An elegant embossed texture helps make this Fairbanks Clutch from Menbur a cut above the rest.

This elegant purse has many of the trademarks of a classic clutch, from its structured design to its satiny finish. But that embossing is what makes it really special. While the texture ...

JJ Winters has crafted another celebrity favorite with this Tiny Turtle clutch.

I haven't always warmed to the label's purses as, in my opinion, they try too hard to follow trends. The Tiny Turtle takes a different approach though, and it's a stronger bag ...

There are few accessories more reliable than a classic tote bag. Big Buddha dresses up this wardrobe staple with some reptilian embossing to create the Dakota.

Exotic embossing can make a handbag look much richer when it's done right, or much cheaper when it's not. Thankfully ...

Badgley Mischka cleverly creates the illusion of real luxury with this snake printed Tess Dome satchel.

Badgley Mischka has taken a few fashion risks here, but I think each one has paid off. Snake print has the potential to look like an inferior copy ...

As one of the world's most fashionable mamas, it makes sense that Kimora Lee Simmons has created some of the most stylish diaper bags I've seen. This ostrich embossed diaper tote is another impressive accessory from her Baby Phat label.

This diaper tote is ...

Big Buddha delivers Western style, and just a hint of edge, with this Saddle messenger bag.

The embossed flourishes and contrast stitching around the uniquely shaped flap give the Saddle its country character. It's no hick though. The turnlock closure has been one of the most ...

When it comes to Ashley M, you're never quite sure what you're going to get. Sometimes it makes bags shaped like guitars and covered with images of pop culture icons, and on other occasions it forgets novelty and brings us something much more ...

Kooba goes wild with this python printed Kiley satchel.

I usually love snake scales, but frankly I think they confuse what could have been a very elegant purse. I find myself trying to look past the mottled skin to take in the Kiley's unique structured shape, and the ...

Why settle for a metallic clutch when you could carry one made out of real metal? Coloriffics ditches soft satins and silks for something a bit more durable with this Moonbeam clutch.

A metal purse could easily have looked masculine, but Coloriffics softens the material with some scaly ...

OK, so Kate Spade may not be great at giving her handbag designs short names, but she certainly is talented at coming up with the designs themselves!

There isn't as much of a retro vibe to the Peacock Lane clutch as there is to the other designs in ...

What qualities does a really glamorous handbag need? A great shape? Tick! A great color? Tick! An unusual pattern? Tick! This Medigriffe tote really ticks all the boxes!

OK, so I may be a tad over-enthusiastic. However, one look at this fire engine red ...

Who says a simple evening bag needs to be boring? This subtly clever purse from La Regale manages to be smart whilst still having a good dose of personality.

As its base components, this embossed handbag is quite traditional. You have a sophisticated black leather base in a subtle snakeskin pattern. You ...

Smart yet affordable clutches that easily make the transition from day to night; these are Prezzo's specialty!

For the daytime, this patent clutch is a smart and simple purse, jazzed up with a little touch of metallic snakeskin. It will fit demurely in with a smart business outfit, although ...

Some may disagree, but I think everyone should have a little glitz in their life. And this Heart Mirrors tote from the relatively affordable Marc by Marc Jacobs line is a great way to get it.

There's no ignoring this gold tote; it's that ...

Jessica McClintock gets back to nature with this elegant leaf embossed frame clutch.

This purse's pewter toned leatherette body is embellished with delicate leaves. All-over patterns can look busy, but the dainty treatment of this one helps Jessica McClintock get away with the style. The cause is also helped by the simple, ...

This is a bit of a break from the norm for luxury brand Lodis. Normally its handbags are sleek and glossy, whereas the Carnival Cafe clutch is much more fun!

Don't get me wrong, I love Lodis bags. However, it is nice to see some texture in that crocodile print pattern, and I ...

There is a certain touch of Alexander Wang styling to this over-the-top box clutch from Inge Christopher, just without a price tag into the thousands of dollars.

Of course, this edgy St Petersburg minaudiere isn't quite as a stylish as some of the Wang styles on the market. The difference, I think, ...

For a clutch that breaks away from the normal and the typical, Rampage is the design house to go to.

