ModernGear Women: A handbag with less guilt

I was going to write about saving on soap, but I have to postpone that story til tomorrow because I just bought a handbag, and I have to share.

You see, it's all Dooce's fault.

Image from Dooce.com

You all know how much I love French designer Gerard Darel, and have been coveting one of their handbags, right? Oh, you don't? Well let me refresh your memory! Here, here, here, here, oh yes here too, and here also, and I almost had one here. My contact in Paris was going to bring me one, but he ended up not getting in touch before getting on his flight!

But, I wasn't exactly crushed. I mean yes, I have been dreaming of one of these (clearly), but wasn't nuts about spending that kind of money.

This one, the 24 Heures bag, is $450

The version of the 24 Heures with the flap in front goes for $550

And then the Midday Midnight bag is $795!
I couldn't decide which one I should get first - because I want both and I do consider them to be classics, and investment pieces. But still, in these times I am re-thinking investments of all kinds - stock market and fashion.

Still, it can be said that I am in need of a handbag, especially a roomy tote type.

And then came Dooce. Or her Daily Style, anyway. Today she wrote about a no leather, vegan-friendly handbag in pumpkin that caught my eye. (I baked pumpkin muffins just this morning. Coincidence? I think not.)

It was $78.50, available at FANTASTIC e-shop Delight.com (and Dooce said decor8 recently had a discount link for Delight, so that made it even more attractive. Even though Dooce wrote that they were currently out of stock, I still had to go and have a peek. And whatdoyouknow! Dooce has some pull - Delight got more in!

So check it:

Gerard Darel Midday Midnight ($795) on the left, Delight's Chelsea Buckle Tote ($78.50) on the right. No, they're not exactly the same and I do think the Chelsea is smaller, but she's also waaaaay more practical. I simply cannot justify the expense of a designer handbag right now.

The discount took $15.70 off, so the grand total with tax and shipping came out to $75.93. Add to that the fact that I had a balance in my paypal account (which you can use at Delight), and I was out basically $20 from my bank account.

Now THAT is shopping smart.

Reviews of the bag at Delight echo Dooce's rave, so I am very eager to get the orange beauty.

Now if only I could find one that looks like this, I'd be set.





PS, this pic is for Anonymous per the comments, showing the Gerard Darel Midday Midnight and the bag from Delight, being worn.