Over the years, Mulberry has fully established itself as an iconic British fashion house with an incredible background of creating repeated hits with their leather expertise. With their ever growing collection, they have still labelled a few items on their website ‘Icons’- and just as you’d expect, this is their collection of most popular Mulberry bags which are dearly loved within the Mulberry family. A few have some very personal meanings behind the names, so here are a few of them.
Mulberry Bayswater
Created in 2002, the Bayswater was Mulberry’s biggest hit since their journey began. It immediately became a must have for front row fashion spectators. Named Bayswater after the area in west London, this piece would never look our of place against the Georgian town houses and beautifully cared for green spaces.
Mulberry Lily
Created in 2010, the Mulberry Lily was Mulberry’s inspired piece which truly combined the day to evening gap in the luxury bag market. This classic was named after model Lily Cole. With a chain strap adding elegance, the lily has a playful shape and of course, the iconic postmans lock, which makes it the perfect piece to never look out of place in any situation. A true ode to a super model off duty.
Mulberry Alexa
Created in 2010, the Mulberry Alexa was created and dedicated to model and now designer Alexa Chung. Previous to this gesture, Alexa was seen toting a mens vintage Mulberry Briefcase around regularly which looked incredibly well loved. With such a beautiful attitude to Mulberry’s history, its not a surprise that Mulberry created the Alexa (which has been re released for their 50th anniversary this year) to really reflect the youthful playfulness of Miss Chung herself.
Shop our Mulberry
Read our blog Mulberry's 50th Icons
]]>Oh wow, you've got us to the finals! Thank you so much!
]]>We were thrilled to be nominated, and we genuinely didn't expect to get to the finals. But, well, here we are! All of the votes have been reset to zero, so now we have to ask you again: if you like what we do, please vote for us... dare we hope to win????
Muddy Stilletos started in the Summer of 2011 by founder Hero Brown. The plan? To write a witty but indispensable guide to the very best restaurants, walks, boutiques, day trips, hotels, interiors, and events. You know, the places that you might actually want to go to (as opposed to some guides where only one out of ten attractions might interest you). Their website has grown up to have a beautiful lifestyle-magazine aesthetic and is split up into Counties, so you can make sure that what's on offer is close to home. And of course, is a very helpful addition to planning the best staycation this side of Covid.
A big thank you to whoever anonymously nominated us for the competition in the Best Women's fashion Store category in Leics/Rutland. And the hugest of thank you's to all of you that then further nominated us and got us to the finals 😘
What happens next? We are one of 5 finalists in our category, and we would love your votes! If you've ever bought from us, sold with us, visited us, chatted to us on Instagram, commented on our YouTube... we need you now more than ever!
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With summer 2022 approaching so quickly, it is about time we took a look at what is on trend for this summer, and how you can incorporate these trends in to your wardrobe with a preloved twist.
Biker Chic
With the leather biker look really taking off again (for the summer of all seasons!) the very first thing that pops into my mind is the Balenciaga City. The city screams biker edge and is the perfect piece to feed this style into your wardrobe without having to sweat it out in leather clothing in mid summer!
Stripes
If you are the kind of person who prefers to let their accessories do the talking, the Mulberry Pembroke is the bag for you. With stripes being big for summer 2022, the college stripe addition to this bag is sure to add some fun without being to in your face.
Clean and crisp
Now this selection might be a little out there, but hear me out. Clean, crisp minimalism is in. With white pressed shirts, clean cut trousers and sparkling white sandles, you might think something a little more simple and less in your face would make a better selection. However, this Louis Vuitton Saintonge seems so simple and clean to me. The leather trim in the warm hue balanced out the loud monogram creates a sleek, classic look which would not look out of place on the French Riviera or the streets of the Amalfi Coast.
Enjoy these little picks, if you have any suggestions then feel free to let us know!
]]>One of our most common queries received at Armcandy is regarding the sizes of the iconic Falabella. The tote, foldover tote, shoulder, zipped shoulder and many more, we are spoilt for choice in this collection, however the sizes can be a little overwhelming when trying to choose the perfect falabella for you.
So, we have devised an easy to follow guide for you Stella lovers to help you along your luxury journey. You’re welcome!
Let’s start off simple, The Falabella Tote.
Height: 45cm
Width: 46cm
Depth: 12cm.
Height: 37cm
Width: 46cm
Depth: 12cm
Height: 26.5cm
Width: 23.5cm
Depth: 10cm
Height: 18cm
Width: 17.5cm
Depth: 6cm
Height: 37cm
Width: 36cm
Depth: 9cm
You also have the collections of Falabella Shoulder Bags, these perhaps look more of a traditional crossbody style but still with the iconic trim. They are in the following sizes.
Height: 13cm
Width: 23cm
Depth: 4.5cm
Height: 14cm
Width: 22cm
Depth: 2.5cm
Falabella Zip Mini Shoulder Bag
Height: 16cm
Width: 22cm
Depth: 5.5cm
As the Falabella evolves and grows (which we are sure it well, it has remained hugely popular since its release 2010) we will continue to add to this guide, and we hope you find it useful and it helps guide you towards your perfect Armcandy purchase!
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Each piece has a video review, filmed by either me or Izzy, so that you can see exactly what you need to see. We talk you through the features, we show you how the zips glide, we put it on so you can see the actual size, and we show you any signs of wear and tear. All so that you can see exactly what you're buying.
We know it's important that you can see what the pockets are like inside the bag, and what colour the lining is. We know it's important to see if it comes with a dustbag and a box. We know these things are important because these are the things that we look for when we shop online.
