Gimme a pen, it’s time to check off a box on my handbag wishlist! It’s the Givenchy Mini Antigona. When the Givenchy Antigona came out in the mid-10’s, I knew it was going on my wishlist. I loved the structured shape, rigid top handles, triangular logo detail, and the chunky zip. My aesthetic eye appreciates sturdy, bold hardware, especially if it has an edgy design; the Antigona has this cool-looking metal base of the strap that’s subtle against the structure of the bag but still adds an interesting detail if you looks close enough. I tried the larger sizes but didn’t like the short shoulder ..read more

My friends at Fashionphile take authenticity very seriously. When they asked me to write an article on the Fashionphile blog about LV authenticity, I immediately knew I needed to start with one of the biggest red flags: trademark stamps. From the outside, some Louis Vuitton fakes look real. But look closer, and you’ll see subtle differences in the stitching, stamp, and font. Read the full article on the Fashionphile blog: Real vs. Fake: Louis Vuitton Trademark Stamps The post New Guest Post on Fashionphile: Real vs. Fake Louis Vuitton appeared first on Coffee and Handbags ..read more

What do you call a hands-free bag that can be worn around your hips like a belt? Is it a fanny pack? Belt pack? Belt bag? Waist bag? Despite its many names, the multifunctional bag is great for keeping your essentials close. The best part is that you can adjust your liking and wear it however you want—the styling possibilities are endless. The fanny pack is not just for your dad on vacation anymore. The modern belt bag features an adjustable belt strap that allows you to carry it in your hand, around your waist, or across your chest/back. The modern take on the fanny pack is the perfect way to ..read more

Fashionphile pays attention to every detail. It’s apparent from their sleek website, but behind the scenes is where the true magic happens behind this multimillion dollar luxury resale business. Tucked away behind an unassuming business park in the hills of Carlsbad, you’ll find a modern, airy office space dedicated to luxury handbags: the headquarters of a luxury resale company named Fashonphile. Pulling in to the gated driveway a warm February day, I was immediately greeted by a security guard whose role is protect a fortress of multimillion dollar purses from unwanted visitors. I entered th ..read more

Coach is known for approachable prices for high quality leather goods. I admire Coach for their American heritage and their dedication to leather craft, but I haven’t loved their bags in quite a few years. Vintage Coach bags, sure…. but modern Coach? No thanks. Until I saw the Coach Cassie. The new Coach Cassie bag is having a moment among the online handbag community. The Cassie crossbody looks a lot like another bag that fashionistas love: the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis. But what the Coach Cassie has that the LV Pochette Metis doesn’t? Coach’s legendary leather and a $350 price ..read more

Working in fashion, it always made me feel less than because I didn’t know how to sew or hadn’t gone to fashion school or design school. I hated that I didn’t understand how garments and accessories were really made. I spent hours reading about bags. I watched YouTube videos about bag-making. I studied every video from inside the secretive ateliers of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermes to see how the pieces of a flap bag fit together; but none of that really helped me really get it. I needed to get my hands dirty. I needed to learn how to sew. I didn’t remember what I had learned fro ..read more

The Pop and Suki Bigger Camera Bag continues to impress me with its style, versatility, and quality. The small rectangular bag has subtle rounded corners, two-way zip closure, CROC PRINT, and black metal hardware. I use my Camera bag way more than I thought I would and I love the croc texture. Review: Pop and Suki Noir Croc Bigger Camera Bag Current Retail Price: $235 Size: 5.7″ height x 7.8″ length x 2.1″ width Opening: zip top closure with two-way zip closure Exterior: Black shiny crocodile embossed leather with one flat pocket Interior: microfiber suede-like lining with one flat pock ..read more

One of my earliest memories of a handbag is a structured alligator skin top handle bag. I’ve been obsessed with embossed leather for many years, but for some reason the croc texture on handbags and accessories really chomps at my heart. This season, the croc-embellished trend took over runways from New York to Paris, but croc and alligator skins have a long history in handbags. The use of crocodile and exotic leathers in handbags First, a little bit of handbag history. For centuries, handbags were made of cloth or metal. In the 1950s, women became obsessed with carrying a “nice” ha ..read more

I signed up for a sewing class! I learned how to do some mending with my mom so I am very excited to learn how to sew on a machine. I also want a hobby that doesn’t involve a screen. I’m going to use my knowledge of handbags and luxury accessories to create my own. I’ll be learning how to sew a tote and put zippers in. Eventually I would love to learn how to work with leather but I’m not quite sure how I would go about that; perhaps work at an upholstery or saddle shop? My first order of business was to buy fabric. Sifting through fabric at Joann’s, I felt overwhelmed at the sheer ..read more

Rebag launches Clair, a luxury appraisal index tool of 10,000 bags. Clair is an easy-to-use luxury appraisal index that instantly generates the resale value of 10,000 bags and counting from 50+ designers, created to empower all bag lovers who buy and sell in resale. Basically, you put info in about your bag and instantly see the price you could sell it for. This tool isn’t a new concept, but it’s something that the resale industry has been lacking so far. Anyway, I thought I’d give it a try since I’m always thinking about buying/selling… and also medical bills are expensive. I wante ..read more