Vera Bradley's handbags aren't everyone's cup of chai, but I think this Out to Lunch tote is a much cuter way to carry your sandwiches to work than a boring old brown paper bag!

The traditional flap style is embellished with diagonal quilting and Vera Bradley's signature fabrics. This art deco inspired ...

Vogue reports that transparency is one of the trends for the coming summer season. In the same breath small and decorative bags are fashionable too. Sometimes, however, you can't have both - after all, your shopping and work won't fit in a teeny tiny oh so pretty mini-bag!

This tote definitely hits transparency ...

Stone Mountain plays it safe with the Kiawah, a tote that doesn't make too many waves so you can carry it every day.

But that's not to say it's devoid of personality. Playful tassels hanging from the front pocket add a touch of whimsy, and while the palette is neutral the tan ...

Casual is the theme of today. I'm talking spacious bags with tons of rustic charm. Soft luxurious fabrics and simple but effective designs.

The pick of today? This supple and vintage-style leather tote. It is great because the suede is not only sexy and deliberately distressed, but quite unique. In particular, the woven ...

The full name of this Kate Spade tote is quite a mouthful: the Happy Birthday Quinn Fairchild Gardens tote. I can't even begin to understand the meaning of the title, which is why, for the sake of space and not causing confusion, we'll just call it the Fairchild Gardens tote for this ...

The Greek island of Santorini is well-known for its beautiful weather and gorgeous surroundings. Well, most of us can't make it there for a summer vacation, but we can at least get a little piece of Greece from this fashionable Big Buddha tote.

The Santorini handbag comes in a myriad of color options, but I happen to love ...

Mad by Design keeps it simple with the Onyx Stingray tote.

The name is unique, but pretty self explanatory when you look at it. The Onyx part comes from the black finish. Black is classic yet contemporary, and so easy to coordinate with anything in your wardrobe. But if it's not for ...

Though they're not a particularly versatile addition to a wardrobe, canvas totes can be a fantastic way to play around with color and prints during the summer season.

Something like this light green Miss Liz handbag will add some fun and whimsy to a casual outfit. The graphic prints are separated into two ...

The Muse Two tote is not, by any means, something new to the world of fashion. This handbag line, which has been available to us for several seasons already, was preceded by the ever-so-popular Muse collection. Both lines have many celebrity followings, but I think that the Muse Two deserves as much ...

Mad Imports has put a twist on the traditional tote with the Bora Bora.

Gone is the traditional box shape, replaced by head-turning coils of raffia. A spiral makes up each side of the tote, and even the base! The totes are available in sedate neutral and brown shades, but the vibrant ...

Yet another cute, kitsch and spacious handbag from funky designer line, Betseyville. Betsey Johnson uses her great sense of fun and enthusiasm to create the youthful and lighthearted purses in her eponymous fashion line.

Available in grey, duck-egg blue or white quilting, this tote is made into something a little special thanks to the cute star shaped quilting. ...

Sometimes I have to wonder if Kathy Van Zeeland can ever produce a handbag that's not at least slightly over-the-top. I suppose there are a few exceptions, like the High Five purse; however, this designer's signature look is definitely more saucy than simple on most days of the week.

The Stripe Five ...

The time has come to pimp up your shopping bag. Old plastic or paper bags simply aren't ecologically sound, as well as having the ability to make any outfit look worse than it is! The problem is that in this scary and recession damaged economical environment, the last thing we want to ...

This Tommy Hilfiger tote practically epitomizes what casual summer fashion is all about with its bright colors, bold florals, and canvas material.

The Royal Inn Items Small Tote is both fun and functional, much to the joy of many a summer vacationer. This seems like the perfect bag to take with you on ...

Joe's Jeans has really impressed me lately with their consistently cool handbags. The Allanah's my ideal cross-body bag, the Round N Round is the cutest doctor's satchel, and now I think they've made my tote of choice. Meet the Hannah.

The Hannah manages to strike the balance between contemporary styling ...

When you're onto a good thing, they say you should stick to it. Lauren Bush's FEED Bag has raised almost $3 million for the World Food Programme, so it's no surprise that she's launched another. The FEED 2 Kenya bag will raise funds to assist the African nation.

The reversible tote ...

An everyday tote might not be the most fun bag to shop for, but it's probably the bag most women find themselves looking for the most often.

