Elie Tahari Emma Tote | Fun Bright Yellow Leather Pleated Purse

Posted on: Dec 3

Few things will brighten up a gloomy winter day as easily as Elie Tahari's Emma tote. In vibrant sunshine yellow, it's the perfect anecdote to gray weather.

At first glance all you see is the color, but on closer examination we begin to appreciate the finer details. The buttery-soft leather falls in billowing balloonesque pleats. These soft gathers contrast with the tightly scrunched top. The intricately braided straps add a little extra interest, while the gold-toned metal centers dress things up. I love the look, but the metal probably won't be as kind to your hands as leather might. Notice I said hands. Unless you're built like Kate Moss, you probably won't be able to fit this purse over your shoulder. It's a shame too, because a couple more inches would have made all the difference.

While the ample size doesn't really mesh with those short straps, at least we aren't left wanting for storage space. The generous interior is well appointed, with a combination of slip and zip pockets designed to take care of your loose change and girly gadgets. While the open top design makes access easy, the soft base has me worried. I can just imagine my essentials falling out the moment I set the Emma down.

While the bold yellow color is exactly what caught my eye, it won't please everybody. It's a shame Elie Tahari didn't offer a few classic options for more conservative types, but confident chickas won't mind one bit.