Where can I buy a Mansur Gavriel this Fall? Restock on October 20th!

source

So I've had a couple questions on my Instagram from people who are wondering how to get their hands on an MG bag since they are continually out of stock pretty much everywhere.  So here are some of the ways and places that I've found these bags (as a US resident).

These stores carry these bags and as the restock date on the MG site approaches, some of these stores will sell the bags as soon as they get it (which is before the MG restock).  Already I've had success with Shopbazaar, and was able to order a mini brandy bucket bag last week (to replace the mini royal blue bucket bag I decided to let go).  Here are the other stores I would try:

Opening Ceremony (you have to sign up for the notification but it's worth it if you really want an MG)

Barney's (they've had stock issues in the past but seem to be the ones with the most stock available)

The Line (small NYC based shop with great customer service)

Mohawk General Store (small LA based shop with great customer service)

Steven Alan

Stores I would avoid or haven't tried, but do carry MG bags:

Bergdorf Goodman (tons of complaints on canceled orders, and they have cancelled 2 of my order as well)

Matches (just haven't tried this shop)

Other tactics/resources include:

Just googling Mansur Gavriel and checking the shopping section of Google

The Mansur Gavriel sub forum on Purse Forum

Or you could just wait for the restock on Mansur Gavriel, which is set for October 20th at 11AM EST (or for us Californians, 8AM).  I wrote my tips on the restock purchase process here but I'll copy it here as well (I was able to get the Lady bag that I wanted with the process below):  And I would just add that browse the site and already know what bag you want days before because they do shutdown the site right before they launch so you can't browse then.

Get on the site about 5 minutes before the launch and already have the bag you want picked out and just keep clicking refresh from about 2 minutes before or so.  And if you're lucky enough to snag the one that you want, go to checkout asap.  You only have 5 minutes to complete the purchase once you get it into your cart.  Also, they have a limit of one bag per customer.  If you don't get your first choice, you probably won't be able to get your second unless it's a tote or backpack but it doesn't hurt to try.  

Mansur Gavriel Crossbody Bag Review {updated Feb 2017}

After doing 7 kinds of Mansur Gavriel reviews (including multiple Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag Review, the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag review, the tote review and a general review of their leather quality and care) you would think I would have run out of things to review.  Well not quite!  This is possibly my last Mansur Gavriel review, at least for the near future, since this is the last of my MG collection.

source

I originally never planned on getting the crossbody since I had so many other MG bags already (read about my bag addiction here), but I loved all the other MG bags that I had so I thought I would give this new style a shot.  And I'm so glad that I did!  Unexpectedly, this is one of my favorite bags from their collection.  These are the reasons why I love it so much:

Pros:

-The bag is super simple but really stylish at the same time.  Plus it's versatile enough to go from casual day bag to a night bag.  I especially love the neutral sand color.

-The calf leather on this is great.  There was a faint chemical-type smell that I also noticed on the Lady Bag, but it was much more faint on the crossbody.  I only noticed it when I put my nose right up to the bag, but that's about it.

-There's no color transfer from jeans to the bag (always something to worry about on a light colored bag) {update 11.16.15: actually I wore a semi-new pair of black jeans and now my sand cross-body is looking a little gray on the back, so yes color transfer is possible, but I blame the jeans, and me!}.  {update 11.21.15: I just used Chamberlain's Leather Milk No.1 (featured here) and all the streaks and transferred color is gone.  Looks like new again!}

Pro/Con

-The size is something that can be seen as both a pro or a con, depending on what your needs are.  I love that this bag fits the essentials: phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses.  But if you're looking to fit anything more than that this bag will be too small for your needs.  It measures 7" x 9.25" x 2.25" and it's that 2.25" that makes this bag feel extra small.  The crossbody is a really structured bag so there's no give to that depth.  If you're looking for a small bag from Mansur Gavriel that can fit a bit more than the essentials then I would recommend the mini mini bucket bag or the mini bucket bag.  Both fit more than you would expect.

But if you're looking for a classic and timeless bag, but don't carry a lot, then the cross body is the bag for you.  Lately, it's been my go-to when doing errands.  It's so easy to just throw everything in there and head out the door (and the magnetic closure makes it super easy to open and close, no fiddling with clasps or drawstrings).

{2.28.17 edit: I thought I should probably let you know that I ended up selling this bag awhile ago because after daily use over 6 months, the leather straps that attach to the body started to crack and crumble.  From what I understand though, this only happens with the calf skin leather versions and veg-tanned leather should crack and soften like that.  Oh also, as the leather softened, the imprint of the magnet closure became more visible and took away from the overall clean look}

Let's Get Real: I buy too many bags

For those who regularly read my blog or follow my instagram or just know me, you know I love bags.  I mean love love love them.  It all started back in middle school with my first Coach bag {well it wasn't even really a bag}.  I still remember it, though I've sold it a long time ago.  It was a white nylon clutch covered with big colorful C's {back when logos were all the rage}.  I quickly went from the clutch to a small gucci purse {red canvas covered with small G's} and then on to Louis Vuittons in college and after {my first LV was a damier ebene speedy 30}. In grad school it escalated to a crazy collection of Balenciaga city bags, then on to Chanel and one Hermes kelly.  I still have the Kelly but all the other bags have been sold off as well {I love bags but I realized I'm not really attached to them.  I usually fund my next bag purchase with the sale of another}.  I finally have a small collection of Givenchy, Chanel, and Mansur Gavriel with some odd brands here and there {Fendi, Clare V, Celine, Lululemon, Louis Vuitton}.  Compared to what it used to be, my collection has shrunk quite a bit {thank goodness} but still there's no denying that I still have quite a few bags.  And you would think with posts like these where I talk about having enough, I would recognize I have too much {and I do, I'm fully aware of and am still working on my materialistic habits}.

Most people don't really understand this hobby of buying bags, and to be honest I don't quite understand it myself.  I guess it's like trying to explain your sexual orientation, you were just built this way to like what you like.  That's why I like the PurseForum so much because there are other women who understand my bag-craze and there's really no judgement on your purchases.  The women there are supportive of your bag purchases {unlike my mom and my husband who just shake their head when I buy another bag} to the point of enabling.  Yes, it's a little dangerous for your bank account, so it's good to know that this is just a hobby, and bags are just one part of your overall style {but in some ways they can be investments: like Chanel bags that increase in price 15% every year} .  Nowadays I usually go on the forum to get more information about bags, or like with the Mansur Gavriel bags, help those who are looking for more information.  For years I've tried to hide my bag addiction, though really I was fooling no one {one of my best friends most frequent greeting is, "Is that a new bag?"}.  These days, the blog and my instagram account is a way for me to channel my interests in a productive way.  I probably won't be getting over this addiction any time soon so I might as well make it worth something to someone other than myself.  And as long as I don't fall below the poverty line buying bags, I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of.  In the meantime I hope you enjoy my little collection and all my bag reviews!