Our videos are accessed from the product page. They take you to that bags video on our YouTube channel. When you've finished just click your back button and you're back on the product page.
And of course, if you subscribe to our channel and switch on your alerts, you'll be the first to know when a new bag has come in 🙌
Read our Be Kind ethos
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When you think of key aspects of male high end fashion, many names may come to mind, including Louis Vuitton and the fast rising of Off White. If you are a little more interested than most, then the name Virgil Abloh may also come to mind. He was a man with creativity in his bloodstream. The son of a seamstress, he learn to sew at a young age. Whilst his earlier creative passions began in areas like engineering and architecture, in 2009 he took on an internship at Fendi (in the same class as Kanye West no less) which began his beautiful journey through the world of luxury.
Abloh quickly came to the forefront of modern street fashion, and in 2013 he founded his first fashion label, Off White, "the grey area between black and white". His vision and his fresh take began to shake up the purist of the fashion world.
The brand quickly found success, collaborating with brands such as Levi’s, Nike, Jimmy Choo, and even branched out into home furnishings collaborating with IKEA. Whilst his own brand went from strength to strength, Abloh cemented his position as a fashion giant when he was named the head of menswear design at Louis Vuitton in 2018. He was the first black designer at Louis Vuitton, and one of only a few black designers who have been at the forefront of French fashion houses. Whilst at Louis Vuitton, he created some of the brands most showstopping designs to date. Filled with creative ethereal intelligence, Ablohs designs take your breath away and add a whole new dimension to the timeless brand.
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Sadly, Abloh passed away on the 28th of November 2021 at only 41 years of age. His legacy will inspire for years to come.
Shop our Virgil Abloh
]]>2021 was a HUGE year for us at Armcandy. Despite the periods of closure, we have been getting busier than ever. With our online orders soaring, our shop filling, and the ‘sold in seconds’ insta posts getting more frequent it is safe to say we have had an exciting (and slightly manic!) year.
However, the one thing that is key to the best year? The best clients, who have brought us the best, beautiful bags.
So here are our 5 picks of some of our incredible 2021 faves.
A fun, fruity purple, the leather is wonderful and the pop of the gold signature Alexander McQueen hardware really makes it stand out from the crowd.
With a quirky yet elegant design, the Lana is something very different to other pieces we have had in this year.
What else can I say other than it’s unforgettable name? The Evelyne is a true work of art, appreciated by the masses.
This stunning grey in a soft satchel style gets so many ooh’s and aah’s in store.
This crossbody is just SO cool and will look good on anyone wearing anything, obsessed!
What a round up of some of Armcandy’s finest, check these and all our amazing pieces, and we look forward to seeing you come back and visit us again in 2022.. maybe that will become our new best year yet!
]]>November, the month when we have to take our head from its place buried under the sand and resign ourselves to acceptance; Yes, it is indeed winter. That is how some of us, at least, feel. However, some look forward to the cosy scarves, long coats and crackling fires. Personally, although I’m certainly more of a summer girl, I definitely feel my most elegant in the winter. I seem to wear my favourite outfits, my smartest boots, I decide my face could do with some bronzer and my hair would benefit from styling. I think we seem to go out more extravagantly too. Cocktail evenings, parties, theatre trips and meals out all seem to be more frequent. So as the season closes in on us, Armcandy have something supremely special to lift your spirits.
The Hermès piano bag was released in the 1940s and manufactured through to the late 1980s. It has an accordion style structure, fastened shut by two pins to buckles which pull open to reveal the interior. This interior is perfectly thought out and designed. Beneath the pocket press stud fasten there is an ‘M’ stamped subtly into the leather. This ‘M’ tells us its year of manufacture, which is 1957. Yes this bag was made in a year ‘All Shook Up’ by Elvis hit the top 50, the first frisbee was released and Russia launched the first earth orbiting satellite Sputnik. When you dwell upon the life this bag may have lead, you truly realise how incredible it is to be a part of fashion history and heritage, and the emotion attached to it. It would be wonderful to see this Hermès piano bag begin it second life, and what much better than November? Party season is starting and it cannot wait to get out.
]]>It’s been a few weeks since the 2021 Met Gala, and the attention around this iconic event has wound down until next year. However, there is something I definitely have not forgotten about. Erykah Badu is an American singer songwriter who has been performing since 1994. She has a style which takes influence from soul, hip hop and R&B music.
At the 2021 Met Gala she was dressed by Thom Browne, a New York based designer. He worked for Ralph Lauren for many years, but released his first womenswear collection in 2014.
The look he designed for Badu fitted perfectly in the Met’s 2021 Theme of “Creativity in America” theme. Badu wore a tailored black suit with a large down overcoat, with a college stripe theme subtly popping out throughout the outfit. However, the piece that stole the show was the Dachshund bag in pebbled leather which Badu proudly displayed on her arm throughout the evening. Browne is the proud owner of a Dachshund named Hector (who even has his own instagram account, @hectorbrowne !) which provided the inspiration for his collection of Hector themed designs, which included bags, purses and even slippers!
Even if dogs aren’t your thing, you’ve got to admit, this day to day companion is pretty cute and certainly less work than the real thing! We can see Hector making a lot more celebrity appearances in the future, Thom Browne really has honed his personal brand.
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‘Fair-and-square, Igor is practical and functional. He’ll win the hearts of women on the go 24/7!’
These are the words to give a brief description of the Jerome Dreyfuss Igor on their very own website. I honestly could not say it better myself.
