Remember all the giant bows of the 80s? It seemed like they were everywhere; in hair, on bags, on belts. Well, I have been beginning to see a lot of them again lately, and I hugely prefer Chloe's sleek version on the Rodas to the variety found in mall kiosks.

The smooth matte ...

The time has come to buy a refreshing white bag for summer, and this Elaine Turner clutch is right on the money.

This patent white clutch looks more than a little Sex and The City, and I could imagine one of the SATC girls carrying it with a beautiful white maxi dress. A ...

In a world where so many handbag designers seem ready to follow fads, the ones that dare to be different really get noticed. It might not be the most luxurious purse in the world, but the playful spots on the Mellow World Circle Handbag help it stand out from the pack.

The ...

I have to admit that I haven't ever heard of the Savanna brand before. However, if everything it produces is like the affordable little Y & S box clutch then I shall have to pay a little more attention in future.

This purse, you see, costs only $30. This does suggest that the ...

Polka dots, or donuts? When you see a cute dotty purse with holes in the middle of the dots, these are the sorts of questions that you have to ask.

The Gretel clutch is very cute, and a little twee. What with Glee being quite so popular at the moment, I am willing ...

We don't get many clutches in this particular shade of burnt orange, but I think we should have more!

The Latico P.S. clutch is a fiery beauty, perfect for wearing on romantic summer evenings, or even in cold snowy weather. The color is emphasized by the simple envelope clutch shape and the gentle ...

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 ...

I have a love-hate relationship with Coach, and this pint-sized wristlet comes down on the side of love!

Although the design is teeny tiny, this wouldn't hold me back. I just wouldn't use this as the wristlet it is sold as, choosing instead to treat it as a little card purse or coin ...

Beautiful gloss patent leather is shiny enough to see your reflection in in this Stuart Weitzman clutch.

A simple black bag is a necessity in any girl's wardrobe. It will go with anything, any outfit at all, and it will work equally for day or night. Much like that dress that you always ...

Calvin Klein reinvigorates the hobo bag with this glossy patent Rain.

While most hobos have a relaxed bohemian style, this one begs for attention with its vivid colors and rich, glossy texture. This is a fabric that looks good, so good that you'd swear it was leather. At $148 it probably should ...

$645 is a lot for any handbag, let alone a small designer wallet. The problem I have with purses like this is seeing past the expensive status symbol price tag, and to the design that lies beneath.

If we forget the price for now, however, then this Continental is actually quite a unique and ...

I have mostly been liking Juicy Couture's bags lately. The label seems to be making its accessories line a little more sophisticated and streamlined. This hobo, however, is not a particularly good example of that change.

While this hobo is more elegant than many of the bags in Juicy's brightly colored, overdecorated past, ...

This Rebecca Minkoff tote offers a great way to integrate animal print into your outfit without being too bright and obvious.

Although generally I am not a fan of leopard print, this royal blue take on the theme has actually made me reevaluate my position. It is a small subtle pattern, and that ...

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 ...

Anya Hindmarch's fresh urban style is making waves in cities everywhere. She is starting to get wider acclaim, and if she keeps delivering chic bags for everyday women, that trend will definitely continue. The "Available" tote is a great example of her quirky, irreverent side.

First, I should tell you that I have ...

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, ...

If you want classic good looks and flawless timeless design, then this pricey Guess satchel will take your breath away.

Simply put, this crocodile embossed leather handbag is stunning. It could easily be a meticulously crafted piece of leather work from the vintage days of yore, were it not for the fact that ...

Inject some high class bling into your outfit with this gold patent clutch.

Lodis has created something that manages to combine two hard-to-manage materials, bright gold and snakeskin, into a very classy purse. Perhaps the simple shape and frame design tone down what could be dramatically over the top? Even the risky combination ...

Maison Martin Margiela has an aesthetic that is impossible to predict and growing in popularity. He has managed to combine minimalism and experimentalism in a way that is somehow accessible to a wide audience. This clutch is a fabulous, and bizarre, example.

