Finding discount designer clothing is often easy. Aside from shopping on sales racks, outlet malls over many options for finding designer fashions at prices that are within your budget. And, as mentioned on this blog with handbags previously, designed fashion often includes designer-inspired and knockoff clothing which, like handbags, easily stand out from the original designer fashions. But, what about fragrances? Many, including celebrities, have their favorite fragrances and, if you’re looking for a favorite fragrance of a celebrity, one of the first places to go is the perfume counter at a high-end department store. But, if a $50 price tag on a two-ounce eau de toilette bottle scares you off, where do you go to find perfume or cologne that’ll still make you smell nice?

Many websites online carry discounted perfumes, including websites like Kaufman Fragrance. What is the difference between buying a fragrance on one of these discounted websites versus at a department store counter? While the prices on discounted fragrance websites show that prices are marked down 20 to 70 percent from the original price, often the packaging is damaged in some sense so that the perfume isn’t sold at the full price.

However, although the packaging may be damaged in some cases, resulting in a lower price, the fragrance itself isn’t altered, and, if you’re looking for a familiar perfume, the fragrance that you’re looking for will ultimately smell the same as it always has. In addition, as with many websites, discount perfume websites have a variety of products, from the latest fragrances by top brands like Chanel and Gucci to hard-to-find and even perfumes that are no longer found in stores. Many discount perfume websites carry classic fragrances, such as Chanel No. 5 or Chloe, and even discontinued perfumes, such as Debbie Gibson’s Electric Youth perfume from the late ‘80s.

Since this blog has started, most of its focus has been on handbags but, now, as many fashion blogs focus on handbags, this blog is expanding its fashion scope. One type of product we’re focusing on is watches. But, where do watches fit in fashion and, with cell phones showing time among other things, aren’t watches somewhat anachronistic? In some sense, yes, as basic watches are now being replaced by cell phones and the average person isn’t slapping a standard black watch on his or her wrist. But, in terms of design, watches have evolved into a more fashionable product, with costume jewelry or bling styling in many cases to compete with jewelry.

For this type of watch jewelry, many watches for women are now designed to look like watch bracelets. While a thinner leather or faux leather band with a watch face is still a somewhat common feminine style watch, the watch band is being designed like a bracelet. In some cases, this means the watch band can look like a charm bracelet or a cuff bracelet with a watch face attached. Others look, instead, like beaded bracelets with many strands of large and small beads. The watch faces, in addition, are designed or embellished to match the watch band and give the watch and overall bracelet appearance.

Bling has been another option for watches to keep up with fashion. With bling and urban fashion, gaudier, with gold and diamond-looking rhinestones often, is better, and this is true of bling watches. For men and women, these bling or ice watches are bigger, and some even have caps above the watch face, and the design of the watch is covered in platinum-looking metal and diamond-like rhinestones.

Standard watches for both sexes are still options for fashion, especially as a solid, dark colored brand, like a dark colored pair of shoes, goes with nearly every outfit. Many designer watch brands still carry leather and metal band high-quality watches.

Within the past few weeks, we have done a few posts about western-inspired handbag styles. Often, the world “western” with any type of clothing or accessory makes other think of cowboy and cowgirl fashions: western show shirts, cowboy boots, and ten-gallon hats. But with many trendy handbag styles seen on A-list celebrities, western style seems to be creeping in slightly, accenting handbag styles in subtle – and sometimes not-so-subtle ways. In the case of a recent handbag spotted on Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, the western fashion – studs, in this case – over powered the entire body of a large black leather handbag. Without the obscene amount of studs on this bag, it would simply be another oversized leather slouch purse. With the additional studs, it becomes a potential weapon if Meester whacks some passerby or paparazzi with it.

In terms of western fashion, this handbag takes it to the extreme. In previous posts, we have seen such western fashion-influenced handbags as snakeskin and alligator designs in natural colors and dyed unnatural colors like purple or blue. Aside from animal skin, other western influenced styles have been the addition of fringe to many leather or suede handbags and various studs. Studs, such as those seen on Meester’s handbag, are usually smaller and line only on edge or a section of the purse — not over the entire bag. In some cases, as western fashion is sometimes combined with bling, particularly smaller rhinestones, some western fashions go well with other pieces of metal or bling jewelry. For this handbag, however, the studs used – both on the silver one Meester’s holding and the black one in the picture – are nearly the size of conchos. While a concho here or there on a purse, hatband, or bolo tie is a slight silver addition to the outfit, too many is simply overpowering and excessive.