The Igor creates a sturdy and practical satchel style cross body all whilst keeping a cool and interesting look, so you don’t lose any of the awesome flair of Dreyfuss’ designs. Jerome Dreyfuss designs bags in male, female and unisex styles, with one of his key goals being to achieve something which is both user-friendly but still looks seriously cool! One of the unique ways he does that is through adding a flashlight and keyholder to his bags. How thoughtful!
With their classic styles not normally moving from the website, variety is achieved through changes in fabric texture pattern and colours. If the design ain’t broke, don’t fix it! What we love about these designs is that style is never compromised by practicality and vice versa, so you always get the best of both worlds. That’s why we love his styles and were so excited to feature the Igor as our bag of the month.
]]>Get To Know Us:
Meet The Team
As Armcandy has grown over the past year, we have doubled in size in regards to our team members! So, it seems about time we introduce and reintroduce ourselves with a quick Q&A!
Emily
What do love most about working for Armcandy?
Apart from the team 😉 I love how many different little jobs there are to do and the fact there’s always something new to learn. You’re also part of a great moment in someone’s day, no ones ever sad buying a new bag!
What’s your favourite brand?
I don’t think I have just one! I love Mango and Oliver Bonas for clothes, and have a long distance love affair with Catbird in New York. I also get temped every time some Chanel or Givenchy turns up in Armcandy.
How do you wind down after a day at Armcandy HQ?
Either going to the gym or baking while watching Netflix, one extreme or the other! I’m also a fan of a good dance in the kitchen.
What are your interests?
Pretty places, pretty clothes, good music and good food.
What’s your top preloved shopping tip?
Buy things because you really love them, not just because they’re there and it’s cheaper than new. That way you’re far more likely to keep it and love it forever.
One cool fact about yourself?
I trained in patisserie and once made a stand in wedding cake for a friends wedding after the baker bailed last minute.
Izzy
What do love most about working for Armcandy?
I absolutely love that every day is a school day! I am constantly learning new things about an area I have a real passion for. Also it’s helped me push the boundaries of my comfort zone, I never thought I’d spend my time talking to a camera but I’ve gotten used to it and slowly but surely I am feeling less embarrassed about hearing back my own voice!
What’s your favourite brand?
I would have to say Chloé. I admire their gorgeous, elegant, ethereal designs in both their clothing and handbags. The designs always have such effortless elegance, getting it right every time.
How do you wind down after a day at Armcandy HQ?
Usually after work I will go to the gym, then I would come home and make dinner.. as I’m always starving! I love to cook so its a nice way to start the evening and afterwards I will usually relax by reading.
What are your interests?
I do love to cook… but I love to eat even more! So I spend a lot of time reading recipes, restaurant reviews and food columns. I also love being outdoors, so me and my other half like to head off to the countryside or the coast whenever we get the chance to get out in the fresh air.
What’s your top preloved shopping tip?
Even though I love a bargain as much as the next person, I would definitely say don’t be stingy! Preloved shopping is a great way to do your bit for the environment whilst getting designer products at a lower price, but that doesn’t mean they won't cost you anything at all! Remember even if its preloved designer, its still a luxury product and has a great value. Don’t miss out on something you love!
One cool fact about yourself?
Whilst normally my 9-5 seems very glamorous working with designer products in a stunning shop, under normal circumstances (pre COVID!) I spent 2 days a week travelling round the country volunteering on community building projects. So my usual look included me being knees deep in mud and permanently coated in construction dust! Whilst not being glamorous, I loved it and can’t wait to get back to it!
Tamara
What do love most about working for Armcandy?
The team is superb. We laugh and have fun everyday. And I am super proud to be in a business that is part of the circular and sustainable fashion industry.
What’s your favourite brand?
I love Celine, Bottega Veneta and Coccinelle for their understated luxury. They always use beautiful leathers and fabrics, and their beauty is noticed most by the wearer because they are joyful to use.
How do you wind down after a day at Armcandy HQ?
Actually, my favourite time is in the morning in my garden. As soon as I get up I have a cup of tea at my desk and work for an hour or two. Then I have my breakfast and coffee at the breakfast patio, which gets the morning sun and I’m surrounded by Hydrangeas and Japanese Anenome which are stunning at this time of year. I listen to the birds in the bird bath and enjoy the calm before the business of life truly begins.
What are your interests?
My garden, reading, cups of tea, red wine and whiskey. A day that includes all of these is perfect!
What's your preloved shopping tip?
Preloved shopping is a pastime to be enjoyed... maybe it's a Sunday morning in the flea markets near Paris, maybe it's a Monday lunchtime browse online at Armcandy's new in, maybe it's a Saturday afternoon mooch around the charity shops... whatever it is, savour the experience and be inspired by the delights that you find.
One cool fact about yourself?
Currently working on my first novel.
Joe
What do you love most about working for Armcandy?
It's all about people. Wether it's the joy on the face of somebody buying or receiving a gift, or working with the members of our great team.
What's your favourite brand?
I don't have a favourite brand, but I've always been drawn to great design.
How do you wind down after a day at Armcandy?
A glass of wine from Duncan Murray.
What are your interests?
Pilates. Travel. People. New music. I love learning something new.
What's your preloved shopping tip?
Because everything is unique, if you like it and can afford it, don't hesitate just get it.
One cool fact about yourself.
I'm an expert waterskier.
