Cheryl Shops

I, like nearly every other fashion blogger in existence, nearly wet my pants over Alexander Wang's studded Coco bag. Apparently, so did everyone else: There is a 400-person wait list for the bag at Barneys, and all of Wang's spring bags have already sold out--before even hitting the sales floor. However, in all my excitement over the Coco, I overlooked an even better option: the Diego. This bag is so cool, I think it has the power to resurrect the bucket bag, a round, drawstring style that was last popular in the '80s. The great thing about the Diego is that it has two straps, one that fits over the shoulder, and one that can be worn crossbody, not to mention it has that studded, washed-leather look that all of Wang's bags have. The bad thing, however, is that like the Coco, the Diego is sold out everywhere. So until I can get my hands on one, here are some worthy alternatives.

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While Sigerson Morrison is best known for their shoes, they make some great bags too (I have a clutch that's nearly 10 years old, and I still use it all the time). Their big bucket bag doesn't have a long crossbody strap or studs, but it does have a coolly textured leather that's very similar to Wang's.


MCM's Sportivo hobo is not technically a bucket bag, but it definitely has a drawstring, and the shape is more classic, thus making this bag more investment-worthy (you know, in case you're concerned that bucket bags might be a flash in the pan).


If there's a bag that's even better than the Diego, then it's Alexander McQueen's Faithful bucket bag. With all the hardware you can think of--chain straps, buckles, zippers--it's modern and edgy, but its clean shape is elegant at the same time.


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Kooba is great for making stylish yet practical everyday bags; one of my favorite things about them is that the leather they use tends to be on the lighter side, thus preventing the bags from being too heavy once all your stuff is inside. Their Chase messenger bag would be just about perfect if only the shoulder strap were a few inches longer.


Elliott Lucca's bags, while not flashy or fashiony, are sturdy, well-made, and generally a good deal for the price. The shape of the Casares bag is spot-on, and it even has a bit of woven detail around the base, for a Bottega Veneta-inspired look.


I really like the simplicity of this drawstring bag by Ananas, perfect for handbag minimalists. The shape is flatter, which is good if you like a more streamlined look. (And you won't ever have to ask, Does this purse make me look fat?)


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I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I actually find this shearling pouchette bag cute. Let's just ignore the fact that it's from UGG, shall we? Seriously, I think the shape is really adorable, and the fur adds a little bit of glamour. I think the fact that it's black certainly helps; the tan version just makes me think of the boots.


This drawstring bag from Armani Exchange is not leather, but it looks much nicer than its $98 price tag would suggest, thanks to the quilting and the zipper detail, which give it a very uptown-meets-downtown quality.


However, my favorite bag of the bunch is this Deux Lux drawstring bucket bag. From the two straps down to the texture, it's a dead ringer for the Diego--the only thing it's missing are the stud details, but for $68, I'm not going to complain. Let's just hope it will hold up until the real thing is back in stock.