IT'S IN THE BAG - Favorite Vegan Handbags {Winter 2016}

2016 is officially upon us. And so are our resolutions: this year, I've got my eye on stepping my yoga practice up a notch, plant-based eating, making time for travel and adventure...and cleaning out my closet.

After all, new year, new you. Or, preferably, new wardrobe. And, in the spirit of hitting the re-fresh button, it's time to summon our inner power to PURGE. Namely, that collection of dusted-over handbags. It's time to be real with ourselves: we are never going to put that '80s nylon fuchsia clutches we inherited from our moms to good use. Say it with me: I'm not going to use my mom's hand-me-down (albeit fashion-daring) purse. That decade is over. Time to Pare. It. Down.

Now is the era of embracing some closet feng shui and getting into the minimalism spirit. Deep breaths everyone: it can be done. Here is my curated checklist of a {reasonably small and totally crush-worthy} handful of handbags to get you through the day-to-day this wintry season:

Angela Roi // Hipsters for Sisters // Zink Collection // This Is Paper // Pelcor

Tips for staying on the road to simplicity this year: keep the color palette neutral, the lines geometric and find a balance between style and function.

1. On-trend and versatile, the Cross-Body bag from Angela Roi is the ideal grab-and-go option; it will complement most any casual ensemble and has ample room for whatever you wish to cart around for the entire day.
2. The results are in and the seemingly impossible has happened: fanny packs are back (and I'm not-so-secretly loving it). This sleek pack from Hipsters for Sisters is a looker and endlessly practical. Toss in your keys, phone and wallet, and you're good to waltz right out the door.
3. The definition of sophistication, you're going to thank your lucky stars and good taste that you have the Jaunt Handbag from Zink Collection hanging in your closet. Perfect for a polished business get-up, it can easily transition to evening with that flattering LBD number. 
4. This year, convenience is king. Embrace your wanderlust, whether within your own city or abroad, and throw on this Handle Backpack in Denim. Roughing it while looking impossibly chic is a tricky line to walk, but This Is Paper nails it. 
5. In any handbag collection, a clutch is always a must, and the Cork Sesame Clutch from Pelcor is the ultimate. It's just the right size for your daily essentials and still manages to feel delightfully airy. The creamy beige and woven pattern make this pick flattering to just about any outfit, from casual to elegant. 

Here's to a new year of saying yes to adventure, loving fearlessly and—as always—living that dirty/rotten life.

xx

PUT A CORK IN IT - New Vegan Bags from Pelcor

The players in the world of ethical wear have really raking in points on the feisty scale as of late. Gone are the days of shapeless hemp pants and baggy 'I Heart Animals' t-shirts -- well, those still persist, but are no longer the only cruelty-free contenders in town. Vegan fashion is now casting a much larger net and reeling in cutting-edge couture, worthy of sharing the walkway with mainstream wear. Stylish and no-animals-harmed is a tricky line to walk, but several emerging masters are proving it can be done.

Enter Sandra Correia and her brand Pelcor. Pelcor is a sustainable fashion label that masters in all things cork. Sandra herself comes from a legit cork dynasty. Her grandfather began by producing shoe heels and fishing rod handles fashioned out of cork and, years down the road, her father shifted to Champagne corks. Sandra stepped up the cork game by steering the family business toward fashion accessories. Though she's been blazing an eco-friendly trail for the last 11 years, her latest endeavor has been dazzling my vegan-handbag-loving eye. Pelcor's Fall/Winter 2014 line is delightfully punctuated with an assortment of wintry and sorbet colored plaid vegan bags, ranging from clutches to totes. 

Enough of the foreplay -- let's get to the goods. Feast your eyes on these crescent-shaped beauties: 

Plaid Half-Moon Pouch

 

Plaid Half-Moon Tote

Sandra sat down with Dirty Rotten Vegan for the inside scoop -- ok, so we emailed:

What inspired the design for this vegan line?

Few brands are designing pieces that are both stylish and cruelty-free. No one should have to sacrifice one for the other! The line was inspired by timeless patterns such as plaid and stripes, with a modern, fashion-forward twist using our unique materials. 

Sandra Correia

Favorite (vegan) designers?

Stella McCartney

Tell us about yourself. Name three things that most people don't know about you. 
- I am spiritual soul, linked to energy and helping others to open their conscience for who they are. 
- I am a Reiki Master, Aura Reader and now I am learning about Karuna Reiki.
- I’m a fan of the singer P!nk and love her music!

   

Favorite comfort food?

Organic Chocolate

Cat person or a dog person?   

Dog, definitely! I have a wonderful dog named Corky.

Can we get a hint or sneak peak of what's in store for Pelcor's vegan line?

Our Fall/Winter 2015 collection will feature a line of woven bags pairing woven cork skin with vegan faux leather. Following the success of Fall/Winter 2014’s woven natural cork handbags, we’ve refreshed the look with two new colors: Natural Cork combined with Deep Blue, and a mixture of Cork, Sunset and Peony.

There it is, folks. Go out, be merry, do a little holiday shopping and get a snazzy cork bag for the special lady in your life -- and if that special lady happens to be you...girl, treat yourself. 

xo DRV