Jason Wu stays right on trend with this elegant top-handled Toni tote.

Top-handled purses like this were trailblazers in the fifties and sixties, but they're enjoying a revival of late. Women love the elegance of the style, which looks feminine without being too fussy. The tan ...

Sumptuously soft lambskin and a rich bottle green hue make this Apollo bag one of the most desirable hobos I've seen in some time.

Lambskin is an ideal material for crafting a traditional hobo, because its buttery finish slouches so easily. We can see its quality in every ...

Coccinelle's shunned the traditional box shape for something more modern with this Lona Tote.

A wide belt cinches the Lona in at the center, giving it an unusual hourglass silhouette. It's a testament to the quality of the glazed leather that the skin has soft pleats around the ...

I'm starting to wonder exactly what a hobo bag is in 2011. When this handbag style was invented it was slouchy, crescent shaped, and bohemian. This Dylan hobo has the signature slouch, but it's a very different bag to those early hobos.

There's not a hint of crescent ...

Kathy Van Zeeland delivers a hobo that's a little less flashy than her average with this Line Drive bag.

Its moniker is pretty confusing, as this hobo doesn't seem to have anything to do with baseball. It does have many of the ...

Hilary Radley combines mod fashion with some contemporary flair with this Jude satchel.

Grommets are right on trend, but when they're made as large as this they get a fun sixties feel. I love the clean way the belt accent threads through the metal hardware, and ...

Reed Krakoff takes a few fashion risks with this striking Kick Boxer shoulder bag.

The greatest problem with risks, is that they don't always bear fruit. The Kick Boxer takes its cues from Reed Krakoff's previous best selling Boxer bags, but I'm honestly not ...

Jimmy Choo lets its materials speak for themselves with this Rhea shopper.

Jimmy Choo has given this sand-colored calfskin a lift with gentle lizard skin embossing. This is one of my favorite reptilian finishes, as it's much more subtle than the more lauded crocodile and snakeskin. To that ...

Rafe updates the tote bag for the 21st century with the Jordana.

Once upon a time, totes were simple, boxy creatures. The Jordana is a world away from this kind of bag, with tight pleats, a buckled belt, and eye-popping gold stitching creating volume and drama. There's so ...

It's easy to spend a lot of money and energy on flashy designer handbags, but surprisingly few of us think about what we're carrying to the office. The right work bag can make your office wardrobe, and this chic Josephine tote from Jack ...

Hype ups the attitude with this edgy leather Sabrina satchel.

It might be just me, but I can't help thinking of a straitjacket when I look at this purse. Something about all those criss-crossing belts screams metal asylum garb. But perhaps that unhinged personality is just what Hype ...

Considering its name, I expected something rebellious and free-spirited from Be & D's Woodstock hobo. Sadly though, this purse is pretty lackluster.

Taken on their own merits, the elements are great. I really like the wrinkled texture of the distressed leather. The spiky studs ...

You probably won't expect much from a satchel playfully named the Plain Jane, but this Nine West bag is one that might surprise you.

Sure it doesn't scream the loudest or have all the bells and whistles of those designer It bags, but it's a bit ...

Finally there's a bag which does exactly what it promises. Meet the City Carry-All Tote from Moonsus.

This is the kind of purse that could so easily be passed over. Moonsus' gentle signature print isn't as obnoxious as so many of the ones in the marketplace, but that ...

Chinese Laundry delivers style on a budget with this funky Michelle satchel.

The flared shape is stunning, and the pebbled vinyl body a convincing alternative to leather. I love the idea of the wide belt which circles the satchel, but I'm not impressed by its execution. I suppose the glossy finish is ...

I almost might have guessed that this was a Treesje handbag if I hadn't seen the B. Makowsky label first. Although Treesje's style tends to be a tad edgier than B. Makowsky's, the details on this Atlantis shopper do remind me a little of the label's signature look.

The main feature that gives ...

Latico add another belted bag to their unusual Artisan range.

The exterior interlocking belting that covers this little clutch is in fact the purse's main feature. Combine the fascinating cutout pattern with the bright canary yellow and you have a sixties bag that is great to look at, although the shade will ...

Tignanello adds yet another versatile everyday bag to its functional Touchables range.

As with all purses in this range, the belt is the focal point that attracts users attention. As well as adding an element of extra functionality to the purse by making the size and tension adaptable, buckles are always a ...

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 ...