bag or purse?

One of my favorite iPad apps is the NET-A-PORTER.COM catalog. It's the only fashion magazine I read regularly now. It's free, it has a cool layout, the articles are interesting and the products are very drool-worthy. Case in point:

Marc Jacobs Wellington leather shoulder bag in glossy red. £966

Although I collect Marc Jacobs dresses, I never really got his bags... until the Wellington. It just jumped out at me and I can't stop looking at it. I have nothing bad to say-- I even adore the little heart shapes.

Lots of bags come with an extra shoulder strap nowadays. Why didn't they think of it sooner?

Miu Miu's rose-taupe perforated glossed-leather tote. £959.15

I do believe that because of the shoulder strap, I am starting to lust for designer bags that I normally wouldn't have paid attention to, like Miu Miu and Michael Kors.

Michael Michael Kors Sloan textured-leather tote in camel. £348.82

Even my beloved Lanvin has jumped on the bandwagon. The Lovely Leopold's shoulder strap adds a casual, fun element to an otherwise serious design. Now the bag that costs as much as a secondhand car can be worn in multiple ways. More value for money!

Lanvin Lovely Leopold leather and calf hair shoulder bag. £1647.58

Does this shoulder bag trend have anything to do with the Cambridge Satchel craze that has (seemingly) gripped the entire world lately? Actually, I much prefer Coach's version. The leather looks so buttery soft and the color is more luxe than the Cambridge.

Coach Classics leather field bag. £411.06

This doesn't mean that I've gotten over my previous obsessions, you know. I'm still excited whenever I see new colors for the Mulberry Bayswater. The violet is particularly irresistible.

Mulberry Bayswater in vibrant violet leather. £885.49

And how can I get over Jil Sander's Market bag when they keep coming up with these ditzy, happy colors? As usual, it's sold out.

Jil Sander Market floral-print silk-twill bag. Sale price £148.76

Every woman needs a plain ol' giant tote that you can just chuck your whole house into. Python makes it elegantly nonchalant.

Newbark Weekend python-effect leather tote in anthracite. £712.51

I can't remember the last time a designer released a decent backpack. Kudos to Alexander Wang for making me wantwantwant.

Alexander Wang Marti leather backpack in teal. £751.33

All bag photos are from NET-A-PORTER.COM, of course.

Note: Last Friday, the girls and I watched the very excellent Love Loss And What I Wore. Bituin Esacalante brought the house down with her performance of the "I hate my purse" segment of the play. You could say that this blog post is inspired by it.