Unless you told me that this was a La Regale handbag, I'd never have known. The brand normally favors minimalist, classic designs, but this vintage purse offers something else!

Traditional embroidery works with glitzy colored beads and sequins to create this tapestry design. The floral motif reminds me of the kind of ...

Forzieri has produced a cool little handbag with this monochromatic Capaf wicker purse.

The shape, first off, is exciting. Square and chunky, this purse is reminiscent of vintage styling and 60s fashion, all interspersed with memories of picnic baskets and childhood days out. If the nostalgia hasn't sold it to you already, Forzieri brings it ...

This Verbella tote from Bally is just the thing for adding a dose of vintage sass to your wardrobe.

The front features a retro Bernard Villemot illustration of two sexy girls with knowing smiles and longer than long legs! It's reminiscent of the kind of art we'd expect to see in pre-war ...

This is the second in a series of articles introducing you to the vintage styles of different eras, and showing you some of the best vintage inspired handbags on the market. This week we discuss the elegant 1930s, the birthplace of not only the bias cut dress and sexy halterneck, ...

It's fitting that this simply chic clutch from The Jesse B. Collection is called the Kennedy. It's exactly the kind of purse I can imagine retro style icon Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis carrying!

The Jesse B. Collection figures when you're onto a good thing, you should stick to it. The brand's clutches all have ...

This is the first in a series of articles introducing you to the vintages styles of different eras, and showing you some of the best vintage inspired handbags on the market. To begin with, the brilliant era of life-changing politics and dramatic prohibition that produced flapper girls - the fabulous 1920s.

The 1920's, especially from 1925 onwards, were known as the "roaring 20s", and as such is characterized by the Charleston, evenings spent dancing despite the alcohol prohibition, and women rebelling against repression. There probably were day bags, but the real prized possessions to accompany complex flapper dresses and elegant feather boas were the delicate beaded art deco evening bags.

Whilst autumn/winter trends may be here for the foreseeable future, I thought one last homage to good old summer was due. This vintage picnic basket is just the sort of fun yet functional summer item that makes those sunny days as fun as possible.

Built in typical retro straw bag style, this Goodhope tote ...

If you want to embrace the vintage and retro side of fashion this year, then this Eden clutch from popular designer Hobo international should suit the look.

Available in four vintage-inspired colors, this clutch simply resonates with understated vintage charm. From the pastel shades to the big chunky retro button, Hobo has really ...

I always feel a sense of pride when I come across a lovely design in a handbag that doesn't cost the earth. With this delicate purse from Miracle, you can get unusual retro looks for the bargain basement price of $26.

As with most cheap and cheerful clutches, the beading and sequins on ...

Trust Hobo International to deliver another cute, classic accessory. The brand never really pushes the boundaries, but you can count on it to create the kind of handbags you'll want to carry season after season. The Maralyn is no exception, with its structured shape and compact design channeling vintage Hollywood style.

At ...

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 ...

VBH became a designer to watch when Michelle Obama recently stepped out in New York carrying the Ballerina Bag. While the brand may have the First Lady's seal of approval, I find their bags a little hit and miss. The Glitter Clutch may have been a little uninspired, but ...

Retro car enthusiasts love the loud fabrics used in automobile interiors in the 1970s and 80s. Now female automotive addicts can own handbags crafted from these unique materials.

Kim White Handbags are created from never-used textiles intended for American automobiles. Each purse is tagged with the year and make of the ...

Tooled leather is a massive trend this summer. For vintage aficionados this is a blessing, a chance to drag their sexy retro belts and sturdy leather handbags out of fashion hibernation. Vintage style satchels and cross body purses such as this are just begging to be used and loved.

An eternal look that ...

Following on from her popular retrospectives Vintage Fashion, Vintage Furniture, and Vintage Shoes comes fashion expert Marnie Fogg's latest coffee table compendium, Vintage Handbags.

This beautiful book spans 100 years of handbag fashions, showcasing iconic styles from fashion's golden ages. It documents the key designers, technical developments, and cultural influences which ...

I love retro style straw clutches, and this delightful earthy example fits the bill perfectly. Basket bags are hot stuff for summer, and they allow smart clutches to effortlessly transpose into elegant day-wear.

eBay is choc-a-bloc with vintage wicker bags. These range from small clutches to huge totes, designed for everything from posh parties ...

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 - ...

There comes a time when every girl needs a bigger bag. Whether for a weekend away or to hold all your folders, sometimes the cute and trendy purses just don't cut it. Instead, I suggest you go for a bowler bag, which gives you high fashion in combination with high functionality.

This bag is ...

Hobo International has paired vintage styling with a mod sensibility to create this surprising Morgan shoulder bag.

The front flap compartment, with its large button detail and laid-back slouch, is straight out of the sixties. But the kiss-lock compartment and delicate shoulder strap hark back further than that, giving the purse a ...

This bag from MadisonAveMall is undeniably pretty. In neutral shades and with delicate beading, it harks back to Victorian tea parties, sumptuous balls and elegant occasions. With vintage permanently on the rise, this bag is not just on the bandwagon, but probably part of it. We in the industry would call this tribute vintage ...

I like cheap brands that do it well. It's a personal thing; I just find it so rare that labels release a mass-produced bag that looks darn good. I find I don't care if everyone I see is using it, I just care that it didn't, for once, break the bank.

This is ...

We all know that vintage is very "in" at the moment - you can see it from the tea dresses in all the stores down to the fashion that actually makes it to the street.