If you're looking for an animal- and wallet-friendly PVC bag, this Roxy Sammy Tote is an excellent basic for work, school or errands. It's ...

Just another note in the Valentino is awesome file, the new Valentino Kaleidoscope Stone Tote has begun racking up a waiting list of pre-orders for fall 09.

The gradient stones that cover ever inch of the gray satin tote give the illusion of mirrors the way they catch the light. ...

With summer pretty much on the doorstep, I am currently loving plastic bags. Vivienne Westwood plastic shoes are dominating the market, and bags are starting to follow the same vinyl trends.

This Guess handbag is a particularly useful and pretty example.The plastic is glossy and functional, and avoids being tacky with the addition ...

Bruno Rossi is a slightly anonymous designer in the hugely competitive world of handbags. His range, however, does deserve some recognition. In bright primary colors featuring his signature rainbow trim, these are bold and stylish additions to the market.

This particular bag, a spacious and decadent hobo, it just the thing to keep ...

When I saw Anya Hindmarch's "Meat and Poultry" tote, I thought it was adorable and wished there were more like it. Well, sometimes wishes do come true. 

Here's another in the new line of totes by Hindmarch. This one is printed in dark pink ink with an old-fashion milk bottle and ...

Spiegel dresses up the traditional white tote with its Rosette bag. It's those all-important details which take this wardrobe staple from drab to fab.

Spiegel cleverly skirts the line between feminine and fussy with this minimalist modern design. Burgundy PVC is used to great effect in the trim, dual handles, and pretty ...

Joe's Jeans have produced another beautiful bag in their detailed Capos series.

Defined by their sumptuous leather detailing, these bags feature single block colors in an artistic layered leather. Rather than looking overdecorated and garish, therefore, these purses achieve a subtle build up of luxury leather and a delicate pattern. It's a great ...

I'm all for the trendy studded look on handbags as long as the result isn't too western. Not that there's anything wrong with the cowgirl style, but it's just not my personal taste. When metallic studs are added for an edgy look, however, I generally like the result.

Well, those who agree with me ...

I have spent the past few days shopping for the perfect summer tote. Not that I don't have five million beachbags, they're spilling out of my closet by the bucketload. But I'm still always looking for one great bag that is comfortable, casual, and quirky enough to take me through my average ...

O'Neill provides an antidote to those overpriced eco-accessories with its Solar Powerful Tote. This affordable handbag may not have the pedigree of high-end designer lines, but it's just as green.

The Solar Powerful tote is made from organic cotton, a much more environmentally-friendly choice than conventional cotton. This all-natural fabric is embellished ...

Jimmy Choo is famous for sexy stiletto heels and red-carpet ready purses, but the designer is now dressing down for charity. The fashion house has created some cute casual shoes and handbags to raise funds for the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation.

These limited edition items are part of Project ...

There comes a day when most girls simply don't fancy leather. Shiny patent and slouchy matte leather are simply the last thing you want to be carrying around. For these days, the delicate texture and unbelievable softness of suede is exactly what you need.

This Gustto hobo is exactly the thing to fit ...

There's nothing like a day on the beach with a cloudless sky and a cloudy tote bag to carry all your favorite beach toys in. This sweet Stella McCartney tote is perfect for just that sort of day.

The huge 21" x 14" x 5" size is generous enough to fit every last ...

Lauren Merkin has made a splash on the red carpet for her covetable clutches. Here she's upsized her signature style to create the Frankie, a chic and versatile tote bag.

The glossy black exterior looks so chic with its contemporary curved quilting and subtle pleats. In fact, I had to double ...

While it may not be gracing the pages of Vogue any time soon, this Olive N Figs Turquoise Blue Hawaiin Handbag is a really cute pick for summer. It's perfect for toting to a poolside bar or a backyard barbeque.

The Hawaiian floral print will never go out of style. It crops ...

Drawstring totes can be considered mainstays of casual handbag fashion. They come in all shapes, sizes, prices, and textures ranging from the affordable patent Jessica Simpson Extra Extra to the popular designer Botkier James Satchel.

Because of the abundance this type of bag, I can't really call the Elliott Lucca Aruba a unique design. ...

I'm a huge fan of Tory Burch. Besides being inspired by her prioritized personal and business life, this American designer's style is right up my alley.

This Meagan Tote is a fabulous example of Tory Burch's versatile style, but it's not the first time I've seen something like this. The Meagan is ...

