Chinese Laundry serves up a functional but ultimately unsatisfying accessory with the Synch.

There's no mystery about where the Synch got its name. Its drawstring gathers the synthetic fabric together, cinching it and creating subtle pleats. It's not a bad aesthetic element, but it ...

There's no mystery about this Vans Sacked tote. It’s honestly little more than a sack!

Admittedly it's a bit more attractive than a regular sack. The cotton fabric is soft to the touch and well decorated with a diagonal striped design. I find this pattern more interesting than ...

Add a touch of luxury to your everyday outings with this Irene Tote from Badgley Mischka.

Subtle snake embossed handles and tabs make this tote feel more indulgent than the average black leather bag. Badgley Mischka's restraint is one of the keys here. Bags that employ ...

Reach for the shades and celebrate your girly side with this shocking Clerkenwell Shoulder Bag from Alexander McQueen's McQ line.

There's certainly no ignoring this purse. Its saturated pink hue doesn't just make a statement; it screams one! That color is bound ...

Alexander Wang marries style and substance with this Rocco satchel.

It's unusual to find a bag whose image comes from a feature so functional. The etched studs which cover the base are really striking, but they also work for us. The bone colored leather base would ...

Kathy Van Zeeland shows uncharacteristic restraint with this Stitchuation Shoulder Bag.

It gets its quirky name from the casual stitching that decorates its voluminous synthetic body. The quilting has a more youthful feel to it than the regular diamond pattern so many ...

Kathy Van Zeeland's gotten in touch with her feminine side to create this Pretty Young Thing Satchel.

I was surprised to see KVZ's name attached to this conservative satchel. Its hardware is remarkably reserved, and its flap-over shape an elegant ...

Vieta proves that even a smattering of studs can be too much with this Julia clutch.

There's a lot of white space here, but that doesn't save the Julia. There may not be many studs, but their variety makes them appear overwhelming. We get silver and gold, pyramids ...

Matt & Nat takes us back to the 80s with this fun Jools clutch purse.

I can just imagine Madonna in her Suddenly Susan garb carrying this purse down the red carpet. Its pyramid studs give it just the right amount of edge, although ...

I'm starting to wonder exactly what a hobo bag is in 2011. When this handbag style was invented it was slouchy, crescent shaped, and bohemian. This Dylan hobo has the signature slouch, but it's a very different bag to those early hobos.

There's not a hint of crescent ...

For a tote that seems to be having an identity crisis, the Shirt shopper from Tod's seems very together.

Its name seems designed to raise eyebrows. After all, this tote is certainly not a shirt. In fact, it doesn't appear to have any shirt-like qualities at all. But ...

Melie Bianco does its best Gucci impersonation with this Amber satchel.

The affordable designer doesn't even try to pretend it's not ripping off the Italian brand's Bamboo purse. All those trademark details are there, from the rounded shape and flap to the bamboo handle and turn-lock ...

A bird inspired motif is always a winner, and never more so than when the bag in question can actually be worn during the normal day to day.

The neutral yet classic color scheme in this Fossil tote ensures that you really can carry this around ...

With Easter just around the corner men are faced with two choices. They can give the traditional gift of calorie-laden chocolate to their lady love, or they can choose a more unusual Chocolate gift like this Carla tote. It's unique, and completely guilt free!

From a distance I ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Chocolate gives us a woven bag unlike any I've ever seen with this Ruth hobo.

The woven finish of this bag is so interesting, with synthetic strips interlaced with soft material and fuzzy fabric. This bone color really makes the most of the texture, while the darker brown ...

No wonder this hobo is called Natalya. She's dramatic and oozing sex appeal, just like any good Russian spy!

This hobo doesn't have much in common with the hippie dippy bags the flower children carry. It's got a subtle slouch to it, but you'll find that ...

Ally, meet our readers. Readers, meet Ally, a cute little patent wristlet from Hobo International.

