Winter is here (well, almost), and with it comes the warm, heavy and gorgeous fabrics that cold mortals know and love. To accompany them, you need a gorgeous handbag, and this beautiful velvet purse form Menbur meets the bill.

Despite the simple shape, this bag is thoroughly decadent. The rich plum ...

Some people may say that the delicate lace and gentle nude coloring is too last season. However, I maintain that the Brussels evening bag from Inge Christopher can actually work really well with this A/W's catwalk of leather and sheepskin.

You see, there is nothing prettier than a delicate girlie fabric ...

Mary Frances always seems to design her purses with wild abandon but ironically enough this hobo, called Wild Abandon, is a bit tamer than most of her accessories!

When it comes to Mary Frances, a little conservatism doesn't go astray. After all, Mary Frances in reserved ...

Bright, multi-colored, and coated in beads. I hate to say it, but the Babylon purse by Tango could serve well as an example to all of us for what not to do with beads.

OK, so it may be a matter of personal taste. Some people may love the chaotic ...

When writing about the Jessica McClintock Leaf Embossed clutch last week, I thought the nature inspired purse was quirky and individual. However after spotting this La Regale evening bag, I'm beginning to sense a trend.

The leaf isn't as abstract as it was on the Jessica McClintock purse. Here the ...

Add a little color to your day with this brightly beaded Spectrum clutch.

This is one of KC Malhan's simpler clutches, with its basic fold-over flap design. Those wide beaded stripes are what really make it special. Basic black bands are contrasted with rainbow colored ones. I like the effect on the ...

Looking something like Cousin It's more stylish sister comes Inge Christopher's Caviar Bag.

That might sound like a criticism, but I like the quirkiness that Inge Christopher has employed here. The fringe is shaggy and somewhat animalistic, yet the beaded loops give it just enough class to work. At least, I think ...

When I think of Givenchy I think of classic, minimalist styling that transcends the trends. So I was a little surprised to find this Pluto bag in the brand's latest collection.

This bag seems like it was designed with contemporary tastes firmly in mind. Studs are in, so let's cover the bag ...

I am pleased to see that Badgley Mischka has taken its luxury handbag designs into the realm of beading with the Stanwyck clutch.

There is nothing, nothing, that screams "evening wear" more than a beaded bag. It is very rare that it will look right under the light of day, but give a ...

It isn't often that you find a beaded bag that manages to be casual, but I think that Aldo has achieved just that with their Rucinski clutch.

So, what makes this casual? Well, I think it must be the bright and happily colored beads that do it. Rather than subtle coordinating colors and ...

This decorative and somewhat over-the-top clutch from Giuseppe Zanotti is the latest in a line of asymmetrical evening bags that pack a hefty visual punch.

The bag itself has been done before. After all, we have seen the fold-over shape of the graphic clutch, and the over-decoration of the bow clutch. They ...

Carlo Fellini has a knack for creating gorgeous evening bags which look a million dollars, yet don't cost the earth. The Rio is another example of the brand's commitment to affordable luxury.

This clutch's satiny body is adorned with tiny beads arranged artfully to create an abstract floral design. It's feminine but ...

Do you need a sophisticated handbag for your wedding day? If so, then let me introduce the Carlo Fellini Soledad purse, a elegant little beauty that screams "I'm getting married!" from the rooftops so that you don't have to.

A thick band of delicate and elegant ivory and pearl colored floral beading. A ...

Savanna shows us that individual style doesn't have to cost a fortune with this unique Satin Beaded Clutch.

Rather than use a traditional box or oval shape, Savanna has instead opted for a half-moon shaped design. Honestly it reminds me a little bit of a taco, but the soft champagne satin helps ...

The SAK goes tribal with this Idolized Tribe saddle bag from its Freebird line.

I'm not sure any of America's original inhabitants would have carried a bag quiet this stylish, but its unique bead and O-ring detail, rainbow hued dream catcher and wooden bird mandala seem influenced by their native tribes. The ...

Savanna brings a healthy dose of ethnic style to your evening ensemble with this striking beaded bag.

While most designers cover their evening bags in beads, Savanna is more sparing in its use of the accents. Instead it sees lines of beads fan out from the ring handle, almost like the rays ...

