A selection of shoulder bags:

I am impressed by how top-end designer this ruffled satchel from Steven Madden actually looks.

I think it is the design that makes this reasonably affordable handbag look quite so posh. The ruffles aren't just layered like bags normally do, instead being cut from the same synthetic leather in unpredictable patterns. In an ...

When you can get $4k off a bag in a sale, and it can still cost over $3k, you know that you have a really expensive bag. No surprise then that this sophisticated, yet understated, patent purse is from handbag icon, Moschino.

If you are a designer handbag addict who loves having a ...

Burberry is one of those labels I love to hate. I get tired of the brand's iconic plaid purses, but when it steps out of the box the designs tend to fall flat. But Burberry seems to have gotten it right with the Lizzie. And there's not a hint of tartan ...

Bulgari's Dalia bag has been spotted on the arms of Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, and Frieda Pinto. But it's not hard to see why. The relaxed hobo-like slouch of buttery soft leather combines with the simple, sophisticated design makes this Bulgari purse the ideal day-to-night accessory.

This is one bag that ...

I've seen so many woven handbags from Bottega Veneta that they're almost starting to get boring. So I was excited to see this very different looking purse from the Italian fashion house.

It's not just a new look for Bottega Veneta. The Cushion Bag looks like no bag I've ever seen more, ...

Balenciaga breaks with tradition with this Whistle Handbag. The label's typical bold hardware and long tassels are gone, replaced with luxury leathers and a slouchy barrel shape.

The name comes from the shiny engraved whistle which hangs from the bag. Unlike so many gimmicks, this small whistle is endearing rather than obnoxious. ...

I'll admit that I sometimes get a little mixed up about all of the different lines underneath luxury label Moschino. Not only is there the main brand but also Moschino Cheap & Chic and Love Moschino.

Sometimes it can get a little confusing, but one thing I know for sure. I might love ...

The Aldo Greveinchianti may not be high-end fashion, but it's still a real showstopper.

This frothy concoction features a host of frilly ruffles embellished with tiny perforated holes. Yes it's over the top, but that's the whole point. That's why I prefer the purse is this lusty red shade rather than the ...

Nahui Ollin adds a new twist to the old woven bag look with this contrasting bold color closure.

Using a Mayan technique, we are all familiar with Nahui Ollin's style, weaving pretty contrasting patterns with everyday materials. This particular purse is best in the black and white chequered pattern, where the bold red flap ...

Whiting and Davis are taking a break from its traditional tiny timeless accessories to create something much more contemporary. But don't think this Python Print Handbag sees the fashion house abandoning its heritage altogether!

Whiting & Davis' trademark mesh is still a force, but the bold colors and python print pattern give ...

Big Buddha hits multiple bag trends with this new stylish Nolita Shoulder Bag. From the overall shape to the details, this purse has a handful of features going for it.

The Nolita is available in quite a few color options, but this rich purple is a great pop of color for the fall. ...

I love the sassy spirit of this Tano French Nanny bag. It's got that European refinement, but there's a cheekiness which sets it apart.

Tano's clever signature style is seen again in the French Nanny. This isn’t a brand which embraces bells or bling. The front and back have a clean design, ...

Salvatore Ferragamo keeps it simple with the Marisa, a timeless black leather carryall.

It's crafted from supple calf leather, which feels so soft to the touch. This luxurious fabric gives the Marisa, with its gentle pleats, just a hint of slouch. While it's an opulent choice, it's not an ostentatious one. While ...

Rebecca Minkoff shows she knows how to do more than boxy bags with the new Darling.

This unexpected purse is more hobo than shoulder bag with its crescent shape and soft, slouchy silhouette. For a designer who favors structure, this bohemian look is a real surprise. But she embraces it, with tasseled ...

Most Prezzo purses I've spotted are strictly after five affairs, with polished patent leathers, glittering sequins, and plenty of flair. So this Flower Shop handbag from the brand really comes out of left field.

This purse reminds me of a Radley bag, with its embroidered flower shop and playful personality. The ...

As its somewhat sensible name suggests, the Harrison isn't interested in following fads. It features none of the design features of the latest on-trend bags, but what it lacks in head-turning style it makes up for with substance.

Not that the Harrison is an ugly duckling by any means. It's just that ...

Warm dark colors are perfect for the coming winter season, designed to stay out the rain and keep your belongings cosy. This patent purse from Sondra Roberts is available in chocolaty brown and rich burgundy, to help you through the encroaching winter nights.

