another lovely bag surfaces at Target

Handbags have a lot to live up to. They have to be at their best in all weather and in almost all situations. They have to yield up their contents under pressure (BUS PASS. NOW. I MEAN IT.) They must refrain from bad habits, like eating your manicure. And they have to be as poised as Melanie Wilkes when someone who's having a wet pizza for lunch runs into you as you're running downstairs. They have to have a pocket ready at all times into which you can stuff still another free sample of Remede eye cream (worth it). Here we arrive at the great handbag conundrum: if it costs enough to do all of that and still look terrific doing it, chances are it will cost a fortune and you'll hesitate to wear it out among the Visigoths. Yet what is that capital investment doing for you if it spends most of its time in its sleeper bag on a shelf in a well-ventilated closet?

It is for the purpose of resolving this conundrum that a loving and compassionate Higher Power allows Target to flourish upon the land.  From a distance - usually a great distance - Target knock-offs look good. Target knock-offs often look good enough to foment litigation. I discussed my adventures with Target's version of this past spring's "It" bag here Target knock-off 1 and my further adventures with said bag Target knock-off 2 here.

J.Crew Jericho Tote
(shamelessly copied
from web site)

Target knock-offs
(Iphone strikes again!)

Recently I visited my friendly local Target  to reconnoiter where they might put out the cream of the Missoni collaboration, when I noticed the reverse of the "It" bag adventure: that is, I already own the original and now it's being knocked off. Very cheaply, I might add. However, the black and the taupe are definitely basic, hard to get more basic, the vinyl is spill-proof, and you can certainly put stuff in it and get it out again. Unlike the previous "It" thing, you don't smell it from across the store either,  definitely a plus.



Now another conundrum: Which is preferable?

• to buy a cute cheap bag and find out that it's meant to be a version of a v. expensive Madison Avenue arm candy (how uncool of me not to know!)
• to buy the v. expensive Madison Avenue arm candy and see the knock-off everywhere
• to buy the v. expensive Madison Avenue arm candy and see the knock-off everywhere, but only after a few years or some decent interval of your choice has elapsed so that you don't feel offended by the knock-off
• to buy the  v. expensive Madison Avenue arm candy for occasions and grab a few of the knock-offs for days like the field trip to the Great Swamp that your neighbor signed you up for in revenge for your writing her name on the Cookie Chair list....
• to buy the knock-off because it's Cheap, and it's There, and not to worry about stupid things like v. expensive arm candy, because the spouse of one who is Serving His Country will be visiting us soon and boyoboy do we have better things to do with the money! 

Proenza Schouler vs. Target, or vice versa

The lines between inspiration and copies, copies and knock-offs, and knock-offs and counterfeits are getting blurrier and blurrier. And for those of us whose seasonal clothing and accessories budget is in the mid-to-high 3-figure range, sometimes the blurry line is, um, not all that visible on the small screen. The latest case in point is the Target Messenger Bag. Not just any Target Bag, mind you, but a Target Bag that looks astoundingly similar to one of this season's nicer Proenza Schouler Bags. The Target Bag cost $34.99, before it sold out on the website. It may still be available in stores. The PS Bag costs about 32 times that. Both prices are retail. This is the Proenza Schouler Bag:

I ordered the Target Bag plus a ride-along bubble umbrella to get free shipping. I selected the army green color, figuring that if the bag worked, it might be a good travel bag and I'd want a color that wouldn't show dirt. And even if it didn't, I can always use an extra bubble umbrella.

The bag arrived, packaged in Target's typical plastic mailing envelope with a plastic bag inside which in turn held the Bag. When plastic bag 2 was opened, it released a scary chemical smell which I haven't smelled since I ordered purple “rubber boots” for the beach house from Target. So right now the bag is getting the same treatment I gave the boots – it's airing out on the terrace until I can get close enough to review the interior. The texture of the rubbery outside is actually acceptable, and the weight does NOT disqualify it for use as a travel purse. However, even the slightest trace of that smell would make it unsuitable for use in airports or any other facility where there might be sniffer dogs.

Some preliminary notes--

Bag exterior: polyurethane, textured to look like pebbled leather.

Shape: a bit pouchy. Size: About 13,5 x 19 x 5 inches.

Closures: Front: flap over main compartnent, held down by two front straps, which slide through loops, plus a turn lock. Rear : envelope, zips closed

Security: good

Straps/handles: both. Strap is detachable, adjustable, cross-body; handle is old-fashioned briefcase type.

Interior:

Lining: polyester.

Pockets: described as Slit Pocket, Cell Phone Pocket, Zip Pocket, Credit Card Pockets. I wouldn't keep credit cards in “pockets” on the side of a purse, could be handy for bus passes and the like.

Interior dividers: none.

Suitability for intended purpose: pretty good. Will not replace my large rectangular black nylon Prada with the pockets, but will be a good bag to take to parts of world where leather is not welcome, climate is humid, and transport is iffy. Assuming more time on the terrace attends to the lingering smell problem. If not, I have another 58 days to return. Maybe more.

Another review of the Target bag is here: http://myaffordablebeauty.blogspot.com/search?q=target

and this is a link to the New York Times discussion of the possibly hurt feelings of the people at Proenza Schouler:

http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/proenza-schouler-doesnt-care-for-targets-messenger/?scp=1&sq=target%20travel%20bag&st=cse