B. Makowsky is one of those rare designers who always seems to hit the mark. While his bags are never right for the red carpet or a glamorous night out, it’s hard to resist them when you're looking for a casual everyday purse. With Christmas just around the corner, it seems ...

Big Buddha shows us that a global recession is no excuse to skimp on style with the adorable Teri bucket bag.

But of course, when a handbag costs only $70 there are going to be compromises made. In this case it's the finish. PVC is never as durable or luxurious as patent ...

Clutch purses tend to be glitzy affairs, crafted from satin and studded with crystals. Latico has dressed down these popular purses to create the Bettina, a cute clutch for daytime wear.

It might be a casual accessory, but the Bettina doesn't skimp on style. A leather belt with gleaming silver ring hardware ...

Unusual shapes have always been handbag gold. Some priceless bags are shaped like miniature animals or well known landmarks, often encrusted in glitter. Personally, I once owned and loved a purse shaped exactly like a teapot! Brilliantly themed fun aside, ridiculous shapes do have less wearability than other more casual bags. This is why I suggest a subtle ...

I often find myself wondering who actually photographs handbags for the web. Quite frankly I think I could do a much better job of it.

The photos just do not do justice to the remarkable style and sophistication of the majority of designer handbags.

For instance, the Valentino Histoire Belted Tote (pictured right) ...

This trendy tote is a much tamer bag than we're used to seeing from Kathy Van Zeeland, but it still retains the designer's sense of fun. The sparkling crown embellishment and stud detail are a little glitzy, but the subdued colors make this is a more subtle choice than many ...