The “Modern Younger Sibling”: MATT by Matt & Nat

It’s Jen! Lindsay’s bestie, co-Demoiselle, and author of the socially-conscious fashion blog, Awakened Aesthetic. You might have noticed that our blogs are getting cuddly – I’ll remove this text after we get to know each other!

In the past year, I’ve mentioned vegan leather designer Matt & Nat on Awakened Aesthetic a total of eleven times.  And yes, part of it is that they’re green, blah blah blah, leather created from plastic bottles, yadda yadda…but most of it is because I absolutely love the aesthetic.

But man, is that shit expensive.

If you don’t know who I’m talking about, here’s a blurb from the Matt & Nat website.  It pretty well encompasses what I love about them (emphasis mine).

WHO IS MATT & NAT?

In 1995, MATT & NAT Founder and Creative Director Inder Bedi was challenged by a Mahatma to become a Vegetarian for 30 days. It was during this time that MATT & NAT was conceived. A brand and movement shaped by the power of duality. Fifteen years later, he is continuously working towards this goal – exceeding norms to offer cutting edge products that are fashionable and beautiful and yet made in a socially responsible way, or as we like to say, with Compassion. MATT & NAT products have never used animal by-products. That said, the brand is more than just vegan. It has always been a trailblazer in the environmental movement. Each product contains at least one recycled element and on average 21 plastic bottles are recycled to make linings for our bags. MATT & NAT has always been a Pioneer in Eco-Fashion.

So, yes, they’re awesome.  They take recycled products – aka trash – and turn it into stuff like this:

Adore: $235

An eco-lover’s really expensive dream.

I can’t afford to spend $235, plus tax, plus shipping, on a bag.  I just can’t.  Hell, I’ll spend a hundred, sometimes a hundred and fifty, on the perfect bag (one I can wear for more than a few years) but Two Hundred Thirty-Five?  That’s…lights, and water, and internet access, for the month. Combined.  And then some.

But I look.  I torture myself.  And then today, I saw a new section on the Matt & Nat website:  Matt by Matt & Nat.

MATT BY MATT & NAT COLLECTION INSPIRATION

As MATT & NAT’s younger sibling, the inspiration for the MATT BY MATT & NAT collection is rocker/urban with distinctive design and hardware details. This season we also introduced a new vegan leather material Luster, which let us experiment with softer bohemian shapes, deep tone colors, and weaving accents. This collection is practical, yet with a modern flare and can be dressed up or down.

Younger sibling…practical…modern…are these words inferring what I think they’re inferring?  Is this label cheaper?

WHY YES, IT FREAKING IS.

Laika (in rust): $150

I know this is still too rich for a broke girl’s blood, but Matt & Nat has sales all the time (including sample sales at places like Gilt.com) so their bags are going to become more affordable than ever.

Ballad (in blue): $155

All of the selections I’m posting come in rust, brown, black and blue.  The color options are part of Matt & Nat’s M.O. – most of their collections all come in four or five different colors, so you have the same options for any style you choose.

Sedaris (in brown): $140

Remember: this is vegan leather. It looks and feels like cow hide, but with this bag, when your vegan friends give you dirty looks you can call them closed-minded.

Cambria (in rust): $140

The patchwork on this one reminds me of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  I’d take advantage of that fact by wearing it with riding boots (to play it up) and dark denim (to modernize it).

Did I mention that MATT by Matt & Nat has a jewelry line, too?

Canary: $50 — Bragg: $16

And belts?

Monopoli: $35 — Jem: $38
Denali: $38 — Rumble: $60

Maybe I’m just obsessed, but this new line (and its new prices) seem pretty awesome.  And I am looking for a new fall bag, so my obsession is well-founded, right?