As far as I'm concerned, everything Mary-Kate [1] and Ashley Olsen [2] touch is pure gold. Full House? My favourite TV sitcom growing up. You got it, dude! Passport to Paris? A movie that shaped my early teenage years despite the upsetting result of a self-cut hair situation that took an entire Summer to recover from (I vividly remember propping up the VHS box on my dresser, snipping away at a fastidious pace only to realise I'd gotten carried away). So Little Time? A show I sprinted home to watch; I lusted after MK and A's fictitious Malibu home as much as their early-aughts wardrobe. And yes, I re-created as many outfits as I could with (what I perceived as) aplomb.
It would be an understatement to say I've been heavily influenced by the Olsen twins. But just as Mary-Kate and Ashley have evolved from tween megastars to well-respected designers, my excessive fangirling has, too. Now, as an avid fan of their luxury label The Row, I subscribe to the minimal-chic aesthetic that's become their signature. My first purchase from the line — a silk Ascot bag in shimmering teal — is a treasured item in my wardrobe and a cult-loved style among fashion girls. To me, it's the ultimate occasion bag with festive attire, from wedding-guest dresses to holiday party outfits — it's one of the bags in my wardrobe that I get the most compliments on. And now, you can shop a superaffordable version from Mary-Kate and Ashley's Elizabeth and James Collection [3], which has newly launched at Kohl's.
The Elizabeth and James Ring Handle Satin Crossbody Bag [4] ($59) is a nearly identical version of The Row's highly coveted Ascot. It's small. It's silky. It's absolutely stunning. Even more, it has a crossbody strap for versatile styling (it's as gorgeous with a chunky sweater and high-rise jeans as it is a cocktail dress and heels). But the best part? The Elizabeth and James version is less than one-fifteenth the price. That's some fashion maths I, and surely you, am here for.
Ahead, witness my Ascot bag from The Row (you know, for a comparison). Then, shop the affordable $59 version from the new Elizabeth and James Collection at Kohl's [5].
The Row Ascot Bag
The Row Ascot Bag
The Row Ascot Bag
Elizabeth and James Ring Handle Satin Crossbody Bag
Elizabeth and James Ring Handle Satin Crossbody Bag [7] ($59)
Elizabeth and James Ring Handle Satin Crossbody Bag
Elizabeth and James Ring Handle Satin Crossbody Bag [8] ($59)