Emily's current fave Louis Vuitton Case
Izzy's current fave Chloé Small C Double carry
Tamara's current fave Gucci Bloom
Read our Environmental Mission Statement
]]>With September coming along so quickly, I felt like I hadn’t even thought about what could be a possible contender for this months Bag Of The Month. However, as I am sat here at Armcandy HQ working, the weather is a gorgeous 26 degrees, with the sun shining and the British population dressed for the height of summer, so even though I was planning for a wintery style bag to get us in the autumnal mood, I couldn’t quite bring myself to reach that point quite yet.
Then I looked over and saw our gorgeous piece of Miu Miu that has gone live this week. This piece is a top handle and crossbody, and comes in the most beautiful nude pink called ‘Cammeo’. The Matelassé leather feels plush and homely, and the colour feels fresh and preppy, yet still with a hint of cool and multi seasonal.
Miu Miu is the fashion child of Miuccia Prada, the daughter of Prada’s founder. The brand takes in Prada’s key aspects of quality, craftsmanship and style whilst adding its own spin on things. Miu Miu have an iconic look which combines flirtatious femininity with an almost gothic elegance, which together create something wonderful.
The combination of these beautiful aspects which make Miu Miu such a diverse and beautiful brand are all visible in this piece in our Arcmandy collection.
So, let’s head into autumn with a spring in our step, carrying something bright and uplifting to get us through to spring 2022.
Click here to buy the Miu Miu Crossbody and shop our Miu Miu collection.
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Hardware:
With two removable straps, there is a good amount of hardware to check on this bag. Firstly, there should be three D rings, two for the straps and one for a charm. On all of these they should be engraved with ‘Louis Vuitton’ on the front edge.
On both straps, the two clips either end should be engraved with the ‘LV’ letters. The chain strap should feel as if it has a decent amount of weight to it. Not enough to feel too heavy on your shoulder, but enough to reassure you it is of good quality and strong manufacture.
On the leather shoulder strap, each of the studs should say ‘Louis Vuitton’ on them. It is also wise to note the font of Louis Vuitton lettering, they are always perfectly space out and squared off. When looking at zip pulls, both sides should be engraved with ‘LV’. It is also good to look at zip itself. It should have even amount of material either side and it should be perfectly straight with perfectly aligned teeth.
Structure:
The Epi leather of this bag is out of this world. It is strong, sturdy and durable all whilst being incredibly stylish. As they are so beautifully made, they should be firm. If you pinched the base of the structure, it should stay solid and keep its shape. Copies of these lack the same amount of structural integrity, so they may buckle under the pressure.
On the front should be a small flap tag. On the tag it should say ‘Louis Vuitton’. Again the lettering should be perfect, it should be straight, central and evenly spaced. One super helpful tip is that the exact measurement from the top to the bottom tip of this flap should be exactly 27 mm. Ours was made in France, so it also says Made In France. LV currently manufacture in France, Spain, Italy and the USA, so make sure the date code for the bag corresponds correctly with its claimed country of manufacture.
So, we hope with these notes you will be able to shop savvy when buying your preloved LV. Even though this Blog and accompanying video are specifically regarding the LV easy pouch, these pieces of knowledge will be able to help your authentication process in different LV products. If you are still struggling or a visual learner like myself, then take a look at our video tutorial for this on our YouTube channel.
]]>When you take a look around Armcandy’s collection, there is a wide variety of brands, styles, materials, colours and price points. This is due to the careful selection of products which are chosen to feature in our physical and online store.
So, how is our collection professionally curated and what are the requirements?
Firstly, we tell anyone thinking of parting with their beloved Armcandy, bring it in! Whether you just bring it into store or send us a photo on our email, we are happy to take a look at anything. As we have such a wide range in our shop, there is never just a certain look that we stick to, however there are always certain things we know will have a home within our client base, and some we politely decline as we perhaps aren’t sure if its forever home is with us.
Even though each one of our gorgeous bags are preloved, we still make sure they are in a lovely condition. Varying from never even touched to comfortably worn in, all of our bags still look beautiful and each are individually inspected and given a rating in regards to their condition, even with their own video to show up close any imperfections or details we think people would be interested in knowing. If we take a look at bags that are just too worn for our customers, then these are also products we would politely decline.
Whilst deciding whether or not a bag is the right fit for us, we deeply research a suitable price point for the bag, all dependant on the brand, style and condition. This means the knowledge gained over time from researching so many bags becomes priceless and can all be banked for future bags coming in. With over 25 years of experience of this process, Tamara now has a wealth of knowledge which makes her selection for Armcandy a labour of love, full of fine tuned choices with individual customers in mind.
So, with so many hours of time, research and energy, Armcandy’s collection is curated with perfection.
]]>Until January 2022, The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, is showcasing an exhibition called ‘Bags: Inside Out.’
This exhibition features a curation of bags throughout the ages, and how they have been used not just in fashion, but in politics, activism and self expression.
Not only does it highlight iconic styles and cultural moments from bag fashion history, but it also goes into details regarding the tailoring process and the craftsmanship involved in building the perfect bag.
Click here to visit the exhibit website.
After reading about (and hopefully eventually visiting) this incredible exhibit, it got me thinking of all the places around the world which must have stunning curated exhibits in various museums. So, with a bit of research, here is a list of some of the most highly regarded handbag exhibits around the world.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art - New York, America
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is one of the most breathtaking museums, the largest Art Museum in the United States. It also holds a wing called ‘The Anna Wintour Costume Center’, which holds collections of fashion through the ages. The museum contains bags with various different purposes, ages and styles.
Click here to see the Met bag collection online.
Simone Handbag Museum - Seoul, South Korea
This Museum is actually entirely dedicated to handbags.. what a dedication! It contains bags dating back to 1550 and holds over 300 bags. It also houses a workshop area available for aspiring designers to work rent free whilst they build their portfolio. Now that is something we love to hear.