Carlo Fellini channels vintage style with this delicate Jessica clutch.

Rows of tiny beads are stitched together over the satin body in soft waves. These remind me of the thick red curtains of an old-fashioned theater, although when you take in the clutch from a distance it looks much closer to a ...

Carlo Fellini knows how to give women million dollar looks on a shoestring budget. I'm not quite sure how the designer does it, but purses like this Prudence look so chic and cost so much less than their competitors. Who would imagine such a clutch would cost just $60?

Beaded purses are ...

Just when you think Mary Frances had created the oddest handbag she could, she goes and creates something even more distinct!

Distinct may be a bit of a euphemism for strange in this case. An ornithologist's dream, this signature slouchy purse is embellished with beads, shells and feathers in the shape of a ...

Be warned - don't look directly at this hobo as you may well go blind!

OK, OK, so maybe I am being a little unfair. After all, I have certainly seen brighter colored bags, and ones with bigger, badder and generally worse combinations of prints. However, it is pretty much undeniable that this is ...

Mary Frances is a designer that never does things by halves. As its name suggests, her Indigo Indulgence purse celebrates that kind of excess.

The deep blue shade that gives the purse its moniker is complemented by soft fabrics in burgundy, rose, and bronze. These rich shades work with beautiful beading to ...

Nothing says summer quite like straw. Oh, apart from beading! This Cappelli tote has both, and that is enough to make me wish I was heading to the beach!

There isn't much that is quiet and demure about this purse. The color jumps out at you right away, in a vivacious shade of hot ...

I hear that tribal patterns are set to become the next big thing in fashion. If that's true, this bold Max clutch from KC Malhan is well placed to become a style trendsetter.

The first thing I thought when I spotted this brightly colored purse is that it could be some kind ...

Santi doesn't half make good slouchy pouch bags. The label seems to get the balance of flowing fabric and shape perfectly weighted.

This delicately studded bag is no exception to the rule. It is just so ... pretty. Whilst many studded purses tend to be edgy and rocky, this one uses tiny lentil sized studs ...

Inge Christopher gives us beads, beads, and more beads with this Celtic bucket bag.

The bucket shaped body is literally covered in thousands of the tiny embellishments, which are used here not just as accents but the main attraction. It's easy to miss from a distance the swirling Celtic inspired design sewn ...

With all the old world charm of vintage Hollywood comes this Carlo Fellini Casablanca Bag.

This beautiful purse is made from the softest of satins, and subtly embroidered with beautiful blooms. This classic floral print is further embellished with tiny glass beads running along the silvery frame.

The Casablanca looks like so many ...

We are used to seeing exceptionally unusual novelty bags from designer Timmy Woods. Comparatively, this beaded tote is quite normal, quite subtle.

However, when you get up close to this purse, you realize that what looks from a distance like some form of embroidered patchwork is actually a huge amount of beading. Each ...

Have you ever seen a handbag that you love, but not known how to style it? If so, then you could probably use a few styling ideas to set you off on the right foot. These 'How to Wear' posts will aim to do just that: to give you a few fashion ideas to inspire you with the bags ...

Imagine a purse with sequins, beads, and silk embroidery. It probably looks over-embellished right? Clearly we don't have the vision of KC Malhan!

This Taos clutch contains all of these accents, yet somehow pulls them together into an exciting unified design. This isn't the usual type of pattern we see on sequined ...

Few bargain basement bags offer the sparkle of this KC Malhan Swirl Clutch.

The name comes from the beaded spirals which swirl about over the sequined body. The pairing of beads and sequins always looks a bit glitzy, but if you like that sort of thing it'll be right up your alley.

Aside ...

This Reyna purse from Carlo Fellini is a vision of vintage charm.

Everything about this dainty clutch screams old world glamour, from the feminine beaded flowers to the delicate kiss lock clasp. The soft satin body is perfect for after five wear in a range of six classic metallic and matte shades.

Vintage ...

J. Furmani takes us back to fashion's golden age with this Designer Vintage Evening Bag.

The attention to detail is what really sets this purse apart. While so many labels think they can pass any frame bag with a kiss-lock clasp off as vintage, J. Furmani carefully replicates old-world glamour. The body ...

