Wednesday's Work-Appropriate Bag: Men's Wallet

Not quite a bag, but a bag-like accessory. I haven't blogged something for men in awhile, so I thought I would return to a basic accessory: the black wallet. This tri-fold wallet is available via Alternative Outfitters (one of my favorite vegan online stores) and is made by The Vegan Collection. The wallet features 4 card slots, 2 interior slip pockets, a clear ID window, and two large bill pockets. It is made from faux leather. It is available in the pictured black and a dark brown. $24; find the black wallet here and the brown wallet here.

Designer Vegan Deal: LuLu via Hautelook

Hautelook, one of what seems to be a growing number of websites offering online designer sample sales, today is offering a selection of LuLu handbags, clutches, and wallets, all on super sale (up to 70% off). I haven't looked through all the items, but most (likely all) are vegan.

Check it out here. And if you need an invitation to access, email the Professional Vegan at professionalvegan@gmail.com.

Wednesday's Work-Appropriate Bag: New Line of Vegan Handbags From Matt & Nat

After 14 years of designing and producing Matt & Nat, the line of luxury designer vegan handbags and accessories, the company recently launched samsāra, a line of slightly less expensive designer vegan handbags and accessories. Like Matt & Nat's products, this line is produced with the environment and animal welfare in mind. And, for each samsāra bag sold, one dollar is donated to a non-profit organization of your choice (among four very excellent choices -- I would have a difficult time choosing between Enough and Canada Women's Foundation).

In comparison, Matt & Nat bags run around $250 - $300 and accessories run around $75-$100; samsāra bags run around $125-$155 and accessories run around $35-$55. My favorite bag of the current collection is the Vaughan Pebble Handbag (in the right pictured white). It also comes in plum, cognac, and black. $155; find it here. I would pair the bag with the Nunavut Small Pebble wallet, in the white, of course. The wallet also comes in plum, cognac, and black. $45; find it here.

Designer Vegan Deal: melie bianco Bags

Tons of melia bianco bags and wallets (all vegan!) on sale (around 50% off) at HauteLook right now -- the sale started about 45 min ago (11AM EST). You have to be a member to login, but signing up for membership is relatively easy. If you have trouble, shoot The Professional Vegan an email at professionalvegan@gmail.com. I just purchased the pictured blue woven hobo handbag for an astonishing $45. Love it.

Designer Vegan Deal: Matt & Nat Satchel

Sale alert! Sale alert! Nordstrom is offering Matt & Nat's "Fifty-Five" Satchel on super sale -- originally $250, the black (pictured) and magenta are now $149.90. Undoubtedly this bag is much bigger than it looks -- perfect for carrying laptops, documents, perhaps for use as an overnight bag. As with all Matt & Nat items, the satchel is vegan. Find it here.

Also, speaking of Matt & Nat, they currently are holding a rather large sale on some of last season's bags and wallets -- for both women and men. Check out the sale items here.

Esprit Has Vegan Bags!!!

This was the subject of an email I received recently from a friend. In the email, she included the picture to the left of an Esprit vegan bag (I assume she took it with her phone in the store). Indeed, Esprit does have vegan handbags . . . lots of them . . . and they are very work appropriate. Esprit also has vegan wallets. Men's clothing and accessories are not available through Esprit's website, but I bet Esprit stores also have vegan wallets for men.

For instance, my favorite of their bags is the "fancy shopper" (pictured right, available here). Originally $89.50, it is on sale for $59.99. It's made from 100% polyuretane. At 15.5" by 12" by 5", it likely can fit a legal pad and a hardback book along with a wallet and other essentials.

I also enjoy the newer version of the "fancy shopper" (available here), which comes in black and dark chocolate brown ($59.50). This wallet ($29.50), which comes in black and dark chocolate brown, would go well with either bag.

Another Wallet!

I just bought this Matt & Nat small "Vice" black vegan wallet on sale at Amazon.com (pictured right). It was originally $50; I got it for $25. I assume it's on sale because Matt & Nat has a new version of the same wallet available on its website (part of its Japanese Paper line, $75). Though I like the new version with its shiny black finish, I think the matt finish of the wallet I purchased is more classic / professional / conservative.

Replacement Wallet Via ebay

To temporarily replace my current black leather Cole Haan wallet, which matches the Cole Haan handbag I already replaced, I bid on and won this un-used vintage Matt & Nat wallet (pictured left) via eBay. The darker brown faux leather goes well with the Simply Vera handbag that I purchased a few weeks ago. And the wallet it large enough to double as a clutch. I still want one of Matt & Nat's new wallets in black, such as this one or this one. But at $20 including shipping from Canada, I am pleased with my purchase and am looking forward to switching wallets when it arrives.