When you think summer in the Hamptons, this is the bag you picture, no? A J. Crew staple for years, I love this Madaket Tote anew every year I see it in the catalog.

The wonderful thing about madras is that its many colors mean it will go with lots of things in ...

Hype has reinvented the tote bag with the ultra-cool Georgina.

The traditional box shape is gone, replaced with sexy relaxed curves. The Georgina's soft slouch is toughened up with plenty of gleaming silver-tone hardware and edgy contrast stitching. In some ways I feel like the Georgina's a little overdone. With a long ...

Juicy Couture never has a problem branding their products with large logos and phrases. You only have to look at the Baby Fluffy or Choose Juicy handbags to know that.

It's fairly blatant with no attempt to hide their marketing attempts, but there's always someone who digs the brand's signature style. ...

Rafe isn't one of the brand's whose bags I easily recognize. However, they seem to offer a wide range of styles, and I generally like what I see.

The Rafe Kate Shoulder Bag just might be my favorite of their options. Like all of the other handbags this season with studded details, ...

Toss out that boring black nylon work bag. The Fendi Zucca Tote is about to blow it out of the water.

With a traditional shape, three interior compartments and long shoulder straps this bag is everything you could want for carrying files to and from meetings and the office. But instead of the ...

If I had to describe this Etienne Aigner handbag in only one word, I would call it classy. Yes, it can be called classic, too, even somewhat timeless. However, it's just so wear-to-Sunday-brunch chic that I can't help but think "classy".  

Images of Louboutin heels and summer hats aside, the Vienna ...

Dooney & Bourke is known for its fun loving approach to life, and this shopper is no exception. Covered in a cute and retro duck print, this bag is light hearted and enthusiastic. It's lovely to see a print that is so much fun, and its unconventional styling will have everyone's attention.

The ...

The summer 2009 Kate Moss for Topshop collection launches in stores today, and so I thought it fitting to feature the only handbag in the collection, the Nouveau Liberty Print Bag. It's a great piece to jump-start your Memorial Day shopping, be it online or in-store for lucky New Yorkers with their ...

Cole Haan sure knows how to do a triangular-shaped handbag. We've seen them construct this style of bag in everything from nylon to their signature leather Genevieve weave.

It's impressive, really, for the brand to have so many various, uncompeting looks in the same style. I suppose they want to make sure you ...

If you're more into authentic artisan bags that look like they came from an exotic market than the latest trendy label off Fifth Avenue, this Moroccan Straw Tote may be for you.

Handwoven in Morocco using 100% natural materials, this is a classic straw tote that will never go out of style. ...

According to The SAK, if you want to live "happy and free," all you've got to do is buy one of their handbags. The eco-friendly movement might be rapidly growing in the fashion world, but The SAK is no newcomer to the trend as they've been designing with a purpose since ...

With nearly every handbag brand, there's sure to be a logo-printed collection to showcase the company's emblem. Coach and Dooney & Bourke are probably the most infamous and easily recognizable prints for this marketing ploy, but other brands try valiantly to follow suit.

The only problem, however, is that people generally ...

The SAK is one of many modern designers recognizing that green is the new black. The crocheted Eco Harmony Shopper didn't win me over, but the Pax Eco Canvas Tote just might.

This lightweight tote is made from an environmentally friendly blend of jute and cotton. The natural toned fabric is ...

Land Ahoy!

In case you hadn't noticed, nautical stripes and sailor-style themes have been the trends of the past 12 months. Little sailor dresses with bright shiny buttons, cute retro sailor caps and anything with anchors have been favorites of stars and High Street alike.

This bag updates the nautical style for summer - ...

Totes are, as always, the best bag design for summer. They steadfastly accompany you to the beach, to parties, to BBQs and picnics. They truly are the fail-safe of the coming hot season, and are a design that you simply can't do without.

This bright and summery beauty is a lovely example, and ...

If you need to carry a lot of stuff with you throughout the day because you can't make it home between work and commitments - or you really like having reading material, a bottle of water and all of your beauty products at your disposal at all times - a large bag is ...

This Nine West Sally tote combines slouchy and a bit of structure in one fashionable sweep. Though the first description here outweighs the last, it's an appealing mixture of the two styles.

The most obvious feature is the relaxed body of the handbag. Soft pleats emphasize the casual look and soften the front of ...