Sara Berman plays it safe with this elegant Raphael Day Bag.

This is the kind of handbag that suits any occasion or situation. It doesn't make a strong style statement, but there's an elegant quietness about it that's really attractive. It might not turn ...

Giani Bernini threatens to put us all to sleep with its traditional Annabelle tote.

It's not that there's anything wrong with the Annabelle. Its pale signature print is a subtle and inoffensive way to brand the bag. Its trim and handles are made from real leather, ...

Jason Wu takes a classic approach to the genre with this doctor's bag.

This is a textbook Doctor's Bag, although I'm not sure I can imagine my local general practitioner carrying it! Its black leather isn't head-turning, but it is first class. The neutral skin is ...

American label Ralph Lauren goes to the wilds of Africa with this Java Classic Tote.

From a distance this seems like a cheap and cheerful tote bag, but we should know by now that Ralph Lauren doesn't do anything without a splash of luxury. ...

Prada serves up the classic design that it does best with this Saffiano Lux tote.

This is a very traditional tote, but it's Prada's attention to detail that makes it something special. Its leather is of the highest quality, and its craftsmanship is first rate. I ...

Nicole Miller's created an ideal go anywhere purse with the Ella.

Day or night, I can imagine the Ella fitting right in. Its exterior is decorated with just a bit of stitching, and that simplicity helps it work during the daylight hours. However its high quality ...

Marc Jacobs is one of those rare designers that always surprises. Sometimes he's creating colorful, whimsical accessories, and on other occasions we see him taking a more traditional route. However with Marc Jacobs, traditional is never a euphemism for tired. This ...

With a gorgeous splash of Hunter green and timeless design, Hayden-Harnett has won me over with its Barnard cross-body bag.

This equestrian styled purse is an instant classic, with its gentle curves and sophisticated brass hardware. That lush green colored leather is unexpected, but I think ...

Harajuku Lovers slathers one of its loud signature prints on a classic tote with this Tokyo bag.

The trippy Raver Girls pattern is really what makes this bag. The cute female characters look like they're in the middle of a great dance party, plastered this way ...

Gucci reminds us that a little extra luxury isn't always a good thing with this Smilla tote.

I love the timeless quality of this handbag. Its rusty colored leather is beautiful on its own and even more so when combined with antique gold hardware. The Gucci stamped logo ...

Etienne Aigner serves up another dependable handbag with this Gentry tote.

The Gentry isn't very fashion forward, but it is super stylish. The rounded bucket shape makes a refreshing change of pace from the typical boxy tote. Its curves are subtly emphasized by elegant stitching. I'm ...

Dooney & Bourke shows it's done some growing up recently with this sophisticated Florentine satchel.

This elegant creature is a world away from the rainbow colored signature bags and Disney collaborations I've come to associate with this youth label. Here it shows a much more adult ...

Calvin Klein has created an affordable wardrobe staple with this Vienna tote.

OK, so this tote isn't all that exciting. Its belted detail and gathered sides give it a bit of personality, but essentially this is very traditional tote. However let's remember, classics became classics for ...

Its name makes it sound like a paper bag, but Balenciaga's Papier A5 tote is a much more luxurious creature.

The Papier A5 has a much more uptown feel than many of Balenciaga's bags. The label's typical hardware heavy approach is pared back a bit, and ...

I must admit whenever I hear a fashion house describe its bag as perfect, I instantly become more critical. It's such a strong word, one that indicates that its creation is beyond reproach and without flaw. So does Anne Klein's Perfect Tote deserve its moniker?

In ...

Tod's plays it safe with this very traditional Toujours Shopping Tote.

When I imagine a tote in my mind, it looks exactly like the Toujours. Its traditional shape, its minimalist design, and its clean lines are all trademarks of the style. The rich blue color is a bit ...

With a little black clutch the magic is in the detail.

