BagExchange.com

Have I been under a rock? Perusing the web per usual instead of doing something of necessity (like folding laundry and picking up toys….boooooorrrrring!), I found The Sak. Yes, the same Sak that you see our mothers wear (no insult intended if it isn’t for your mother) or our grandmothers. Everytime I looked at a Sak at our neighboring Macy’s or Dillard’s, I knew through the core of my heart that I couldn’t pull off wearing one without conjuring up visions and sensory disgust over Mylanta or Metamucil. I have heard of late that the brand was changing directions and courting a younger age group, but that wasn’t enough to get me excited to make a special trip, virtual or literal, to find out. Well, well, well….I like what I see. Granted, I see that these leather bags are not original as they are too-close-for-comfort inspired by Botkier and HH. Given that this might make some of you who are real bag snobs (I’m just a wannabe) cringe, I can live with it if the quality is really spot on. So, what is a ‘quality’ leather bag, in my opinion? Of course, the skin has to be supple and strong, and sometimes exotic, but most importantly, the stitches have to neat and even. I have been lured over to racks and shelves of bags because they looked nice but once I examine the stitching, my crush is crushed like the first sign of a pimple on a pretty face. Shallow, yes, but we’re talking about handbags (and my concept of love back in 7th grade). Incredibly, while they may look pricey, they cost at the most $200. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that The Sak is a large company with an equally large well-connected, established, and high volume producing business model and a long-running TQM, while the smaller indie brands they mimic are still in their toddler years. How else can they offer free shipping for granted as much as we take to breathing air?

Starting from left–

• The Sak, Dakota Leather Satchel in Luggage, luxurious Italian, crinkle-glazed leather is textured , 21″ detachable shoulder strap and braided leather handle, front and side zippered pockets, ‘wine’ colored satin lining, brushed nickel hardware 14″ x 9″ x 5.5″d, 5″ strap drop, $169.
• The Sak, Silverlake Convertible Leather Satchel in Black, satchel converts to a stylish hobo– slide the shoulder strap out of the bottom loops and connect it again over the top to convert. Soft leather, brushed gold hardware, lining is a gorgeous colorful print created exclusively for The SAK by Paris born graffiti artist Gilles Jourdan. Main compartment zippered closure and a front flap pocket. Shoulder strap has a 13″ drop, 16″ x 10″ x 5″ d, 6″ strap drop, $199.
• The Sak, Silverlake Leather Flap Bucket in Cream, roomy hobo in soft leather and brushed gold hardware, lining is a gorgeous colorful print created exclusively for The SAK by Paris born graffiti artist Gilles Jourdan, main compartment zippered closure and a front flap pocket, 12″ x 14″ x 2″d, 8″ strap drop, $199.

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