Linea Pelle takes whipstitching out of the country with this urban Jules Cross-Body.

I really like the way the label cleverly interlinks the whipstitching and silver hardware. The effect is edgy without being obnoxious, strong and confident but not brash. Black leather would have been an ...

Laurel & Sunset always delivers affordable accessories, but often its aesthetic leaves a bit to be desired. Such is the case with the Dunsmouth Hobo, which sees some promising elements clumsily sandwiched together.

I can't help thinking of the Bride of Frankenstein when I ...

Coach has looked to the past with its new Heritage Baseball collection, a capsule range of men's wallets crafted from vintage baseball gloves.

The collection takes us back to Coach's roots. On its inception in 1941 the Gail Manufacturing Company, as it was called then, ...

Latico gives the messenger style a slick makeover with this Reed bag.

The Reed has a really clean look which makes it appear very modern. There isn't any frills or fuss about it, although its bold orange color gives it a real pop. This is far from our ...

Kotur shows us plastic can be truly fantastic with this Levin Minaudiere.

If I didn't know better, I'd swear the Levin was created with real mother-of-pearl. Instead its stripes are crafted from resin with a pearlized finish reminiscent of the prized material. The fabric's very common, yet under ...

Kooba offers two bags for one low price with the Ava.

In regular mode the Ava is a very tall, spacious tote. Its buttery grained leather has a weathered appearance which in this indigo hue is reminiscent of denim. I can just imagine how good it would look ...

Kenneth Cole serves up a smart office accessory of substance with this Out of the Bag briefcase from his Reaction line.

The Out of the Bag is simple and without feminine frills, yet it doesn't look quite as ...

Kathy Van Zeeland shows uncharacteristic restraint with its Flapper Chic hobo.

The name doesn't refer to the flapper style of the 1920s, but the hobo's classic flap closure. This curved element mimics the Flapper Chic's soft, voluminous shape. Pleats near the base ...

Jason Wu stays right on trend with this elegant top-handled Toni tote.

Top-handled purses like this were trailblazers in the fifties and sixties, but they're enjoying a revival of late. Women love the elegance of the style, which looks feminine without being too fussy. The tan ...

Add a pop of color to your everyday attire with this Hype Bauer Shoulder Bag.

The Bauer's boxy shape is modernized with golden zippered sides and a chic turn-lock clasp. I love the way the hardware pops against the rich red lambskin. This hue is quite ...

If a retro shoulder bag hooked up with a piece of carry-on luggage they might give birth to something like Hayden-Harnett's Nackie Satchel.

This handbag has a very unusual look. It seems almost as if two bags have simply been sewn together. That quirkiness will never appeal to ...

A smattering of studs helps this Pama Shoulder Bag from Gustto shine.

I appreciate the restraint Gustto's shown here. It knows the studded trend won't hang around forever, so it doesn't allow the metal to take over. The studs are small and used sparingly. The finish ...

Gucci delivers a hobo worthy of its name with the Bella.

This hobo truly is a thing of beauty. Gucci's extracted the essence from the familiar handbag style and done away with everything that can be gimmicky about the style. It's more sophisticated than your average boho fare, ...

Giorgio Armani has fun with fashion with this Embellished Tote from his Emporio Armani label.

The playful tabs which decorate this tote feel like a modern alternative to fringing. Each curved flap of leather is studded with a bold silver grommet, which brings a little edge ...

Fossil always creates solid accessories, but it's done little to truly excite me of late. So I'm thrilled to see the American label shaking things up with this Campbell Hobo.

The gorgeous laser-cut finish really sucked me in. A delicate art deco design is punched into the leather ...

Etienne Aigner gets colorblocking right with its Melinda Satchel.

The trend has prevailed for several seasons, but I'm still wondering when the tide will turn. When it does a subtly colorblocked bag like the Melinda will endure, while ones with wilder color palettes will date quickly.

None ...

