Ralph Lauren helps us add a touch of luxury to our everyday lives with this Harbridge Hobo.

The soft curves and slouchy silhouette are classic hobo, but the snake-embossed surface makes it feel more sophisticated than the average. It's not the most convincing cobra mimic, but ...

Cole Haan serves up traditional design with a touch of the exotic in this Hayden Charlott Satchel.

This satchel has the structured design and clean lines of the most sophisticated handbags, but its exotic finish is what really makes it special. A large lizard ...

Beirn offers two bags for the price of one with this stylish Grace tote.

This handbag is so striking, with its regal purple hue and mottled stripes. In fact, I was surprised to read it's made not from the snakeskin that Beirn typically uses, but an embossed leather. ...

Alla Leather Art takes a walk on the wilder side with this Empire shoulder bag.

Ordinarily this fashion house deals with smooth buttery matte leathers. However this time around it's given its skin a luxurious snake print. It does a good job ...

Abas helps us carry the essentials in style with this Terry mini cross-body bag.

Exotic embossing is so hard to get right but Abas nails it every time. The glossy python finish on the Terry is no exception. I'm particularly fond of the subtle mottling of this Grecian ...

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 ...

Messengers tend to be casual affairs designed for toting textbooks to class. But Cynthia Vincent has revealed the sophisticated potential of the style with this Anderson bag.

At its heart, this is the same casual flap-over design we've come to know and love. But ...

Lauren Merkin takes a more straight-laced approach than usual with this Blair clutch.

The designer is famous for her gently pleated purses, so it's refreshing to see one with a different finish. The Blair's clean lines make it seem a little more androgynous and sophisticated, less ...

Latico delivers a little bit of luxury for a very little price with this Mackie Wristlet.

Its body is made from snake textured leather, rather than authentic snakeskin, but the material is still opulent. The graduated hues help make the skin a very good exotic mimic, especially for ...

CC Skye gives us exotic good looks without the four-figure price tag with this Onie satchel.

If this bag looks familiar, you might be a fan of the fashion pages. Pop princess Katy Perry and former reality TV star Olivia Palermo have both been spotted stepping ...

With the Eugenia, Rafe's created a clutch that doesn't need to wait until after five to make an appearance.

This is one purse that reminds us that an accessory doesn't need studs and sequins for texture. Instead Rafe uses a range of snake embossed finishes artfully pleated and ...

Phillip Lim reminds us of how impressive exotic embossing can look with his Berry wristlet.

We've all seem some bad embossing in recent seasons. All too often it seems designers are just going through the motions, adding a scaly texture without authenticity. It's almost as if ...

Maxx New York dresses up its cheap and cheerful synthetic with this Bridget shoulder bag.

The Bridget's snake treatment really is lovely. The textured scales make the synthetic shimmer when it catches the light, but they're not as obvious as they might ...

The Marc by Marc Jacobs line is a budget fashionista's dream. Its up to the minute styles are affordable and chic. Unfortunately, the Franny tote is not the best the line has to offer.

The gray PVC on the Franny tote leaves a lot to ...

Mulberry's Tillie bag is a modern classic. Its tailored design has made it great for office looks and more conservative styles. This fabulous over-sized update gives the Tillie a more exotic look, but without taking away from its classic appeal.

Honestly, I'm not 100% thrilled about the ...

Lauren Merkin creates a purse that's a little bit naughty and a little bit nice with this Ava clutch.

The snake-printed leather is pretty in a sugary shade of pink, although I know it won't suit everyone. There are basic black and warm maize hues available, ...

Hype brings some modern edge to the traditional doctor satchel with the Helen bag.

Despite its stuffy name, I can't imagine any real medical practitioner carrying this satchel bag. With its snake print embossing and shiny studs, it'd look more at home at a heavy metal ...

Jessica Simpson looked to the dramatic style of Spain when creating this elegant ruffled Runway Flamenco Framed Satchel.

I really like the structured ruffles which add a flirty punchy to this traditionally shaped satchel. My problem comes when Jessica Simpson tries to confuse the ...

Abas shows us that exotic style doesn't have to cost the earth with this luxurious looking Molly bag.

Embossed snakeskin purses are a dime a dozen, but few look as convincing as Abas accessories. The label gets the rich mottled scales just right, and while some of the shades may not resemble ...

At barely a year old, F&W Style is already making its mark on the handbag world with its philosophy that luxury doesn't have to cost the earth.

The label doesn't skimp on materials; each F&W Style handbag is crafted from high quality Italian leather. But the bags in the current collections ...

Cross-body bags tend to be tiny affairs made for carrying the bare essentials when you're on the go. But why should it be this way? After all, a cross-body style seems made for larger bags that would be difficult to carry by hand. Hype has bucked the trend to create the ...

What an exotic creature this Isis clutch is. You'd never guess it wasn't made of authentic snake!

This is one for all the reptile activists out there, and the girls who prefer to count their pennies. The leather has been softly embossed with smoldering serpentine spots. It's one of the best impersonators ...

Big Buddha gives us vintage style for less with the Tiffany clutch.

While the looks might resemble the elegant 1950s, the quality doesn't quite stack up. The body isn't real snakeskin, or even embossed leather, but the synthetic skin with its patent shine does a good impression of a more luxe fabric. ...

My inner girly girl squealed at the sight of Versace's Peyton satchel in hibiscus pink. It will only suit those truly in touch with their feminine side, but this structured shoulder bag has won a fan in me.

Such a bright shade of pink could easily look overwhelming, but it works here. ...

With Christmas parties and end-of-year dos afoot, you'll need a clutch purse with a festive feel. This silver Elise purse from Hype might be just what you're looking for.

Hype combines the luxury of leather with the exotic looks of snakeskin. Silver and snake could have easily appeared over the top, but ...

It's hard not to think of side ponytails and legwarmers when looking at the Botkier Chrystie bag. This designer hobo has a definite 1980s air about it, but thankfully the result is more of a loose translation of that particular fashion period than a literal one. Legwarmers might come to mind, but ...

Exotic handbags have evolved from a luxe fashion fad to an invaluable wardrobe staple. Now more and more women want to add these beautiful, luxurious and expensive bags to their fashionable collections. If a Nancy Gonzalez croc bag is completely out of your budget, as I suspect they are for most ...