Add some exotic flair to your evening attire with the Bermuda Clutch from KC Malhan.

Its name might take us to the islands, but the Bermuda's look is actually more influenced by its Indian origins. Tiny glass beads are sewn over the black fabric in an exotic, ethnic design. I love the ...

If you want a piece of fashion history then this 1940s evening purse will fit the bill!

It isn't often that you come across a perfect condition vintage handbag like this. And what a stunner it is too! The clasp truly demonstrates the beautiful workmanship and the refined beauty that is so true ...

Get some glitz and glamor with this delicate beaded Santi clutch.

Some handbag label's do beading and diamante decoration well, whilst others tend to go over the top and end up looking tasteless. This black satin purse is one of the few that manages to look really good.

The reason for the success is the ...

Have you been trying to work out how to wear the denim on denim trend? If so, then this unusual Mary Frances clutch may be the answer.

Most people who shy away from this trend are envisioning the terrible matching denim suits of the 90s. With something like this decorative beaded purse, however, ...

Carlo Fellini has tweaked the classic satin clutch purse to create the Monica. The style is traditional to be sure, but it's those individual touches that make all the difference.

The beautiful satiny body is tightly pleated to create dramatic waves and texture. These tiny pleats take the traditional satin body to ...

Affordable handbag brand Prezzo has gone all out to try and create a handbag that channels a vintage vibe for less than $50.

I can see what Prezzo has tried to do with this multicolor shoulder bag. The label attempts to use retro snakeskin patterns, vintage style tapestry panels, and lines of detailed ...

Mary Frances isn't known for her subtle designs, but if you want a wedding suitable evening bag then you probably couldn't get more apt than the White Dahlia purse!

I like flowers on bags, but this collection of cream and ivory beauties may be a little over the top for even the keenest gardener! You ...

I have a confession to make. While her accessories are undeniably gaudy and kitsch, I have a soft spot in my heart for Mary Frances. This Sea World clutch is a fantastic example of the designer's over the top accessories.

Mary Frances creates an underwater grotto on this silk purse, with beaded ...

The Rock Out may seem like an unlikely name for this Mary Frances bag. After all, there's not a hint of leather or silver studs to be seen! Instead, Mary Frances seems to take inspiration from the bohemian vibe of Woodstock.

I can imagine free-spirited musicians like Janis Joplin or Joan Baez ...

Ooh, there really is nothing better than a bargain! At just $14.90 this definitely classifies as a budget buy, and quite a fun one too!

OK, so this definitely isn't the most luxurious purse on the market, but I think it gives luxury a good try. The gold frill decorations, frame structure and beaded ...

What a Hoot is right! I can't imagine a more appropriate name for this Mary Frances bag!

This owl bag is sure to polarize opinion with its beaded eyes and layered stone wings. Some will embrace its kitschy appeal, but I'm sure just as many bagistas will think it's hideous. Either way, ...

Are you looking for something that is incredibly glitzy and glam? If so then this beaded Mary Frances bag may suit you down to the ground!

The shape of this purse is so unusual; I am not sure I have ever really seen anything like it. The detailed sequin handle drops down to ...

With its bold beaded body and metallic shine, Franchi's Kay clutch is quite the party girl!

Kay gets her character from the unique crescent-shaped beads, which swish about as she makes her grand entrance. There's a certain flapper girl charm about it, which is only accented by the classic shape and vintage ...

An expensive bag and luxury brand-name are all well and good, but that doesn't always mean that you will end up with an elegant and sophisticated purse. This over-decorated and dramatic evening bag from huge fashion-house D&G is a perfect case-in-point.

This individual key words for this bag paint a luxurious picture. The detailed and ...

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 ...

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.

Jessica Jensen has given a lift to the traditional tote with the Patience.

The geometric, flared shape is classic tote, designed for sophistication and everyday elegance. But Jessica Jensen couldn't let this bag blend into the background, so she's added rows and rows of tiny wooden beads to the front panel. From ...

When it comes to Global Elements, you never know quite what you're going to get. The label loves to frock up, but it can just as easily keep things casual with bags like this cute Beaded Flower Tote.

While its name suggests springtime blooms, there's just one beaded flower on the bag. ...