Laura Matthews Designs Oversized Clutch | Shaded Patent Purse with Feature Clasp

Posted on: Oct 31

Finding a clutch that is individual and big enough to house all your belongings can be a bit of a task, but this Laura Matthews Designs patent handbag can go some of the distance to filling the gap.

Looks wise, this large clutch is interesting and eye-catching. From the large abstract contrasting clasp to the sexy shaded color, this is a good looking purse. It is available in this aquamarine and grey combo, but the plain plum and cream versions are currently on sale with 70% off How much is that sophisticated shading worth?

Now on to the practicalities. This funky oversized purse actually comes with a good quality optional strap. Where most clutches offer a long chain option, this one lets you convert your smart purse into a casual shoulder bag. You also get multiple compartments and pockets, so the designers have really gone all out to make this useful and pretty.

Of course, having that much space and functionality is great, but it is a shame that they only offer a simple magnetic closure. Considering how much you will be carrying, a more secure zip fastening would have been a nice added touch!

More features of this Laura Matthews Patent Clutch

  • Available in four colors
  • Patent leather exterior
  • Canvas lining with multiple pockets
  • Detachable shoulder-strap

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Matt & Nat Kala Clutch | Edgy Black Vegan Leather Purse

Posted on: Oct 22

No red carpet glamourpuss, the Kala clutch from Matt & Nat is all about punk rock attitude.

When it's a Matt & Nat original, you know you're not going to get calf or lamb skin, but the brand's all-vegan fabric is a pretty nice substitute. The pewter version is too glitzy for my tastes, but I love the edgy appeal of this black bag. It makes the gunmetal zips and rivets up front look just a little more rock and roll. But those zippers aren't simply for aesthetics. They open to reveal secure pockets which help the clutch work overtime.

The Kala is on the oversized side, which makes it a viable option for a day out or a night at the club. There's a lot more space than we usually see in a clutch, and a secure closure (zippered of course) for your peace of mind. The spacious size is a bit of a double-edged sword though. There's no strap or handle, so you'll need to carry this clutch the old-fashioned way. You might not mind that at first, but if you've got a lot of errands to run or a big night on the dance floor planned you may want to think twice.

The $185 retail value seems a little steep for a non-leather clutch, but its everyday versatility might make it worth a splurge.

More Features of This Matt & Nat Vegan Clutch

  • Faux suede lining
  • A rear zippered pocket inside
  • Measures 9 x 9 inches
  • Made in China

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B. Makowsky Lites Greenwich E/W Tote | Basic Brown Leather Tote with Lots of Storage

Posted on: Oct 16

Every gal needs a good basic, stylish tote bag. It's an essential wardrobe piece and an addition that's ideal for those days when you've just got to grab-and-go while getting ready. We all have them, right?

There are also times when entirely practical has to accompany basic and stylish. That's where B. Makowsky got it right with this Lites Greenwich E/W tote. In my opinion, this handbag fits all three categories with a little edge on top of everything else.

It's a rather enormous size ringing in at over eighteen inches wide, but I don't know many women who couldn't fill it up on a busy day in less than five minutes. The superb interior organizational features make it a great option for work or play. There's even a zippered center divider inside and side slip pockets on the exterior for storing particulars.

Beyond the convenience of pockets, however, the Lites Greenwich tote bag has a pretty crinkled leather texture that looks fabulous in this toffee brown. The effect reminds me of the swishy broomstick skirts that were so popular in past years, but frankly I'm much more content to carry the texture around on a leather purse than wear it. The Greenwich E/W tote also comes in an equally basic black color as well as a not-so-basic orange.

More Features of the Lites Greenwich E/W Tote

  • Measures 18.5 x 12 x 5 inches
  • Twisted double handles with 9 inch drop
  • Magnetic closure
  • Crinkled leather material

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Matt & Nat Werner Japanese Paper Tote | Manmade Vegan-Friendly Bag with Recycled Lining

Posted on: Oct 5

Sometimes I think that Matt & Nat handbags are more impressive when you them in person rather than in photos, but this is one case where the purse stands out nicely in a photograph as well.

The Werner Japanese Paper Tote features Matt & Nat's signature crinkled manmade leather texture. Although some people might say that the brown is basic, it really brings out the nuances of the handbag's texture where it might otherwise be lost with a bolder or brighter color. Plus, the cognac color is not exactly what I'd call a run-of-the-mill brown. It's a rich, vibrant hue that catches the eye but wouldn't clash with much.

