Nicole Lee puts a playful spin on high-end style with this Adela mini bag.

The Adela's simple pouchette shape and front flap with its turn-lock closure are obvious homages to leading designer purses. But Nicole Lee's exaggerated features give this purse its point of difference. The ...

Kathy Van Zeeland's gotten in touch with her feminine side to create this Pretty Young Thing Satchel.

I was surprised to see KVZ's name attached to this conservative satchel. Its hardware is remarkably reserved, and its flap-over shape an elegant ...

Ghibli gives the classic black and white color combination some retro flair with this Flap Satchel Bag.

I really like the playful way Ghbili has interpreted this traditional handbag style. Black hues are wardrobe staples, but Ghibli's added more interest by using matte leather and nubbly soft suede. ...

Elliott Lucca opts for classic styling with this Bubble Flap Shoulder Bag.

Its name is a bit confusing, because there doesn't seem to be anything bubbly about this bag. Its demeanor is as smooth as its gently pebbled leather. Its teak colored leather is ...

Jessica Simpson serves up her take on the classic wristlet with the Abby.

Jessica Simpson has never been a fashion pioneer, so perhaps it's unsurprising to see this wristlet plays it safe. However while it's not a trend setter, it's still quite stylish. I'm particularly impressed ...

Etienne Aigner, where have you been hiding? The usually pedestrian fashion label has created an uncharacteristically fashion forward satchel with the Krista.

If I didn't know better I'd swear this was the work of some high end European designer. Its honey colored snake embossed leather is ...

Nicole Lee is one of those designers that marches to the beat of her own drum. She doesn't always nail her accessories, but at least you can't accuse them of being boring. This Helene clutch is another surprising, and surprisingly affordable, handbag from her collection.

The ...

Patricia Nash gives classic style a modern makeover with this elegant Praga cross-body bag.

In many ways this is like so many cross-body bags, with its traditional flap-over design and ladylike structure. But it's the more unusual elements that turned my head.

The burnished burgundy ...

It's been some time since I've swooned over Coach, but the label has me in raptures with its Flagship Leather Dowel Flap handbag.

The bag sees Coach returning to its roots, celebrating classic designs which are clean and refined. I love the buttery softness of the ...

Carla Mancini injects a little extra boho into the hobo style with this Olivia bag.

This hobo breaks a few rules but still celebrates the essence of the style. Its bottom heavy design makes a stable change from the regular crescent, and its more structured leather ...

I've seen plenty of ruffled bags in my time, but none quite like this Taylor purse from Bebe.

The large gentle pleats of this flap have a structure that almost makes them feel like plates of armor. These plates are separated by the ultra tight ruched synthetic running ...

I haven't always warmed to Anushcka's hand-painted bags, but this adorable Mini Multi-Pocket Flap Satchel has enough charm to win me over.

In many ways it doesn't stray too far away from Anuschka's formula. The watercolor painted design is familiar, as is the pebbled leather. But I love ...

Nina Ricci delivers a bold new take on patchwork with this Patchwork Bag.

From a distance this seems like a very traditional Chanel-esque purse, with its front flap and gleaming golden fold-down clasp. But get closer and you'll see this Patchwork purse isn't quite as buttoned ...

For a while now I've worried that Miu Miu's accessories may be blending into the background. They were perfectly polite, but they didn't seem to rev me anymore. But there's no danger of this mini flap shoulder bag being ignored!

The starburst ...

Lanvin celebrates vintage style with this elegant Maisha shoulder bag.

This purse is every inch the lady, from its golden push-lock clasp to its gentle brown color. Fans of Lanvin's more flamboyant designs may feel this shade is a bit drab, but it's also timeless. It's ...

I'm not sure it's appropriate for a Greek goddess, but KC Malhan has created an elegant and affordable clutch in the Athena.

The black beaded body of this simple flap clutch is quite beautiful. Those beads will catch the moonlight, glimmering with more subtlety than sequins. ...

