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The weather has been so wonderfully temperate here in So. Cal. that we decided to do a little weekend getaway not far from us to Santa Barbara. Picturesque college town meets No. Cal. coastline beauty, which means living outdoors for you who are athletically inclined and shopping for others, like me. It was here in SB that I got to see my first Rebecca Minkoff handbag in person at Wendy Foster’s. The store had some Morning After and Matinee satchels. First impression, I was surprised when I felt the thickness of the leather. It felt somewhat rigid and looked constructed versus slouchy. The hardware was equally substantial. I believe you will feel this bag hit your shoulder even when you don’t have much in it. Like the Goldenbleu’s, I think these bags may be considered a little weighty (well, I’m only 5′0″ so I would think anything is heavy). If this is not your cup of tea, but the quality, aesthetic and affordability of a Minkoff is attractive, take a look at the Spring line. I see intense pastels (oxymoron?) partnered with easy-going shapes like the Nikki hobo and double reiterated Easy bag. The hyper-pigmented Plan B hobo vaguely has the feel of a more expensive cousin from Balenciaga. They coo to the nth degree, “Take it easy.”

Starting from left–

• Rebecca Minkoff, Easy Bag in Cherry with Walnut, big enough to fit a laptop, pleated leather with contrasting trim , 20″w x 14″h x 4″d, 8″ shoulder drop with average slouch, three interior compartments - two zipped, one with magnetic closure, and lots of pockets inside, made in NYC, $655, @ Luna Boston.
• Rebecca Minkoff, Nikki Hobo in Night Blue (also available in Yellow), distressed, textured-leather with spring clasp detail at sides and pyramid studs at top and bottom, short shoulder strap and magnetic-snap main compartment closure, 9″ zipper pocket and 3 patch pockets, 14″h x 19″l x 4″d, 7″ strap drop, made in NYC, $600, @ shopbop.
• Rebecca Minkoff, No String Attached in Rose Gold and White, two-tone leather handbag with pleating and pyramid studs at front and back, short shoulder strap and 12″ main compartment zipper, long and detachable shoulder strap snaps along bottom, 7″ zipper pocket and 2 patch pockets, 11″h x 15″l x 3″d, 6″ strap drop, $625, @ shopbop.
• Rebecca Minkoff, Plan B Hobo in Marine, two-toned body is complemented with colored stud details, and two outside pockets keep ringing phones and keys close at hand, zipper closure, in crackled blue leather with patent trim and details, 15″w x 11.5″h x 5.5″d, made in NYC, $655, @ Luna Boston.

Stumble it!