The Joelle clutch doesn't really look like many other clutches on the market. To start with, it is broken into two compartments, both of which are framed around the middle pocket. This is ...

Classic and traditional handbags aren't just the domain of the expensive and well-established brands of the world. With this croc-embossed clutch, La Regale sets out to prove that affordable can be glam.

I think it has achieved this aim. In fact, it may have even surpassed it through the simplicity of the design. ...

Yves Saint Laurent has relaunched its official website with a collection of luxe products available exclusively through the fashion house's online store.

Fans of the brand's lauded embossed sueded crocodile will be thrilled to see the skin adorning the iconic Large Muse Bag. This luscious exotic inspired fabric brings a ...

With the Olivia, CC Skye really surprises us. At first glance it's a hobo, with all the slouch we expect but much more style. But that's just the start of the story.

As a hobo this bag is lovely. The soft leather slouches easily, but its gentle python embossed finish makes the ...

Mellow World is set to polarize bagistas with its big and bold Monica.

This is definitely a bag for girly girls. It's available in just two shades: fuchsia pink and passion purple! These hues were bound to get noticed anyway, but just in case they might go undetected Mellow World has used ...

Moonsus offers a fun and feminine alternative to traditional laptop totes with the Glamour.

The polished patent leather finish is accented with Moonsus' signature floral print and a smattering of tiny silver studs. It's a bold design for a work bag, but by embossing the pattern rather than using different colors it ...

Hello Kitty merchandise swings neatly between utterly tacky, and actually rather cute. Thankfully this affordable red patent handbag comes down in the "cute" corner of the court!

Although you don't get real patent leather for this glossy red bowler, you don't particularly need it. After all, this brand is all about having fun, ...

CC Skye brings a sense of sophisticated style to the humble hobo bag with the Turner.

The Turner has the slouchy silhouette we expect to see, but the flat base and elegant pleats give it more structure and style than the average. For an added dose of sophistication, choose the Turner in ...

CC Skye has outdone itself with this gorgeous hobo bag. It's called the Love 82, and that's exactly the emotion it inspires in me!

Often the slouch of a hobo makes it look slovenly, but not so here. The soft body only makes the luxury leather appear more opulent. The gentle pleats ...

Jimmy Choo designs for an upscale audience with refined taste, but he always adds a bohemian edge that makes his accessories lovable to a wide, diverse crowd. The Cara clutch is one of those accessories.

The generous size of this clutch makes it perfect for really long nights, and it also showcases the ...

The classic evening flap bag gets a modern makeover with this Margo Ripple from Inge Christopher.

Rather than using the label's favorite fabrics silk and satin, Inge Christopher has opted for heavier suede here. It might seem like a strange choice for an evening bag at first, but no other material could ...

Miuccia Prada once said that she thinks in Prada, but dreams in Miu Miu. The younger, more fanciful line is a little bit dreamier, but also a little more accessible in terms of price.

This croc print bag retains some of the minimal Prada aesthetic in terms of shape and design, but adds ...

If you've drooled over Abas' clutches like the Cate and Maggie but longed for something larger meet this sweet smelling Rose.

The Rose features the same convincing embossed leather we've seen on so many Abas purses. It might be a little predictable, but when a brand continues to produce quality ...

Donna Sharp has never struck me as a very subtle brand, but this Savvy Handbag might just make me change my mind. Gone are the colorful prints and feminine accents, replaced by this much subtler design.

From a distance, this looks like any black handbag. The shape's a little more interesting than ...

While I've been pleasantly impressed by Abas' tiny clutches, this plush Ella purse makes me drool.

I've seen Abas use these same elements before, from the opulent Italian leather to the realistic python embossing. But on this larger scale, and with the addition of modern cut-out handles, the label ups the sex ...

This Jalda Brief clutch is an unusual yet formal purse, perfect for business attire.

What many brands don't understand is that if your bag is made from an interesting fabric with an interesting pattern then you don't have to over embellish. Whilst lots of purses may have had buttons or jewels or even ...

Handbags aren't the only things that can get incredibly expensive sometimes; now smart wallet/clutches are heading in the same direction. This Cartier purse will set you back $680; but is it worth it?

