Black handbag II

Inge

First of all: Happy New Year to everyone, I hope it will be a marvellous year!!

As you may remember, I'm looking for a black handbag for daily use. A few weeks ago, I posted an Esprit bag and although it wasn't met with disapproval, I kept looking for something a bit more exciting and fun(kier).

Now I've just discovered a new brand (at least for me): Matt & Nat (available at Nordstrom too apparently). What do you think of these:
http://www.mattandnat.co.uk/product/display/618
http://www.mattandnat.co.uk/product/display/596

They're more expensive than Esprit of course, but I think they won't go out of fashion, so I would be able to use the bag for a few years, right?

Also: does anyone have experience with the brand? Are the bags good quality?

17 years ago

General

37 replies

Latest reply was from BLB

Laura

(website)

Veteran

These are great looking bags - I've never seen the brand before so can't speak to that, but that first one is my favorite. Since they are different shapes, it seems you'd need to think what you wanted to carry in them to decide which would suit you best. Which one do you like, Inge?

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Matt and Nat was created as a stylish vegan alternative to leather bags. They have always been expensive but they were cheaper before stores like Nordies took notice of them. I have a bag by them that has lasted through quite a lot of abuse, but the wear definitely shows.

http://www.lunaboston.com/Prod.....14664.aspx

in black patent

The only problem with it is that the faux patent leather got scuffed quite quickly, and it was a smooth patent rather than crinkled so it really showed. I imagine this is not a problem if you get any other material, and I suspect it's why they don't have that material anymore. The Japanese paper crinkle patent you linked to is probably better quality than what I had and won't look as scruffy as mine did. I got mine when the company was just starting out and it was about half the price of the current collection.

On the other hand, the bag I got at UO for $68 is virtually identical in appearance and quality to M&N's brazen collection, so I do wonder why it is so pricey.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Happy New Year dear, Inge!

KILLER bags. I'd wear them both in a heartbeat. Go for it. You will NOT regret this decision.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Maya: I'm sorry to hear you've had problems with your bag. These are crinkled material, so I think I should be fine. And I've no idea either why there are such price differences...

Laura: I like them both just as much. At first, the second one, was my favourite, but the longer I look at them, the more I love them both;-) The size is almost the same, so now I don't really know which one to pick. I would use it on a day-to-day basis to carry the usual stuff: wallet, keys, cellphone, pen, lipstick, business cards, small notebook, small umbrella, gloves... Ideally, it would need to fit a book and/or A4 folder too, but I think I could fit that in either one too.

Thanks Angie, I'm so excited I found these, they have my name written all over them. Now I just have to decide which one to buy;-)

17 years ago

dee2do

Active Member

Hi Inge,
I've been looking for a black purse for months now and when I saw your post I liked the purse alot. Since I had never heard of the brand, I didn't know that I could find it here. Fortunately, Maya mentioned Nordstrom and I found one on their site and on sale. Yippee! I've finally found a new black purse that I love.
Thanks for your post

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Oh, I didn't mean that I have any problems with the bag. It's okay that it got a bit dirty. Remember that I commute on a packed train during rush hour, and I had class in an art school where there would frequently be dust and dirt on the tables from sculpture classes. Given the kind of lifestyle I had at the time, I expected my bags to show some scars. What is more important to me is that they are durable: no loose stitching or little bits falling apart. The dirt is pretty easy to deal with on vinyl: just a damp washcloth seems to do the trick.

The best thing about the bag is that it came with a little key ring that snaps on the inside. I used it to hold my flash drive and that way it was always easy to find and I never had to frantically dig to the bottom of my bag to find it (I tend to panic whenever anything isn't easy to find).

I'm partial to the Avril bag because I liked that shape even before you posted it, and I prefer the straps.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

That's wonderful news Dee!! So glad I got you a black bag;-) Which one did you get?

Thanks for the clarification Maya, I can see your bag held up amazingly well then.
I noticed these two have a detachable key chain as well, that sounds like a super practical thingie, I like it already!

The Avril bag was the one that stood out to me first too, Maya, maybe I should take that as a sign;-)

17 years ago

dee2do

Active Member

I got the first one. I have been looking at a similar Dooney bag but just didn't like it enough to spend the $. I like this one much better and it's 1/2 the price on sale. I can hardly wait to get it.

They don't sell the Avril at Nordstrom. Go for it if it attracted you the most ---you'll love it.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Inge, those bags are simply gorgeous, especially the Avril. Please post photos when you get it.

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

I vote for the Avril, too. Beautiful.