Click here to visit the Simone Handbag Museum website.
Esse Purse Museum - Arkansas, USA
This Museum holds a collection of handbags designed to display the lives of women through handbags, from 1900 to present day. This gives glimpses as to how style, design, materials and life itself has changed through the years. I think it paints a fantastic picture of how a women’s general lifestyle has changed drastically in the last century and how that has affected what is needed practically for our bags on a day to day basis.
Click here to visit the Esse Purse Museum website.
If you personally have ever had the privilege of visiting one of these or another incredible bag collection, let us know!
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As we await our summer to finally kick off, the looming concept of the coming autumn seems to be arriving pretty quickly, perhaps before we have even had chance to feel like summer was here. However, it is not all doom and gloom. Autumn arriving means that fashion week is on its way, and with autumn fashion week comes all the summer 2022 collection goodness to push us through the coming winter. However, it also means we can enjoy all the gorgeous trends set for us earlier this year, for the next few months. We have handpicked some of our favourite trends, and of course our favourite Armcandy to pair with it.
Layering
As the cooler months descend, you can often find yourself wrapped in tights and jumpers at 9pm, and then feeling as if you are about to melt by midday. However, the art of layering makes this cooky climate that bit easier to deal with. Also, done well, layering can look über stylish, especially with a chic small crossbody slung across your torso. So, that is why we have chosen this little Coach Crossbody to go with Chanels excellent example of layering for this Autumn.
Chanel 2021
Quilted Textures
What is more comforting than a snuggly, warm, tactile quilted coat? Well it seems this year is the quilts time to shine. With quilted coats, jackets, vests even trousers making an appearance, we certainly have a selection of quilted beauties which embrace this trend with timeless class. But for today it has to be our Saint Laurent Vicky.
Longchamp 2021
Evening Wear
Now is it any surprise that evening wear has become one of the biggest trends for the winter of 2021/22? Of course not. All of us are dreaming of attending those cheese and wine nights, parties and cocktails in a dimly lit bar on a chilly night. There’s nothing like it and we definitely miss it, so it’s time to retrieve your finery from the back of the wardrobes and prepare for the good times to come. With perfect timing, we have just received the most irresistible See By Chloé evening drawstring bag, which metallic tones will look perfect on a winters night out. Our inspiration came from Versace.
Versace 2021
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August's bag of the month is an absolute showstopper. For over 60 years Gucci has had a love affair with bamboo, and teamed with our love affair with the Gucci Bloom prints this Gucci Bamboo Daily Tote in the red blooms pattern is certainly a all round success.
Gucci has an entire collection dedicated to their bamboo products, and their most noted bamboo handle bag has been worn by the likes of Princess Diana and many more influential figures. So the shout out to the bamboo theme as featured on this bag through its twist lock closure is like an honourable mention to an old friend.
Taken from the Autumn 2014 collection, we think this tote is actually the perfect August companion. It feels fun, warm and tropical. It fills you with nostalgia whilst still bringing a young playfulness to the design. There is definitely no better August Bag Of The Month.
Shop the Gucci Bamboo Daily Tote here.
]]>The day is finally here for happy couples to be able to have their dream day. In the coming months lots of patient brides and grooms are preparing to have the day of their dreams, with no limits. So, naturally, many of us have invitations for events the likes of which we’ve not attended for over a year.
So with wedding season upon us, here is our collection of wedding bags for your special day, guest or participant! We have something for everyone here at Armcandy, so we have separated them in to 3 sections for various price ranges.
Kate Spade Wallet on String: £90
Stella McCartney Mini Tote: £500
Saint Laurent Kate Tassel: £900
All of these beauties are all excellent companions. Whether you’re at a beach, registry office, hotel or garden, a wedding is a time for celebration and what better way to celebrate than with a piece of Armcandy as your maid of honour?
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July’s bag of the month is something which is a little different for the middle of summer, however it was just too gorgeous to wait. Last month we received our first piece of Salvatore Ferragamo, and it sure was special. Named ‘shoemaker to the stars’, the name behind the brand Salvatore Ferragamo was known for his luxury crafted leather shoes all the way back since the 1920’s. 100 years later his namesake brand is still going strong, and still well and truly in family hands.
The bag we wanted to highlight was our Salvatore Ferragamo Sophia, which is in a stunning sheepskin shearling style. Although a little wintery, this treasure is enough to make you smile all year round. A understated luxury, the beautiful combination of wool and leather make for a beautiful texture experience. It screams quality and craftsmanship, all without being too sensible and boring. Shearling has been making a large appearance in the last few months and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come in the next few months towards autumn (too soon?).
So, have you got any room for some Italian heritage in your wardrobe? Because if you can find a place in your heart, or again your wardrobe, then this piece will certainly not let you down.
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On the 1st of July 2020, Armcandy Bag Co opened its shop doors after over 3 months of closure. Even though Tamara and Joe had been busy behind the scenes keeping all the cogs turning, it was a massive step towards normality and going forward with their ever growing business!
However, with their first day back came a whole new challenge, a newbie was joining their little team and that newbie was me.
When I joined Armcandy I had a small amount of experience in retail and administration and that was about it for useful skills I had to take on this new role. I had a keen interest in fashion, both designer and high street, however I’d never truly looked into the bag side of designer. It felt like a foreign language to me and it was clear I had a lot to learn. My quiet shop job seemed to be looking a lot more interesting than I’d initially thought!
