While I admire Stella McCartney's commitment to ethical design, I haven't always appreciated her accessories. Her vegan leather often appears cheap, and her designs uninspired. However she's ironed out the kinks with this Structured Shoulder Bag.

The blend of polyester and polyurethane is a ...

Jessica Jensen serves up the kind of purse that wouldn't look out of place on the set of Mad Men with the Melissa Satchel.

The world is embracing vintage style, so rather than seeming like a fashion throwback it's right on trend. Its structured design and ...

Cross-body bags tend to be casual affairs, but Bally has dressed the style up with this elegant Christa purse.

I immediately fell for its easy blend of retro and contemporary influences. Its sturdy structured design is a bit of a fashion throwback, but its bright blue ...

Add a bit of sparkle to your evening with this Krystle Minaudiere from Inge Christopher.

This is a really dreamy purse, with its structured pillow shape and twinkling Swarovski crystal accents. By using three differently sized gemstones, Inge Christopher has made this purse more contemporary than ...

Every since the launch of Mad Men, I've been drooling over vintage fashions. The biggest problem for me though is that the handbags always seem so small. They hearken back to the days before cell phones and oversized wallets, a time when all a girl ...

The Russel has a masculine name, but this Hype satchel is a real lady.

The Russel manages to interpret the feminine structured bags of the 50s on a much larger scale. Our eyes are instantly drawn to the front panel with its even diamond weave, but this isn't ...

Canvas? Check. Structure? Check. Well then, this couldn't be anything other than an affordable Michael Stars purse.

The components of this purse my be simple and kind of earthy, but that doesn't make them any less distinctive. Michael Stars has his own particular brand and style, and the Asymmetry clutch ticks all of the ...

Evans takes its cues from Lanvin with this ladylike Ribbon Chain Bag.

The structured flap over design and navy grosgrain ribbon accents certainly call to mind the famed French fashion house. The contrast of the navy ribbon against the white purse is striking, and the threading ...

Being beautiful and luxurious doesn't have to mean being brash. This clever little satin clutch shows that there is more than one way to produce a structured handbag.

The structure isn't in the actually shape of the handbag, but the layout of the satin exterior. You see, the ...

Beirn embraces its feminine side with this Ali Bow satchel.

That bow is what gives this satchel its pizzazz. A snakeskin ribbon threads through the front of the purse, culminating in an oversized girly bow. The use of snakeskin rather than silk or satin gives the ...

Structurally interesting bags don't often pop up for less than $100, so it was very nice to come across this Michael Stars clutch.

There are many things about this purse that make it worth paying attention to. First there is that ruched and gathered fabric exterior. ...

B. Makowsky gives the hobo style a sleek makeover with this Derby bag.

It's from B. Makowsky's Classics range, but that term refers more to its timeless style than its adherence to hobo tradition. While most hobos are slouchy affairs with boho vibes, this one is ...

While so many designers pander to passing trends, Etienne Aigner remains true to the classics. This Hyde Park satchel might not push the fashion envelope, but its structured good looks will stand the test of time.

If you've been wowed by the vintage fashions ...

Rebecca Minkoff punches up this classic structured Flame satchel with a smattering of studs.

Studs are beginning to get a little tired, but the traditional silhouette of this satchel should help make the Flame appear current even once the trend has completely passed.

The evergreen appeal ...

Donald J Pliner handbags never come cheap, and the Bazil tote is no different at $365. However, with all the structure and all the fashion credentials, I am inclined to say that you do get a lot for your money.

Firstly there is that great structured design. The white ...

With its geometric body and faceted clasp, this Charla clutch from Nicole Miller appears like a very special jewel.

Of course, it doesn't have the glitz of a gemstone, but I prefer the more mellow charms of this hand-stained blue leather. It's a versatile material, which would lend ...

1940s film goddess Cyd Charisse inspired Argentinean brand Marcela Calvet to create this lovely handbag which shares her name.

Just as Ms Charisse turned heads in the film classics Singin' in the Rain and Silk Stockings, this handbag is destined to make a real impression when it enters ...

The name Marcela Calvet may be unfamiliar to you, but with this Capucine clutch the Argentinean label shows that it's more than capable of mixing it with the big boys. This is the kind of purse I'd expect to see from Carlos Falchi or Devi Kroell.

Lizard skin is often ...

Linea Pelle adds some sophisticated style to the hobo bag with the Perry.

Ever since Bottega Veneta began churning out its covetable woven handbags, the finish has become synonymous with luxury. Rather than creating a Bottega wannabe in the Perry, Linea Pelle has given the weave its own personality. The intricate finish ...

You don't have to wear bright colors to make a fashion statement, as this Kooba tote aims to show us.

It may be in a rather ordinary shade of deep gray-brown, but the design of this tote bag makes up for any limitations in colorful creativity. The folded and pleated style gives you ...

