My race against time continues (Can anyone believe it’s already December? this year passed in a blink).
What will I miss most about my fall wardrobe? The trench coats, of course! With a cable cardigan layered under the trench, this outfit kept me toasty (enough) to wander around town on a mid-50’s day. Bare legs be damned.
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| Zara Girl Crochet Dress | J. Crew Collection Icon Trench (last worn here) | Kate Spade Jolie Skirt (last worn here) | Ann Taylor Oval Pearlized Necklace | MICHAEL by Michael Kors Selma Large Satchel (buy here + here)| Miu Miu Taupe Pumps (similar) |
I am currently wrestling with the decision to keep trench coats on the hanger and
use the next few months to learn how to layer them adequately for New
England winters. Or maybe that’s just unnecessary. We’ll see
how far my adventurous spirit (a.k.a. insanity) will take this.
(outfit obviously from slightly warmer days. When will the NE see mild weather again?)
And now a review of the Kate Spade New York Abstract Signature Bow Medium Harmony Tote.
I did my best (I tried! really, I did) to resist this tote but I have been so beguiled by Kate Spade’s signature abstract bow print that I
now own three things in this one easily identifiable print.
I have few kind words to say about the bag aside from the beautiful exterior print. The only compliment I can manage is “it’s so pretty! look at the print…BOWS!” Take away the print and it’s suddenly ordinary.
This bag and similar styles (review forthcoming) will mesh with and serve best those who wear few prints and dress in neutrals.
It has its share of shortcomings but the print is the veneer that conceals all imperfections.
Dock one point for no top zippers. You do have the option of closing the gap between the walls with a centrally located top lobster claw closure, whose usefulness I seriously question.
There is one pocket on either wall of the interior but there is no other compartmentalization built into the bag. If your organizational tendency is guided by the law of entropy, it’d be wise to invest in a handbag organizer ($, $$, $$$).
The bag measures 16″ wide at the top, 15.5″ tall, and about 7″ deep and weighs a little under two pounds.
The flat base allows the bag to stand on its own, even empty, and the bag is constructed out of grainy vinyl (with patent leather trim) which seems to hold its shape, at least initially (will update if I discover issues with use). I would be careful not to crush the bag and risk permanently changing its shape.
The inside is only partially lined.
Buy the Kate Spade Abstract Signature Bow Medium Harmony Tote at Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Zappos.
This bag can be found in a check pattern, leopard print, solid red, solid pink, solid purple, solid black, gray print with racer stripes, neon yellow, robin egg blue, and solid gray.
Also available in a smaller size, which measures 10″x12″x6″ (mine is a medium, I don’t think a larger size is currently available).