My first Armcandy Love
In my first few weeks, it felt like an overload of information. How the bags were coded, sales recorded, orders packed, website controlled, calendars updated, clients profiled, all of these pieces of information some how had to be stored in my brain with the knowledge of when and how to use them. Thankfully, Tamara’s endless patience, relaxed character and wealth of knowledge made for an incredible teacher. She cheered when I got things right and laughed when I got things wrong, before always helping me iron out the creases.
Then it came to making an Armcandy Bag Review Video, this was my biggest fear. Not one to enjoy being in front of a camera, I was unsure whether I could do the bags justice for our customers buying and clients selling. However, Tamara’s encouragement meant my comfort zone was well and truly pushed and is now comfortably extended!
Tamara’s sneaky picture of my first video.
As the months go on, I’m currently learning to accurately quote prices for clients who wish to sell with us and authenticate an ever growing list of brands all of which have different criteria to identify their authenticity. I’ve also found that working at Armcandy has given me a further passion for sustainable fashion and pre loved shopping. Whilst researching for blog posts, or looking at various brands ethos’ I’ve truly learnt so much about the environmental impacts fast fashion has on the world, and how incredible buying from pre loved or ethical brands really is. It’s been wonderful learning so much in a job I love dearly, working with Tamara and her husband Joe who are the nicest people in the most beautiful shop. I’m now officially a bag fanatic and love watching Armcandy’s brand go from strength to strength.
My first Armcandy purchase, to me from me!
The humble Mulberry Darley is truly a little pocket rocket. With an array of bags, purses, wallets, pouches, satchels, belts and even gloves; the Darley is one of Mulberry’s most diverse range.
Incredibly popular, the bags and purses of this collection all have the mulberry signature postman’s lock. The original Darley has 3 sizes, small, medium (the original Darley) and large. The Darley Makes for a great alternative for somebody who wants to invest in a Mulberry Icon, but a Bayswater doesn’t quite fit their needs.
The smaller, envelope styles create a more minimalist approach. The Darley feels slick, organised and chic. The miniature postman’s lock is adorable and feels modern and smooth when being used. I personally see the Darley as an ultimate bag. The chain creates a elegant and glamorous feel, making it perfect for an evening or occasion, yet it also certainly wouldn’t look out of place on your daily errands, or at your local coffee shop.
When you look at the Darley range, you see the practical purpose of each item, but never do they lose their luxury and style for the sake of practicality. With the Darley satchel, cosmetics pouch, belt and purse looking like they would fit perfectly slotted within each other Russian doll style in my summer wardrobe, I’m starting to think I may need the entire collection..
]]>From the beginning of Armcandy in 2016, me and Joe wanted to create an eco sustainable business. But what does that mean? And how is it achieved?
In 2016 we took a month off and went to our favourite Island, Ibiza. We rented an apartment, and pretended that we were locals. Early morning runs before the sun became too fierce, fresh orange juice and pastries for breakfast, chores in the morning (grocery shopping for me, reading the paper for him), lazy lunches under bougainvillea clad terraces, and then hitting the beach at 5pm for sunbathing and long swims in that sparkling, warm sea.
Over the years we have traversed this beautiful White Isle, and this visit we managed a visit to Santa Gertrudis and Bar Costa for their world famous tostados. And of course, the equally famous... lowest chairs in the world (if you know, you know 😉). After an epic lunch we stumbled across Es Cucons and I fell in love with this sign. I loved that it was made of metal. I loved the colours, and I loved the words... they resonated with me. I connect these words with Joe, his kindness was one of the first qualities I noticed about him all those years ago when we were young. I could get very gushy here, but I'll spare you! Suffice to say, this Be Kind sign had to come home with us and has rested on our vintage, Marilyn Monroe lined, glass cupboard ever since.
In 2016 we launched Armcandy, and this Be Kind became our ethos, our mission statement. We wanted to be kind in every way: kind to each other, kind to our team, kind to our customers and clients, and kind to the environment. Of course since 2016 the words Be kind have been added to hundreds of slogan tees and slogan mugs. And in our thousands we wear these words and drink out of them because we like it. Because we agree. Because it works.
Read how we're implementing our Be Kind ethos
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We're happy that our business is part of the circular and sustainable fashion movement, but we wanted to do more. We're not claiming to be eco perfect, but these are our current eco initiatives:
•Our carrier bags for instore purchases are 100% sustainable, biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. And FSC certified.
•For our online orders we use Enviro Box, which are are especially constructed to have the strength of a double wall box, but with only a single wall, meaning less card is used. They are made from 80% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. They have a special design which means they are adjustable and can fold down to a smaller box, meaning they require less filler material.
•Our filler is Kraft paper, an excellent high performance wrapping paper, which is biodegradable, reusable and recyclable.
•Our sealing tape is 100% recyclable.
•Our Armcandy dustbags are manufactured in a Fairtrade accredited, ethically audited, carbon neutral factory.
•The paper we use for your packing slip is currently ordinary A4 paper, because we were given it from another business that was closing down. When that runs out we will be using recycled paper.
•Our envelopes are recycled and recyclable. They feature the Der blaue Engel symbol.
•Our Do Not remove tags are printed on recycled card and are recyclable.
To work on:
1, We attach our 'do Not Remove' tags with a small plastic cable tie. We have not yet found a kind alternative. If you have any suggestions please let us know.
2, We use sellotape to stick the address label to the parcel. We have not yet found a kind alternative. If you have any suggestions please let us know.
•Our shop customers use cotton gloves when handling the armcandy. These are washed after each use (we do not have single use plastic gloves).
