Dooney & Bourke abandons its usual bright colors and youthful designs for something subtler with this Panama Barrel Satchel.

There's a summery charm to the Panama's beige coated linen, which is dressed up with black leather trim. However the design ...

Roxy offers a backpack for students and girls on the go with the So Long.

I appreciate the choice Roxy provides here. There's this pink design for the girly girls, more conservative black and sandstone alternatives and even a wild paisley print. With that many alternatives ...

Sherpani puts functionality ahead of fashion with this Mia shoulder bag.

It's not that this messenger-style shoulder bag is ugly, but it doesn't have all those things that make us turn green with accessory envy. It's not made from an exotic skin, or even a soft, ...

Pretty floral accents help set this Pretty Petal Shopper from Nine West apart from the purse pack.

This shopper is made from a soft woven textile, which is given more personality with the addition of pretty flowers and leaves. The floral appliqué is lovely, ...

Cleobella's accessories haven't always hit the mark for me. They often seem so concerned with being fashion forward that they are destined to date quickly. But by taking a more unusual, pared back approach, Cleobella's ensured its Wenona clutch is a keeper.

Its vibrant aqua color gives the ...

Versace reminds us that sometimes less is more with this Animal Print Shoulder Bag.

When I first spotted this bag my heart skipped a few beats. I was instantly captivated by the art deco inspired front flap, with its bright red piping and lush ...

It seems The SAK might have been taking design lessons from local senior citizens when it created the Stellaris Tote.

This tote's crocheted body has a homely old world charm about it. It's given a bit of a modern kick though with its scalloped edges, which ...

Straw Studios shows us how to wear raffia out of season with this Addison tote.

In natural tones this structured handbag is perfect for summer, but in basic black I think this purse could work well at any time of year. While its raffia finish keeps ...

Steve Madden channels Southwestern style with this casual BJanessa bag.

Knitted bags are perfect for the wintery weather approaching, but I've never seen one quite like this. It looks like it was crafted from Mexican ponchos, which isn't altogether a bad thing. I love the way ...

Nicole Miller's created an ideal go anywhere purse with the Ella.

Day or night, I can imagine the Ella fitting right in. Its exterior is decorated with just a bit of stitching, and that simplicity helps it work during the daylight hours. However its high quality ...

Wallets are often regarded as the poor cousin of handbags, a less stylish and more practical alternative to leather arm candy. Matt & Nat reject this notion with the Loren, a purse that deserves its time in the spotlight.

Frankly I'd be reluctant to hide this ...

When done well, a nude handbag can be one of the fashion world's most versatile creations. But in the wrong hands this mellow color can make any design bland. Sadly that's what we see here with Lauren Merkin's Lizzie satchel.

The workmanship on this handbag is ...

When we think of Vegas we think of wild nights and plenty of bling. And this box clutch from Inge Christopher certainly lives up to its flashy name.

The large asymmetrical Swarovski crystals decorating this classic box clutch make it a whole lot of fun. They're ...

Summer might be slipping away, but Franchi lets us hang onto the season just a little longer with this Camille clutch.

Ordinarily straw is reserved for casual day bags, but the natural fiber is given an up-market makeover here. Woven straw panels add texture to the sides of ...

Clara Kasavina abandons her usual intricate metal work for this python Suzy clutch.

Python is arguably more luxurious than metal, but funnily enough this clutch doesn't feel as special as her usual handiwork. That natural mottled python skin is lovely, but I feel like I've seen ...

I've been impressed by Chloe's diffusion label, but every now and then I crave a little more luxury. This Patty shopper from the fashion house's signature brand definitely hits the spot.

This shopper oozes sophistication. Its two-tone flap brings just a hint of contemporary flair to the traditional ...

I'm always hesitant to spend a fortune on an evening purse. As I get older I tend to find myself settling in as the sun sets, rather than kicking up my heels. My opportunities for such accessories are few and far between, so I don't see the ...

I have to tip my hat to Bodhi. While other designers slavishly follow the trends, it consistently surprises. This Fiji Elastic tote is another unusual purse from this contemporary fashion house.

Its name takes us to the South Pacific, but this purse has a much more European feel ...

Aldo has an uncanny knack for interpreting modern trends for less. With this Goetter, the budget fashion house takes on nudes.

I must admit, I'm not the biggest fan of a nude color palette. It's very now, but the shades always seem a bit washed out and boring ...

Paco Mena only appeared on my radar recently, but since discovering the brand I've been impressed by its elegant but affordable evening purses. This Duprea clutch is another shining example from the range.

This is a lovely looking purse, with its sophisticated pleating and rich satiny ...

It's got a very bohemian name, but this Stone Mountain Vagabond is a fairly conservative creature.

There's a preppy, academy school vibe to this Vagabond hobo. Its cobalt and sky blue accents help to punch up the black pebbled leather. These narrow stripes work with the ...

The fashion world may be looking ahead to winter, but Kate Spade reminds us that we haven't seen the last of summer yet with this Lawn Party purse.

The Lawn Party strikes the balance between Kate Spade's conservative side and her more whimsical nature. ...

Exotic prints are a hard thing to get right. All too easily they can become tacky imitations of the luxurious skins they're mimicking. Michael Kors shows his design prowess with this Kingston tote.

The neutral color palette and expertly rendered scales make the Kingston's finish seem ...

Guess is back to its old tricks with this Visage east-west satchel. Fans of the label are likely to love its exotic impersonation, but I can't imagine this satchel will win the brand any new fans.

When done well, exotic embossing can be a wonderful way to enjoy ...

I've been pleasantly surprised by many of the accessories from pop star Jessica Simpson's signature fashion line. Sadly though, the Bliss tote isn't one of these accessories.

