The first time I was introduced to Dooney bags was from Mischa Barton's ads in Teen Vogue of the 'IT' bag series. It were these ads that made me think that a lot of the Dooney & Bourke designs look similar to Vuitton bags, especially the monogram designs, and they're certainly not cheap. And doesn't Mischa look like she's a showgirl at some mobile phone convention?
Next came the Lindsay Lohan ones. (Actually, were the Mischa ones first or the Lindsay ones? Whatever.) The bags Lindsay held looked like a small girl's art work put onto an adult-shaped bag. Not good.
Then came Emma Roberts' ads. Even though I'm indifferent to Emma Roberts, I have to say that if I were fifteen, I would consider the red, bean-shaped bag on the right. But I'm not so sure about the bees on the bag on the left.
And finally, this season Dooney has Hayden Pannettiere helping design and advertise its Hayden bag. It seems like Dooney has finally managed to select great images for the ad -Hayden fits well with the bag and the whole image suits a much larger age range. As for the bag, I actually like the bag! The bag looks modern and trendy, thanks to the design itself and patent leather. It looks big enough to fit books and such, thus practical, and the shoulder straps' length look just right. The only ugly thing that sticks out is the 'HP' tag, but that should be removeable. 
And look, Hayden has such good work ethics -she's actually using the bag in real life! Such a smart and responsible girl! The best thing is, unlike a lot of other celebrity endorsements, the bag actually looks great with her outfit. I would consider buying this bag, even though it costs $500.Anyways, as I always say, style is all about what you like and feel comfortable in, so don't let me put you off this brand! What do you think of the Hayden bag and Dooney & Bourke in general?
Image credit: http://www.dooney.com/, www.justjared.buzznet.com
I agree that Dooney has become a bit too young for my taste, but they are also smart because teenagers everywhere are rushing out to buy their bags. They are super cute but as a 26 year old, I will stick to Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs bags.
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I'm so surprised. Normally, I really hate D&B stuff because it looks tacky for the price tag. This Hayden bag is a definite upgrade and oh so "practical." Still, the $500 tag is a little off putting. I'll consider it when it's on sale.
ReplyDeletenormally Dooney&Bourke is not my stlye too young, too much logos and not really interesting but I have to admit that I also like Hayden's patent big bag, looks really good.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree with you more. I've never liked Dooney and Burke until Hayden's bag came along. The picture you have of her is actually from the day she made an appearance at the Dooney and Burke store at South Coast Plaza to promote the bag, so she kind of HAD to carry her the bag that day.
ReplyDeleteyes, d&b bags are pretty fugly if you ask me. but that last one isn't bad. it's funny... i just got their catalog (i bought from them a while ago) and it looked the SAME as a burberry catalog i receive as well. weird, or what?
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As unbelievable as it seems, D&B use to make amazing bags. 10 to 20 years ago their style was more mature and elegant My mom still have all 4 of her D & B bags and they use to have amazing craftmanship. But I think the recent years they started to direct their attention to the younger crowd and starting making fuglier and fuglier bags to make themselves more mainstream.
ReplyDeleteyeah i don't really like the bags. and i don't really like micha barton my bad to all y'all Micha lovers but sorry. not me.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the bags to be honest. I mean I own nothing that looks like them, but I don't think they're TOTALLY hideous.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually a fan of small purses, so the one Hayden has is a little much for me, but the little ones are kinda cute. Chic, no. But cute and sorta eye catching, def.
I agree completely. I've always hated the D&B bags but I have recently been seeing come really cute ones. Maybe because they aren't so young looking.
ReplyDeletedb was more preppy and coachlike in the past i think or am i wrong? the thing i dont like about some of their bags is they go out of style so fast but i guess it doesnt matter if you can afford a new bag on a regular basis
ReplyDeletethis is such a nice fashion blog with a good attitude, fashion should be fun not life or death like on some ridiculous blogs (not this one!)
i met her that day in the picture!
ReplyDeleteI stopped being a fan of Dooney & Bourke after 8th grade, but the Hayden bags aren't too bad, and she's a good role model.
ReplyDeleteyou are sooo right about everything!! all the bags suck except the new one xD
ReplyDeleteI love Hayden so perhaps I'm biased, but everything she wears looks so effortlessly chic. The new bag is very nice but perhaps not suited for the price tag.
ReplyDeleteHayden's ad and the bag in it are actually pretty decent. If I didn't know the bag was D&B, I could certainly mistake it for some real designer bag.
ReplyDeleteO YES THESE BAGS are really sad...who want to carry a bag which is quite similar to louie vuitton ..ah!
ReplyDeleteYou carry them and people would not jus stop giving u those looks..u carrying a duplicate LV gal!
Well i would not even carry a louie vitton bag..nah! not my choice though
Even though I am not a fan of the young Hayden, I am diggin' that white coat.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, does anyone remember back in the day when D&B was SO COOL and every single girl in school had one?
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I've never lived in the States so I didn't know -when was D&B cool? Was it really better before?
ReplyDeletei've never heard of them!(not from the USA) i agree, the designs are too 'young' for me.
ReplyDeletei do like haydens shoes though! :D
example of older, cooler d&b: http://www.horsekeeping.com/Dooney/Dooney-Bourke.htm
ReplyDeleteI also love the older styles of coach bags: http://likemydress.blogspot.com/2007/09/back-to-basics.html
they were very similar, actually.
love the blog! makes me wish I didn't live in the states so I could shop at your great uk stores!