17 years ago

BLB

(website)

Active Member

Matt & Nat bags are huge here in Vancouver... it's a Canadian (Montreal) brand, and they're in every store. The price has more than doubled in the last year or two as the brand's popularity has increased. They show up at our discount reseller, Winners, for around $60 though! They tend to be good quality and they look amazing. I haven't got one because they're just so ubiquitous here. If I find one of the pewter Pool ones for a steal, though, I may succumb... love that colour.

17 years ago

Violet

Active Member

Hi Inge, both bags are gorgeous. I too like the Avril!

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Inge, you have some great choices here. I'm voting for the second one. Yum yum.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Thanks again everyone for your opinions. I ordered the Avril bag this evening, and I can't wait for it to arrive!

In case anyone's interested: Dee mentioned the Avril bag isn't available at Nordstrom, but I've had another look at their site, and I think it might be this one (they've named it differently):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....rchresults
(Admittedly, it's about $125 more expensive than on the M&N site, so could it really be the same bag?).

Brianna: funny isn't it, how a particular item or brand can be so extremely popular in one country, while we've never heard of it. A Pool one in pewter sounds divine too, I wouldn't hesitate at those prices;-)

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Inge, fantastic, I can't wait to see photos! Congrats on finding something that suits you so well.

p.s. Matt & Nat, La Canadienne, Club Monaco ... is Canada the land of fab fashion, or what?

17 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Inge, congrats on finding a great bag! Avril has a terrific shape, I hope you like it.

I've seen them in the store and I was very intrigued. The Japanese paper ones are very light and look very sturdy. They do have a definite "tough" look to them because of the hardware.

Actually your post reminded me to ask a question of my own. I'll open another thread.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Gorgeous!

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Oooh I love love love those bags... the first one is hands down my favorite.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Thanks guys, I'll post pictures when it arrives.

And oooooh yezzzzz Laura, and let's add Soïa & Kyo and Mackage to the list too!

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, Inge, I forgot about the fab coat brands! (I myself had a weakness for Chateau in my 20s that I should probably admit right now). The list is growing. Next YLF Convention: Toronto!

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Inge, when Patience and I were out yesterday, she said she mailed your boots! She said they were awesome, and they made her want a pair. I'm so excited to see photos!

17 years ago

BLB

(website)

Active Member

Hahaha, you're all welcome to come visit me in Vancouver any time! We're much nicer than Toronto and he have the ocean to boot!

Funny, I've yet to come across anything by Mackage or La Canadienne (or Santana Canada, another venerable boot brand) in stores here, ever, in my life. I wonder where they are hiding?

Just to make you even more jealous--the guy who founded Club Monaco also produces a line of clothes and accessories called Joe Fresh Style that are sold at Superstore, a warehouse-style groceries and miscellany store. They are very nice, decent quality (way better than H&M) and VERY cheap. Crazy, eh? I'll be doing some spring shopping there for sure. http://joefreshstyle.com/default_en.aspx

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

BLB, I love Vancouver and I used to go regularly, but I haven't been in a while. I'll try to plan a trip in spring, and I'll be asking you for shopping tips! That Joe Fresh Style line sounds very interesting.

17 years ago

BLB

(website)

Active Member

Yay! Ask away

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Inge, I was returning my boots at Nordstrom today (the saga continues), and on the sale table, I saw both bags you posted here. The one you ordered was $136, and the other one was $166. In person, I liked the bag you chose the best.

I thought others might be interested at the sale prices!

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

BLB, we go to Vancouver at least once a year too. We MUST meet up when we are next there. Vancouver is a fab place. Where do you like to shop there? We can compare notes

Thanks for the info Laura and good luck with the boot saga. Post pics of you and your new bag, Inge!

17 years ago

BLB

(website)

Active Member

Angie, that would be great! I like West 4th (my neighborhood--lots of independant boutiques for al price ranges), Robson (Zara, French Connection, Mexx, Esprit, etc.), and Hills of Kerrisdale, plus some consignment stores on W 10th and South Granville (Changes and Turnabout). We finally got an H&M in Pacific Centre too. My sister and I keep saying we're going to go into all the expensive designer stores along Burrard one day, but we haven't yet. And I love to dream in Holt Renfrew! What about you?

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Then it’s a date, Brianna. I’d love a local to take me around

I like all the places you do. I LOVE Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen. KILLER. I have also been into the designer stores on Burrard. It's on the way to a restaurant we like called “Joe Fortes”. Now I feel like driving up to Vancouver!

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Let's do it! I'd be so up for a YLF outing to Vancouver.

Inge, the bag you ordered is gorgeous! I'm tempted...

17 years ago

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