Jessica Jensen Origami Tote | Sophisticated Structural Leather Hold-all

Posted on: Nov 18

It is lovely to see an origami style bag that isn't just a tiny clutch. Here that beautiful structural design style is expanded to fit within a tote sized purse, and the result is fun to look at.

I feel that this tote is somewhat disproportionate. The long body and relatively short handles make it look rather unbalanced, and that origami texture is somewhat drowned by the sheer amount of dark brown leather. This could have been improved by a contrasting trim, stitching or some nice metal; the straight singular shade alone is simply too much.

When we look a little closer there are a number of lovely features about this bag. The soft pink lining is a great and eternally stylish color combination, and the folding is both casual and smart at the same time. The shape too is elegant, structured and sophisticated, even if the handles mean you won't want to pack it to the brim.

All in all this is a functional and feminine purse with some lovely touches and features. What it lacks in variety it makes up for in versatility.

More Features of this Jessica Jensen Hold-all

  • Folded seamed origami styling
  • Duel shoulder straps
  • Spacious size
  • Pink fabric lining

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Whiting and Davis Striped Mesh Clutch | Contrasting Shine and Matte Purse

Posted on: Nov 18

Yes, at first glance this is just yet another metal mesh bag from mesh experts, Whiting & Davis. It is hard to get wildly excited about another clutch that follows the same traditional slouchy metallic shape with a formal frame clasp.

If you ignore the Whiting & David heritage, however, and see this bag as a pretty purse in its own right, then it doesn't feel quite so "samey." After all, the majority of bags on the market are still leather, so it is nice to see one that still lets you have a black bag with a metallic twist.

Especially nice, and proof of the company's metal expertise, is the matte vs. shiny striping. As well as being visually pleasing for you to look at, it adds a certain art deco vibe that goes down well with plenty of smart evening outfits. The glam metal probably makes it too over-the-top for day wear, so at a posh event or urban club night this will look great.

Whiting & Davis are always great at adding in a handle to make your delicate clutch more functional. However, the handle added into this purse is in a chunky chain, which doesn't work well with the light and feminine mesh pattern.

If you want a traditional mesh purse with a modern style, this purse will do you well, although it won't revolutionize handbag design at all!

More Features of this Whiting & Davis Contrasting Clutch:

  • Available in gold, silver or black
  • Signature lining
  • Optional chain shoulder-strap
  • Brass mesh exterior

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Bulga Misa Hobo Bag | Medium Silver Snakeskin Purse with Pockets

Posted on: Nov 18

Bulga delivers a glitzy glamourpuss of a purse in the Misa hobo.

While it's called a hobo, it doesn't have the crescent shape or boho feel we associate with these type of bags. Sure it's slouchy, but so are a lot of purses. In fact, the Misa bears a striking resemblance to the De Beber satchel! But while the De Beber is smart and sensible, the Misa is a party animal. Snakeskin is never a shy print, and the shiny silver color only adds to the effect. It's safe to say this will be too loud for many, but it's still bound to have its admirers.

The thing I love most about the Misa is that, unlike many other showy bags, it doesn't forget about the practical perks. Two round zippered pouches sit side by side, giving the purse that motorcycle feel it shares with the De Beber. The addition of pockets to that loud fabric could easily have become confused, but by keeping the satchel's shape simple and the embellishments at bay it works well.

The zippered entry with its braided pull opens to reveal a space which is generous, but not overwhelming. It may have been considered large once upon a time, but today it's probably regarded as medium. Whatever the case, it's big enough to carry your daily must-haves without weighing you down. That's a good thing too, because the stiff too-short straps don't make carrying easy.

If you're a disco queen this glittering hobo may be right up your alley.

More Features of This Bulga Snakeskin Hobo

  • Printed plainweave fabric lining
  • Dual shoulder straps with a 3.25 inch drop
  • Measures 11 x 11 inches
  • Made in the United States

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Bottega Veneta Cushion Bag | Unique Black Leather Mosaico Cervo Handbag

Posted on: Nov 18

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, and when you see as many handbags as I do that's really saying something. There are many different Cushion Bag styles in Bottega Veneta's catalog, but the one that's really won my heart is the Mosaico Cervo. The name comes from the embroidered leather finish which looks like tiny mosaic tiles. The tiles sit close together on the sides of the bag, before becoming scattered haphazardly along the top. The texture makes it hard to look away, so don't be surprised if you turn a few heads carrying this baby.

