fantasies popped, strengthened

My quest for a wallet as birthday gift led me (too) many shops yesterday, and gave me the chance to check out several things I had been coveting. Looking at beautifully photographed editorials and street style snaps often lead to dreams; it's useful to walk into shops and see if those dream items stand up to the glare of reality.

I went to have a look at the Louis Vuitton SC bag again, and funnily, this time I realised it isn't quite my dream bag because: a) the shoulder strap drops to a funny spot for me; b) the size isn't quite what I'm looking for and c) the shape is just...off. To put it simply, it looked silly on me. Considering how I yearned for it, I am tremendously deflated. But it is something of a relief that I don't crave it anymore. The calf leather has an amazing velvety finish though - definitely a bag you can't stop touching.

I also had a look at the Celine Cabas tote, more out of curiosity than an actual proper desire to buy. The leather is deliciously soft, but the bag is too floppy- the bottom sags once you put anything of weight in, like a wallet. It feels a little fragile, and even if it isn't, it makes me disinclined to seriously consider it.

However, just about everything else at Celine was covetable, especially the clothes. A tuxedo jacket had super sharp seams and lapels and was beautifully made inside out. I ached for a navy sheath with a tuxedo trompe l'oeil detail - sewn into the dress were narrow "lapels" with a sheer mesh panel in the v formed by the lapels - subtle, sharp, classic, witty. An ivory silk blouse with a black razor thin leather tie-neck - something about the cut made the blouse curve just so away from the body; it looked pristine and sleek, when most blouses usually look limp on the hangar. And the navy pull-over with the tailcoat hem - le sigh.

And Celine makes lots of beautiful bags apart from the popular Classic Box and Luggage models. I feel very, very hard for a gleaming black python clutch with a detachable zipped compartment. A whole brace of leather wallets with just the right number of pockets and slots. A two-toned tote in lambskin (above), somehow boxy and relaxed at the same time, wonderfully discreet and buttery to the touch.

Everything is very beautifully made and heavenly to touch, though perhaps lambskin is not the most practical material for me. They look classic but low-key, distinct but recognisable only to the observant eye. Much as I love classic bags like the Hermes Kelly, I've always liked the idea of finding your own classics. Also, while the Classic Box is rather exorbitantly priced, most of their bags are not more expensive than the usual designer bags - and therefore not as unreachable as one would think. If I were looking for the perfect day bag, I would be thrilled to invest in one of theirs.

As for the much-loved Classic Box, I have to say it's not really my cup of tea - I especially dislike how the inside of the bag is sorted into smaller compartments; I had a bag like this once and I could never figure out a comfortable way to separate my things. But if that isn't an issue with you, it's a beautiful bag.

Although it isn't obvious from the bag lust, the item I am putting aside my pennies for is a good watch. I'm still rather torn between the Cartier Tank Solo and the Hermes Double Tour Cape Cod, having decided the Georg Jensen Vivianna didn't look all that stunning on me. Five years ago I would have said the Hermes without hesitation. But these days I'm growing to appreciate classics I previously scorned as cliches. Unlike bags, watches usually aren't seasonable, and I enjoy the feeling of being to take my time to muse and decide.

Picture from styledrops