of it, if you’re looking for a bag in which to carry your extremely tiny dog, these might be nice, breathable options. Check out more pictures of the bags after the jump and then let us know what you think in the comments

If you think that “luxe straw tote” is a contradiction in terms, I don’t blame you. That’s a totally logical position to hold, and one that I happen to hold myself. In fact, the Balenciaga Panier Basket Totes are the exception that proves the rule; that they’re so chic that they make almost all the other high-end options look like exactly what they are – overpriced straw bags.
If you’re grousing at the notion of paying a grand, give or take a hundred bucks, for a straw tote bag, I understand your consternation. On the bright side, super-seasonal styles like these often go on sale at the end of the season, and sometimes even end up with steep discounts. If you’re the type of person to whom a thousand dollars is not a great deal of money, shop now for the best selection of colors. Either way, we’ve got our picks for the best of the season from Balenciaga after the jump. 

Megs and I? Balenciaga fangirls. Even our new marketing director Hilary is getting in on the act – a Balencaiga Giant City Bag was the first thing added to her wardrobe after she joined our team a few months ago. The brand is best known for its Motorcycle Bags in a litany of colors, which are refreshed every season and sometimes fiercely sought by collectors for years afterward. Today, I’d like to talk about something Balenciaga does occasionally that’s slightly less well know: prints.
Every couple of seasons, Balenciaga will make a special edition of its Motorcycle Bags bearing some sort of pattern. Florals, animal prints, stripes, traditional toile – they’ve done a little bit of everything over the years, spanning aesthetics from ladylike to super modern. The Motorcycle Bag makes a great canvas for prints for two reasons – the signature Balenciaga trim gives any version a serious dose of leather to counteract the pattern, and the bag design is so recognizable on its own that it doesn’t lose the brand’s personality with the addition of print. Check out our past and present favorites after the jump. →