Affordable luxury: Raoul and Club Monaco
Is there such a thing as affordable luxury? You decide. Singapore brand Raoul has been on my radar for a while and I keep gravitating towards its bags. These minimalist, structured bags are made in Italy, beautifully finished and properly functional. They have adjustable straps, transform into clutches and don’t weight a ton. Prices are around the £300 mark which I think is pretty affordable for the quality. Aside from the bags, Raoul also does a great line in silk dresses, separates and tailoring.
L-R: Raoul caramel bag, £295; Raoul blue bag, £310; Raoul tan saddle bag, £213
Another bag to file under the affordable luxury banner is Tommy Ton’s intelligently designed day bags for Club Monaco. The toast of New York Fashion Week, the unisex backpack and utility satchel arrive at Harvey Nichols tomorrow, price £280 each.
[Last photo: Tommy Ton]
19 March, 2012 @ 8:35 am
Are the Tommy Ton bags made of leather (they don’t look it from the photos)? And if not, can’t see how they are worth that price… Club Monaco isn’t usually that expensive (in the US at least).
19 March, 2012 @ 9:56 am
No, not all leather, they’re made from triple-layer British Millerain with leather trim but I think they look well made and nicely finished, no?
19 March, 2012 @ 12:11 pm
I’m hoping to snag myself the Tommy Ton satchel.
19 March, 2012 @ 2:14 pm
The Raoul bags are beautiful!!
Kinda look like Desperate Needs bags, do you know where to buy them in London or on the web??
Love this bag but they dont have a web shop:
http://www.desperate-needs.com/view.php?mode=product&id=63&parent=63&photo=1
/Love J.K.
19 March, 2012 @ 11:13 pm
Wow Jenna, I’m loving Desperate Needs, will try to do some digging. What are the price points?
20 March, 2012 @ 1:17 pm
Dont know about the prices??
Googled Desperate Needs and found one bag on the Swedish Elle magzine page, a lovely clutch bag for 3899kr = approx. 350£ I think….
http://elle.se/emma-listar-veckans-basta-v-12/
http://www.desperate-needs.com/view.php?mode=subproduct&id=91&parent=64&photo=1
I googled Desperate Needs + London + UK, no results :(
Thanks for a great blogg!!
/J.K.