Proenza Schouler claims to cater to our after five needs with this Evening Clutch. However I'm just not sure it really delivers.

Proenza Schouler is a day bag specialist, so adjusting to our evening needs was always likely to be a tricky transition. However it barely ...

If you struggle to fit the items you call essentials into your everyday handbag, meet your knight in shining armor. This Knight Tote from Oryany Handbags is a whole lot of purse!

There's no getting around it; this tote is enormous. Those sizable dimensions will either ...

As I slog through my working week, the idea of sipping Mai-Tais by the pool in some Caribbean resort sounds pretty appealing. In reality I won't be taking off any time soon though, so this Mai-Tai clutch from Mary Frances may be the next best ...

With the winter chill still lingering in the air, it might be hard to think about spring fashions. But the warm weather will be here before we know it, and with all the leading designers looking ahead to the spring/summer season ...

Imoshion offers the low prices we've come to expect in a more high class package with the Julia clutch.

It might be made of imitation fur, but its soft body is every bit as striking as the real deal. An edgy snakeskin embossed belt cinches in the clutch ...

Be & D dresses up the classic canvas tote with this Nixie bag.

The glazed lizard finish makes the tote's yellow canvas body feel a little more luxurious. I've never seen canvas treated this way, but it's incredibly well done. I don't think it'll ...

There are few accessories more reliable than a classic tote bag. Big Buddha dresses up this wardrobe staple with some reptilian embossing to create the Dakota.

Exotic embossing can make a handbag look much richer when it's done right, or much cheaper when it's not. Thankfully ...

Tory Burch stamps her trademark sense of style onto her Idina cosmetics case.

This sophisticated make-up purse is immediately identifiable as one of the American designer's creations. Its lines are clean, and its logo medallion stands proudly against the purse. Her fans may be ...

Bright yellow canvas brings some zing to this Spicy Sac from Dooney & Bourke.

This cheery fabric helps make this traditional bucket style bag seem much more interesting. Unfortunately it's let down though by its leather trim. While the cowhide is luxurious, its color ...

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 ...

Nicole Lee is one of those designers that marches to the beat of her own drum. She doesn't always nail her accessories, but at least you can't accuse them of being boring. This Helene clutch is another surprising, and surprisingly affordable, handbag from her collection.

The ...

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, ...

Inge Christopher gets Gothic with this beautiful Charlott Clutch.

I can't help thinking of intricate old architecture and stained glass windows as I take in this purse. Bold golden satin peeps through black lambskin leather, which is laser-cut in an elaborate floral pattern. The effect is ...

Zac Posen gets patriotic with this Americana shoulder bag from his affordable Z Spoke label.

Frankly I'm not really sure why Posen's bestowed such a moniker on this bag. It thankfully avoids stars and stripes, or obvious patriotic motifs. It's available in a navy ...

Soapbox offers a quirky new take on the cross-body bag with this Fiji Oyster Case.

There's a fun, retro feel to this bag's hard structured shell. Its curved top takes us back to the 1960s, and those vertical stripes look like they've stepped straight out of ...

Is there anything more cheerful than a yellow handbag? As I'm looking at this Puma Originals Mono Satchel in the color it calls spectra yellow, I can't think of a happier alternative!

Of course such a vivid hue won't be to everyone's taste. Personally though, I ...

Mad Imports, or May Y Sol as its also known, typically creates summery accessories from raffia. The Eloise has all those hallmarks, yet its styling makes it appropriate for use all year round.

The tightly woven raffia takes on the appearance of heavy cloth here. From ...

KC Malhan gives leopard print another try with this Leopard Clutch.

We first saw KC Malhan experimenting with the animal print with her sequined flap clutch. It was a fun purse, but all those sequins made it very flashy. This Leopard Clutch is like that ...

Jil Sander delivers a bag that lives up to its name with the Simple Tote.

It is very simple, but that often derogatory term doesn't quite convey its charm. I've been won over by its cheerful Curcuma Yellow color, which is so rich and warm. It's ...

Some accessory styles never seem to go out of vogue. They may enjoy a renaissance every now and again, but they're never truly unfashionable. So while a purse like the Libby might seem particularly on trend as we all try to emulate the Mad Men look, it'll ...

Donna Sharp serves up more of the same, but on a smaller scale than we've seen, with this Mini Connie bag.

There's nothing wrong with clinging so fiercely to a design vision, of course. It's a great way to build brand loyalty, as fans can rely ...

Bold citrus yellow piping helps this Berit cross-body bag from Donald J Pliner really pop.

The combination of this shocking hue and pale aqua blue leather is very unexpected, but that's exactly why I like it. Who wants to be predictable? On a more ...

B. Makowsky ordinarily focuses on the trends, but with its Classics collection it takes a more traditional approach. This Vivian satchel is a great everyday option for girls who prefer a little more polish in their purse.

This satchel is free of the embellishments ...

I've always found Fossil's contemporary collections a bit hit and miss, so I'm thrilled that it's gone back into the vault and reinvented many of its classic designs with its Vintage Re-Issue range. Bags like this Turnlock Cross-Body are the reason why I'm ...

Remember when I wrote yesterday about the inconsistency of B. Makowsky's handbag collection? I should have known as I was singing the Varick satchel's praises it wouldn't be too long before the designer disappointed me. And he has with this Alexis shopper.

Like too many ...

I have been notably dubious about the Miu Miu line for some time. It's just not consistent. What it seems to do well, though, is produce ultra luxe bags with a lot of personality, and this Strass bag is one of them.

