Some small retailers, like the ones mentioned here, sell great products, but run continuous sales as a gimmick designed to make you think you are about to get a super deal.
Be an informed consumer and always ignore the difference between a suggested original price (especially a super-high price) and the actual price.
The only price that is ever important is the one you agree to pay.
May 2006
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>> Popular, Besso Jelly Bags provoke discussion, with plenty of it to be found on the Internet. And, of course, the main topic is about how to best show-off the transparency of these cute, rubber purses.
The design of Jelly Bags clearly pokes fun at ultra-expensive, fine-leather Birkin (Hermes) bags, but most people don't get the joke. Why? Real Birkin bags are so rare that only the elite know what they look and feel like. Besides, there is no chance anyone would mistake a Jelly's transparent, rubber skin with a Birkin's scratch-free, opaque, leather hide.
So, what might you stuff into a transparent Jelly to show it off? Here are some suggestions that I found while researching this article:
Bright-colored accessories (wallet, cosmetic bag, key case) in the same, darker, or contrasting colors. Also accessories with bold, geometric designs. Loose "big" money looks good (litter the floor of your purse with half-dollars and quarters). Even a touch of real paper money can tease.
Other ideas include a trashy romance novel with kissy cover. Small, sassy, stuffed toys. Soft, large-head silk flowers. Chunky, Bakelite (plastic) bangles. And for a statement on personal electronic devices, a phone receiver from a standard, old-fashioned desk handset.
But truth be told, many of you also love leather, and consider leather purses made in Italy and France some of the finest around. If that's you, you'll love shopping at one of several, selection-laden stores owned and operated by the Hiken family: Michael (father), Emil and Egal (sons).
And their prices are good! They feature beautiful, high-quality merchandise for a lot less than you'd pay in up-scale department stores. Sales are generous, too.
Here's an example of a good buy: Before finding their Michel's Bags, I spent three months looking for a huge, comfortable, carry-all. The one I bought at Michel's is a warm-brown, soft leather flight bag with seven, 2-way zipper compartments, five internal dividers, fold-down handles, a long, adjustable shoulder strap with swivel hardware, and a swank dust cover (second to last photo).
Price? $200 on sale. Talk about a deal! New Yorkers walk all over the place, carrying far too much stuff. That said, my bag now holds shoes, books, newspapers, a camera, a cell, miscellaneous packages, notebooks, file folders, and a large wallet . . . without even a bulge.
The largest shop, Muska Bag (bottom picture), carries leather coats, boots, and a wide-range of leather accessories in addition to bags. The other stores are smaller, but are just as nicely laid out (although they can get crowded).
All shops carry two sizes of Besso Jelly Bags. Colors (20 in all) include powder blue, medium blue, light green, lime green, pearlized white, light pink, rose, red, purple, fawn brown, rust, black, maroon, military-green, rich brown, and wine.
No matter where you shop in New York City for handbags and accessories, you'll find a wide selection, with low-end prices around $60, medium at $90 to $199, and medium-high at $200 to $375. High hovers between $500-$1000. Ultra-high can be anything, but bags in that range are rare. Sales drop high-priced merchandise into lower brackets, giving you wonderful options.
Your best shopping experiences will be in well-kept shops whose owners, like the Hikens, stand behind their merchandise.
When you buy quality bags (not cookie-cutter "knock offs" from dirty, sidewalk push-carts or cardboard cartons), you can wear them with pride.
Best, when you give quality bags as gifts, you won't be embarrassed by having your recipients email me behind your back, asking whether your gift is "real" or "fake."
Questions or comments?
Karen Little
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BESSO JELLY BAGS. 20 COLORS, 2 SIZES.
THIS PHOTO FROM MICHEL'S BAGS, 672 LEXINGTON BETWEEN 55TH AND 5TH STREETS.
RICH, DARK COLORS AVAILABLE,
INCLUDING TRANSPARENT BLACK.
COMPARE SMALL AND LARGE BESSO JELLYS
MANAGER SANDRA GARCIA DEMONSTRATES FEATURES:
KEY ON "CHAIN," EASY OPEN LOCK,
QUICK-FLIP FLAP, AND DUST BAG.
THE INSIDE IS TRANSPARENT, TOO.
KAREN'S HUGE "WALK AROUND MANHATTAN,"
SOFT-LEATHER FLIGHT BAG.
MUSKA BAG IS THE LARGEST STORE
IN THE FAMILY-OWNED CHAIN
4898 MADISON BETWEEN 51ST AND 52ND STREETS.
~ STORE LOCATIONS ~
MUSKA BAG - MAIN STORE
488 MADISON AVENUE
BETWEEN 51ST AND 52ND STREETS
NEW YORK, NY 10022
MICHEL'S BAGS
672 LEXINGTON AVENUE
BETWEEN 55TH AND 56TH STREETS
NEW YORK, NY 10022
MICHEL'S BAGS
510 MADISON AVENUE
BETWEEN 52ND AND 53RD STREETS
NEW YORK, NY 10022
KESSLORD BAGS - PARIS
694 LEXINGTON AVENUE
BETWEEN 56TH AND 57TH STREETS
NEW YORK, NY 10022
CALL 646 497-0889 FOR MORE INFORMATION
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