The Bliss tote isn't a bad tote per se, but it's far too ordinary to deserve such a glowing ...

Big Buddha helps you carry everything you could ever need or want on a day out with this large Sunburst hobo.

This oversized hobo gets its name from the golden metal accents which create a contemporary sunburst design at each side of the bag. These details ...

VBH lets its luxury materials do all the talking with this Pellicano Python Tote.

VBH does its best work when it's playing with exotic materials like this. It respects the skin and allows it to shine without any unnecessary complications. In a peachy beige tone the Pellicano is ...

Summer calls for us to ditch the dark, heavy colors of winter and embrace paler, lighter hues. That makes this casual Linen Sac purse from Vanessa Bruno ideal for the season.

I always love linen for summer, and I wonder why more designers don't play with ...

Valentino has created the perfect warm weather purse with this Flower-Appliqued Raffia Clutch.

This really is a pretty purse, with its soft pastel flowers and natural toned raffia. By using appliqué rather than a print, Valentino has given its garden some real texture and drama. The ...

Tianni serves up zips, zips, and more zips with the Elle Tote.

Vertical zippers decorate the front of this rectangular synthetic handbag. At first I thought they might have hidden a practical secret; some hidden pockets or expandable sections perhaps. But no, they're merely an aesthetic detail designed ...

The SAK embraces its feminine side with this Floral satchel.

It looks like woven wool from a distance, but the Flora is actually made from a high-tech fiber called polypropylene. It's a strong material often used to create carpets and ropes. It doesn't look quite so ...

Steve Madden's created one for the girly girls with the fun BHarmony handbag.

With its ruffled top and diagonal detail, not to mention its oversized bow, this shoulder bag is ultra feminine. But in this gentle nude blush, I think Steve Madden gets away ...

Enjoy the good karma that comes with carrying a green bag like this Karma Tote from O'Neill this summer.

The Karma is just the kind of purse that makes me thrilled the warmer weather is here. You could never get away with its casual woven straw body during ...

Nicole Miller uses studs to add elegance rather than edge with the Stella tote.

Nude leather might be right on trend, but I've always found these beige shades a bit boring. However with the addition of a smattering of nickel studs along the center panel, I'm ...

Moschino plans to make you swoon with this Print-A-Porter purse from its Love Moschino collection. But has it sent your heart racing?

Ordinarily fabric bags look so, well, ordinary, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Its body is like so many canvas totes, although its psychedelic ...

Maison Martin Margiela goes rustic with this Glossy Wood Grain clutch.

At first I thought this purse was made of real wood, polished within an inch of its life to create that glossy surface. However it seems the label has fooled us, ...

Jimmy Choo lets its materials speak for themselves with this Rhea shopper.

Jimmy Choo has given this sand-colored calfskin a lift with gentle lizard skin embossing. This is one of my favorite reptilian finishes, as it's much more subtle than the more lauded crocodile and snakeskin. To that ...

The ordinarily reserved Jessica McClintock shows us her wilder side with this East/West Soft Clutch.

This is a very different purse from Jessica McClintock. She typically favors classic, feminine designs but this one is much edgier and more modern. The black leather-like flap is cut asymmetrically ...

The Russel has a masculine name, but this Hype satchel is a real lady.

The Russel manages to interpret the feminine structured bags of the 50s on a much larger scale. Our eyes are instantly drawn to the front panel with its even diamond weave, but this isn't ...

Canvas? Check. Structure? Check. Well then, this couldn't be anything other than an affordable Michael Stars purse.

The components of this purse my be simple and kind of earthy, but that doesn't make them any less distinctive. Michael Stars has his own particular brand and style, and the Asymmetry clutch ticks all of the ...

Foley + Corinna's created a purse that's small in stature but big on features with this Half Pint Pac Bag.

Honestly this purse put me offside with its colorblocked finish. I've never really been a fan of this retro look, and the ...

Kate Spade is starting to make a move away from her retro inspired bags. The newer creations still use retro materials, but with a bit of a modern "twist".

What we have before us today is a purse that is constructed from wicker, but rather than taking ...

Be & D shows its more elegant side with this sophisticated Loewy bag.

We rarely see Be & D showing such design restraint. The whipstiching around the flap looks positively tame compared to the ruffles and studs the label tends to decorate with. The beach tone ...

Being beautiful and luxurious doesn't have to mean being brash. This clever little satin clutch shows that there is more than one way to produce a structured handbag.

The structure isn't in the actually shape of the handbag, but the layout of the satin exterior. You see, the ...

I'd almost written Ashley M off as a fashion line. It seemed like the label was incapable of creating anything I took too seriously. And then it released the Mag Fashion clutch.

What a change of pace this purse is. There are no pop ...

Aldo offers an affordable alternative to a Hermes bag with this Cyphert satchel.

While it's not a carbon copy, I can't help thinking of the Kelly bag when I see the Cyphert. It's very structured and ladylike, with clean, crisp lines. The front tassels help to soften the ...

Tylie Malibu goes tribal with this Ikat Wayfarer shopper.

Ikat is a traditional woven material created by tribes in Cambodia, Thailand, and parts of South and Central America. I'm not sure how diligently Tylie Malibu followed the ancient techniques, but the finished ...

Get kitted up for summer with this fun and lighthearted raffia clutch.

What makes this summery? Firstly the raffia, that lightweight fabric, which is the epitome of all things sunny and sandy. It looks like the sort of bag you would wear in ...

I've gotten behind Miu Miu and then given up on the label so many times in the past few seasons that I just can't keep up with it myself. I guess I should just take each bag as it comes and stop trying to define the line as ...

A handbag that converts from one shape to another is pretty much two bags for the price of one, which is just what we want in these hard financial times!

Christopher Kon is an expert at producing handbags that manage to be unusual ...