I am having a really hard time wrapping my head around ...

Steve Madden's creations are almost always stylish yet funky, and he hasn't broken the mold with this BSide tote.

The shape of this nylon and synthetic leather tote is so unusual. Rather than going to the boring typical tote shape, he has instead created some movement with the concave base. However, to avoid ...

If you want luxury leather then this Lauren Merkin tote is a soft and supple option.

The Bella tote is clad in the most absurdly luxurious leather. I am always a fool for pale cool gray, and the calm shade in combination with this incredibly supple glazed leather practically has me drooling and passing out. ...

If you want a weekend bag with some pretty feminine adornment then this Big Buddha tote should suit you.

I have to start this post by saying that personally I am not convinced by the gentle mint green metallic body. Were it matte I would probably like it more, but I feel the glossy ...

Aw, don't you just love the cute round buttons on this Sondra Roberts clutch?

I have always been a big fan of adorable buttons, so do forgive me if I seem a little over-enthusiastic about what is essentially one of the simplest forms of handbag decoration. However, I think the simple lines work ...

Mmm, what a gorgeous and unusual color! Despite the deceptively simple shape, it would seem that this Gin Lane hold-all from Jessica Simpson is anything but ordinary.

So, let us start with the color. This rich patent tone is a meeting of lime and olive, creating a sumptuous and earthy shade that is ...

Is it just me, or has nautical style been in fashion for seasons upon seasons now? It keeps falling out of the limelight and then climbing straight back in.

Well, one of the best ways to get in on this indomitable trend is to buy a classy handbag that lets you channel the ...

Wristlets are often quite similar to wallets, and the best examples on the market are the ones that are happy to try and do both.

The Jessica Simpson Taylor wristlet is a case in point. On one hand the central compartment and little wrist strap make a useful miniature handbag, but on the ...

This woven tote from Rampage is the epitome of cute and flirty weekend chic.

Getting the mix of casual and stylish right is very difficult. You need something that is versatile and comfy, yet which looks really smart and elegant at the same time. I think the Mykonos shopper has achieved that quite ...

Valentine's Day seems to have reached an unprecedented level of popularity this year. Everyone is producing lovey-dovey handbags with a certain cupid-influenced theme!

Marc Jacobs isn't unfamiliar with designing heart bags, but this one is a lot subtler than his previous offerings. The hearts are simple stamped indentations on the glossy metallic leather, ...

It's almost impossible to describe anything made by Yves Saint Laurent without using the word "chic." It sounds cliché, but this is one fashion house that has understated elegance down to an art form. This Y clutch is the perfect example.

Envelope clutches have always been a favorite of mine. They say, "I ...

This little frame clutch from Hobo International brings a spring vibe to smart patent evening bags.

The Belinda uses an interesting selection of decorative features. Rather that just choosing one focal point, this purse combines a patent sheen, over-sized floral print, and an unusual snakeskin pattern. I am a little hesitant about the use of ...

Calvin Klein, who aren't known for doing anything particularly adventurous, break out of the mold with this bold Stone Date clutch.

This patent clutch comes in a brilliant shade of patent red, along with some other colors. The sheen is so glossy that it is practically metallic, making this very suitable for evening ...

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 ...

Have you always had a bit of a thing for baskets and wicker? Vintage picnic baskets have been high on my fashion radar for a few years now, so this posh interpretation from luxury designer Maxx New York is the perfect item for me.

Maxx New York has done quite a few barrel ...

Tommy Hilfiger goes smart yet casual with this Logo Items tote.

The smart elements of this everyday bag are obvious. The TH signature fabric resembles a conservative twist on houndstooth, whilst the patent leather top adds some sophisticated flair. Finally the muted color palette and metallic panel complete the classy effect.

On top of ...

It's got a very regal moniker, but I can't imagine the stylish Egyptian queen carrying her Necessary Objects namesake!

