Yes, my little fashionistas, it is that time of the week again.  You no doubt notice that, today, we have two Prada handbags on display; this is mainly because it may just be a color choice that makes me wonder whether or not the Prada Crispy nylon tote is fab or flub.  I really can’t tell, and given the sheer amount of time I’ve spent studying this bag in these two color choices, that really bothers me.

Actually, I’m starting to think that it’s a combination of the color choice and the design that’s making me so ambivalent about this bag.  Quilted can be cool, it can be really stylish.  I’m not generally a fan of it, but am also the first to admit that when it’s done right – and I would expect the designers behind Prada purses to pull it off – quilted bags are absolutely stunning.  This one … not so much.

Let’s look at the black bag first.  When I have a choice between black and practically any other color, I do tend to go with black.  Usually, though, it takes a while.  My preference here, though, goes unwaveringly to the black version.  That color of green … honestly?  That’s the most hideous thing I’ve ever seen.  The quilting combined with that color really makes this Prada tote look more like a diaper bag – a very low end diaper bag, because Prada makes diaper bags, and a lot of those diaper bags are so awesome that I’d think about carrying them as a purse.

Quite the contrary, it looks kind of like you could buy the green bag at K-Mart – nothing against K-Mart, but you certainly do not expect to find a purse that’s supposed to be of Prada quality there.  But anyway, I’m sort of okay with the black version.  Sort of.  But maybe it’s just me, so I’m leaving it to my faithful Prada aficionados: is the Prada Crispy nylon tote fab or flub?

Regrettably, I have not lately seen a whole lot of Prada handbags that I personally would consider perfect for fall. Many of them are either too much or too little – or good only for autumn, which frankly seems like a waste of money. Granted, I don’t have the funds required to match my wardrobe to just one season – and that includes accessories – but even if I was rich as Croesus, I prefer things which endure no matter what time of year it is. For that reason, I also like my innovative pieces to have some classic elements as well. That way, whether it is a shirt, a skirt, or a Prada purse, it will stay stylish and fashionable not just through the seasons, but from year to year as well.

This brings us neatly to the Prada Cervo Pleat tote. The first time I saw it, I only noticed the color. Naturally, when most of us see orange, we think autumn. But then I took a second look. For one thing, I don’t see the shade as orange so much as a very warm coral – and once I made that distinction, I started to see the possibilities. Coral is a shade of orange, of course, so this tote is indeed perfect for fall. The warmth of the color, though, also evokes a sense of winter – warm fires, being bundled up, et cetera. Furthermore, the color is bright enough to bring a sense of radiance and color on the dreariest of winter days. That makes it ideal to see you through the rainier days of spring. As for the warmer days, well, something about this bag just looks vibrant, making it a perfect accessory. That vivacity carries well into somewhere, where, again, this Prada bag is bright and lively enough to seem exciting, but not so loud that it becomes gaudy or ostentatious.

Coming from a girl who isn’t the hugest fan of orange, the verdict’s surprisingly clear. Unlikely as it seems at first glance, this particular Prada purse is clearly a winner – for all the seasons.

Okay guys, it’s True Facts time: I am not a fan of pink. I do not like pink when it comes to sheets, Prada handbags, socks, pants, shirts, or underwear. That being said, I do happen to have one pink sweater, one pink pajama shirt, a set of pink sheets, a pair of pink plaid shoes, pink makeup, and I daresay I would be happy to add this pretty pink Prada purse to my collection. See, I’m particular about my shades of pink. I either want it obnoxiously loud (sheets and shoes), or pretty and subtle (everything else). Clearly, the Prada Cipria Gauffre tote fits into the latter category.

This Prada purse is absolutely darling, from its color to its design. I absolutely adore it. Honestly, that color is just … I don’t know, there’s something so sweet and soft about it that I could just die. For reasons I don’t quite understand, it makes me think of apple blossoms. More understandably, it evokes images of sunrises and sunsets, blushing cheeks on beautiful girls, and something profoundly pure and innocent.

Insofar as the design is concerned – talk about innovation! That rouching is so original, not to mention beautifully executed. It also adds the perfect modern touch, because there is something preciously antiquated and feminine about this bag, but the design saves it from turning into a cliche. The verdict? Well worth the $1,950.00 – but only if you like pink, even if it’s in secret.

Ugh. Just … ugh. Guys … I’ve reviewed a lot of Prada handbags over the course of the last month or so. Some of them have struck me as boring, but most of those generally have at least one redeeming quality. The same cannot be said of the Prada Oversized tote. In fact, it’s hard to keep from nodding off even as I write this. When I first saw this bag, I thought I’d made a mistake. I thought I’d accidentally stumbled upon a site selling grocery bags instead. That’s what this looks like: nothing more than a cloth grocery bag, perfect for carrying potatoes and laundry detergent.

As if that isn’t enough, it looks poorly made. It looks, in fact, line one of the designers over at Prada was suffering from a hangover, a cold, a fit of depression, or a bit of hatred for humankind, and decided to whip up the most boring beige bag ever created, anywhere. Can you believe, for instance, that it’s made of deerskin? I know! It looks like it’s made of burlap – canvas, at the very least. Badly made canvas, at that.

This bag costs more than a thousand dollars. Unless you catch it on sale, it’s about seventeen hundred dollars – $1,680.00, to be exact. I think that’s about $1,670.00 too much. If you want a bag like this, then seriously, drop by the grocery store and get one of the green bags for your groceries. You can save a bundle and buy some milk.

Yeah, isn’t there a rule about wearing white after Labor Day? The designers making Prada handbags need to remember that rule. Granted, it might not be the case in Europe, especially in Milan, but they need to consider the fact that the no-white rule is a big one for all of us fashionistas and fashion aficionados located stateside.

As you have probably already guessed, I am not a fan of white bags, whether they are Prada bags or the kind you buy for ten bucks from a department store. As a matter of fact, the only white things found in my wardrobe are shirts, lingerie, and sneakers. Otherwise, no. Just … no! It gets dirty too easily, it tends to glare, and unless you are very, very careful – especially with purses – it tends to be boring.

As far as the Prada Soft Calf Hobo bag goes … I don’t know. Is it a winner or a wiener? Actually, the design is quite nice – it’s a simple, elegant bag with clean lines but enough innovation to keep it from being too simple and clean. Still, I guess it’s just the color that keeps me from falling in love with it. But hey, if you like white purses, then go for it! Just don’t carry after Labor Day, for the love of Prada!