More on floopy Birkins and not-so-pristine status bags



Floopy Birkin Mary Kate Olsen

‘Floopy’ Birkins are in the news again.

Last year I noticed the move towards not-so-pristine heritage handbags, the kind that look like they’ve been inherited from a wealthy aunt rather than bought box fresh from Luxury Promise. Vogue Business (pay wall) has dug deeper into the phenomenon with new stats from The RealReal that show people are buying visibly lived-in Hermès Birkins and Chanel Double Flaps at a lower price than the ‘mint’ standard usually expected on vintage sites. In the past, luxury resale sites wouldn’t really entertain shabbily treated luxury bags, so it’s very revealing to note the shift.

According to The RealReal’s 2023 Luxury Consignment report, demand has doubled for luxury bags in ‘fair’ condition since the site started accepting them for resale last year. In a global cost of living crisis, it seems there’s still many a consumer who wants to flex a status bag. These lived-in luxuries provide a gateway for those consumers, letting them buy them for 33% less than their ‘perfect’ cousins. In the ‘fair’ condition category, unsurprisingly 60% of the market goes to heritage brands – Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and co.

As Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute commented in the FT while discussing the resilience of legacy brands and how they retain their perceived value in the current financial climate, “they’ve targeted a mindset, rather than a demographic. [And the mindset is] ‘Grandma (or Great-Grandma), can I borrow that Kelly bag?’”

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Mary-Kate Olsen
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

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Bode just unveiled its vison for womenswear



Bode AW23 womenswear - Ssense

There was a big post-show buzz around the Bode AW23 show during men’s Fashion Week in Paris. For the first time. Emily revealed her ambition for womenswear; not a ‘feminised’ take on her menswear as one might expect but a fully realised vision that riffed off early 20th century glamour, incorporating familial storytelling (of course) and handcrafted embellishment.

It got rave reviews, although I felt the styling of the menswear was more eclectic. My highlights: an equestrian-themed applique jacket, hand-knit embroidered sweaters and gloves, a perfect shawl-collared tuxedo and the men’s T-bars and Mary Janes.

This vision of Bode brings a charming new flavour to the tradition of American narrative fashion – a more personal and artisanal alternative to Ralph Lauren, perhaps? See more here and here and details here.

Bode AW23






Bode AW23
Bode AW23
Bode AW23

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Bode AW23 via SSense, Vogue Runway
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

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Ideas to steal from Prada menswear AW23



Prada menswear fw23

The AW23 menswear collections are in full swing, and Prada got my attention with mod-sharp tailoring, kooky collars and my favourite narrow-trouser-big-shoe silhouette.

SB SUITS. Thank God for the return of the single-breasted jacket. I’m still on the hunt for one in the ocean of DB’s, so the two-or-three-button, slightly boxy fit is up my alley, especially teamed with ankle bone-grazing trousers.

SHARP AND SOFT. The cardigans with integrated – or detachable? – super pointy collars were an interesting styling touch. Who came up with this extremely lengthy collar first? Was it Lemaire? The Row? Perhaps it was Prada (or Raf) several seasons ago? No idea, but I like this mismatched styling device, as well as the combination of fuzzy cardigan with serious tailoring.

POWER TOTES. Structured, slightly asymmetrical totes are the new briefcase, complete with water bottle. I also love the high-shine leather neck bags (there must be a better name for these)…

BOY BAND HAIR. I can’t not mention the hair. Not in the show actually, but on the audience members. Specifically, K-pop boy band Enhypen’s Beatles-esque mop tops – and most notably, Jake’s wavy fringe.

SLIM PICKINGS. The high-waisted, slim trouser cut was impeccable and particularly noticeable in the graphic emerald and red colourways (good luck tucking in your jacket quite so immaculately). If you’re not feeling the Y2K bumster revival, think about a classic flat-front slim pant with a heavy-tread Derby shoe; I certainly will.


Prada menswear long collars AW23
Prada menswear AW23


Prada AW23 menswear bags
Prada menswear AW23
Jake Enhypen Prada aw23

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Prada menswear AW23
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

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Single or stack?



Cartier Trinity bracelet by Chitose Abe Sacai

Cartier has been in the news a lot in the last 12 months. Mostly for its watches (this was the latest release and this guy seems to be its most high profile collector), but this month for a new jewellery drop (above).

The Cartier x Chitose Abé (of Sacai fame) collab is perfectly in sync for the two design leaders. The Cartier Trinity ring was initially created in 1924 by Louis Cartier and was a favourite of Jean Cocteau. Its three intertwining bands of yellow gold, rose gold and white gold have been deconstructed by Abé into new distorted shapes in a collection of two rings, a bracelet, a necklace and a hybrid earring-ring.

For me, the bracelet is the hero item. I like the suggestion of a single minimalist piece but designed to look like a stack. It’s also perfect for the single-bangle-over-a-sleeve look, as popularised by Diana Vreeland (below).

Diana Vreeland by Horst P Horst
Sophie Tajan - Hermes bracelet - How To Spend It.jpg

A demi stack or Elsa Peretti-esque sculptural cuff* make an undeniably strong statement. But a single thin bangle can be equally impactful, like the Hermès Clou de Forge bracelet example (above). Go for something structured rather than anything too droopy and make sure your sleeve is fitted too (a la Audrey Hepburn, below).

I like the Alighieri Medusa bangle*, All Blues vermeil bangle* and Saint Laurent hammered metal bangle*. The Chitose Abé x Cartier collection is now available at Selfridges and Cartier New Bond Street.

Audrey Hepburn wearing single bangle

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Chitose Abe x Cartier; Diana Vreeland; HTSI/Sophie Tajan; Audrey Hepburn
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

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CLICK HERE to buy my book, The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman
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