The archetypical monogram purse many think of is a Coach handbag, with its tan on brown C-pattern. Another brand that has a monogram style, although less popular than the Coach bag, is the Gucci handbag. Within the past month, both Lindsay Lohan and Sarah Michelle Gellar have been spotted with this type of handbag. One of the unique aspects about this type of handbag, as opposed to the ubiquitous Coach style, is that although the monogram pattern stays the same, the bag color changes. Gellar has hers in grey, while Lohan pairs a pink Gucci bag with ripped jeans and a jacket that seems a cross between a light-colored pea coat and a hoodie, and two other handbags that aren’t entirely visible in the picture on Purse Blog. Does Lohan have a purse obsession or carry around an obscene amount of stuff? By the judgment of her low-maintenance look in the photograph, the former is probably the case.

Anyway, in terms of style, these bags are the type of high-end fashion handbags that can still look casual at the same time. With more colors available, you can find the ideal handbag color with this monogram pattern to match your wardrobe best.

What is the appeal behind a monogram handbag? Celebrities aside, it’s showing off a brand to the average consumer. This, perhaps, why Coach has been popular for years. Instead of squinting or seeing up close a metal label with a brand written on it, those across the street or 20 feet away from you in a mall can see what brand you’re wearing, be it Coach or Gucci. While some designer names have a noticeable style (looking at you, Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier), others are more subtle and have a wider range of options. In this case, as with many pseudo-designer clothing of the late-‘90s, the large name or monogram simply states, “I can afford designer duds.” When considering knock offs and designer-inspired bags, these monogram bags often have a distorted monogram so that at a distance the monogram looks much like the original.

Rihanna has been in the media spotlight more recently not for her music or her handbag but because of her hair, which now resembles more of a tousled, wide Mohawk. Partially-shaved head aside, Rihanna has been sporting a pony hair handbag in black as of recent. The bag, as seen under link to blog Purse Page, is a smaller dyed black bag with a larger gold chain. In terms of going with the rest of her outfit, the gold chain and texture of the bag makes it stand out against Rihanna’s black t-shirt and jeans ensemble and, for coordination, the large gold chain matches the pop star’s long earrings made of smaller gold chains.

Although larger gold chains are often associated with urban or hip-hop fashion, the pony hair on the handbag has a western style. Leather skins with hair on them, especially those in an animal hair-like pattern, have been one trend we’ve seen this year on many handbags. In a sense, it’s the mammal equivalent of the snakeskin trend this season and, similarly, the hair seen on Rihanna’s handbag is dyed instead of displaying a natural brown or white color. As some aspects of western fashion are in this season, from snakeskin to studs, this handbag shows a bit of subtle western fashion in the mainstream.

Aside from the pony hair seen on Rihanna’s handbag, other subtle western trends we have seen on celebrities so far have been studs along sections or edges of a handbag and animal skins, some like cow skin prints with hair and others as reptile skin, like snakes and crocodile. In the case of Rihanna’s handbag, the western and urban bling looks are combined, with brighter colors or jewel or silver studs used in conjunction with the animal skins for a modern, non-cowgirl look. Although this look can be seen on Rihanna, other affordable options can be seen in lines by various handbag retailers.

Snake, alligator, and crocodile skin patterns are popular on many handbags this season. For the economical handbag buyer, these skins are often patterns printed with a texture on leather, vinyl, or pleather and then colored – some to look natural, others to look like pink reptile skin. But high-end designer handbags are often made out of the real thing, be it python scales or authentic alligator or crocodile skin grown on a reptile farm. One such handbag brand is Hermes, and the brand with handbag Birkin is now under fire for its treatment of Australian crocodiles to make these high-end, specialized handbags which, for the time it takes to make a handbag, can be two years in the waiting from an order.