You don't need to be fluent in Italian to know that bella means beautiful. While this Bella tote from Ellington has some elements that fit that adjective, it seems the label may be too confident in its design abilities.

The glazed blue Italian leather Ellington's used here is ...

At their best crocodile prints dress up our favorite fabrics without adding too much to the bottom line. However at their worst they can appear like a desperate attempt to make a fairly pedestrian purse seem more interesting. Sadly the croc print on this Victoria ...

Coccinelle takes a leap forward in contemporary design with this Shibuya shoulder bag.

I've always appreciated the label's high quality leathers, but I've never seen it putting the skin to such good use. The Shibuya looks ultra modern with its streamlined box shape and deep geometric ...

Celine takes its usual luxurious aesthetic down a few notches with this Canvas & Calfskin Logo tote bag.

With the fashion world moving away from obvious branding, it's strange to see Celine releasing a tote bearing such a bold logo. It makes the usually current fashion house seem ...

Carlo Fellini strips away the fuss and frills with its timeless Claire Clutch.

The clean design is so elegant. We might have seen similar hard case clutches from other fashion houses, but few come at such a low price. It doesn't seem like Carlo Fellini's skimped ...

Burberry tones down its usual aesthetic with this Pasmore shoulder bag. In fact if I hadn't spotted the discreet engraving on its buckles, I wouldn't know it was a Burberry bag at all!

Of course the nova check pattern we've come to associate with the British ...

Bodhi's never been shy about making a style statement, but all too often its quirky accessories feel unwearable. So it's refreshing to see the label taking its signature style down a few notches with the Spring Street cross-body.

Bodhi's got the balance right here. ...

Perhaps the fashion conscious feel of the Orient has rubbed off on Baggallini. Its Shanghai satchel is one of the most stylish bags this label's produced!

It won't go toe to toe with the Prada purses and Hermes handbags, but its quite chic compared to other bags in ...

The Wild West meets the African plains with this daring Wild Side Satchel from American West.

The competing influences make a strange blend on this satchel, and one which I personally find obnoxious. There's nothing subtle about the leopard print gracing the haircalf body, ...

Clutch queen Clare Vivier has teamed up with Wren head Melissa Coker to create a striking reversible tote bag.

Clare Vivier and Melissa Coker have created several capsule collections and limited edition items together over the past few years, and its seems their enthusiasm ...

Joy Gryson takes bohemian style a step too far with this Columbier bag from her Olivia Harris line.

Hobos generally have a relaxed hippie charm about them, but most manage to pull off the look with more style than this. The earthiness ...

With a needle and thread Patricia Nash has made her Como cross-body bag something special.

Patricia Nash has handstitched horizontal lines around the body of this burnished brown leather purse. By using a paler thread than the leather Patricia Nash has ensured the stitching ...

Patchwork has fallen out of favour in recent years, but if any fashion house can bring it back it's Proenza Schouler. The label gives it its best shot with this Patchwork Shopping Tote.

I've always been partial to well done patchwork, and this shopping ...

San Francisco based tech accessories label WaterField Designs has unveiled its latest model, the Indy. This sophisticated shoulder bag is designed to hold Apple's iPad tablets.

This stylish tech bag is crafted from distressed leather and well-appointed with a range of practical pockets. I particularly like the modern ...

When is a clutch not a clutch? When it's the Liz from Badgley Mischka!

The fashion house calls the Liz a clutch, but its substantial straps are something we never see on purses of this ilk. I personally prefer these straps, with their leather padding and ...

It might not embody New York style, but this Portage Pet Carrier from Manhattan is a cute way to ferry around your furry friend.

This is a smart pet carrier that's been designed with your favorite furball in mind. Its zippered top is made of a ...

An eye-popping woven finish helps this brown Serena tote stand out from the crowd.

I've never seen a weave quite like this. It reminds me of those optical illusion illustrations we'd stare at as children. In fact, I find myself getting just as hypnotized as I ...

Radley takes a traditional approach to design with its Aldgate shoulder bag.

