Balmain Abroad Chain Shoulder Bag: Balmain or Bust

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Since I’m an optimist, here goes. The good news is Balmain‘s obscene prices finally seem to be slipping. The bad news is their bags still look like they were pulled out of Forever 21 or the local mall. (If this one doesn’t have you convinced, check out last year’s exposed zipper satchel. Or 2010′s oddly un-edgy clutch. Overdone and overpriced? No, thank you!)I have seen the bags up-close and personal, and they are just not on par with Balmain’s ready-to-wear. Where is the ironic flash, the rock star panache, the swish and snap? Because all I’m seeing here is a shiny calfskin shoulder bag with a wavy, whip-stitched flap front and an unremarkable chain strap. Hopefully, under the charge of new (and super-hot) creative director, Olivier Rousteing, Balmain will get its accessories right, once and for all. At Neiman Marcus for $865.