first things first, don’t forget to enter this week’s fabulous giveaway, sponsored by your conscience!  seriously, people…free stuff!  when do we not love free stuff??  plus, it’s a good opportunity to introduce youself…internet anonymity is so last season!

 

the latest designer collection arrived at target.com this morning, and you’re in luck…it’s not terrible!  the new line from botkier actually appears to have some hits…naturally, mixed in with the predictably bad misses.  this collection is actually the closest any have come to echoing the deisgner’s full-priced wares, in my opinion…with gryson’s target collection running a close second.

i’m surprisingly very tempted to pick up the fuschia hobo above – i’m thinking it will be the perfect pop of color during the rainy weather ahead this winter (because, face it – these babies aren’t leather).  it reminds me strikingly of the isis hobo from botkier’s spring line that i came dangerously close to buying several times…but if i buy this one, i won’t feel bad about tiring of the color in 3 months.

that grey python satchel above is one i’m optimistic about, but would have to see in person.  the styling is right in like with botkier’s classic bianca satchel, with a little bit of their nomad collection thrown in for good measure.  i actually love the styling, and do like that they’ve gone for simulated exotics, rather than the predictable patent everyone heads for when using faux leather.  the exotic embossing could be a great trick to disguise the vinyl.  i just worry it’s going to look a little too urban outfitters for my taste.  but seeing is believing.

i’m a little more skeptical of the less-structured bags.  for one thing, botkier just isn’t as familiar with the style – they’re known for structure.  and for another, the thing that saves non-structured bags is the way the leather drapes and puddles…and these just aren’t going to have that quality.  but i like the distressed color of the silver, and again, i think it was an interesting way to disguize vinyl.  so, i’ll be really interested to see if that silver hobo above is fug or fab, but i have much higher hopes for it than for the gold hobo, which i think is just a little too gold, and the bronze tote, which just looks all wrong somehow – like a cheap diaper bag gone awry.  but i do think the white clutch above (also available in that fantastic fuschia color) is a safe bet – the stud detailing just screams botkier, and this one is much more in line with the designer’s signature styles.  i just wish more of the target designers would stop trying to get overly creative with these collections…there’s a reason it’s a signature design, people!

as you all trickle in to target over the next few days, i’d love to hear some more reviews!

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