As someone who has very tight purse strings, my first instinct is to say that no bag, ever, is worth ...

Its name is a little pretentious, but there are no airs and graces about the Montclair. This Liz Claiborne purse is a no fuss accessory for girls on the go.

The style is fairly traditional, with its boxy satchel shape and round curved handles. But the exotic embossed surface, rendered in playful ...

If you're a fan of Betsey Johnson's style when it's at its flashiest, you probably love her Betseyville sister line to the main label. This line of designs is typically even bolder than regular Betsey Johnson bags to suit even the most retro-loving dramatic taste.

The Starring Betsey collection from Betseyville is a prime ...

This incredibly sophisticated croc-embossed briefcase from Jack Georges may well be the perfect present for any workaholics in your family.

Of course, such a good-looking briefcase never ever comes cheap, especially when it is constructed out of real quality Italian leather. As such, the traditional looks of this case will cost you a ...

Sondra Roberts builds on the previous Trapunto purse design with this elegant knotted beauty.

The raised design of this purse builds on the quilted technique employed before in purses from this range. In my opinion, the embossed surface works well as a contrast against the smooth tan knot, especially as ...

Exotic animal skins or materials that have been embossed to give that appearance are quite the rage right now, but I'm not sure that many women would put this particular animal's hide at the top of their wish list for handbag texture.

In fact, I had to do a double take when I saw ...

When real snakeskin is beyond the reach of your budget, there's always embossed leather to fill the void. Thanks to designer brands like Rafe, you can enjoy the snake print along with the quality of real leather and expert craftsmanship.

That's where handbags like this chic Rafe Blake hobo come in. Consistent ...

I must admit, I'm an old fashioned girl who believes a dog should either stay at home while you run your errands, or trot happily beside you on a leash. But if you insist on toting your pampered pooch in a handbag, the least you can do is opt for ...

They say you should fake it until you make it. If your salary won't stretch to accommodate authentic snakeskin or crocodile, this embossed Necessary Objects clutch is a charming substitute.

Synthetic isn't the most opulent material, but I love the way it's been used here. I've seen embossed leather look far less ...

High-end department store Neiman Marcus has teamed up with comeback kid Carlos Falchi to create a limited edition tote bag collection for Christmas.

Each tote is crafted from microfiber, embossed with python-print for a little extra festive glitz. The shoulder straps have a long 10-inch drop, perfect for ...

No one expects genuine exotics for under $100. But if you hope to enjoy the look at a budget friendly price, this python-like hobo from Chinese Laundry is a decent option.

The traditional slouchy hobo shape is jazzed up by the snakeskin print, which is embossed on the polyurethane body. This blue ...

Why should snake and crocodile get all the accolades? Elaine Turner serves up a different kind of exotic with its Madison Pouchette.

Of course, Elaine Turner doesn't dabble in genuine exotics. Instead it's merely embossed the leather with a tortoise-shell finish. The scales are large and irregular, giving the purse a contemporary ...

Marc by Marc Jacobs has a way of bringing style-setting trends into relative affordability. Sometimes, though, he simply brings his past successes back into the forefront, by reinvigorating them for new seasons. This clutch, for example, looks a whole lot like the iconic Dr. Q Magazine Clutch that fashionistas across the ...

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 ...

Since real python leather bags can easily run a couple thousand dollards, many women choose a snakeskin embossed or stamped version instead. Honestly, unless it's a Carlos Falchi creation or something of the same caliber, it's not really worth it to me.

I suppose the next best thing would be an option like this Fontanelli Stamped ...

The Laura from Elaine Turner marries the contemporary attitude of snakeskin with a gentle femininity.

While many snake purses are dramatically dark, the Laura takes a much softer approach. Some might accuse the pastel color palette of being a little washed out, but there's something so pretty about the muted shades. This ...

Indulge your inner Cleopatra with this sexy Isis clutch from Kenneth Jay Lane.

This evening purse is crafted from party-ready black patent leather. The glossy fabric is embossed with a snakeskin-like finish for an extra dose of sass. The snake theme continues with a slithering serpent detail. The snake commands attention with ...