The bag opens with two zips positioned between the rolled shoulder straps. I wish the zipper didn't extend quite so far, as it interrupts the purse's sexy curves, but it does mean you can open the cushion bag wide. A leather trimmed zipper pocket and an open pouch help keep your girly goods in order.

Bottega Veneta purses never come cheap, and this stunning cushion bag is no exception. At $4,380, this is one expensive piece of arm candy, but that shouldn't come as any surprise to those who worship at the Bottega Veneta alter.

More Features of This Bottega Veneta Mosaico Cervo Bag

  • Suede lined interior
  • Dual rolled handles with a 6.5 inch drop
  • Measures 17 inch diameter and 4 inches tall

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Chinese Laundry Addison Double Handle Tote | Gathered Synthetic Bag with Buckled Detail

Posted on: Nov 16

The Chinese Laundry Addison Tote is a little confusing at first glance. The shape is both structured, yet gathered and slouchy at the same time. There's quite a bit going on with this handbag, but the blend of details is unique and interesting.

The Addison's relatively square silhouette, though a common feature of a tote, is given some depth with gathers and folds that culminate to a decorative buckled feature on one side of the front of the handbag. It has the appearance of being somewhat random and a little all over the place, but the gathered detail is given a purpose and placement with the addition of the buckle.

The back of the tote bag does not feature the same technique but does have a slightly loose look due to the gathered material around the handle rings. It complements the look of the front but offers a little relief from the detail, which could otherwise make the bag seem a tad overworked.

This Chinese Laundry design is available in a handful of neutral colors including brown, gray, and black. It might not be real leather, but the use of synthetic material prices it at an affordable $84.

More Features of the Addison Double Handle Tote

  • Measures 15.5 x 12 x 3 inches
  • Handles with 8 inch drop
  • Zip top closure

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Balenciaga Whistle Handbag | Sophisticated Red Lambskin and Exotic Leather Purse

Posted on: Nov 14

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. It makes me think I could instantly alert passersby the moment I was threatened in a dark alley, or perhaps be a sexy police officer ready to halt a crime in progress!

The Whistle comes in a range of fabrics, from this luxury combination of lambskin with exotic trim, a lush goatskin, or the more casual (and less expensive) canvas variety. Unzip the top to reveal a generous lined interior. The shape reminds me of a gym bag, and there's probably the space to use it for just that. I just couldn't put my stinky trainers in anything so luxurious! I only wish there were the organizational features to match. A lone zippered pocket just isn't enough to keep such a large space in order.

A favorite with celebs like Katie Holmes, the Whistle bag is something a little different from Balenciaga.

More Features of This Balenciaga Lambskin and Ostrich Bag

  • Top zip and hook lock closure
  • A hanging mirror
  • Double rolled handles
  • Measures 12.5 x 8 x 5.5 inches
  • Made in Italy

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Bally Cabala-E Traditional Tote | Spacious Slouchy Luxury Purse

Posted on: Nov 11

This is a Bally bag that Bally can be proud of. As some of the most expensive and desirable purses on the market, Bally bags always ooze glamor and luxury, and this huge spacious tote is no exception.

This soft leather hold-all is designed to last forever, from the quality leather to the artistic workmanship. For $1800 you expect nothing less than perfection, and the fantastically sculpted lines suggest that the Bally designers have done their utmost to make that the case.

This tote, with its slouchy shape and space, is great for carrying your belongings through day and night. With the huge and versatile capacity, however, I am surprised that the handles are so small. Despite the shape hinting at heavy loads to be carried, I get the impression that this status symbol bag is more about looks than actually being used. Somehow, although it isn't unexpected, I feel disappointed that such a fabulous bag doesn't quite live up to its hugely posh expectations.

Whatever the little hesitations, however, this is a true Bally bag. It is sophisticated and classy, and perfect for work or play. Taking you seamlessly from day to night, I love it!