For some years, Dooney was considered a chic bag for matrons, primarily in the Northeast. It fell between a no-name bag and a designer-logo bag. Then they rebranded for the youth market and were quite successful. However, the bags became a trend, and trends have a way of hitting walls, so they've gone through another sea change.
ReplyDeleteIf that last ad didn't have dooney and burke labeled on it, I never would have guessed it was their brand. Which is a very good thing.
ReplyDeletei really like the jacket that hayden is wearing. i'm looking for a cute trench and i really love that collar. does anyone know who made that jacket, or better yet know a cheaper look-a-like?
ReplyDeleteSlightly OT, and I must be watching way too much of ANTM, but Mischa needs to mix it up a bit on her poses. Her face looks exactly the same in both photos.
ReplyDeleteI think that the company is following a well known market ploy of flogging their bags off to both gullible and shallow customers at an absolutely outrageous mark up. It looks like their bags are created in a Chinese sweat shop - probably at one hundredth of the retail price - AND to top it all off they're totally fugly I wouldn't invest in one of these beauties if I was paid to!
ReplyDeleteI've never been a Dooney and Bourke fan, but the new Hayden bag is wonderful and they seem to be coming out with some better bags.
ReplyDelete"Every girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." ~ Coco Chanel
Hi I bought some of these bags on preorder and have them now so if you are looking to get one for christmas visit my ebay store: stores.ebay.com/ellacouture
ReplyDeleteWhich country is Dooney & Bourke originated? a family member of mine recently got one bag from a major department store here in state. I was surprise to see the label print "made in China"? just curious. Anybody know? although I like the style.
ReplyDeletethis blog is so cool, i just love fashion, please keep posting and i will keep reading your post. keep it up.
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ReplyDeleteI love this bag!! I came across it while checking out the Dilliards website. If the bag wasn't $500 I would definately be buying it right now!
ReplyDeleteI actually love D&B handbags. The barrel bag is my favorite. They come in so many great colors! Yes, they look rather young, but so what? I'm not a spring chick, but I'm not an old maid either. And, I'll go with fun anyday over mature. I'll always be young at heart. As far as the HP bag pictured, it is so big! Too big.
ReplyDeleteLast, but not least, COACH rules! It blows everyone else out of the water!
Some of the losers on this blog really don't have an idea for fashion. Fashion just doesn't start with a label but it is on how you put things togther. I am a fan of Dooney and Bourke and proud of it!
ReplyDeleteI love D&B. I'm surprised to hear that a lot of you think that their bags aren't "elegant" or "mature" enough looking. They make so many different types, that's there's always something cute and classy from them. They are always coming out with tribute bags, and although many of them are too young looking, I often find many that are too old looking. I often see old women carrying D&B bags around, and they don't look tacky at all. I think D&B are great because that have such an eclectic selection.
ReplyDeleteHayden is adorable. She will make a great spokesperson for Dooney bags.
ReplyDeleteIt is obviously a matter of taste, but I have been a DB fan for years now and although their designs have changed to target a younger generation I still manage to find a fun durable, high quality bag for myself. Note that all DB bags are made from a great quality material, come with a warranty and are made in ITALY. And although I do have Coach, Mark Jacobs, Michael Cors and others bags, Dooney is my all time favorite (especially the once that are no longer in production and are sort of vintage looking) :) Good luck to you shoppers out there
ReplyDeleteI think that you have to consider the Annalisa leather collection. They are all simple, low key and professional, almost all my friends and I who have to work in suits, or buisness wear on a regular basis also choose this purse, despite their younger looking collection (which I still think is cute anyway, I would get that for my grandaughter)
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ReplyDeleteI hate logos on bags in general - even the LV's. Always have, always will. Not my style. That said, D&B has some great adult bags in leather, suede etc. Structured, professional, grownup & stylish - everything you would want in a great bag for work.
ReplyDeleteI love this Hayden Bag!! I really want it but 500 was a bit much but just two days ago i saw it in dillards and it was only 345 so i think i will try to get it now.:-)
ReplyDeleteI have six Dooney & Burke's. Anyone who doesn't like Dooney does not have any taste!!!
ReplyDeleteI have 10 Dooney & Bourke purses. I use to buy 2 a year until the last one I bought said made in china. I do not care if d&b sends them the material its the principal of it. Our country is starving for work so I refuse to buy anything that is not made in america. So Good Bye Dooney..
ReplyDeleteI actually went ahead and bought that bag and was incredibly disappointed! Like most Dooney bags, the handles are too short, and it's very uncomfortable to carry.
ReplyDeleteI actually did a weight test with some friends. I have another Dooney, the calfskin lock-sac (LOVE IT!) and I let them carry that, then this large Hayden bag. With the same items in it, the Hayden bag felt twice as heavy, and that is WITHOUT the thick gold HP tag (which weighs probably close to half a pound.)
Although the bag is gorgeous, don't buy it sight-unseen. You'll definitely want to carry it around a little first.
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Damn I just got a DB bag as a gift, it is one of those cross body styles in not quite white and has no way of shortneing the strap. It is so FUGLY but my friend spent too much for me to just trash it. So now I will have to spend more money to modify the strap. These bags really suck!
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The bags are not that cute but Hayden shines so it definitely brings attention away from them.
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