The tote has a nice a-line silhouette that typically provides a decent amount of storage space inside. The Werner is no exception to that. Its slightly flared sides and significant depth allow for tons of the kinds of things that women tend to stuff in their handbags. The size and shape of the bag isn't exactly user-friendly for the petite, but it's just fine for the average fashionista.

With its spacious interior, I would've liked to see a tad more organizational pockets inside or outside, but there's an acceptable amount present with one large zippered pocket on the outside and one on the inside. The interior is lined in Matt & Nat's famous faux suede made from recycled plastic bottles. The craftsmanship and attention to detail on the Werner is impeccable and what I'd expect from the brand. This is definitely one case where a faux leather tote is worth its price of $225.

More Features of the Werner Japanese Paper Tote

  • Measures 18 x 13.5 x 6 inches
  • Double straps with 8 inch drop
  • Magnetic snap closure
  • Signature logo plate

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Lunch a la Mode Handbags | The Chic Alternative to Brown Paper Bags

Posted on: Sep 24

You're dressed to the nines in a sleek business suit with a luxurious designer bag slung over your shoulder ... and carrying a brown paper lunch bag. Lunch a la Mode knows no woman wants their polished looks undermined by a lunch bag, so they created a sophisticated alternative.

"The fact that women are forced to tote around unappealing brown paper sacks or clunky cooler bags while wearing designer pumps when they are dieting or being budget conscious, seems contradictory to our desire to remain stylish," explained the label's creator, Amber Pollard. "The Lunch a la Mode collection enables women to work, play and eat in style."

Lunch a la Mode bags hold sandwiches and snacks in an insulated and removable compartment. This keeps your food away from your daily essentials, ensuring you don't get ketchup stains on those all important documents! There's also a beverage holder, mesh ice pack pouch, and of course plenty of space for your other everyday items.

Those practical perks inside are matched with contemporary good looks outside. The range includes the expandable Bistro shoulder bag, the roomy Picnic hobo, and the dome-shaped Trattoria tote. Lunch a la Mode handbags are available in genuine leathers and patents, as well as more eco-friendly vegan leather and hemp suede options. The colors are a little conservative for my tastes, but I suppose that makes them appropriate for any office environment. Prices start from $270 from the Lunch a la Mode website.

[Source: Earth Times]
[Image Source: Marketwire]

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Elaine Turner Nicole Handbag | Eco-Friendly Grasscloth Tote Bag with Embossed Croc Trim

Posted on: Sep 14

Green fashionistas are spoiled for choice these days, with cotton canvas, bamboo, straw, and vegan leather giving us plenty of alternatives to animal skins. Grasscloth may not have the profile of many other eco-friendly fabrics, but that makes bags like the Nicole so attractive.

The tightly woven cloth is crafted from several Asian grasses and fibers. The neutral fabric is dressed up with colorful mock-croc trim. No one will mistake these vibrant accents for genuine crocodile, but they do add a little pizzazz. In coral, the Nicole is ready for fall. It's also available in teal and a bright purple called raspberry.

The Nicole was made with women on the go in mind. The large zippered pocket up front is a handy place for stashing car keys and other essentials. The girly pink lined interior features a zippered pocket on one wall, and two slip pouches for gadgets on the other.

$295 seems a little expensive for the grasscloth and faux leather trim combo, but if you don't mind the price this is a cute carryall for casual days out.

More Features of This Elaine Turner Glasscloth Tote Bag

  • A recessed zip top closure
  • Custom crown hardware
  • Dual braided 18-inch handles with an 8-inch drop
  • Measures 16 x 2 x 9 inches

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Stella McCartney Chain Detail Hobo | Grunge Rock Chic Slouchy Black Faux Leather Hobo

Posted on: Sep 10

Stella McCartney is one of those rare fashion designers who puts her morals where her mouth is. She is a militant vegan, and none of her designs use any animal products or even any PVC-based synthetics. All her designs are made from eco-friendly and totally plant-based materials. And, they're also amazing.

I'm basically swooning for this faux leather hobo. I love the super slouchiness of the shape edged totally in industrial looking chain. It's the epitome of rocker chic, without a bunch of crap piled on top of it. The clean lines of the bag are totally unmuddied with ornamentation.

The faux leather material has an interesting sheen to it that makes it look almost metallic, which sets off the silver in the hardware perfectly. The shape is a little square for a hobo, but I like that, because it means none of that endless searching for things in crescent shaped corners.

There's also a cute little change purse attached to the inside with the same industrial chain, which, honestly, is a necessity in a bag that is so slouchy. How else are you going to keep your parking coins in one place?