•Our hand sanitiser is in a recycled and recyclable bottle.
•Our business cards are printed on recycled and recyclable card
•Our shop sign is made of red Cedar wood. One of the most sustainable building materials there is.
•We used farrow & Ball paint (Hague Blue if you're wondering) who have an excellent environmental policy. Their paint is water based, has minimal or low VOC, and the tins are recyclable. You can read about Farrow & Ball
•We used reclaimed oak flooring for our desk and counter surfaces. Thanks Ben 🙌
•We recycle our shop and online operation waste. Any sensitive information is shredded and then composted in our Hotbin.
•We pay the Real Living Wage. Not the minimum wage, not the National living Wage, but The Real Living Wage (You're worth every penny Izzy).
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The time has finally arrived, we can go out, go on holiday, stay in hotels and have a drink inside a restaurant. Oh, and of course, see our friends and family! Although we have this newfound freedom, for many of us travelling abroad won’t be an option this year. However, Britain boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and holiday destinations all within a short distance of each other!
As long as the weather stays our friend, it looks like many of us will be spending our summer on British beaches with our nearest and dearest.
Although this may be a little different to the holidays that some of us are used to, we all still need our stock of beach necessities. Since my beach bag has been packed away for a long time, it ended up being sent to charity in my lockdown wardrobe clear out, and I think many of you will be in the same position. So, we are showing you some of our favourite Armcandy totes which make perfect beach bags!
i love the idea of using this piece of luxury as a beach bag, it would be perfect for storing all you need and it’s unique shape means no amount is too much!
A very self explanatory choice, designed as a beach bag it’s frosted semi transparent material makes it easy to locate your bits and bobs!
This Tote just screams ‘summer!’, and with the accompanying purse you’ll always have a spot for your precious pieces!
We hope you all enjoy your summer holidays, and let us know what your beach bag choices were!
]]>May; the month where spring has officially sprung and summer feels oh so close. With multiple bank holidays, it’s the month where the soft tops come down and the bikes come out.
This month at Armcandy we have a signature motorcycle chic style available at our store, and it feels like the perfect bag to feature as Mays ‘bag of the month’.
Balenciaga City Small.
The Balenciaga City range is Balenciagas most notable range. Stitched handles, bold studs, leather tassels all add to the biker style, and the pocket mirror included in each bag seems like the perfect fix for helmet hair. The vast selection of leathers and colours are also well worth a mention, Balenciaga have really nailed opening up a design that could become niche, into a rainbow of colour collection that has truly become a classic for different women everywhere.
With 20 years of women carrying this bag on their shoulders, it’s safe to say our love affair with the Balenciaga City isn’t just a fleeting moment, it’s a long term love with a lot of life left in it.
Take a look at our Balenciaga City Small, and the video review to go with it.
]]>The sight of THAT orange bag is enough to make me send quiet squeals of excitement into the universe, and when the orange box is brought out of it, wrapped in chocolate ribbon, I can hardly contain myself! Because Hermès is true luxury. Grown-up luxury. The real deal.
But how do you know you're buying the real deal?...
]]>The Evelyne was designed by Evelyne Bertrand in 1978 as a way for horse groomers to carry their tools, with the perforations intended to be worn against the body, allowing the tools to breathe and aerate. Of course the design has been flipped and now we all wear the logo facing out to the world, because who of us would want to hide that beautiful logo?!
Sadly, along with beauty and innovation come copycats. Here's what to look for in a real Evelyne TPM...
First of all, as with all Hermès bags, look at the overall quality. Hermès bags are a level above the rest, they are made by craftsman and artisans, and they will be flawless. With a preloved bag there may be signs of wear but there will never be signs of manufacturing fault.
There are 4 sizes of Evelyne, the TPM (tres petite model) is the smallest. The TPM has not undergone some of the generation changes that the other sizes have had.
As we said before, it was designed as a work bag and the edges have casing with reinforced stitching, making the bag very durable. The stitching will be tiny, neat and perfect.
The perforations will be evenly sized and spaced. They will have raw, unfinished edges. There will be 63 perforations in total, 40 for the oval, 9 for each vertical arm, and 5 for the horizontal arm. And the oval is a beautiful, gentle oval. It is not a circle, nor does it have pointed sides.
The snap fasten may be plain or it may have some markings on it, depending on it's age. But whatever it's age it will not have Hermès on it. On the underside of the pull through will be the craftsman and date code stamps. On the main bag under the fasten strap it is stamped with Hermès.
The crossbody strap is not adjustable on the TPM. It is made of superior quality webbed canvas. At both ends it will have leather tabs, one of which will stamped. On newer models both of the attachers have Hermès stamped on one side.
WATCH our video on how to authenticate an Hermès Evelyne TPM
Shop our Hermès
Cover image from https://www.instagram.com/nnattallii/ via https://www.instagram.com/hermes.addict/
]]>Tory Burch are the perfect mix of luxury and affordability. The products are of beautiful quality but their lower high end price point help them to become more accessible to a wider clientele. Her products are a mix of bohemian chic clothing, bags, shoes and accessories. Her combinations of bold colours, patterns prints and materials give her brand a distinctive look, which matches the interior design of the store.
Tory Burch launched the flagship store of her fashion brand in February 2004 in Manhattan and most of the inventory sold in the first day. Immediately it began to gain critical acclaim from celebrities and the brand began to snowball. When inside a Tory Burch store, it doesn’t feel like your average designer store. The tones of gold, mirrored walls and soft furnishings dotted about make you feel as of you’re in somebodies rather enormous walk in wardrobe in their boho-chic home, and it really does feel warm and welcoming.