The patent may actually be a little too glossy for ...

If a hobo handbag and a messenger had a torrid affair, the Stash Bag from Lucky Brand could easily result.

It's got the soft slouch of a hobo, the foldover flap of a messenger, and the relaxed attitude of both! The casual slouch profile comes from the buttery Italian leather, which falls ...

It seems like every handbag brand has its take on the woven trend. But they don't all have to cost the prices of a Bottega Venetta. At $430, Linea Pelle's Juliana represents great value.

The price might not be exactly cheap and cheerful, but it's entirely reasonable for a woven purse crafted ...

With its bright orange finish and massive size, it's impossible to ignore a bag like Kooba's Blake.

It's crafted from patent leather, but the surface isn't as glossy as many on the market. It’s a good thing too, because a color this bright doesn't need to look more daring! To that end, ...

Ruffled detail isn't something I'm accustomed to seeing on a design from the typically edgy and trendy brand Treesje. So this Divino shoulder bag with its use of the feminine accent definitely caught my eye.

The way that the tiny ruffles are added to the edges of the front and back zippered pockets as well ...

Gustto combines the party-appeal of patent leather with the relaxed charms of nylon to create the Picia. Under the hands of a lesser designer the combination could seem confused, but I think Gustto may have just pulled it off.

Without the patent leather, this nylon carryall would be shapeless, and frankly, a ...

This Giuseppe Zannotti shoulder bag is a contemporary, and luxurious, take on the traditional saddle purse.

The traditional saddle shape is skewed slightly, with tiers of pickstitch accented leather emphasizing the contemporary asymmetry. Its looks are undeniably modern, yet not so far left of centre that it will quickly go out of ...

Sensible is rarely sexy, but it can be attractive. If you favor function over head-turning style, let me introduce you to the Carol from Giani Bernini.

It's not that the Carol is unattractive. The slightly trapezoidal shape is classic, and the combination of natural linen and tan croco trim earthy and autumnal. ...

Devi Kroell is the undisputed queen of the exotic. Her designs may not please PETA, but they're a favorite amongst fashion fans. It's not very politically correct, but it's hard to resist the charms of this Roman handbag.

The slouchy shape and casual styling is fairly traditional and tame. That allows the ...

I'm a little thrown off by the name of this Melie Bianco handbag. In a list of other style choices like the Franny, Ramona, and the descriptive Croco Envelope Bag, this technical sounding S9-96 Shoulder Bag seems a little out of place. However, the design is synonymous with the brand's classic ...

Some say that chocolate is a girl's best friend, so it's no surprise that the accessories brand which shares the name of the sweet treat has made a bag so girly! The Sophia Shoulder Bag is fun, feminine, and frilly!

A traditional shoulder bag shape is dressed up with a ruffled appliqué ...

Marc Jacobs is known for dipping into yesteryear to find inspiration, but he always seems to make it look current.

This Cat bag has a distinctly throwback 1970s quality to it, but also resonates with the current craft-style fashion movement. The deep brown leather and patchwork-style cat applique are both crafty and cute, ...

Does Yves Saint Laurent ever go wrong? It's a good question. I don't have an answer, but I can tell you that this line has been putting out must-haves since way before we had a way to say that.

The Le Sixieme is named after a district in Paris on the Left Bank ...

Lanvin's line is the stuff that dreams are made of. Its designs are always impeccably styled timeless classics that women love enough to hand down to their daughters.

Looking at this bag, it's no wonder why. It combines a gorgeous, exotic-looking skin with a classy, feminine design. The quilted material is given even ...

Perforated leather, in my opinion, can either go really well or look a little off on a purse. Personally, I tend to prefer it as a detail rather than the main material of the handbag body, but this Just Cavalli Flower Bag's use of the feature has me intrigued.

The small perforations ...

Chloe's fall line has thus far disappointed me. But, perhaps it's due to my own expectations. I don't really associate Chloe with a neutral color palette or uptown styling, but that seems to be what the label's up to lately.

This opulent gold take on a classic look is very Blair Waldorf. It ...

Chloe is usually one of my tip-top favorite lines. But, lately, I just haven't been blown away from what it has to offer. Maybe I'm missing something, but personally, I think its fall line of accessories is, well, missing something.

Bags like this are exactly what I'm talking about. Am I crazy, or ...

