A Taste for Cognac
While I generally prefer a nice single malt for a nightcap, I’ve always been entranced by the color cognac. Aside from its warm, rich and soothing visual tenor, it’s such a versatile and multitasking hue. If you like to wear a lot of color, it acts as a neutral, and if you wear primarily neutrals it can easily assume the “pop of color” role.
In leather goods especially, this color can look so elegant and earthy at the same time, like a well worn club chair in some Victorian library. This season, cognac seems to have come into its own, and I’ve seen some truly gorgeous bags and shoes worth a second look. There are many shades that could reasonably be described as “cognac” whether the manufacturer does or not.
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| “Notting Hill” from Fluevog |
Duchesse mentioned these Fluevog boots above in a post last week. Wouldn’t they look fabulous worn with a heather grey skirt and tights, or over a pair of slim leg jeans or cords? I love the simplicity of these, nothing superfluous to detract from the gorgeous leather or that will look dated in a couple of years.
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| Cole Haan Air Marion Moc Pump, $278 |
If a pump is more your style, these from Cole Haan have Nike Air technology and a walkable 2.5″ heel. Great for the office with skirts or pants, but could work with a pair of bootcut or flare jeans too. Though this is a softer, more muted version of cognac, there’s still plenty of interest with the two-tone leather and chunky heel.
Whether you call them a heeled oxford or a “bootie,” these from Børn, really get the color right…
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| Børn “Waverly,” $114.95 at Nordstrom |
I just love the wingtip detailing too, great for incorporating un peu de menswear into your look.
A few weeks ago as I started really exploring color again, I realized that a bag in a cognac shade would blend well with just about everything in my color palette, and be a great season-spanning option. (Disclaimer: Yes, I’ve gone on record recently saying that I have too many bags already. I’ll be listing some of my gently used bags over at Emotional Baggage in the next few weeks.)
Satchels with a cross-body strap are my favorite style at the moment for practicality and versatility. I also prefer bags with an exterior pocket or two and interior organization. Here are a few options in varying shades of what I’d consider “cognac.”
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| J.Crew Brompton Hobo in Henna |
I really loved the look and color of this bag, but a combination of no exterior pockets and a HUGE profile removed it from the running right off.
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| Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Mini |
This is a popular bag and well designed, but the shape just didn’t feel right to me.
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| Tory Burch Suede Messenger |
I like the suede on this one, and for once the ubiquitous T logo is removable.
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| Cole Haan Vintage Valise Kendra Tote |
Though more of a tote than a satchel, I considered this one as a workday bag, but ultimately decided it would be too big for weekend use, and wanted more of a universal bag. I still think Cole Haan bags are a great value, very well made and reasonably priced.
Longchamp has opened a boutique here in Southern California at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa (not exactly our backyard, but worth the occasional drive). I hadn’t really been aware of this until I spotted the store on a recent visit. (I almost don’t need to go to Paris anymore…just kidding!!!) While Longchamp leather bags haven’t particularly appealed to me in the past, I saw some interesting pieces in the window, and just thought I’d pop in and have a quick browse. That’s when I spotted this bag on display right in the middle of the store.
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| Longchamp Gatsby Tote |
I can’t begin to tell you how irritating it is that every picture I’ve found of this bag equally misrepresents the color and texture. The bag in that picture above looks downright drab and ugly. Here’s how it looks IRL.
I totally crushed on this bag the first time I looked at it. I didn’t buy it right away, but went back three times on two different visits to look again before I finally took the plunge. Here’s why this bag is so perfect:
- Size: it’s a medium sized bag on me, but has plenty of room for everything I carry daily.
- Lightweight: I was surprised at how light this bag is.
- Color: this color is really lovely, just glows.
- Hardware: minimal, and brushed gold, very subtle. No obtrusive logo anywhere.
- The snakeskin embossing adds some texture but stays in subtle territory.
- Shape: has structure yet the leather is soft and pliable, nothing stiff or bulky about this bag.
- Organization: two exterior pockets, and three interior plus a key fob. Below a shot of the interior, the lining being another item in the plus category.