The Aldgate is a perfectly nice bag, but it seems to be lacking the playfulness of Radley's usual designs. Its Scotch Terrier tag is still there, but the pooch seems out of place amongst ...

Big Buddha gets us ready for summer with this casual Cassandra Hobo.

It appears like so many woven raffia purses, but the Cassandra is actually crafted from synthetic leather. By using nude leatherette Big Buddha's ensured the finish has the same seaside charm as the natural ...

Is this a Juicy Couture bag I see before me? Without any loud logos or splashes of pink, it's a bit hard to believe!

Admittedly Juicy Couture has been showing a more mature side lately, but it's outdone itself with the Blueprint ...

Sumptuously soft lambskin and a rich bottle green hue make this Apollo bag one of the most desirable hobos I've seen in some time.

Lambskin is an ideal material for crafting a traditional hobo, because its buttery finish slouches so easily. We can see its quality in every ...

Burberry's Nova Check might be iconic, but bags featuring this plaid print are starting to look a bit tired to me. So I'm thrilled to see the British designer trying something new with this Leather and Raffia Clutch.

If this is a sign of what Burberry ...

Life never seems to slow down, so your handbag needs to keep pace. With the Maya, Linea Pelle's created a handbag that knows how to keep up with life in the fast lane.

The Maya doesn't make a strong style statement, but its high quality leather ...

Diane von Furstenberg offers a modern take on the fanny pack with this Elaine New Belt Bag.

Rather than providing a shoulder strap, Diane von Furstenberg's given us a belt. This allows us to strap the Elaine on for a busy day ...

Hype's created a conservative barrel bag with just a hint of sass with the Harrison.

From the front it seems like so many conformist carryalls. Its smooth brown leather is a safe choice, and the nude leather accents aren't much wilder. The barrel shape is also ...

Baggallini puts its stamp on the classic doctor bag style with the Berlin.

Frankly this is the kind of purse that's easy to overlook. Its design is neat enough, but it doesn't really do anything to command attention. It's available in 12 different colors, but these tame hues ...

Dooney & Bourke shows rare maturity with this Smith Bag.

Its name is very unassuming and ordinary, but the Smith is one of the best Dooney & Bourke bags I've seen.

Dooney & Bourke's crafted its Smith from lightweight nylon material. This easy care material ...

What a difference a few years makes. When once O'Neill created nothing more than casual canvas beach bags, today it's making wallets as pretty as any clutch purses! The Missi is an excellent example of the development of this surf brand.

The thin faux leather might leave a ...

I don't know about you, but I always hesitate to spend a lot of money on a gym bag. I'm full of enthusiasm at the start of the year, but somewhere around March my resolve wanes and I begin to resent all the ...

Fun design and functionality come together in one affordable package with Vitalio Vera's Carolina Cross-Body Bag.

It won't change the world, but I really like the Carolina's design. The oversized bow helps dress up its soft, slouchy shape. Its pleats don't fall as gently ...

Vieta has fun with some synthetic snake with the Neisha Clutch.

Fashion snobs may long for genuine python, but the Neisha's material isn't a bad snake imitator. While its colors aren't authentic there's a charm to the palettes, especially in this Santa Fe inspired brown and blue skin. ...

If you thought Ugg Australia was all about fluffy boots, think again. The label ushers in warm weather with this Straw Convertible Tote.

This bag is surprisingly free of the shearling the label usually favors. That may disappoint its most devoted fans, but I find it ...

Tylie Malibu channels Californian cool with this Kansa Messenger Bag.

This is a messenger for beach babes and hippie chicks. Its slouchy finish and flowing fringe won't work in the boardroom, but low maintenance beauties will love the casual spirit this handbag brings to any outfit.

This ...

In the old days a wallet was considered secure if our coins didn't spill from the sides. These days security is a more high-tech matter, and purses like this RFID Blocking Wallet from Travelon are on the cutting edge.

If you're not in the know, RFID refers to ...