This dome satchel is far too casual for royalty, and the materials frankly inferior. A purse fit for Cleopatra would surely use real crocodiles from the Nile rather than this glossy embossed synthetic. ...

Goldenbleu isn't known for creating bags that break from the norm, and this stripey Rachelle hobo is a new design of the brand's old favorite.

The shape of this bag makes the most of the smooth and sleek patent panels. Rather than going over the top, the emphasis instead is on a simple ...

Gustto go all luxurious with its rich burgundy Frenza bag.

The shape of this huge and spacious tote is quite unique. Sure, the basic tote design is there, but in combination with a small central handle and stylized fold-over closure. The looks combine fashion with function, and I think the balance is made ...

Sometimes functional hobos get to take a break from being useful and concentrate instead on being good fun.

This Sharif bag may not be constructed from real leather (such a shame), but it sure as hell looks like it is. That fun nature is channeled through a patchwork pattern of suede-esque and patent panels, which work ...

Wow, do I love this bag or what? I love the bright, in-your-face color. I love the clean unadulterated patent leather surface. I love the contrasting textured ribbon. It only happens occasionally, but this Kate Spade tote has sent me head over heels.

OK, so a single block color may not be to ...

Have a little bit of punk delicacy on your arm with this cute patent Luba J clutch.

I do love a good contrast between patent and matte fabrics on a handbag; it instantly looks mature and sophisticated! The fabrics, thankfully, actually live up to this impression. Of course, if it costs $330, then you ...

Although I'm used to seeing LeSportsac totes and backpacks in fun, whimsical prints like stripes, polka dots, and even owls, it's nice to know that you can also get one of its incredibly practical designs in something simple like black patent.

The Leigh Weekender, just one of many weekend totes that the brand ...

I have to admit to having always thought of suede as a winter warmer: woolly and soft and more than a little bit dull. However, this pretty little disco purse from Lauren Merkin just goes to show that it ain't the material, it is what you do with it that counts!

Here the soft ...

There's the Ava and the Hepburn, and now another of Maxx New York's other designs seemingly named after stylish silver screen stars of the past: the Garbo.

Like the other sophisticated handbags, the Garbo tote is a pretty blend of classic chic and contemporary. The inverted shape and sophisticated touches such ...

Luxury and exclusive handbag label Bally may have just managed to make itself even more desirable with this $795 Alunina tote.

Hot pink, when done well, can actually be one of the most sophisticate, yet individual, colors on the market. It can actually look great in more formal situations, where anything other than ...

Party bags just got a whole lot more aggressive with this studded purse from handbag designer Rafe.

Punked up biker chic attitude is what this pint-sized preener is all about. From the obviously beautiful textured gold sequins, through to the variety of studs, this harks back to the wonders of yesteryear, with a ...

It has been a long weekend, and I felt like I needed something other than copious amounts of chocolate to cheer me up. As such, this Sondra Roberts smile tote was exactly the dose of fun and giggles that my tired little brain needed.

The smile image is iconic, seen around the world ...

Ed Hardy sure knows how to make a mom feel like a rockstar. Like any other bag from the label, this Luella diaper tote is anything but frumpy and mom-ish with its tattoo-inspired prints and details.

This is the sort of diaper bag that can work double duty as both practical baby gear and ...

Although statement handbags are all the rage right now, every woman needs some classic, versatile purses to grab at a moment's notice and pair with practically anything in her closet.

This Hobo International Katrina Clutch fills that purpose beautifully. It might not be super trendy or even a standout among other bags, but ...

Kate Spade still manages to channel bright sixties vibes in a simple single colored bag.

The quilting is the first step towards 60's freedom and mod style. Done wrong it could look more "posh riding school" than anything fun and modern, but thankfully when combined with the bright orange shade it really works. In ...

This is a gorgeous traditional bag from respected luxury designer Badgley Mischka.

Good quality patent leather always looks good, and the effect is emphasized here by the contrasting white trim. That white trim works to create that graphic sixties style pattern, with a stylized oversized button clasp and a funky art deco shape. Lookswise, this ...