As you’ve probably noticed, we are seriously fixated on our wrists right now. We’ve been forgoing almost all other adornment as we focus on watches, bracelets and other stackable jewelry.
We love the idea of combining fine jewelry by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany and Co. and estate pieces with statement pieces from Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta. Stack them all up with your other bangles and baubles and even a watch – we dare you to reach your elbow.
Summer is finally here! With T-shirt weather comes the need for outfit-making accessories. Elizabeth Bernstein, Portero’s Director of Handbags, says that this season, it’s all about your wrists.
“A cuff as your only accessory can make an entire outfit if it is the right piece. Don’t get me wrong, I love wearing multiple pieces, but sometimes all a gal needs is one statement piece – and voila!” said Elizabeth. “You wouldn’t want to distract from the insane artistic quality of these pieces.”
Here she demonstrated exactly what that means with two vintage costume cuffs by Yves Saint Laurent. You might try a Hermès leather cuff or wrap or bold David Yurman piece.
Shop Portero’s selection of bracelets here.
Summer houses. Three-day weddings. Destination beaches.
Celebrate the official start of the season — in style, from Memorial Day Weekend to beyond Labor Day.
Make your getaways effortless with a uniform of diamond studs, a holds-every duffel (Keepall, preferably) and a watch that will remind you to savor every moment.
Wherever you’re headed — from the beach to the great outdoors — we’ve got everything you need for one long, chic summer weekend.
Shop the collection here.
Today, Elizabeth Bernstein, our all-knowing handbag authenticator, shows us how to tie a turban headband with a Hermès scarf. ”Great for spring – riding bikes, at the beach – and a quick bad hair day fix! ” she said. She suggests pairing it with a braid, fishtail or just with your hair down naturally. Read on for step-by-step details.
There’s nothing like a good surprise. At Portero, we were extremely touched by Emma B.’s pin about a Louis Vuitton mini-Speedy bag she had as a child. She pinned it from Portero.com with the story:
“My mom bought me one of these before I was born in Italy with my father..I lost it when I was little after filling it with nosense a 3 year old plays with, would love to have one again to give my daughter!”
In fact, we were so touched by this sweet tale of classic luxury that was lost, we sent her another mini monogram bag (pictured above). We think it makes a small, but iconic fashion statement. Plus, it’s impossible not to coo over how cute it is.
While Emma doesn’t have a daughter of her own yet, she did recently get engaged. Her mom bought the original bag for her in Italy when she was 1 1/2 years old. “I used to carry everything in it..coins..dolls..whatever I could stuff into it,obviously oblivious what a great bag it was,” recalls Emma.
Somewhere along the line it got lost, but now we’ve found for it. When Emma showed her mom the new bag, she cried.
So happy to have been part of this heartfelt reunion – and we’re very certain this one won’t get lost in the shuffle.
Shop Louis Vuitton mini Speedy bags. Follow Portero on Pinterest.
With warmer weather, it’s time to swap out dark winter colors with the ultimate summer hue – white.
You may not want to orchestrate a complete wardrobe white-out, but adding a handbag is easier to manage (and way less intrusive on your dry cleaning bill). Take some time to think about what sort of white you want to hang on your shoulder. Will it be a quilted classic Chanel or a boho Chloe or a rebellious Balenciaga? Whatever your vision, this is your blank canvas to run with.
One of the most amazing things about Chanel – vintage and new – is how Coco Chanel’s personal story is reflected over and over again in the details.
That goes right down to the camellia flowers, featured on bags and jewelry. We read about the rich history in Elle magazine. “Talk about love at first sight: Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel fell head over heels for the camellia after one was given to her by her polo-playing lover, Boy Capel. She started pinning silk versions to her lapels, her hair and the blossoms found a home on the black-and-gold-laquered Coromandel screens in her apartment at 31, rue Cambon.”
In Southeast Asia, where the bloom originated, the camellia represents longevity. Truly apropos.
This week, our handbag authenticator Elizabeth Bernstein is hanging out with one of her fabulous friends, Sarah.
The duo prove that you can mix textures and patterns and create a chic 2013 look.
Per Elizabeth: “This is one of my favorite combos. Sarah is wearing tapestry print pants with a black, camel and metallic tweed blazer, paired with a phenomenal studded crossbody convertible clutch by the ever fabulous Valentino. Might I add, I just cannot get enough of tapestry prints on clothing – squeal!”
“I love the eclectic mix of a timeless tweed blazer, matched with an unexpected pastel lady-like print, and finally perfectly executed with a rocking yet delicate bag.”
Also note: “The leopard couch in the background: fabulous but not included!”
Guess we’ll just have to settle for the bag … for now.
When somebody asks you for the time, do you reach for your cell phone? Stop. Just stop. It’s way more stylish, especially now, to look to your wrist.
We’re trying to make it easy for your to do the chic time check with an exclusive Hermès Watch Event for the next few weeks with 0ver 40% off like-new offerings.
We saw first hand last fall how these timepieces are meticulously assembled by hand at the Festival des Métiers in New York.
Each style translates the striking design that Hermès is known for and adds the technology of precision watchmaking. You’ll find the same leathers and luxurious details you’d expect from the French design huse.
Here’s a guide to some of Hermès watches styles:
H Hour: It’s hard to miss that emblematic “H” for Hermès. Since 1996, this minimalist graphic approach is balanced with a simple sundial-like dial.
Cape Cod: A solitary anchor chain inspired this homage to the peninsula of Cape Cod. Henri d’Origny created this watch in 1991 with the coastline on his mind.
Join us on our never-ending (but enjoyable quest) for a day bag with a strap long enough to be worn as a cross-body and the timeless style of Hermès – meet the Jypsiere, specifically, this very rare bi-color Etain and Etoupe Clemence Eclat Jypsiere bag. It’s a favorite of our handbag director Elizabeth Bernstein (and her cell phone case friend Cliff).
“The Jypsiere is one of Hermès’s most amazing everyday bag creations thus far,” says Elizabeth. “This bag is perfect for work, shopping, weekend, travel, etc.”
“This specific bag is Etain grey with contrast Etoupe interior – an “Eclat” bag. You will indeed not see many of these in two-tone as they are very rare. Can be worn by a woman – or yes, even a man!”