Bebe revamps the classic quilted flap bag with this curiously named Denim Darling.

I say it's curious because this darling isn't made from denim at all, but polyurethane. In this black shade it doesn't even try to pretend to be denim, which only makes the moniker ...

With most of the fashion world starting to show signs of stud fatigue, designers are on the look-out for the next big thing. Early indications are the grommets might just take the title. B. Makowsky uses the cute metal eyelets to great effect on this ...

I'm never quite sure what I'm going to get with Anya Hindmarch. She might deliver a kitschy overpriced canvas tote, or she might offer a stylish little leather number. While those canvas bags are starting to bore me, this Bonita purse has made me sit ...

Kate Spade reinvents the classic quilted flap bag for the space age with her Gold Coast Evangeline shoulder bag.

This purse takes its cues from the classic designs of Chanel, with its turn-lock clasp, front flap, quilting and chain handle. ...

Inge Christopher embraces the charms of vintage fashion, along with a dash of retro Madonna, with this Ann Baguette clutch.

The combination of bold black lace laid over neutral pale gray fabric is both enchantingly old fashioned and retro cool. The golden accents help push this ...

The coral colored leather and delicate studded quilting we fell for on the Hudson clutch has been used to great effect on Gorjana's Hudson shoulder bag.

There's a time and a place for clutches, but this bigger shoulder bag should suit more occasions. It's larger but ...

Fall in love with the elegance of this Juliet clutch from Rampage.

This is a classic creature, which looks just as we'd expect an envelope clutch to look. The metal trim helps to emphasize the gently curved flap, but really this is pretty stock standard stuff. In a ...

Simple origami folding and a sumptuous lizard-print leather make this Lauren Merkin clutch a luxurious option.

The glamor in the Caroline clutch is simple and understated. No big jewels, no bright colors, just a simple beige fabric that exudes all kinds of class. The ...

Look out fashionistas, this shoulder bag's flap is so huge that there's no telling what it's capable of! Seriously, I've never seen a flap this big. Even if it's not plotting world domination, at the very least it could overshadow an outfit.

While the classic fashion ...

For a hint of designer grace without any of the flash, look to an elegant purse like this Crossing shoulder bag from Salvatore Ferragamo.

This is one of those purses that I might easily have passed over if not for its European pedigree. It's ...

Miu Miu is a fashion house whose output can best be described as uneven; for every hit, there's always a miss or more. Thankfully this Aviator bag falls into the former camp.

The Aviator has been one of Miu Miu's best loved handbag styles for years, ...

Fossil has created an affordable and stylish purse for far less than we'd expect to pay with this Talita clutch.

Fossil has always represented great value, but I was still surprised to see this purse priced at a budget friendly $50. That's a small price to pay for ...

I haven't carried a backpack since I graduated from high school, but this stylish Teba bag has me reevaluating my stance.

This clever convertible tote is really like three bags in one. Multiple anchor points and straps allow you to carry it as a ...

You've got the freedom to go hands-free or clutch your purse the old-fashioned way when it's the Liberty Bag from Big Buddha.

The modern slouchy style is matched by the Liberty's versatile convertible design. The strap is long enough to work as a shoulder bag or ...

Coach takes us back to its roots with this Horse Carriage Cargo Flap Bag.

I've never really warmed to Coach's signature prints, but there's something so endearing about this Horse Carriage pattern. The Coach name is paired with images of the iconic Horse Carriage, ...

Kooba takes everything I loved about the Drew tote and punches it up a few notches with the Cori.

Just like the Drew, the Cori features decorative flaps which look just as edgy and dangerous as the neckline of a motorcycle jacket. But here we get a more ...

Why have one flap on your handbag when you can have six?

I don't know what purpose those little flaps actually serve. They don't conceal pockets or anything like that! However, they are covered in the coolest of cone studs, and that is what manages to take them from ...

