Patricia Nash gives classic style a modern makeover with this elegant Praga cross-body bag.

In many ways this is like so many cross-body bags, with its traditional flap-over design and ladylike structure. But it's the more unusual elements that turned my head.

The burnished burgundy ...

Cole Haan proves the old adage that good things come in small packages with this Ali mini crossbody bag.

The deep blue patent leather has really turned my head. It's so dark that it's almost navy, and polished to perfection. Its heady ...

A sweet round shape and sumptuously soft leather make this Pierson purse from Pour La Victoire a real show stopper.

The leather used on this purse really is stunning. It's buttery soft and smooth and it has a lovely gentle grain. Really ...

Zara Terez channels the laidback vibe of Greenwich Village with this Bleecker Cross-Body bag.

This boho-inspired purse is a real departure for the label which is most famous for its feminine clutch bags. It shows us a new side to Zara Terez, one that's ...

If studs are on the way out, Vieta clearly didn't get the memo. It celebrates the metal accents with this Letha cross-body bag.

The Letha's studs are delicate, but there's nothing subtle about the way the label uses them. They're applied with a heavy hand along the sides ...

It's not going to win any fans at PETA, but this VBH Original envelope bag makes a big impression.

This purse is crafted from mink dyed to resemble leopard fur. I suppose that's better than hunting the real big cats, but only just. It's a beautiful ...

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love your beautiful buttery leather, and your angled stitching. I love your zippered edges, and your edgy chain strap. And most of all, I love your minimalist design, which is ...

I wouldn't say that I mind Susan Farber's usual feminine styling, but if I see another of her bags covered in ruffles and frills I think I might scream. So I'm thrilled to see the designer taking a less saccharine approach with this ...

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 ...

Roxy shows us it's still kicking with this Still Alive cross-body bag.

This looks like a bag that puts practicality first. An array of pockets dominates the finish, leaving little room for stylish accents. I wish Roxy had used more creativity when integrating these ...

The old adage that good things come in small packages certainly holds true for Radley's D'Arblay.

I've fallen hard for this pint-sized purse. Brown usually bores me, but in suede the color gets a whole new depth. The golden hardware is a beautiful complement to the ...

For years we've heard that gray is the new black. But as I look at this lovely Zahara cross-body from Oryany, I wonder whether navy blue is more deserving of that honor!

The navy blue leather really is lovely. I can imagine it easily slotting into ...

With the fashion world embracing the seventies, Lucky Brand has dared to bring back one of its quintessential looks. But is the world ready for the return of macramé?

Clearly with the On the Fringe Cross-Body, Lucky Brand hopes so. ...

LeSportsac offers another practical purse with just a hint of sparkle with its Cleo Cross-Body Bag.

OK, perhaps the Cleo isn't really sparkling, but its colorful star print brings some real pizzazz to its basic black polyester body. Polyester is a material that rarely excites, tough ...

Bottega Veneta is blowing my mind with this Urban leather bag. It's convertible, it's beautiful, it's modern, it's retro. It's basically perfect.

Bambi never looked so good as she does on this Urban bag. I'm sorry. I know that was in bad taste. But seriously, who would ...

Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. label has created a bag for busy girls with the Torsten.

One look at this handbag and you know it means business. The ripstop fabric body is made to withstand punishment, and the large front pockets are ideal for stashing the items you ...

As a thirty-something I tend to look down my nose at many youth lines. They often seem too cutesy, and too desperate to meet the approval of budding young fashionistas. Standing high above the the try-hards is Kensie Girl, a fashion house that makes me ...

JJ Winters reminds us that sometimes you can have too much of a good thing with this Mini Fringe cross-body bag. I don't mind a little fringing in moderation, but this is overkill.

Thank goodness this is a mini bag. Can you imagine how much fringing ...

With a gorgeous splash of Hunter green and timeless design, Hayden-Harnett has won me over with its Barnard cross-body bag.

This equestrian styled purse is an instant classic, with its gentle curves and sophisticated brass hardware. That lush green colored leather is unexpected, but I think ...

Harveys brings some feminine flair to its famous woven seatbelts line with this Lily Rose purse.

We've seen Harveys woven seatbelt designs before, and in many ways this is more of the same. However its rosette detail gives this bag some real personality. The ...

Halston Heritage brings some polish to your wardrobe with this Carla bag.

The shiny patent leather is the real star here. Used in the wrong way this glossy skin can appear tacky, but I think Halston's diffusion label gets it just right here. Keeping things simple ...

With its lack of frills and bows this Frye cross-body has a masculine appeal. But while it may look a little tough, Frye assures us it's a big softie!

OK, perhaps Frye christened this bag for its buttery weathered leather rather than its demeanor. But either way, it's ...

When it comes to Fossil, you never really know what you're going to get. One moment it may be creating classic leather accessories, the next it could be experimenting with colored patchwork or whimsical animal accents. While I can find some of its designs a ...

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 ...

It's got a tough name, but this playful pink Noise of Warrior Thump cross-body from Diesel is a bit of a pussycat.