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| Yep. That’s leopard print! Saks has this bag available in orange but not cognac. |
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Gasp, *gorgeous* bag- and so perfect with your new palette focus. The Fluevog boots IRL are a luscious caramel. They are simply perfect and without the brand’s usual quirky details. I too posted on cognac recently and love how it leavens black.
Pseu, speaking of cognac (although not in leather goods): found a great scarf over the weekend at Whole Foods, of all places! Came home, looked up the company on the Internet (Zazou), and fell in love with a scarf online, but it is not my color!! By I think it is yours :). The color on the photo is called Mahogany (oops, is it sold out??):
http://zazou.com/z_index.php?view=shop_all&cat_id=211&prod_id=495&start=13
It is beautiful, isn’t it?
Snake is hot for fall!
Oh, Pseu, that bag is perfect for you in every way. I was so pleased when I saw the IRL photo that indicated it had come home with you. Lovely!
My fall purchases have been few, but do include a pair of JBrand skinny cords (great mid-rise, so comfy!) in cognac. I wanted to try a pair of coloured jeans/cords so much the thing right now, but in the end fell for this neutral-with-a-punch. And I don’t think I’ll regret it.
Also love those Notting Hills, but do not. need. more. boots.
There’s not a pair of flat leather boots I don’t love – so #1 is perfection to me. I also adore the Cole Haan pumps, they look very walkable.
Very nice. Interestingly, I have an old cognac Marc Jacobs bag that I never really used. Was thinking of giving it away on the blog…
I am so glad to hear that you found a bag that really rings your chimes. That’s always a good feeling. Several years ago, when I thought Autumnal colors were my best colors (have come to learn that I’m actually a ‘light summer’) I invested heavily in a Hermes Bolide bag in ‘gold’ which is a light Cognac. As a testament to how versatile a good Cognac bag can be, I am still wearing it now with my grey and ivory/soft white outfits.
Right now I am searching for a perfect grey bag. Wish me luck!
Can’t say I care for the taste of cognac either, but I agree it’s one of those delicious colors, especially for accessories or anything in leather.
Mmmm. Warm, rich, and classic.
Longchamp have been getting a lot of attention lately…now I can see why.
Great choice Deja!
What I love about the colour is the way it works with absolutely everything else: navy, black, brown, green and so on. You’re so right, there’s nothing better than cognac with a soft grey. Your bag is perfection.
As for me, I have a pair of blue ankle boots and I love them with everything. The other great item for me is a green handbag (my fav Cornell) which I’m just about ready to switch to. It goes with everything and provides just the right punch of colour to any ordinary day outfit.
I splurged on the cross body PSI
pouch that I call my armagnac,
my favorite digestif.
I love the color of cognac…it is such a light, rich brown and I can hardly wait until boot weather!! It is back in the triple digits here today. You made some great selections here. My post today features some of Neiman’s choices for the color bordeaux…cognac/bordeaux…so much better than brown/maroon..don’t you think??
I find cognac a bit intimidating. It’s definitely not a colour to be worn with a casual ensemble.
That said, I think you bag is tres chic and the leopard lining just perfect 🙂
I’ve always worn a lot of cognac for shoes and bags. And unlike coffeeaddict, at least in California, I think it works easily with casual clothing. I’ve never really “dressed it up”. But you’re so right, the shade of cognac is very important and needs to glow. I think you made a brilliant choice with your bag – gorgeous.
I have a cognac bag that’s been languishing in the closet forever — was going to sell it pre-move, but I may have to reconsider. (One reason I’m taking a 28″ bag to Madrid is because I can’t be parted from my shoes and bags… The clothes don’t take up much space at all!)
The Nordie wingtip lace ups and the Cole Hahn heeled 2 tone mocs are GORGEOUS. Just my style. You are correct about Cole Hahn value. Their shoes & bags hold up beautifully. I still wear and use a pair of cognac C-H loafers I’ve probably had 10 years and a purse I’ve had close to that length of time. It’s a dull red, classic style, soft leather and I cannot give it up.
Pseu, that bag is terrific!