In the case of the Sutton clutch, Michael Kors has put the effort into those very details. The first touch is in the fabric choice, a  genuine python leather that, as always with exotic skins, oozes class ...

Latico's never been one for making fashion waves, but its traditionally designed handbags are wardrobe staples. With its blend of minimalist design, high quality materials, and practicality the Cleo Tote is another desirable bag from the American brand.

The Cleo's exterior isn't likely to send you swooning, but ...

In a crowded market, simple handbags are often overlooked. They're too plain, they've "been seen before." However, you should never underestimate the long fashion life of a traditional purse, not  to mention the ease of which "ordinary" bags like this leather tote can be worn.

You see, this bag will never go out of fashion. ...

Frye takes a classic approach to the hobo with this Blair bag. In many ways we’ve seen it all before, yet I can't take my eyes off this casual accessory.

All the traditional hobo trademarks are there, from the casual slouch to the distinctive crescent shape. The tiny ...

Get your hands on some interesting yet classic design with this gorgeous leatherette purse.

The Kane satchel is, at first glance, quite a traditional creation. It has everything you would expect from a satchel, from the exterior pocket, to the large front flap, to the handy multiple carrying options that come in the ...

Handbag designers have reinvented the hobo bag so many times I was starting to forget what a hobo is supposed to look like. Cynthia Vincent celebrates tradition with this classically styled Donovan bag.

In a nod to the famous Scottish folk singer, this hobo sticks to ...

They say it's not easy being green, but this Claire Mini Satchel from Cole Haan makes it look effortless!

Seriously this color has sucked me in. It's poppy and youthful without being juvenile, a fresh shade sure to stand out in a sea of black, brown, ...

Christian Dior favors classic style over fashion fads with this wallet, fittingly called Timeless.

This is certainly a purse that plays by the rules. The French style is tried and true, and the golden signature logo is a classic way to brand the design. The color’s ...

I am always shocked when Bally makes a handbag that isn't all leather, but when it comes up with designs like this fabulous Redgrave I can't really complain!

The main word for a painfully expensive bag like this? Classic. From the square handle, to the deep blue contrasting trim ...

David King & Co. plays it safe with this traditionally designed doctor satchel.

There's nothing wrong with classic design though when it's done this well. The grained vacquetta cowhide leather is lovely, even if it's a bit boring in conservative tan and black colors. Strangely I ...

I wonder whether B. Makowsky was inspired by MTV's stylish reality TV star when he created this Whitney satchel. It's just the sort of thing I can imagine Ms Port carrying on her travels around the country!

This satchel is all about understated luxury, from its ...

B. Makowsky reminds us of the beauty of a classic hobo bag with the Claremont.

It seems the hobo has been reinvented more times than any other handbag style, so much so that's difficult to remember exactly what a hobo bag should be! The Claremont is ...

Looking at this Hampton hobo from Stone Mountain, I find myself wondering whether the label knows what a hobo is at all! With just the faintest of slouch around the top of the bag, and a structured shape more reminiscent of a bucket than a ...

Ralph Lauren goes back to basics with this Newbury tote bag.

What this tote lacks in cutting edge style it makes up for in sophistication. The shape is familiar and its clean, uncluttered lines compelling. I love the unique texture and color of the leather, and ...

After seeing so many wild lurid pink and tie-dyed bags from Mulberry, I'm thrilled to see the British label return to its roots with this Somerset satchel.

Some may accuse the brown oak leather of being a bit stuffy, but this conservative shade is much more timeless than ...

Helena de Natalio's famous Argentinian leather is the perfect material for creating a classic, slouchy hobo. With so many designers attempting to reinvent the wheel, it's refreshing to see the traditional approach taken with this Carrie bag.

Some might accuse Helena de Natalio of ...

After lusting after so many quirky handbags from Alexander McQueen, I was surprised to see this Mini Book clutch amongst the late designer's last collection. It's just so traditional and reserved; it's hard to believe it came from the same man that gave ...