It's time to pull your structured handbags out of the closet, as the ladylike styles are set to be the must-have accessory for fall.

The clean lines of these vintage-inspired accessories are the perfect foil for the long 50s style skirts and tailored jackets we're all going to wear.

While large structured ...

Without fail, Etienne Aigner always manages to produce my favorite classic and simple shoulder bags. The key for me is in the great design and the reasonable pricing; this hobo only costs $109.

For the price you get a lot of handbag. The real leather is soft and in that rich tan shade ...

Just like people, some handbags are cool simply because they don't try to be. The Taylor from CC Skye is one of those rare breeds. There's not a hint of on-trend hardware, no seasonal colors; instead it keeps things simple and is better for it.

The leather body is lovely in rich ...

Its name may remind us of rodeos and the dust of the Wild West, but this Lasso hobo from Anne Klein looks like a city girl at heart.

There's a gentle slouch to its pebble leather body, but this isn't the boho bag most hobos are. It's an elegant creature, whose high ...

I'm always hesitant to spend money on a pale pastel handbag. I love the way these pristine purses look, but I'm convinced I'll only be disappointed later. I tend to put my handbags through their paces, so I'm sure their luxury leathers will look grubby before too long. Yet the Olivia ...

Melie Bianco are the undisputed gods of all things structural and gorgeous. Even better, these bags don't cost as much as you may expect.

This synthetic leather tote is a case in point. No pun intended, despite the fact that its formal design is actually quite close to a laptop case or even ...

Tusk dresses up the traditional hobo bag with this elegant Orissa purse.

The soft leather slouches as any hobo might, but the tiny vertical seams ensure it doesn't look too slovenly. The structured body is matched by a shape which is more bucket than crescent. It all helps to create an image ...

This subtle purse has an unusual twist with the fine chain detailing woven throughout.

It seems that girls love structured and unusual bag designs at the moment, and CC Skye has produced the Benatar clutch to get in on the trend. Personally, beautiful folded or woven leather creations are among some of my ...

Wow, this bag is gorgeous!

Simply put, this Big Buddha clutch is a stunning example of how an affordable brand can create something that looks like it is designer. Everything about this layered purse, from the contrasting black edging to the wavy rose feature, all look incredibly classy and well-designed. To get such ...

B. Makowsky dresses up the typical hobo with this Dakar bag.

This versatile bag has only a hint of the slouch we've come to expect from a hobo. The secret is the front panel which is adorned with vertical stitching. This panel creates a structured finish which is complemented by the satiny ...

If you want a black evening bag with style, then this Madeline wristlet may just take the biscuit.

If there is one thing Bourne understands, it is structure. Bags like the Izzy clutch are dramatic and beautiful, but don't take things too far. The same has been done with the pleated flower ...

Carlo Fellini channels the traditional black tie fashion with this diamante encrusted clutch.

Formal evening bags have a tendency to be a little dull. However, this particular purse has a certain art deco vibe that makes a simple rectangular shape into something a lot more luxurious and gorgeous. I think it is the ...

Kate Spade takes the hobo from Greenwich Village to a private school with the sophisticated Saddleback Susanna.

While most hobos are slouchy, relaxed affairs this is a handbag with real pedigree. Equestrian inspired brown belted details complement the classic pebbled leather body. In cognac the look is traditional, but the contrasting charm ...

When we reviewed the Bottega Veneta Woven Box Clutch last year, my heart skipped a few beats. At least it did until I spied the price. Then it sank. At $1150, it was simply more than I could afford to spend on an after-five purse. But I think I've found a ...

The Reflection from Donald J Pliner takes the hobo out of the hippie era and into the 21st century.

With only a hint of slouch, this is a much more structured looking bag than most hobos. While that may disappoint hobo purists, I think it makes it a more versatile choice. Most ...

VBH is one of the hottest names in fashion at the moment, but the brand is still a little hit and miss for me. Thankfully in the Tootsie, I think the label may have a hit on its hands.

It's not that the design is revolutionary; I've seen plenty of structured satchels ...

Hot on the heels of the Rampage Rome tote comes this little clutch by the same name.

Where the wildly ruffled tote is elegant and feminine, I feel this clutch tries hard to be a little edgier. We can still see the same mix of patent and matte textures, just with the ...

When I think of L.A.M.B. handbags, my mind automatically goes to bold colors and structured shapes. It's not that Gwen Stefani's line of bags is limited to that. I just tend to think of it first since there are so many in the collection resembling that description.

Similar to the Morant and ...

Desperate Housewives costume designer, Cate Adair, has come up with a great and unusual funky clutch. This uniquely shaped purse is just the thing for swishing around at designer events and looking hugely fashionable!

I particularly wanted to bring your attention to the rather attention-seeking shape. Slightly nautical in design, it features ...