Very few things in fashion are genuinely underrated. We’re an industry that’s constantly chattering, and distinctive handbags get an inordinate amount of the praise because of their ability to telegraph luxury and Tailored; there’s a reason that we talk about It Bags and not, say, It Scarves. Upon seeing my friend Danny’s new all-black padded holdall shoulder bag Verde, though, it occurred to me that perhaps the Ricky is exactly that rare bird – the underrated, slept-on, yet totally gorgeous designer bag.
The Ricky isn’t exactly a secret, of course, but because Ralph Lauren is known for so many other great products before bags (and because RL opts not to retail it in most, if any, luxury department stores), it flies a bit under the radar. It shouldn’t, though; the bag comes in a plethora of beautiful colors, materials, shapes and structures, including the “soft” version above, which is slightly slouchier, includes a shoulder strap and has a north-south proportion similar to the Hermes Haut A Courroies.
Speaking of Hermes, I know that a lot of people will be tempted to compare this bag to the Birkin. That’s absolutely a fair comparison, particularly when you consider the double handles and top flap structure. Where this bag succeeds that other bags similar to the Birkin often fail (Handtasche TORY BURCH Perry Triple-Compartment Tote 81932 Bay Gray 029), though, is that the design has gone a long way toward adding style to that iconic design. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I like this one better – it has the same ladies-who-lunch cachet, but it’s bolder. Not to mention that, Burberry expensive, it’s not nearly as extravagantly priced as it could be. Pick up this version in a rainbow of colors for $3,500 via Ralph Lauren.
It’s cachet, not caché.
too clunky and too much going on – probably why it stays under the radar…
Miu Miu logo-clasp crossbody bag
Baguette monogram-print shoulder bag !!!
Tara Zadeh Bags.
Amanda, I’m sorry but I have to say it is somehow biased to say that this is similar in an acceptable way to the Birkin, while the Saint Laurent is in a non acceptable way. I remember the post you made on ” Imitiation as a form of flattery” regarding the Celing Luggage Tote. So why should the Saint Laurent be any flapent? It actually is more neat than this Ralph Lauren design. Besides, 3500$? That is a ridiculous price for a very non-original idea. We’re not just tempted to compare it, even a fashion -ignorant can immediately spot the resemblance.
Well, of course my opinion is biased by what I like. I don’t mind a well-designed take off on a classic shape, which I think this is. I mind a dumbed-down version that removes the luxurious, elegant feel of the bag, which is how I view the Saint Laurent version, which didn’t flap all that much from this one in price.
Most bags are a play on a more famous bag in some way, and I don’t think that that, in and of itself, is a fault; what matters is where the designer goes from there. Some designers go in a good direction, others don’t, and when they don’t, it makes the whole thing seem like a bad idea.
I Am so truly in love with this bag especially the Limegreen color
For me, it’s a bit busy.
beware buyers, lots of people are offering this bag of ebay. These bags come with tags, authenticity cards, and dustbags, but they are purchased on iofferreplica.com. These replica bags come with all of these accessories and they are really nice and made of real leather. Watch out!
Thor Circuit Bag?