You don't need to be sitting on top of the corporate ladder to appreciate the traditional good looks of this Executive north/south tote from Fossil.

This is a classic office bag, from its conservative color palette to its reserved styling. I like the rich red-brown of this cognac ...

Chocolate brings a bit of flair to the traditional bucket bag with the Aubrey.

At first glance it seems like so many bucket bags, with its clean lines and distinctive silhouette. But Chocolate helps to set the purse apart with the strap, which is accented with laced grommets ...

It might be a bit misleading to call a bag made from nubuck leather a Peta. I'm sure the folks at the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals wouldn't approve. But if you're not banging the cruelty-free gong, you could easily warm to ...

Rebecca Minkoff punches up this classic structured Flame satchel with a smattering of studs.

Studs are beginning to get a little tired, but the traditional silhouette of this satchel should help make the Flame appear current even once the trend has completely passed.

The evergreen appeal ...

Tignanello isn't very fashion forward, but if you're looking for classic looks and traditional styling there are few brands in this price bracket that do it better.

I can imagine toting this Polished Pockets satchel to the office, filled to the brim with important files and ...

Vanessa Bruno keeps things chic and simple with this Athe Porte Monnaie Wallet. That name is a bit of a mouthful, but the purse behind it is far less fancy.

This really is a stock standard wallet, with a few appealing perks. ...

The little black bag gets a stylish makeover here with the Black City Sequins Bag from Balmain.

The Parisian fashion house has taken a rather simple classic square clutch and added some serious wow factor by covering it in sequins. Black leather trim and ...

Stone Mountain challenges what we think about weekenders with this Weekender Cross-Body bag.

Rather than a bag for carrying all the luggage we need on a short getaway, this Weekender is the kind of purse that you'll sling across your body when you're doing a spot of sight-seeing. ...

We all need a few wardrobe essentials, and Serpui Marie hopes its Essential Minaudiere will be one of them.

I'd love to add it to my collection. Its snakeskin finish is so delicate, a welcome alternative to the bold mottled skins we so typically see. This ...

I love when a brand decides that perhaps the time has come to pay homage to the iconic designs of yesteryear. This time it is Fossil who has decided to recreate some of the handbags of the past in a shiny new format.

The advantage of this, of course, ...

Prada keeps it simple with this elegant black leather crystal kisslock clutch.

There's a fine line between boring and simply chic, and sadly I think Prada has come down on the wrong side of things. The large faceted crystals on the kisslock clasp do their best ...

Pink Studio has packed all the vintage style of the hit advertising drama Mad Men into this stylish Larissa clutch.

Some might call it drab, but after seeing so many colorful Pink Studio designs I'm happy for something a little more conservative. The look of black houndstooth checks ...

Nina Ricci helps you add a little luxury to your everyday with this elegant Ondine Gator shoulder bag.

As you might have guessed from the name, that exotic finish comes not from an embossed leather or even the more commonly used crocodile but alligator. At first ...

You don't have to be a big shot lawyer to appreciate the elegant craftsmanship of this Litigator briefcase from McKlein.

The design is classic and sophisticated. The brown and black colors aren't very cutting edge, but the fine grained leather will only look better with age. The design is simple, ...

I associate Lanvin with whimsical, feminine accessories accented with feathers and fluff. So I was surprised to see the French brand playing it so straight with the Legion PM Bag.

This has none of the stuff of regular Lanvin bags; there's no flash or frippery at all. That sensible approach might ...

Every girl needs a spacious leather tote. It is a wardrobe essential, and this vintage purse from Frye ticks all of my boxes.

The quality of the leather is important in a bag like this. Of course it is. After all, this tote will almost certainly be carted around for years and years ...

Etienne Aigner might not create the It bags that send us all drooling, but the brand is always a reliable choice for classic accessories that doesn't cost the earth.

The Colby is in keeping with the brand's traditions, from its tried and true signature brown leather to its clean trapezoidal line. It ...