You are all very well aware of my love for novelty handbags. The cuter and more ornate the better. So, it’s no surprise that I instantly fell in love with Vendula London when I reviewed their Chocolatier Grab Bag last year. I get more excited every season to see their latest releases, as they are definitely a company with no shortage of ideas. The instant this Circus Box Bag came across my retinas, I was ready to run away with the circus…
I was thrilled for the chance to work with Vendula again – and to give you guys my thoughts on their latest collection, which boasts a series of bags fit for the circus performer in all of us. And because I’m me and can’t do anything halfway, I also had to dig out some of my old favorite acrobatic accessories. What can I say? I’m a gal who likes her themes…
So, calling all bearded ladies and strongmen alike. All Siamese twins and trapeze artists, flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Cram as many as you can into that clown car, and step right up to see the Greatest Bag on Earth….
The Specs
As I have come to expect from Vendula London, the quality of this bag is outstanding. Made from vegan leather, this bag measured 23.5cm(H) x 11.5cm(W) x 21.5cm(L) and comes complete with a detachable shoulder bag handle and a flat kiss lock closure. This cutie has one main compartment (lined in stripes!), with two open pockets and a single zippered pocket on the interior.
To put the icing on the proverbial Big Top, so to speak, this bag also has a separate clipped bottom compartment, where the entire top of the bag opens on a hinge like its own circus tent, for easy access to items you need on the regular. You almost don’t notice it at first glance – kind of like finding the secret room in the fun house! The secret compartment is also lined in a striped fabric, and when opened it appears to give you a glimpse inside of the tent stitched on the front. It’s this kind of attention to detail that puts this company in a class by themselves. Who else would think to add in a hidden compartment, yet make it match so seamlessly??
Overall, I thought this bag was just as well made as my last one – impeccable stitching, a sturdy handle, and all incredibly high quality materials. I can often put my handbags through a workout, and this one managed to keep up with me as I raced around, tossing keys and phones and wallets in and out constantly. It also had my favorite feature on the underside – those four little stud feet that save your handbag from a world of dirt and grime whenever you set it down.
The Details
One of the best things about this Circus Box Bag, is that it has all of the details that Vendula is known for, yet this particular style is more understated. The details are striking, but not over the top. So, although still full of whimsy, it’s the perfect novelty bag for someone who may be intimidated by too much cute.
Firstly, I am in love with the sexy color palette – a deep pink, black, and gold, with gold-toned hardware – in a perfect mix of solids, stripes, and sparkly polka dots. It made it incredibly easy to style around, because it can be paired just as easily with solids, stripes, or polka dots (and cause I’m me, I couldn’t just choose one…).
The featured act is definitely the striped Big Top tents on the front – made from cut outs that are carefully stitched on to give a 3D effect. As the curtains part onto the main stage, the bag comes complete with acrobat silhouettes suspended on real chains against a backdrop of cream and gold stars (and yes, I just so happened to have a necklace that was a perfect match…). The textural quality kept me reaching for this bag throughout the day – while most companies might opt for a simple printed image on a handbag, the individual stitched elements make this bag a knockout.
The Facts & Figures
This amazing bag is an online exclusive and being offered in limited quantities. It retails for $182.32 from the Vendula London website and they ship worldwide (with free UK delivery for orders over £80). As usual, if you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll receive a voucher code to save 5% off your first order (full priced items only). They also have sales and deals throughout the year they advertise through the newsletter to help you make one of these amazing bags yours.
And if you can’t get enough of the greatest show on earth, you can also check out the circus-themed cross body bags in a bicycle or balloon motif, or cuter-than-cute fortune teller and traveling circus coin purses. I love how all of Vendula London’s items are so whimsically themed, but come in different sizes to suit everyone’s needs. I definitely have my eye on the fortune teller coin purse. Though I have a feeling she’ll look into my future and foretell a serious lack of funds due to my inability to resist adorable handbags!
You can also keep up with Vendula London on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram if you want to follow along and get sneak peaks of what’s coming next to their site. I’m drooling a bit over the Sewing Shop Grab Bag personally. Those little rolls of fabric!
Do you have any Vendula London handbags? I’d love to hear about it!
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Unique Vintage, sold out (similar here or in different prints here & here)
Necklace: Tatty Devine, no longer available (similar here & here)
Circus Box Bag: c/o Vendula London
Shoes: Charles David (similar here & here)
Lip Color: BITE Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Rose
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