They say when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade – but life seems to have a delightful habit of sending me vintage handbags rather than lemons. Last Saturday I went to a wedding, and carried a very special bag, this beautiful beaded one which was a birthday gift years ago from my friend Andrea. I'd never used it before because I was terrified of damaging it, but it's silly to have something and never use it. The wedding seemed like the perfect occasion to carry it, plus the multicoloured petit-point embroidery on the front meant it would go with whatever I wore. As it was, fairly early on I lost a row of beads from the bottom, but as they're plain black it will be a very simple repair job, and somehow knowing that had happened made me worry far less about what else might happen to the bag, so I could relax and enjoy the beautiful day.
Quick interlude: have a look at the happy couple. This was definitely one of the nicest weddings we've been to in years; romantic and meaningful without being formal. I'm still seriously mushy when I think about it.
I wore my navy
House of Foxy hostess dress because I still haven't lost my Christmas chub and it's one of the few wedding-suitable dresses I own that still fits nicely. My Hush Puppies shoes and black velvet jacket, plus a good squirt of Fracas, completed things.
But we were talking about bags, weren't we? On the same day as the wedding, I collected a parcel from the Post Office, and it turned out to be this stunning blue bag, which
Cate sent me to thank me for knitting her a tank top. Look at that fab faux tortoiseshell clasp! It'll go perfectly with my 1960s Top Modes sundress. And
Claire and Miss Mouse sent me the tapestry-fronted bag a few weeks ago. I really like it; it's modern, but the tapestry panel gives it a vintage feel, and it's a good daybag as it's large enough to squash a book or small bits of shopping into. There's a pocket on the back that is just right for holding my phone and/or iPod as I go on my morning walk. Thanks to the aforementioned Christmas chub, I'm trying to do my walks more regularly.
It's fair to say that when it comes to bags I have a type: boxy, neat, uncomplicated, easy to carry in the crook of an arm, or to wipe clean if need be. Do you have a favourite sort of bag? (*Side-eyes
Gisela, who likes ALL THE BAGS.*)
Oh my, that beaded bag from your friend Andrea is beautiful, no wonder you haven't wanted to spoil it. From what I can tell the Christmas chub seems to suit you very well as you look great. I think when it comes to bags, I'm a serial monogamist without a type. Xxx
ReplyDeleteThe chub has to go, I want to get back into my nice frocks. But it's going to take a LOT of walking...
DeleteSuch nice bags, Mim! I like boxy bags too. You are looking great in that outfit. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you! That dress seems to be my default 'special occasion' dress this year.
DeleteOh you are spoilt with beauteous bags!! You looked smashing in that wedding outfit. I love that the bride wore red (I considered it!!). X
ReplyDeleteIt looked amazing - the skirt is all giant tulle roses.
DeleteI've quite the collection of vintage bags, one of the things that comes with having an aunt in the vintage business :) Handbags makes for nice pressies! My favourite one is a suede art deco hand bag with a diamante clasp in a very 1930's design, that has a purse attached to the inside with a metal bar that runs from side to side. The purse opens up and shows to compartments side by side, one lined in black and the other in white satin. So very pretty :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, that sounds stunning. I wonder why they made the two compartments different colours. For day and night? Dark gloves and light gloves? Or just for fun?
DeleteWhat a beautiful bride, her dress looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAll your bags are fabulous and you looked smashing in your wedding attire. I'm more of a big bag kind of girl. I do have a collection of elegant vintage handbags but very rarely use them. xxx
If I canrry a big bag, I tend to fill it with all sorts of rubbish. A small one forces me to stick to the essentials.
DeleteOh how I love that the bride wore red (and looked incredible). I wanted to, but was swayed into wearing mauve (which is sooo not red). Of course you wore Fracas-the PERFECT wedding fragrance (It doesn't get more romantic than tuberose). I think you look lovely, and should stop beating yourself up (pick on someone else, it is more rewarding ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bags! Look at 'em! I've had to stop buying evening bags because Mr. ETB never takes me anywhere smart, but I do love a nice tapestry bag for day-to-day. I almost prefer bags with flaws so I won't feel bad when they fall apart. I recently had new handles put on an old tapestry bag, and it cost more than a new one.
I bet you looked wonderful in mauve.
DeleteThe Fracas just seemed the right choice: I looked at my perfume shelf and it seemed to leap out at me. If I hadn't gone for that I'd probably have opted for Caron French Can Can, which is very floral and frilly.
I have a bag that needs a new handle, and I've been telling myself I'd make one for it - of course, I haven't done so yet. It's so annoying when the handles go. The vinyl on my regular daybag is starting to crack, so I guess that'll need replacing later this year. I need to start buying leather, it wears better!
Hahaha guilty as charged. The beaded bag is a beauty isn't it? I'm also taken with the lovely light blue bag, now there's a colour to add to the collection.......
ReplyDeleteYou haven't already got one?! I always imagine you having a complete rainbow of bags.
DeleteThe bride is gorgeous in that vibrant gown. The bags r very cute
ReplyDeleteYes, she looked amazing. And I was so impressed by the way she'd managed to colour-match her lipstick perfectly too.
DeleteI am a sucker for a tapestry bag, and your beaded wedding bag is pretty gorgeous too. I don't really have a "type", but most of mine are big and full of clutter!
ReplyDeleteThe bride looks amazing, what a fantastic colour choice for her. And you look as elegant and chic as always, Mim! Xxx
That's why I carry smaller bags - I can't fill them with rubbish! Otherwise I just end up accumulating receipts, dozens of lipsticks and so on.
DeleteI love that beaded bag, that's gorgeous and I'm so glad you like the one I sent. Everyone clearly knows your love for handbags!
ReplyDeleteMy husband seems to think I have enough bags, but I still think he has more than me...
DeleteWhat a bevy of beautiful bags! I especially love your stunning beaded example, but each one speaks to me and has such a powerfully timeless allure.
ReplyDeleteMany hugs & happy weekend wishes,
♥ Jessica
The beaded one is lovely! I need to replace the missing row of beads now, but hopefully that will be an easy task.
DeleteOh I love all these bags, I do have a thing for boxy vintage bags!
ReplyDeleteBoxy bags FTW! They look so smart.
DeleteLove your wedding outfit and the beaded bag really suited it too. The bride's choice of red is excellent - I got married in red too, although a few shades darker.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to bags I don't really have a favourite type as I'm quite happy to vary them between modern and vintage. But if pushed, I do like the tooled Seventies ones (my favourite one has a horse brass attached to it - old syle bling!) although they don't hold much.
Oooh, another red wedding? It does have a wonderfully dramatic effect.
DeleteI've never seen a bag with a horse brass on it, that sounds like fun.
Beautiful bride!
ReplyDeleteI have oodles of bags all shapes and sizes but I go everywhere with my flamingo handbag as it's so pretty. I have a beaded bag in a leaf shape which is in deep peacock colours, it was a gift from the BIL who lives in France x
The bride looks lovely in her red dress. I very much like your wedding outfit too. All those bags are fabulous. My favourite type are top opening, granny clasp box bags and if they happen to be Welsh Tapestry then all the better!
ReplyDelete