The only thing I don't love about this bag is the price. For $1,145, I want leather. I know that it's not being leather is the point, but, seriously, that's a high price to pay for faux.

More Features Of This Stella McCartney Chain Detail Hobo

  • 17" x 16" x 5" size
  • 9" handle drop
  • Fully lined interior
  • Interior zipped and patch pockets

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Matt & Nat Ando Streamline Briefcase | Tall Vegan Leather Work or Travel Bag

Posted on: Aug 13

I'm not sure why I've been in the mood to browse through briefcases lately, but I keep running across some great versions of this stereotypical work bag style. Matt & Nat's take on the handbag is quite the opposite of the Hobo International Barbara that I recently found but much more suitable for today's urban, on-the-go types.

Staying true to their signature contemporary look, Matt & Nat created a hip version of the briefcase in this Ando Streamline bag. Also keeping with the label's eco and animal-friendly philosophy, the Streamline is made only from manmade leather with a recycled material faux suede lining.

Though it is categorized as a briefcase and bears some of the bag style's usual details like short carrying handles and lots of storage pockets, the Ando Streamline would easily serve more than just a workplace purpose. The tall shape defies the standard east-to-west rectangular shape of work bags and puts a modern spin on the design. This unexpected shape makes it just as appropriate for every day, or even traveling when you factor in the handbag's detachable adjustable strap. This allows you to wear it on the shoulder or across the body.

Another great feature of this Ando briefcase is that it's simple lines and contemporary details make it an attractive tote for men or women. There's nothing particularly feminine or masculine about the design. Although many women might prefer a more overtly girly style, this version of the Streamline briefcase will suit plenty of others.

More Features of the Ando Streamline Briefcase

  • Measures 13 x 17 x 2.5 inches
  • Double handles with 3 inch drop
  • Detachable strap
  • Vertical zipper detail

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Matt & Nat Zed Tote | Large Eco-Friendly Recycled Japanese Paper Bag

Posted on: Aug 6

Matt & Nat have a knack for creating environmentally-friendly handbags that don't skimp on style. The Zed tote is the label's answer to the oversized trend. It's a purse that's as big on looks as it is on practicality.

It's made from the brand's iconic Japanese Paper vegan leather, a cruelty-free alternative to textured calfskin. I love the way this mustard bag shows up every crease and crinkle, but for a subtler look you could opt for no-nonsense black or gray.

You might be a little confused once you open up the top zips. Matt & Nat wouldn't line their bags in suede, would they? You're right, they wouldn't. Instead they've cleverly recycled plastic bottles to mimic the soft fabric we all know and love!

Oversized handbags often become unmanageable, but you needn't have such concerns with the Zed. Instead of one massive main compartment, there are two smaller ones. These spaces are much easier to organize so you needn't feel overwhelmed. While the short handles don't do the bag any favors, at least the Zed comes with a practical shoulder strap. I only wonder why you'd ever remove this convenient feature!

While the Zed is a big bag, it's also a relatively slender one. That gives the Zed the chic styling often missing in oversized purses. Without the bulk, the Zed wouldn't look out of place in the board room or a classy restaurant.

More Features of This Matt & Nat Oversized Tote

  • Dual handles with a 4.5 inch drop
  • Measures 12.5 x 18 x 5 inches
  • Comes with a dustbag
  • Made in China

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D&G Dolce & Gabbana Katri Hobo | Leather Designer Bag with Modern Zipper Detail

Posted on: Jul 29

Dolce & Gabbana's young, hip line of the business D&G is usually ahead of the curve when it comes to trends. This contemporary Katri hobo is no exception to that.

With its modern-looking styling and one-of-a-kind details, the Katri has an undeniable urban feel to it. Of course, if brands like Kate Spade and Hermes are more up your alley, you might not love this slightly avant-garde handbag. However, for women who prefer a tote with a twist, the Katri won't disappoint.

The shape and style is something I wouldn't be surprised to see on a Matt & Nat bag, although it would be in vegan leather and not this textured leather, of course. It's the asymmetry and bold use of zippers that reminds me of the other designer brand, though.

Instead of functioning as a dramatic detail on the hobo, the Katri's front diagonal zipper running from the front to the back is actually the entry into the bag's interior. I can't say I would find this feature particularly practical when you have a wide, unbendable item to store inside, but it sure does look stylish. The contrast stitching around the front square patch and the edges is a nice detail as well.

Designer details don't come cheap, though. This gray leather hobo retails for $1,050.

More Features of the Katri Hobo

  • Measures 14.5 x 10.5 x 6 inches
  • Single strap with 8 inch drop
  • Asymmetrical zip top closure

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