I had a crush on a cognac bag at m0851 in a somewhat simpler design, but decided not to spend the money — saving for vacation.
However, I’ll be very interested to see what you offer at emotional baggage :-).
Love the bag you have done well. There is a Longchamp shop in St. Tropez and from the window I thought they were by far the nicest styles among all the other designer offerings. I fell in love with a “cross body messenger” I would say more deep tan than cognac.
You are right, the color of cognac as a color spice for those of us, who don´t share your color palette, is interestingly ” new “.
You made a good purchase. The bag is truly your´s.
Oddly my very first serious bag, the big YSL croc ( color hard to describe ) seems to work with all my clothes.
Beautiful bag and sounds like it’s perfect for you. The color is luscious and with leopard print interior, how could you go wrong!
@Pam @ over50feeling40 yes, those color names are certainly more inspiring!
@coffeeaddict How interesting; I find cognac really easy to wear and think it works well in casual ensembles.
@kathy peck I agree, cognac is a great color for casual ensembles. Thank you!
@Duchesse Thank you! I am having NO regrets about this one. I’ll keep those boots in mind (maybe they’ll go on sale in January…). I remember your post, and agree with you about how it goes so well with black.
@Luna That scarf is a lovely color! I’ll keep an eye out next time I’m at Whole Foods; thanks for the tip!
@WendyB Ssssss. This bag is actually about as much snake as I can handle.
@materfamilias Thanks so much! I’ve had my eye on some cognac cords too, not sure whether I’d wear the bootcut or skinnies more.
@Patti @ NotDeadYet Style Aren’t they gorgeous though? I haven’t tried the Cole Haans on yet, but did look at them up close and they’re really cute.
@LPC That sounds like a good idea. Marc Jacobs has done some really nice bags.
@laurieann Oh, that’s my *dream* bag!!! I’ve never actually seen one in that color with gold hardware though. From what I’ve been told they’re hard to come by. Grey is also a great color for a bag, goes with everything!
@California Girl I’m glad they (Cole Haan) have been moving back toward the simple, classic styles that they do so well.
@BigLittleWolf Yes, I love the lustre of this color!
@Susan Tiner I really loved some m0851 bags when mater took me to their Vancouver boutique a couple of years ago. Saving for vacation is also a very worthwhile endeavor.
@hostess of the humble bungalow I knew they’d done some collaborations with Kate Moss, but really hadn’t taken much notice of their leather bags. (I’ve always been a fan of the nylon Pliage bags though.) Thanks!
@L’age moyen It really does look so good with so many other colors. I think I remember your green bag.
@Chicatanyage Thank you! What I love about many of their styles is the lack of gimmicks. Just give me a nice looking, well designed bag any day!
@metscan This would probably be a very spicy color for you. Thank you, I think this bag will be a good investment.
@cigalechanta That’s a very nice bag too, and a great color. I can’t remember the last time I had armagnac.
@Tiffany oh how funny. I’d never seen it before two weeks ago. It was a bit outside of my scope too, but I liked it so much better than anything else I saw anywhere.
@Rubi Too funny! I always want to take more bags and shoes than my bag size permits.
@The Style Crone Thank you. The lining really sealed the deal. 🙂
@Terri Thank you! I’d love to have some boots in the same color, but they’ll have to wait now.
You lucky thing – I’ve been eyeing exactly that Longchamp bag for months, but it’s well out of my scope … Love the cognac colour. I shall enjoy it vicariously 🙂
The new bag is beautiful! When I bought new boots last fall, they were in this color. And if I wasn’t committed to thrifting for the remainder of 2011, I’d love to have the oxfords.
It is one of my fave neutrals and my Celine never off my arm heritage bag is in exactly that colour – i baulked at the price and nearly didnt purchase – got a discount and that swung me – i am so glad i did – it is one of my best ever purchases. Fab bag, Fab post x
http://fashionedbylove.blogspot.com/
I love Longchamps bags for their quality. I have a ridiculous number–for me!–and just bought one in what I would call cognac on eBay. LOVE it! You will so very much enjoy that bag.