Perhaps it gets its manly moniker from its durable nylon fabric, which should withstand the harsh punishment of ...

Like her or loathe here, Betsey Johnson is never boring. And with her Get Ruff to It Wallet, she might have created her most accessible purse yet.

Betsey seems to delight in polarizing fashion fans, but she's played things just ...

Cross-body bags tend to be casual affairs, but Bally has dressed the style up with this elegant Christa purse.

I immediately fell for its easy blend of retro and contemporary influences. Its sturdy structured design is a bit of a fashion throwback, but its bright blue ...

Few people need one of Baggallini's practical purses like busy New Yorkers. So it's only fitting that the label has created this handbag to pay tribute to Big Apple natives.

Baggallini bags are never known for their style, but I think this one is ...

Like it or not, with American West, we always know what we we're going to get. The label fiercely clings to its country heritage with hand-tooled leather accessories like the Harvest Moon.

It's easy to insult a bag like this. It is ...

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 ...

Exotic embossed leather is a tricky thing to pull off. Do it right and you can create a skin which looks a million bucks, but costs a lot less. But put a foot wrong and you'll end up with a leather than looks far cheaper ...

We've admired Zara Terez's clutch purses, but with the Precinct Holster Bag we see what she can do on a larger scale. I've got to say, I'm impressed.

This unique purse is simple, but so effective. Its asymmetrical design flap and top really make ...

Kensie Girl delivers a playful take on the military trend with its Cute as a Button cross-body bag.

This is one of those rare bags that lives up to its name. I think it's positively adorable, and definitely ...

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 ...

I thought Orla Kiely was all about colorful retro prints on canvas, but the designer’s proved me wrong with this striking Posy purse. It's like nothing I've ever seen before, and there's not a hint of patterned flowers in sight.

I'm bowled over by ...

It's been some time since a Fossil bag has turned by head, but I found myself looking twice at the label's Crosstown cross-body bag.

Truth be told, it's probably only the vibrant teal leather that drew me in. After all, its simple flap design is far ...

Some girls are too guarded to wear their heart on their sleeve, but they can wear it across their body with this cute heart shaped purse from The SAK.

This woven purse looks like it's made of wool but it's actually crafted from polypropylene, a durable ...

Marc By Marc Jacobs (or MBMJ) is so on a roll, lately. Seriously, he is filling the void that all the overpriced, under-designed lines out there are building in the market. This Jane On A Leash Bag is pitch perfect and affordable.

MBMJ ...

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. ...

Inge Christopher dresses up linen with this Willa cross-body bag.

This is a very clever bag, as it gives us the exotic looks of a snake purse in a much more durable and affordable package. The metallic pewter sheen of the snake scales makes ...

Baggallini's always made purses for girls on the go, but with this On the Go Bag the label's made it official.

What this cross-body purse lacks in style, it makes up for in substance. It's enormous, but with a pair of main compartments and ...

Big Buddha takes the path less traveled, making its Houston feel rebellious not through studs and grommets but by some cleverly placed chains.

Chains are nothing new for creating rock and roll edge, but they tend to form the handles, or be laid haphazardly ...

Kooba knows that not every girl wants to carry a bag covered in frills and bows, so it serves up something much simpler with the Brayden.

While I don't mind the occasional bit of frippery, I prefer something much cleaner on an everyday basis. The Brayden ...

When I think of cheap and cheerful accessories, I think of Vitalio Vera. This fashion label is far from a household name, but it consistently interprets the trends and adds its own unique flair to the bargain fashion landscape. The Rossana bag is a great ...

Treesje's promising us bliss with this Nirvana cross-body tote.

I'm not sure whether it's going to take us to a higher plane of existence, but I am charmed by the Nirvana's softly pleated body and rich coffee colored leather. The pleating keeps the silhouette relaxed, while the structured ...

Travelon offers a practical way to carry your most important items with this Slim-Line Essentials Bag from the Dolphin Collection.

The Slim-Line Essentials will never inspire bag envy, but it's not meant to. Its nylon body is serviceable and built to last, while its ...

Timmy Woods embraces her silly side with this Nails Cross-Body Bag.

Novelty purses like this are common place amongst the Timmy Woods collection, yet strangely I'm always taken aback by the flamboyance of the designs. Here the red color makes a real statement, as do the ...

Temperley London seems to have mellowed a little with this Sovereign Shoulder Bag. Gone is the black leather and bold hardware we've come to associate with the brand, replaced with a gentle tan skin and delicate studs.

The Sovereign reminds us that studs don't always mean ...

The MICHAEL line is just chock full of affordable goodies this season. Cross-body bags are really hot right now, and this Michael Kors croc-effect interpretation is a great way to get the trend without looking trendy.

The MICHAEL line is the only diffusion line that ...

From its distinctive turn-lock closure to its richly pebbled leather, this Antony cross-body bag could only be a Mulberry.

I have mixed feelings about the Antony's style. On one hand, Mulberry bags are becoming real status symbols. They look good no matter what the situation; they're not too ...