Wristlets like this tend to double for wallets, and the Ally is no different. Sure she has a cute little detachable wrist-strap, but inside she is geared more to carrying your ...

Looking at this Hampton hobo from Stone Mountain, I find myself wondering whether the label knows what a hobo is at all! With just the faintest of slouch around the top of the bag, and a structured shape more reminiscent of a bucket than a ...

Savanna takes us back to a more refined time, when men opened doors for the women they courted, and those women behaved like ladies, with this Savanna satin frame clutch.

While so many vintage style purses deliver a modern interpretation of classic trends, this one embraces ...

We've seen Donald J Pliner weave its magic in many larger bags. Now with the Seeyu pouch, the fashion house shows us what it can do on a smaller scale.

Most small bags tend to be made for evenings out, but Donald J Pliner ...

After seeing studded bag after studded bag over the last few seasons, I've begun to grow weary of the chunky hardware. If you haven't though, you should be in raptures with the Pyramid Paradise satchel from Kathy Van Zeeland.

Kathy Van Zeeland has never ...

This Kathy Van Zeeland handbag doesn't cost a billion bucks, and it won't really make you look a billion bucks either. But this surprisingly conservative handbag from Kathy Van Zeeland is one of the designer's better purses.

With all those buckled tabs and rows ...

Lucky Brand is getting more and more boho as the days go by, as neatly demonstrated by this Sandplay tote.

Although the patchwork nature of this canvas bag means it is instantly informal and probably not suitable for work, there is still something pretty about this purse. The colors ...

Prezzo channels vintage style with this elegant metal mesh snap bag.

Metal mesh has made a comeback in recent years, but with mesh innovators like Whiting & Davis pushing the envelope it's refreshing to see a brand going back to basics. Paired with a ...

It might have just turned fall, but if you're not prepared to let go of summer just yet look to a bag like this Catalina hobo from Giani Bernini. It's not quite as obvious as carrying a brightly colored beach bag or woven straw bag about, but it definitely channels summer ...

London Fog gives us the patent shine of a new pair of Mary Janes, along with all the polished poise, with this Audrey Tote bag.

That lovely sheen doesn't come from real patent leather though, and it probably should for the $150 price tag. But what London Fog misses out on in ...

I've had an obsession with the color purple dating back as long as I can remember. Purple purses can be difficult to incorporate into a wardrobe, but with this classic looking Milo bag from Fossil I think we can all pull it off.

The secret is that traditional styling which helps to ...

Matt & Nat is known for being a warm, fuzzy brand dedicated to saving the planet with its animal-friendly, vegan leather accessories. It seems the label wanted us to know it's got a few edges with the release of the Malik Nappa-Style clutch. I don't know about you, but this purse ...

I like the freeBird by The SAK bags. They have a certain rustic and boho vibe, whilst at the same time being quite affordable. At just $59 this bag is no exception.

The shape of this purse suggests that it is all about function. Square silhouettes may not be all that innovative, but ...

I'm always hesitant to spend money on a pale pastel handbag. I love the way these pristine purses look, but I'm convinced I'll only be disappointed later. I tend to put my handbags through their paces, so I'm sure their luxury leathers will look grubby before too long. Yet the Olivia ...

It might take its inspiration from the Victorian era, but the Alex Corset Hobo from Linea Pelle is all modern.

The name comes from the large criss-cross stitches which accent the top corners and base. They resemble the lacing used to tighten an old-fashioned corset, but unless you knew the name you ...

The Lounge Lizard is a surprisingly restrained hobo from Kathy Van Zeeland.

Honestly, I did a double take when I first spotted this bag. I couldn't believe that such a subtle creation came from the designer known for her love of sparkling rhinestones and zebra stripes. Not that the Lounge Lizard is ...

Though it might not be the most unique or original handbag around, La Regale hit on two appealing points with this the Shirred T Gusset clutch: affordability and versatility.