According to the article, the skins to make these handbags are tanned, dyed, and polished before going to Hermes to be picked out and made into a handbag, and this is after the three years the crocodiles are alive on a crocodile farm in Australia. The breed, an Australian saltwater crocodile, is considered to have the “perfect” skin to make handbags. As these authentic crocodile handbags appear on various A-list celebrities and the demand for the product grows, is this ethical in the name of fashion? If celebrities, and “normal” people, who can ordinarily afford a fur coat refuse to wear fur clothing because of how animals are treated, why are crocodiles given different treatment?

In some cases, according to the article, it’s to keep the crocodile population down and from spreading into residential areas. The crocodiles, instead, are bred on farms and, essentially, treated like chickens bred for meat and eggs: crammed into pens, fed protein to grow bigger and faster, and then shot in the head before being skinned.

As fashionable as a crocodile handbag, or any other animal skin handbag for that matter, may be, is treating animals in such a manner appropriate for high-fashion? Should celebrities, and others, now buying crocodile handbags stop buying the product?

English pop star Lily Allen may be known for questionable fashion sense – poufy prom dresses and sneakers, anyone? – but, like many celebrities and singers, is coming out with a more prominent clothing label and possibly collaborating with Chanel for handbag designs. While Chanel, a brand often associated with classic and sophisticated style, and Lily Allen seem to go together like oil and water, celebrity products or fashion endorsements are nothing new. Allen already has a clothing line, albeit under-promoted, in the UK at fashion retailer New Look. Her new fashion products, particularly a Chanel handbag, could cross the pond and possibly be seen in North American stores.

So far, in terms of working with Chanel, her style has been a bit more sophisticated than the ruffled I-store-this-prom-dress look that Allen typically sports. While InStyle has pictures of , blog Nitrolicious has pictures of Allen’s line for New Look, which looks more like the style associated with Allen.

While many celebrity lines or products, with fragrances in particular, seldom resemble the clothing that the celebrity of singer sports, at least the fashion seen on Lily Allen resembles clothing she’s often seen in. Is that a good thing? In a sense, yes, as Allen doesn’t have the typical style associated with most pop stars over the past ten years. As Allen has more of a natural women’s figure, her clothing from New Look seems more apt for women of all sizes, be it an American size two or size 14. And, as many fifteen year old girls probably want to dress like the top pop stars of the moment, Allen’s line, so far, is still more modest than cropped, midriff-bearing shirts and low-cut jeans but still stylish and fashionable. Will her new fashion lines, from jewelry to Chanel handbags, continue to reflect this style?

Handbag and shoes designer label Mary Norton, according to a recent news item, has filed for bankruptcy. The brand, known best as Moo Roo, makes handbags and shoes worn by many A-list celebrities that, for a clutch or handbag, cost from $800 to $6,000, depending on the material. On the brand’s website, an alligator handbag encrusted with crystals is in the $6,000 range. Most celebrities wearing her products have been spotted at awards ceremonies with jewel covered or encrusted or satin handbags or beaded clutches. Some of the celebrities carrying Mary Norton handbags as of recent include Tina Fey, Teri Hatcher, Carrie Underwood, Queen Latifah, Katherine Heigl, and Helen Mirren.

The brand has been in existence for twelve years and has boutiques in Bevelry Hills and on Fifth Avenue in New York. However, the handbag brand sold stake in the business to The Atelier Fund and now the brand owes $5 million, leading them to file for bankruptcy liquidation. In addition, the luxury brand, as the result of the recession, has seen sales go down, as the demand for luxury goods has gone down for the moment.

In terms of style phases, brands – and even department stores – have filed for bankruptcy and recovered, and this includes top designers and more affordable brands. Will Mary Norton Inc. recover? Although $5 million is a large amount of money, an economical upswing could result in more demand for luxury goods. Although seeing a label with unique handbags and shoes go due to the recession is unfortunate, lesser brands have come and gone due to the ebb and flow of the economy. However, some brands or stores do file for bankruptcy and end up recovering. As fashion is fleeting, the future for this celebrity worn label is one that appears ambiguous.