More Features of this Bally Cabala-E Handbag

  • Available in purple and black
  • Belted/drawn closure
  • Snakeskin exterior
  • Short handles

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Anne Klein Nouveau Tote | Large Leather Handbag with Studded Details

Posted on: Nov 10

With a smattering of modern studs, Anne Klein converts this rather plain tote into a contemporary fashion statement.

Unlike many designers who seem to OD on the metal accents, Anne Klein keeps things subtle by placing the studs only at the top of the purse. She keeps us guessing with the mixture of brass and silver studs, big and small ones, textured and plain. It's a funky new take on the trend which I think really pays off.

Other than the studs, there's nothing too unexpected here. The leather is top quality, and as with most Anne Klein creations its available in a mix of conservative shades and more surprising tones. This ruby red tote is particularly fetching for fall. Anne Klein's famous lion motif appears on a metal plate near the base of the bag, proudly boasting the brand's heritage without appearing too obtrusive.

I do appreciate a bag with a large zippered center pocket. By separating the tote into three sections, organization is made easy even for the most scatterbrained stylistas amongst us. Zippered pockets in both side walls complement an open cell phone pouch and the zippered pocket we saw underneath those stylish studs.

At $188, this Anne Klein purse is an affordable quality way to indulge in the latest studded trend.

More Features of This Anne Klein Studded Tote

  • Magnetic snap closure
  • Metal eyelets with AK logo
  • Dual shoulder straps  with metal eyelets
  • Measures 13 x 5.7 x 12.5 inches
  • Also available in birch (brown), black, and monarch purple

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Chinese Laundry Emma Bucket Bag | Large and Slouchy Synthetic Leather Purse with Studs

Posted on: Nov 9

When you're shopping for a decently sized handbag around the $100 mark, finding one made from genuine leather is beginning to be a rarity. There are a few exceptions to that, of course, but brands are mostly sticking to synthetics for that price range.

Though a little disappointing, I suppose it's not entirely surprising considering the size of some of these large handbags. This Chinese Laundry Emma Bucket bag, for instance, would probably cost quite a pretty penny more than $107 if it had been constructed using real pebbled leather instead of a faux leather material.

A leather-like texture can work well on purses, but I'm not sure I'm buying it on this one. The pebbled texture is a nice touch but is unfortunately cheapened a bit by the solid fake leather trim. The studs on the handle and the grommet holes decorating the sides provide a nice distraction from the less than perfect aspects of the Emma Bucket, though.  

Sometimes it's better to opt for true quality over size and get a smaller style made from real leather, but this type of purse is a viable option for when you need a big bag but don't want to spend too much on it. You might not get top quality, you definitely won't be lacking in storage space.

More Features of the Emma Bucket Bag

  • Measures 17 x 14.5 x 7.5 inches
  • Single handle with 10 inch drop
  • Magnetic snap closure
  • Faux leather

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Alexis Hudson Bohem Hobo | Traditional Boho Chic Lambskin Handbag

Posted on: Nov 9

Alexis Hudson plays it straight with the Bohem hobo. This is a return to the roots of the style, with its characteristic slouch and easy breezy spirit.

This is every inch the classic hobo, which is just what I like about it. Contemporary hobos have turned the design on its head, so this return to form is refreshing. The minimalist approach and simple color palette here makes it perfect for pairing with a colorful printed maxi-dress.

While it's simple, the Bohem certainly isn't boring. The soft shoulder strap has a wonderful distressed look, and there's subtle braiding down the centre and across the base. The side tassel strikes just the right bohemian note, but I could do without all the metal charms. I hope these are easy to remove, because they really clutter this clean design.

The Bohem's lovely looks are backed up by its spacious design. The generous lined interior features a zippered pocket, a slip pouch for gadgets, and a convenient key chain. Anyone who's ever struggled with a broken zipper will be thrilled with the double zip opening.

While I love the warmth of this chestnut brown bag, but the Bohem is also available in basic black.
Alexis Hudson's Bohem harmoniously integrates lush, lovely textures. Fashioned from rich, sumptuous lambskin with braided trim, this slouchy hobo shows both classic and boho-chic sensibilities.

More Features of This Alexis Hudson Lambskin Hobo

  • Made of tumbled lambskin
  • Twill lined interior
  • A single shoulder strap with a 13 inch drop
  • Measures 13 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches
  • Made in China

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