I wouldn't have really ...

Carla Mancini takes the hobo back to its bohemian roots with this Amelia bag.

The casual slouch and long tassel accent give the Amelia its new age feel, but it's not as rustic as many hobo bags tend to be. The cobalt blue leather is very ...

Kensie Girl is one of those youth lines that makes me long for younger days. I'm not sure my adult self could get away with carrying a purse as girly as the Barby Hobo, but I'd love to try!

The secret to Kensie Girl's appeal is ...

If you're still searching for the perfect beach bag, what have you been doing? With the warmer weather threatening to turn cool in the coming months you'll want something cheap and cheerful, something like this Glimmer tote from Roxy.

The Glimmer is one of those casual, cotton bags ...

Embrace your silly side with this fun Ginia Epoxy satchel from Nicole Lee.

The Ginia isn't decorated with Swarovski crystals, grommets, studs, or any of the accents we typically see embellishing high-end handbags. Instead it's covered in colorful epoxy charms. These plastic decorations look a little ...

Zara Terez offers an affordable alternative to a crocodile skin clutch with this embossed 54th Street purse.

No discerning fashionista would ever mistake this simple purse for a real crocodile one. Its green hue is a bit surreal, and its scales are a little ...

Tory Burch gets rustic with this Rattan Flap Clutch.

Rattan is less luxurious than the materials Burch usually plays with, but it's perfect for this warm weather we've all been enjoying. The geometric wicker weave makes this rattan feel a bit more sophisticated than it normally ...

Tignanello reminds us of the power of pebbled leather with this Power Pebble Shopper Tote.

I really like the shape of this tote, which is more rounded and voluminous than the traditional boxy design. This silhouette is perfect for emphasizing the quality of that pebbled leather. ...

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 ...

Diane Von Furstenberg has been sticking to really classic looks lately, but this Harper Bon Bon bag shows definite traces of her usual bohemianism. The Bon Bon may be a little bit boho, but its slick details make it look very mod and ...

Fashion is always retro obsessed, but the 80s and 90s trend seems to have lasted an especially long time, don't you think? Luckily, those were both great decades for me, and for accessories. This Robyn hobo takes cues from both eras and restyles them for modern ...

Don't worry. This Bee Happy purse from Mary Frances is the perfect pick-me-up!

This kind of sequin covered novelty is just what Mary Frances is famous for. However I think the Bee Happy might be a step up for the brand. Its structured bee ...

Marc Jacobs is one of those rare designers that manages to turn heads no matter what he produces. Whether it's a high-class clutch or a casual nylon shopper like this Packables bag, a Marc Jacobs creation always has that certain something.

This isn't a piece of ...

Tod's has created a sunny yellow version of its D-Styling Bauletto bag to celebrate the reopening of its South Coast Plaza boutique.

This is a strictly limited edition item, with just 35 made. I expected that sort of exclusivity to send the price sky high, ...

After seeing so many classic, and dare I say dull, leather handbags from Etienne Aigner I was taken aback by this Stonebridge tote. Surely such a casual creation couldn't come from such a buttoned up label!

Well yes it has, and not a moment too soon. ...

Echo gets us ready for summer with this Paperstraw tote.

One look at this tote reminds us that this is a different animal from the designer totes you'd spot on the high street. Its woven paperstraw body is laidback and its blue plastic trim cheap and cheerful. Some ...

Chloe celebrates spring racing season with this equestrian themed Kerala tote.

The cheery yellow color is perfect for the warmer weather ahead, and the leather's perforated treatment is right on trend. But unfortunately all the embellishments muddy what was a rather appealing base.

I think Chloe has taken the ...

Zara Terez keeps it simple with this convertible Mediano shoulder bag.

This purse reminds me of so many clutches from the Lauren Merkin stable, with its curved flap and soft, gently pleated body. But it's given its own personality with a choice of exotic ...

Kensie Girl shows its sensible side with the Button Up cross-body.

This purse's name comes from both its conservative demeanor and that cute little button accent on the envelope style flap. That button gives an otherwise classic style a bit ...

With a pop of color and some fashion forward details, Big Buddha has created a stylish casual satchel with this Jackie bag.

This is one of those handbags that manages to incorporate modern details well into a time honored design. The Jackie's shape is just as ...

Duffle bags tend to be masculine, utilitarian creatures, more concerned with getting your stuff where you need it to be than making a style statement. So I'm thrilled to see Kensie Girl having a bit of fun with the handbag style with this Truffle Duffle.

This ...

Do you want a car to match your Citroen? Well, then an Orla Kiely print is the only way to go!

These classic retro prints have gone down a storm in the automotive world, and they are equally popular in the fashion world. After all, ...

Who says you have to trade in your designer handbags once the kids come along? Marc Jacobs shows moms they needn't skimp on style with this cheery Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby tote.

Granted, this is from Marc Jacob's more affordable diffusion line rather ...

Proenza Schouler has been retooling some of its classic designs lately, and I am really excited about it. This new smaller and brighter version of the PS1 satchel is really thrilling, and a really great addition to its fabulously minimal collection.

The bright yellow leather on the PS1 ...

Is there anything cheerier than a bright yellow purse? Because as I look at this sunny Hannah clutch from Ellington, I'm struggling to think of one!

As gloomy gray skies give way to clear blue ones, carrying this happy purse seems like a perfect way to celebrate the ...