Though not traditionally seen as a winter fashion color, white has slowly made its way into the range of cool weather accessories. According to trendsetters and fashion magazines, the days of post-Labor Day storage of white shoes and handbags are gone. I, for one, am glad to include white as an established fall and ...

Big Buddha is always a brand that comes to mind when I'm looking for an affordable but trendy handbag. There are, of course, many other fashion labels that serve one or both of those needs, but I know I can count on Big Buddha for a cute purse that costs less than $100.

You can't ...

Alexander Wang has proven himself to be the designer to watch with celebrity favorites like the Brenda and Coco. Now with the Betty, he's showing a more sophisticated side.

Black leather is still Alexander's fabric of choice, but it's got a more elegant feel here. The styling is a lot ...

Cole Haan's line of hand-woven handbags in the Genevieve weave must be one of the brand's biggest sellers since they seem to have a countless number of bag styles with the design. From satchels to wallets, the Genevieve pops up in almost any search for Cole Haan bags.

Although the collection is nothing ...

There are few bags which embrace the winter weather ahead like this snowflake purse from Ralph Lauren.

This knitted handbag is crafted from a blend of wool, mohair, and a touch of nylon. This wintery finish is paired with high quality leather trim on the sides and base. A leather strap is ...

Ever since Alber Elbaz took over at Lanvin, the label has been getting a lot of attention. It is one of the oldest couture houses in Paris, of course, but the way he has revitalized the brand really speaks to modern women.

This feminine shoulder bag has a classic shape and a few ...

If I don't stop gushing about Marc Jacobs, people are going to start thinking that I'm a spy from the company sent to BagBunch to trump up his stuff. I'm not, I swear, and as evidence, here's a bag by Marc Jacobs that I hate. All that being said, the ...

Why should snake and crocodile get all the accolades? Elaine Turner serves up a different kind of exotic with its Madison Pouchette.

Of course, Elaine Turner doesn't dabble in genuine exotics. Instead it's merely embossed the leather with a tortoise-shell finish. The scales are large and irregular, giving the purse a contemporary ...

This Brianna bag from Chocolate is an affordable way to embrace this season's taste for textures.

Diamond quilting has a way of making any bag seem richer. So while the Brianna is made from affordable synthetic, it doesn't look cheap. The diamonds are crafted from tiny pleats, which give the bag volume ...

I'm really excited about the way Pucci is branching away from its trademark prints. Don't get me wrong, I think Pucci prints are bright, bold, and fabulous, but they are a little loud, so it can be hard to accessorize with them on an everyday basis.

But not this baby, it'll go with ...

According to Kenneth Jay Lane, kitsch never went out of style. Many would disagree with the design house, but if you don't the Ali may be the shoulder bag you're searching for.

The $290 price tag doesn't buy you authentic crocodile, but it does buy genuine leather. Kenneth Jay Lane gives the ...

At first glance, this Buxton Heiress organizer clutch looks like a simple wallet style clutch in a range of pretty colors. Look inside and on the back, however, and you can see just where this "organizer" clutch gets its name.

Everything about this purse aims to make you organized. Your coins are held ...

Chinese Laundry has brought a modern attitude to the shoulder bag with the Olivia, part of its fun new fall collection.

The front is adorned with layered flaps, which are cut diagonally to add edgy interest. Layers can look feminine and fussy, but the surprising angles give the bag more of an ...

Marni is one of those lines that combines designs and materials in unique and unexpected ways. The line, favored by fashionistas on both sides of the Atlantic, delivers classic style with a hip, youthful attitude.

Its modern take on the classic balloon bag is to die for. The slick maroon patent is the ...

Chloé is one of my favorite lines. It always seems to come up with something totally unique and chic. Unfortunately, this Joy Rider tote doesn't bear any resemblance to the Chloé I've come to know and love.

The puffy metallic nylon and the generally slouchy design of the bag make it look almost ...

Tory Burch's fall accessories are seriously blowing me away. I'll admit that I have kind of an anti-Tory Burch bias, so that really says a lot. It's not that I have anything against her personally; I'm just easily bored by preppy, conservative designs and obvious logos. But her new fall line offers ...

Miu Miu, the hip younger sister line to Prada, is always on the cutting edge of what's new and hot. Miuccia Prada, the designer of the line, has been rumored to say that she thinks in Prada, but she dreams in Miu Miu.

This Quilted Nappa Hobo is a great example of Miu ...