Now that I pass by Prada each morning, I’ve been noticing their hand bag collection.

tforia.com> Earlier last week> Prada's window full of perforated flats and handbag

tforia.com> Friday morning> luggage, canvas, lucite, crystal, and translucent plastic

Here are my favorites from their spring summer collection:

1. A canvas clutch with a Lucite/crystal opening, encased in plastic. It’s like a raincoat with a handles attachment for the clutch. Easy to carry through all sorts of weather–pretty and functional.

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2. The perforated lunch bag. Great for hot lunches–lets the steam out with minimal damage to the perforated leather.

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3. I first saw the translucent purple beach photo print bag in the window. It was encasing another canvas bag. Perhaps Prada is making a case for the handbag raincoat? Buy 2 bags instead of just one.

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It’s great alone as a waterproof bag for the beach (minus the non waterproof canvas portions).

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4. Prada has an array of reusable totes in their BYOB (“Bring your own Bags”) collection. The prints were too clashy. I like this plain hemp colored one. Very peasant like and modest:

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5. A more “serious” tote. The Saffiano Lux shopping tote reminds me of a minimal Birkin bag. No belt.

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6. Lastly, a large enough tote to throw a beach blanket in, the Saffiano Traforato Shopping Tote:

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I’ve seen the same Nappa Gaufre tote (below) in most Prada media placements. They remind me of Miu Miu bags and seem too heavy for the summer. This flagship bag seems so different from the functionality and summery-ness of the other bags.

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Shopping guide:
Bags for all summer occasions.
1. Plex + Mistolino Handbag (€1.650)
2. Saffiano Traforato Satchel (€1.100)
3. Plex + Mistolino Shopping Tote (€690)
4. Shopping BYOBag Mistolino (€200)
5. Saffiano Lux Shopping Tote (€990)
6. Saffiano Traforato Shopping Tote (€970)
7. Nappa Gaufre’ Shopping Tote (€1.580)

A woman/man who carries this tote. Hmm. Is it pretty? No. Is it stylish? No. Is it crass and made for people who need to associate a luxury brand with themselves? Yes. It is useful, but so is the blue, tarp like Ikea bag that many people have. Why pay $180+ for this? There could only be one reason–LOW SELF ESTEEM.

Below is another we see TOO often. Ah, this one comes with a zipper. So why le pliage over any other tote with a zipper? Not sure. At $125+ it’s not something you pick up with utility in mind. Just another plastic looking, nylon bag (costs like $1 to make). Is this beautiful? No. So, it’s not beautiful…

I don’t think anyone recognizes the other Longchamp bags, the ones where they paid Kate Moss tons of money to sell. Who do you think you are carrying such a dumb bag?

Below> A Lauren Bush original. Yea, yea, this purchase will feed people. So will giving change to the homeless. I’m pretty sure most of the women/men who own this do not give change to the homeless. It’s also ugly. No, I don’t think Lauren Bush should design.

Below> Seeing this TopShop “Use Me” bag–the hypocrisy! Anytime I see someone with recyclable/reusable totes, they look brand new. I’ve used my cotton tote for over 3 years, it’s been used, and it looks that way. Shredded…why not use bags that don’t say “use me” and instead, lower carbon footprint by not creating these stupid bags in the first place?

I guess fashion has to get by somehow…

I guess quilted bags are in this season. But isn’t it in every season at Chanel?

Versace: $1,065

Marc Jacobs: $525

Eric Javits: $425

Which knockoff would you pick?

I choose the MJ version, the quilted squares look almost rubbery.

On the subway, I came across this bag. I couldn’t stop staring. Anytime I notice a Givenchy bag, it’s beautiful. And most of the ones I notice are big bulky bags that are large enough to carry a laptop. I think the logo looks really nice and they always place it in a nice spot, near the ends of the handles. It’s tasteful unlike LV/Gucci.

I didn’t know this was an it bag–some things are just beautiful–or maybe they know how we’re programed and they create such products for us to desire?

Thinking of Givenchy reminds me of an episode of the Hills I watched, where Whitney Port pronounces Givenchy as “gah-vinch-ee”. I was horrified.

Here’s one of my favorites from SS 2010 Givenchy. It’s similar to Burberry, the whole drapping of skirt thing I’m seeing everywhere.