Has Laurel and Sunset taken its inspiration from the reigning queen of pop here? The GaGa hobo is every bit as attention grabbing as the musical diva that shares its name, but I'm just not sure this purse will attract the kind of attention that anyone wants.

This ...

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 ...

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 ...

I do love a good floral handbag, and this affordable $88 creation by Fossil is a nice stylized version for winter.

The winteryness is all thanks to the dark leather trim of this convertible flap bag, which neatly reins in the florals and ties the purse together. The handles ...

Hype has remixed the idea of the Dylan hobo in this spacious version.

Roomier than the original Dylan handbag, this particular hobo has gone above and beyond the offerings of its smaller compatriot. In my opinion this large bag has left its sibling sprawling in the dust!

There are a number of reasons ...

Emilio Pucci takes things down a notch for this Marquise Bag.

It might seem strange to consider a bag trimmed with studs and rings as reserved, but in comparison with many of Emilio Pucci's accessories this flap bag is almost sedate. Rather than the colorful prints the fashion house favors, this handbag ...

Just as I was beginning to tire of studded purses, this Jacqueline clutch from Big Buddha crosses my path to change my mind.

Big Buddha breathes new life into the popular trend by interpreting it in a delicate new way. The fine studs make a refreshing change from the chunky hardware accents ...

Few fabrics say summer like straw. It might not last longer than a season or two, but bags made from this affordable woven fiber are perfect for stepping out in the sun.

While many labels dabble with the material, Magid is a straw specialist. Here it's taken the traditional flap purse made ...

Lauren Merkin clutches are always modern, but I don't think I've ever seen one with such edge!

This Diana purse is dotted with tiny round and pyramid studs, which are paradoxically both on trend and a little bit dangerous. Yet the purse doesn't lose its femininity thanks to its baby soft lambskin ...

Jessica McClintock offers restrained elegance, and just a hint of bling, with this gorgeous flap clutch.

This purse is a curious mix, and one that I think really works. Most clutches so simply designed do away with frills and frippery altogether, but that's not the case here. It's feminine, but subtly so ...

J. Renee shows us that a dramatic purse need not cost the earth with the Fleur clutch.

For less than $100 you can enjoy this striking clutch. It's not surprising that this price doesn't buy genuine leather, but the manmade material makes a pretty convincing patent alternative. The glossy black body is ...

Giani Bernini shuns the trends and opts for something more traditional with its glazed leather flap satchel.

Honestly it's the sort of bag I'd overlook, if it wasn't such a necessary part of any girls wardrobe. While fashion forward bags might work for a season or two if you're lucky, the classic ...

Jesselli Couture offers us a classic croc purse for less with this Croc-Embossed clutch.

That's right, this Jesselli Couture purse isn't authentic crocodile at all, but a rather convincing imitation. Personally I feel when the embossing is this good, a stamped leather purse is just as eye-catching, although exotic lovers may disagree.

Jesselli ...

All too often metallic purses look gaudy or garish, but when you find just the right one it can make your little black dress pop. I think this J. Furmani Pleated Metallic Flap Clutch is a real contender for the title.

The secret is the rich pewter color which looks like smooth ...

I thought I'd seen exotic purses mimicking every animal imaginable, but it seems I was wrong. Meet the Armadillo Flap Clutch from Inge Christopher.

Now before you animal activists get up in arms, note that I said this clutch was merely mimicking armadillo. It's actually made from leather stamped with an exotic ...

Most girls who like girly things have a bit of a penchant for specific features. For polka-dots, all too often, and bows. Another area they tend to love are classy and stylish flowers.

This is why I think the Nine West Neves purse will go down a treat in these kind of circles. ...

Ooh, Hobo International has really pushed the boundaries with this uniquely shaped Naomi Florence satchel.

I do love an unusual shape in a purse; I think it imbues it with a certain sense of spectacle. For a handbag to be very distinctive, yet at the same time quite retro and traditional, is very ...