In 2009, Tory Burch set up ‘The Tory Burch Foundation’. An issue close to her heart, it worked toward helping and supporting female entrepreneurs, providing programs for education, access to capital loans, and networking opportunities.
Sounds like Tory has had an incredibly busy career over the past couple of decades, we can’t wait to see more of her both in the fashion world and regarding her brilliant foundation.
Take a look at our collection of Tory Burch here.
]]>When choosing April’s bag of the month, the choice was pretty obvious. In the past few weeks we have received the most incredible piece of Vintage Dior. This beauty took my breath away in all its raffia floral glory. It is a Dior bowling bag in raffia fabric, with the most incredible lime palm green trim and of course the stunning floral motifs. From the silver studs at the base, to the glorious stitching on the handles, each and every part of this is perfection.
For anyone who is a Dior fan, this piece is a limited edition, from the John Galliano era of Dior. Armed with its limited edition serial number, we know this beauty is a rare find and truly something special.
To me, I feel like this is not a bag that was made to be worn once in its lifetime, this is a accessory which was designed to travel the world; taken on all your holidays as a summer staple. Something that is so bold, it automatically goes with everything you own (even if it really doesnt.).
If you love fashion and all the history that goes with it, this is a work of art which even if isn’t to your taste, we can all appreciate.
Take a look at this Dior Raffia Floral Bowling Bag on our website now!
When choosing your perfect peace of Armcandy, it can be quite confusing to try to work out what distinguishes the various fabrics, and what makes one better than the other? Well, we have picked a few of our common leathers we get in our shop and given a little info to help you decide for yourselves!
Saffiano Leather
True Saffiano leather is made of the highest quality calf leather. The process involves wax being distributed across the surface of the leather and then a crosshatch design being imprinted into the wax, creating the classic look we distinguish as saffiano leather. This style of leather is designed to be water resistant, if not waterproof. What makes this leather special? Is was designed by Mario Prada. Yeah, that Prada.
Epi Leather
Epi leather Is deeply connected to the Louis Vuitton brand and is used almost exclusively by them, as it was designed by a Vuitton. Similar to Saffiano leather, it is a pressed leather made by pressing a texture into the sealant on top of the leather.
It has become one of the brands most popular styles of leather and is likened to looking like grains of weed in the field due to its movement and texture. Again, this style of leather is brilliant for wearing well and proving to be element to proof.
Pebbled leather
Pebbled leather is often one of the most tactile leathers. This is because it is often created from soft leathers, and the finishing process, which is stamping the leather, creates a bumpy surface which looks like small pebbles grouped together. Due to its texture and its natural un even surface, pebbled leather is brilliant for disguising scratches and marks, so it wears beautifully.
Napa Leather
Napa leather is a general name given to leathers of various animal hides which have a smooth, non textured surface. When used correctly, the term napa indicates a product of high quality, such as the napa leather products at Armcandy.
Suede Leather
Suede Leather is made from the underside of the animal skin, meaning it is softer, more pliable and more delicate. It’s signature look is due to its napped (fuzzy) finish. Suede leathers are not as water resistant as most leathers and may mark more rapidly. The most common suede is from lamb skin, but cow, goat and deer hide are also often used.
Nubuck Leather
Nubuck leather is similar in appearance to suede, but it is actually made from the top grain of the skin, which in Nubucks case is usually cow. It is sanded down to give the appearance similar to suede, but because it is made from the outside of the hide, it is thicker and harder, making it more durable than suede, but not as soft.
Patent Leather
Patent leather is a style of leather in which a chemical coating is placed on the surface of the leather in a finishing process. Due to the style of patent leather solely taking place in the finishing process, it can use a variety of different hides as its base. The shiny coating of this leather makes it virtually waterproof and incredibly durable.
]]>It has been a slightly sad affair for our finery over the past 12 months. Heels have been left at the back of the wardrobe, our best dresses hang in hope of being worn again some day and well, our favourite bags have been sorely neglected.
However, with a little ray of hope coming in the form of glimpses of freedom, it is looking as if in the not too distant future it might me time to blow away the cobwebs and get dressed up, and not just to do your weekly shop.
Here are our practical picks for the coming months:
Park bench coffees
Marc Jacobs City Backpack
This backpack is perfect for taking on your strolls with friends. Chic yet practical, it is a perfect small backpack to fit in all your needs for a wander round your local park and easy to sling on your back when you are having a coffee on a park bench!
Picnics Galore
Kate Spade Margaux Medium Crossbody
This piece of Kate Spade is the perfect cross body, with the months getting warmer and the day is getting longer it seems likely that many of us will be spending time with friends in the park having a picnic, and what better than a cross body to keep your vital bits and pieces in whilst you lug a heavy hamper full of goodies across the grass?!
Beer Garden Bevvy’s
DKNY Shoulder
This DKNY shoulder provides a practical yet stunning solution for feeling glam whilst enjoying a drink outside with friends, and it is an absolute steal! The bright colour makes it feel oh so special and the four studs on the base will help to protect the leather from any rough surfaces. Also, the pebbled leather cleans up beautifully!
The Big Hurrah
Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette
Eventually life will return back to normal, and we will all be back to the events we love most. Weddings, parties, drinks, weekends away, holidays, these things will all continue and we will most certainly have reason to celebrate! The final pick for this amazing chapter that we can’t wait to reach has to be the Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette. It is a thing of beauty and will certainly be an eye catcher. For the best night out, why not have the best piece of Armcandy?
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