Fun, wearable, evening-appropriate yet youthfully casual: this is when Marc by Marc Jacobs shines. And when you should turn down the thousand-dollar bag for a cute design that’s half the price. That is, if you’re the right age (read: not mine) and your personal style is youthful enough to match. Otherwise, a bag like this is bound to look a little silly. The Show Box Darcy takes its shape from an old-fashioned hatbox, but that’s where the throwback elements end. As an adorable alternative to your typical evening clutch, this is about as modern as it gets.
I particularly like the way the round box bag opens up, with the top unfolding to reveal the entire interior so you can quickly grab and go. While I love it as a small top-handle – adding the optional shoulder strap ruins the effect entirely. A geometric bag like this is just too bulky to work as a shoulder style. But with the right personality, a confident girl can rock this day or night to awesome effects. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $528.
Pair with: I usually recommend shaking up your designers per outfit, but this tulip-print Marc by Marc dress is too right-on to pass up. Sweet but not too prim, the bag-and-dress pairing begs to be mussed up with bed head and a smoky eye. On Matches for $458.