When budget is a main concern for bag shopping, a price tag of $20 is more than acceptable and quite pleasing to see on ...

Woven bags seem to be everywhere, and as the cooler weather takes hold this trend shows no signs of slowing down. While lattice bags are almost common these days, a basket weave purse like this Wisteria satchel dares to be different.

This is one of those synthetic bags which looks like a ...

Origami has been one of the most enjoyable trends sweeping fashion circles this year. From beautifully executed folded dresses through to paper jewellery, this Japanese paper art has hit all aspects of fashion face on. New technology means that origami style doesn't have to be made from paper, as this wonderfully structured ...

Desperate Housewives costume designer, Cate Adair, has come up with a great and unusual funky clutch. This uniquely shaped purse is just the thing for swishing around at designer events and looking hugely fashionable!

I particularly wanted to bring your attention to the rather attention-seeking shape. Slightly nautical in design, it features ...

Cleopatra is one of history's most revered figures: powerful, sexy, and devastatingly beautiful. To name a handbag after this iconic Egyptian ruler sets high expectations, which this Kathy Van Zeeland satchel struggles to live up to.

The Cleopatra gets its name from the pyramid studs which dot the synthetic finish. The studs ...

I'll admit that I'm really digging this Hype Agyness Tote. It might not be the most original handbag I've ever seen, but it does have some first-rate qualities that attract me.

You can opt for the wider, semi-traditional style for the Agyness drawstring tote. However, it's this N/S vertical shape that stands out to me as ...

As you may have noticed, totes are the recurrent theme with handbag style icons of the moment. With plenty of space and tons of practicality, these beauties come in a huge array of shapes and sizes, ranging from massive hold-alls through to the small hand-held classics.

This bag is one of those classics ...

Ostrich leather bags are a continuing trend this season, but unfortunately they usually come with a hefty price tag. For those who can't afford designer versions like the extraordinarily high-priced Bally Jana, other brands offer manmade handbags with this coveted, luxury texture.

Big Buddha is one of those companies copying the popular style for ...

Never underestimate the power of a feminine detail. With a ruffled handbag like this Be & D Kan Kan tote, you'll be screaming girl-power in a sophisticated way.

The soft leather panels on the bag are expertly constructed to create pretty, raw-edged ruffles that somehow don't look stiff or over-worked. I absolutely ...

Big Buddha bags are perfect for getting the trendy designer looks for significantly less. Though they are usually constructed from man-made materials, these purses can often pass for the real deal. Fun, runway styles are easily accessible with Big Buddha's affordable prices.

The Denise Satchel shown here instantly reminded me of the ...

Never underestimate the power of a little decorative stitching or pleating. They can take a bag from simple to fabulous in no time at all. Joe's Jeans has these techniques down pat. With some intricate details, this designer's solid-colored leather purses become interesting and unique. They sometimes have a classic look, ...

The classic good looks and affordable $60 price tag of the cute Bayshore Bucket bag is sure to appeal to bargain hunters.

The fine woven straw finish features subtle color variations to add texture and style. The hardwearing material is offset by classic brown leather trim and chic silver studs. The leather ...

Now that the winter chill has set in, many of our straw bags have taken up residence in our closets until warmer weather comes. But it doesn't need to be this way. Anne Klein's Marquis Tote is one straw bag that can see us through the year.

The secret is the finely ...

Foley + Corinna, while still relatively new on the designer circuit (circa 1999), are already renowned for creating high-fashion, high-quality designs at reasonable prices. The affordability of the line, however, has not tarnished their good name in the eyes of connoisseurs of fine handbags.

The Jet Setter, for example, has been featured on ...

A playful style meets serious practicality in this Joe's Jeans Capos Satchel.

The rounded purse is so striking thanks to the leather details. Swatches of the buttery-soft fabric make vertical stripes on the front pocket, then criss-cross one another on the top of the bag. The effect creates a modern design which ...