Few things irk me more than fashion houses that stop trying. So I felt my heart sink as I spied this two-tone leather pouch from Balenciaga.

There's often a fine line between minimalist and boring, and Balenciaga's crossed it here. Everything is so basic, from the ...

Baggu made its name with cheap and cheerful reusable shoppers, but these days its putting a more fashionable foot forward. This medium pouch is a great example of the label's chic new approach.

This pouch sees Baggu trade in its familiar rip-stop nylon for luxurious textured leather. The ...

Marni's created a show-stopping, but ultimately uninspiring, accessory with this sequined pouch.

It's impossible to dislike a purse that's covered in bright red sequins. The shiny discs are just so fun, catching the light and upping the glam factor. But I feel the sequins are doing all the ...

Comme des Garcons serves up a fun take on classic polka dots with this embossed purse.

Designers have been embossing leather for ages, adding texture and mimicking exotic skins. So perhaps it was only a matter of time before someone decided to ...

The queen of studs just can't get enough, hence coating her latest creation head to toe in the shiny little things.

It seems that every purse Rebecca Minkoff creates has to have just a few more studs. The purses don't really get any bigger, ...

Cynthia Vincent has gone for an edgier look with this slashed leather pouch.

OK, so we have seen these pouches before. The cute yet functional shape is fast becoming the mainstay of Cynthia Vincent's designs, and to avoid the shape getting boring she is always releasing new and exciting versions. This ...

Antik Batik's eclectic sense of design is making a big splash amongst urban fashionistas. The line's hip, youthful vibe is a sigh of relief in a sea of plain leather bags. The Louise borrows from current and retro fashion from many continents that comes together in a beautiful concoction.

The heavily beaded leather is ...

This isn't the first studded pouch we have seen from Rebecca Minkoff. In fact, you could say that she specializes in this particular design. With this version, however, she has upped the ante on the aggression!

How can I tell this is more aggressive? Well, just look at those studs! She has avoided ...

Lots of zips add a very on trend utilitarian look to this otherwise designer Rebecca Minkoff cross-body.

The BF has enough practicality to live up to its name, and really be a girl's best friend. That is thanks to the compact size, perfect for when you only need a few belongings, and also ...

Sometimes the simplest of accessories can be the most chic. In a world of over-adorned purses, the clean lines of this Coco clutch from Ananas really stand out.

This is one of the most simply designed purses I've ever seen. There are no tricks here; just a simply shaped pouch with a ...

Just when you think Mary Frances had created the oddest handbag she could, she goes and creates something even more distinct!

Distinct may be a bit of a euphemism for strange in this case. An ornithologist's dream, this signature slouchy purse is embellished with beads, shells and feathers in the shape of a ...

Steve Madden pushes the fashion envelope with this surprising Charm School envelope. But is it really as charming as its name suggests?

The style is definitely eye-catching, with its pouch shape and gathered body providing a unique alternative to the traditional slouchy crescent. It reminds me of the sort of bag I ...

Some bags have to be all about the function. When you go on holiday you need to have a bag that allows you to carry all of your most important belongings - your passport, your cash - around with you. You need them to be close to your body, so that you ...

The world is full of environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags at the moment, as an alternative to the plastic or paper bags that most of us use and then throw away.

The problem with these totes has always been that you generally need more than one when you go shopping. Which, in turn, ...

Do you remember the Treesje Mortale handbag? Well, the brand has now created the Fatal purse, which is intended to be a slightly more down-market version of that Gothic clutch.

Where the Mortale is serious and macabre, the Fatal is all about fun. Yes, you heard me right; fun can come in skull shaped ...

Cynthia Vincent is known for her strangely shaped zipper pouches, and this studded version gives the shape a whole lot more attitude!

I really like the geometric layout of the studs, and the fact that they don't just come in one boring metal. The combination of silver and gold tones makes it looks ...

We all have outfits that call for a slightly dressier than average type of handbag, but budgets often don't accommodate for the prices of Swarovski-studded, intricately detailed designer styles. For a truly affordable evening bag, Magid is definitely one of the brands to seek out.

Though you won't get super high quality materials, ...

This is one Whiting & Davis handbag that doesn't make me automatically think of a bygone era. Well, that's not entirely true, I suppose, since it does have a certain '70s disco vibe going on with it. However, in comparison to some of the brand's truly vintage-inspired designs, this Cross-Body Dance Bag ...

Marc Jacobs, who can usually do no wrong in the eyes of many modern fashionistas, has stirred up quite a controversy with his Rana (which means "frog" in Spanish) clutch. It's not the choice of skin that's got the ladies up in arms, (the delicate sheen of the kangaroo has received universal ...

This chic Coach hand bag is made from a high quality combination of jacquard, leather, and suede sewn together in a distinctive patchwork style. It uses swatches in the metallic tones of gold, platinum, and bronze to give this bag a rich appearance fit for royalty. Mahogany brown leather trim complements the warm ...