This bag is the perfect example of vintage-inspired designer wear. It typifies how the designer's artistic eye ...

This cute Isaac Mizrahi for Target bag offers vintage style at a price we can all afford.

The style is reminiscent of Goldenbleu's Audra clutch, with front pockets appearing like little coin purses. Each pouch features a vintage style ball clasp, imitating the main compartment's closure. The classic style seems a ...

Kotur is bringing back old world glamor with this gorgeous Fino clutch.

The soft body is embroidered with fine vintage brocade in a range of color combinations. The fabric falls in elegant pleats, while the frame top design gives a sophisticated structure. A single glittering jewel clasp completes this elegant design.

The Fino ...

No one would ever accuse Timmy Woods of being a shrinking violet. Her weird and wonderful handbags are always eye-catching, even if they don’t suit everyone's tastes. Ordinarily I can get swept up in her off the wall creative vision, but the Lip Sync purse has me scratching my head.

The ...

A finely crafted vintage purse never goes out of vogue. This sexy Nina Ricci silk clutch is an example of just how gorgeous a little old-fashioned style can be.

The traditional envelope clutch design is amped up with the combination of red ribbed silk and glossy black patent leather. The small ...

Lulu Guinness effortlessly mixes old world glamour with modern cheek in this Naughty & Nice clutch.

Curved stripes of "naughty" gray leather and "nice" lace are stitched together to create the best of both worlds. Silver studs tip the balance, ensuring this chic purse never looks too demure. The scalloped front flap ...

As the financial crisis takes hold, all eyes are on designers like Kotur who somehow manage to produce exotic purses while keeping their prices down. Snakeskin purses often cost thousands, but for just $619 you can snag this gorgeous Riddick clutch.

There's no imitation python here. The Riddick is made from ...

Evans has embraced the 1940s to create this chic abalone clutch. Let’s face it: purses like this simply don’t go out of style.

The finish is stunning, with squares of pearly white abalone shell creating a subtle rainbow of color.

These days clutches tend to sacrifice substance for style, but this Evans ...

We all covet the style of our favorite celebrities, but most of us could never hope to afford the designer fashions they wear. With the help of some of the world's most chic stars, British label Accessorize has released some exclusive, and affordable, celebrity-designed goodies. I love Heidi Klum's hard-shell ...

If, like me, you were a teenager during the 1980s then you must have worn clothes & accessories inspired by designer Stephen Sprouse. The late Sprouse, famous for his bright & colorful graffiti-clad designs, collaborated with Marc Jacobs in 2001 to produce the instantly sold-out Louis Vuitton Graffiti collection. ...

With its ornately beaded body and matching fringe, the Seville clutch from Inge Christopher looks like it's stepped straight out of the 1920s!

But don't think that means the Seville is stuck in the past. Like many modern clutches it comes with a handy strap. This intricately beaded handle is beautiful, ...

Sometimes you just want a classic handbag without all those extra bells 'n whistles. Something simple, sophisticated and well made is all you need. You're not looking to be at the forefront of the latest fashion craze, but instead you want to attract attention with your killer sense of style.

If you ...

This Swoop frame purse can add a little sparkle to your evening attire with its classic looks and metallic finish.

This purse has the classic vintage style we know and love. The design doesn't push any boundaries, which is both a blessing and a curse. It will suit the most conservative of ...

When you need to add a little glamour to your ensemble, this La Regale Antique Beaded purse makes it easy.

The satin exterior is completed covered in beautiful glass beads. The effect is stunning without being overpowering. The finishing touch is the shiny silver kiss lock. The intricate filigree design and round ...

When I was younger, I remember being in love with my mother's mesh handbag. These retro purses made from metal mesh were all the rage in the 70s and 80s, but we haven't seen a lot of them since! But La Regale is bringing back this vintage classic with this stunning ...

From the world's fashion capital, Paris, comes this stunning vintage Lanvin tote bag.

It's been carefully crafted from luxurious lambskin leather rendered in striking lipstick red. This sumptuously soft fabric has been embossed with a beautiful image of a mother and her child. This same stunning design has been engraved on the purse's top zipper ...

Old world glamour meets contemporary style with this stunning Sharif shoulder bag. It's like nothing I've ever seen before, and when you admire as many handbags as I do that's a big statement!

I adore the snakeskin detail in tan and ivory shades. It reminds me of a sea shell with that beautiful spiral. The soft ...

If Hollywood has a queen of handbags, it's Judith Leiber. Her stunning purses have taken the red carpet outfits of Catherine Zeta Jones, Penelope Cruz and Cate Blanchett from the mundane to the magnificent.

This beautiful snakeskin purse is no exception. We've all seen our fair share of snakeskin handbags, but no one does ...

Add a healthy dose of hippie style to your wardrobe with this fun suede shoulder bag. It's from Miu Miu's 2005 spring collection, a line which really turned heads with its sixties vibe. With its quirky attitude, this cute purse looks like it's just stepped out of the decade of free love.

This ...

Everything old is new again with Coach's Bleecker line. This exciting Coach collection will delight retro fans with its vintage style. In fact, long term Coach enthusiasts might notice this handbag is a modern version of the 1970s Duffle Sac.

It takes Coach's popular patchwork designs to a new level, with geometric swatches of soft ...

They say every woman needs a little black dress. We'd go one step further and say every girl needs a stylish black bag to go with it. This vintage Chanel handbag is just the thing.

The basic black bag features subtle diamond quilting, and Chanel's tasteful "CC" logo. It's unmistakably Chanel, but oh so ...