People often wonder why I am so violently against oversized bags for myself. Hello, I am a very petite girl and it’s best to leave the big bags (fabulous or not) to those lucky 5’11” chicks with broad shoulders who can carry them off. I bought the Muse in gray blue, thinking I can rock it, just once– a chic big bag. Only to see myself in a mirror one day at Barneys– it was carrying me. I got rid of it immediately and consoled myself with the fact that I still get carded regularly and fit in to size 00 pants. I swore to stay away from oversized until I saw this unique and interesting bag. It’s not my usual, but it’s full of funky details and is so casually and effortlessly fun. It’s called the Parachute bag by Henry Beguelin and it actually parachutes open to a bigger size! But that’s not all that I love about it; I love the company’s 20 year history (a group of friends started making hand stitched bags made with recycled material on the island of Elba) which has unwaveringly remained the same despite changing fads each season. I almost contemplated it for myself but then I saw this photo of Ashley Olsen being carried by it. Sadly, I will have to wait for the small version. Parachute bag available in Black/$1545, Brown/$1675 and Lipstick/$1300. At Henry Beguelin boutiques worldwide, jump for more photos!
All Photos: Courtesy of Henry Beguelin
Can’t believe you got rid of your blue gray Muse!!! How do you feel when you carry your 35/20cm birkin or is that a silly question?
L.xo
Lottie
I do not own a 35cm birkin! The largest I will go is a 32cm HAC and my 32cm Ricky white crocodile. 🙂
My Hermes collection is full of 30cm birkins, 32cm Kellys, 25 cm birkins, 30 Lindy, various clutches, etc.
Was so sad to let my muse go but it was twice the width of me. I’m only 97 pounds, I can’t carry off the big bags.
xoxo
Thanks Tina, I’m know your mega busy at the moe, but when you return and life isn’t as hectic I would love to know the difference between the Hac and birkin and see your vast collection…is the Hac still made I think I know one difference the length of the handels?!
Love that Ricky…you lucky lady!
You must be on your way to Paris now enjoy.
L.xo
BONJOUR! Tina, I totally LOVE!! this bag!! I am a big fan of Henry B…I think I might have to own it!!! OMG!! I am sorry to hear about the blue Muse!! Im so sorry for your lose! I know you loved that bag.. I am 5’8 (but not with broad shoulders)lol… I have 2 muse bags. I love them!! owned them B4 they became such a popular bag! I remember getting my first Muse. When my brother saw it, who by the way, is a(metro sexual) Anyway, he didnt like it.He said it looked old lady-ish!! then it became the “IT” bag. He went out and bought one for his girlfriend!! with my help of course (they were sold out) But I know peeps!!
Im loving those shoes…did u get them??
Ta-Ta for now…. HAPPY travels!!!!
Tina I love this post! I’m 5 feet, 100 pounds and I still love oversized bags. I don’t think I would go as far as the parachute (it looks like she’s slinging around a garbage bag, although it IS lovely), but I have no problem carrying a Muse around. Same with oversized clutches- I still love them.
PS.Tina..forgot to tell you, my brother’s girlfriend is 5′-100lbs,
The bag is a bit big on her. YES!!
But Whatcha gonna do?!?!? C’est La Vie!
that’s me! 5′ tall and 97 pounds. It’s so hard to get away with big bags at this size! xo
Tina,
I am 5’8″ and some of the big bags still look silly on me. I can pull of the large muse, but oversize looks like luggage on me.
xoxo Julie
A little off the subject, but I wonder what these Olsen twins do with all of their bags. They do have enough money for a big bag room, but I wonder if they give them away to friends after every season, give them to charity… pretty soon they will need a whole house for them if they keep them all.
ManBag- that is a good question! And although they have enough money to buy the bags, I doubt they buy all of the ones they carry. I am certain they are gifted many bags 🙂
This bag is just too big, I think I can roll myself up and squeeze me in there. I have gone and purchased large tote on impulses and these bags are just forgotten orphans in my bag closet. But I am glad that I am still wearing a French 34 and looks 10 years younger than my age. We gain some and loose some uh….
OMG I WILL BUUUUUUY heheheh
oh Tina to be gifted bags what a dream come true….do you and Kelly get gifted any bags….i know i read something that you returned them or gave them as competition gifts?! is this true…no wonder bags are so much these days with all the gifting that probably goes on!!!
L.xo
Hi Lottie,
We adopted a “no gift” rule last year, edibles and flowers only 🙂
We only accept bags for giveaways to our readers– and those ship directly from the vendor.
In the past, we have received bags from designers but we have donated those bags to charity or given them away.
We buy all of our bags, like everyone else. We do, however, receive an editorial discount once in a while from smaller designers.
But no discounts from shops like Barneys, Neimans, eLuxury, net-a-porter, Chanel, Hermes or Bottega. (I wish!)
Our no gift rule keeps our opinion unbiased.
xo
hi ladies! This is the thing: I am a tall girl (for Asians) -5’8. And after the baby, I gained a bit weight (50 pounds, HELLO) and now I am trying to deflat. 🙂 35 cm birkin is still perfect for me but I am eyeing 40cm right now for travelling. With a big bag like that I definately won’t get one with straps! Feels like I’m carrying a garbage bag on my shoulder! LOL
Ahh, yes. I remember liking this bag on the website but turned to a smaller tote when I saw it in person. I ended up getting the “Passion” tote with a matching journal. Neither of them are on the website so I don’t know if they’re from a past season or not but love them anyway.
By the way, ever thought about giving your readers a place to post pictures of their own bags? I’m sure some of your readers have awesome collections 😉
I don´t like this sack at all. It looks terribly depressing and wouldn´t take it even handed me for free.
I think that is fantastic that you have made it a rule you don’t accept bags…it does make you unbiased and you don’t owe people favours!!!
I love that you accept edibles and flowers a girl after my own heart…albeit i am surprised you get many of those being a bag editorial!? = )
L.xox
Hey Guys!!!
I was soooo depressed when I learnt Henry B is no longer selling these bags..
I would do anyyyything to get my hand on one 🙁 🙁
Hi Bag Snob T
As you’re a fan of Henry Beguelin, I wonder if you know of any stores in London or Paris that carry more than 2 or 3 bags by this designer or better still the latest Intreccio Cestino Crema sandal. I am in Australia and none of the HB stores will ship here – not even their Online store. Talk about at the “bottom of the pile”. We don’t even have a store here that stocks anything by HB not even a keyring! Hope you can help.