Kathy Van Zeeland shows uncharacteristic restraint with its Flapper Chic hobo.

The name doesn't refer to the flapper style of the 1920s, but the hobo's classic flap closure. This curved element mimics the Flapper Chic's soft, voluminous shape. Pleats near the base ...

All too often Hilary Radley’s bags look as cheap as their price tags. However the label gets things right with the Perched cross-body.

Here Hilary Radley has rejected trend conscious elements in favor of a more timeless design. I love the way the deep ...

Big Buddha looked to the world's reigning pop princess to create its Rihanna Tote.

Sadly though, this handbag seems more nanna than Rihanna. It starts promisingly enough, with its gentle but eye-catching bronze color and tightly woven top. However towards the base the weave becomes more ...

Big Buddha gets us ready for summer with this casual Cassandra Hobo.

It appears like so many woven raffia purses, but the Cassandra is actually crafted from synthetic leather. By using nude leatherette Big Buddha's ensured the finish has the same seaside charm as the natural ...

Jessica Simpson injects a bit of glitz into bohemian fashion with this Roxy bucket bag.

The Roxy's open weave gives it a casual air, while allowing the complementary silver lining to peek through. Jessica Simpson's synthetic is never luxurious, but when it's woven together ...

Kathy Van Zeeland shows uncharacteristic restraint with this Stitchuation Shoulder Bag.

It gets its quirky name from the casual stitching that decorates its voluminous synthetic body. The quilting has a more youthful feel to it than the regular diamond pattern so many ...

I've been a bit critical of XOXO's cheap and cheerful bags in the past, so I was surprised to find myself falling for its Breakaway Tote.

Perhaps I'm swooning because while this tote is just as affordable as the rest of XOXO's range, it doesn't look as cheap. ...

Fun design and functionality come together in one affordable package with Vitalio Vera's Carolina Cross-Body Bag.

It won't change the world, but I really like the Carolina's design. The oversized bow helps dress up its soft, slouchy shape. Its pleats don't fall as gently ...

Vieta has fun with some synthetic snake with the Neisha Clutch.

Fashion snobs may long for genuine python, but the Neisha's material isn't a bad snake imitator. While its colors aren't authentic there's a charm to the palettes, especially in this Santa Fe inspired brown and blue skin. ...

Melie Bianco has created its fair share of "designer influenced" accessories, but I think it's at its best when it's marching to the beat of its own drum. When it strikes off on its own and refuses to bow to fads it creates practical purses ...

A smattering of studs and gemstones brings a glamorous edge to Chocolate's classic Danielle Hobo.

While it doesn't have the crescent shape of the first hobos, its slouchy finish makes it look much closer to a hobo than many modern incarnations. The relaxed silhouette makes the Danielle perfect ...

Chinese Laundry proves cheap and cheerful doesn't have to come without charm with this Braid Clutch.

Admittedly this is one of those purses that looks just as cheap as its price tag. Its synthetic body is stiff, so its pleats fall awkwardly. It's also got that ...

Bisadora promises us a design that's more fashion forward with this Runway Baby Belle.

Sadly though, this feels like more of the same from the label. It's not exactly a bad bag, but its name promised so much more flair. Instead the ...

Anne Klein has been blowing her trumpet a bit lately. We recently looked at the Perfect Tote, and now we see the Perfectly Pleated Clutch.

The problem with calling something the perfect anything, is that people tend to judge it more harshly, looking ...

Jessica Simpson proves a sophisticated hobo bag doesn't have to cost a lot of money with the Naomi.

While the Naomi has a hint of slouch, it's much more structured than most bags of this style. It's also shaped more like a bucket bag than a ...

If studs are on the way out, Vieta clearly didn't get the memo. It celebrates the metal accents with this Letha cross-body bag.

The Letha's studs are delicate, but there's nothing subtle about the way the label uses them. They're applied with a heavy hand along the sides ...

Spiegel serves up the handbag equivalent of a Sharpei dog with this unusual Frame Bag.

I can't help thinking about the wrinkly canine as I look at this ruched purse. Each one's skin is haphazardly pleated, although the pooch has a bit more fuzz. Spiegel lets the ruching ...

Is there anything more cheerful than a yellow handbag? As I'm looking at this Puma Originals Mono Satchel in the color it calls spectra yellow, I can't think of a happier alternative!

Of course such a vivid hue won't be to everyone's taste. Personally though, I ...

London Fog serves up more of the sophisticated military style that made it famous with this Jessica satchel.

Despite its feminine name, this satchel is far from girly. Its buckled strap accents and antique brass hardware give it a modern masculinity.

The slightly too shiny and stiff ...

Jessica Simpson brings just enough glitz to this Prima Donna satchel.

Given its name, I fully expected this satchel to be a real show pony. However, at least in basic black, this satchel goes just far enough. The studs are small and applied sparsely ...

The days of bold retro colors seem to be far behind Eenamaria. The formerly quirky accessories label seems to have tamed its creative vision in recent seasons. This black studded Saddle Bag is typical of the new breed.

I talk of those good old days of Eenamaria with ...

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 ...

As one of the world's most fashionable mamas, it makes sense that Kimora Lee Simmons has created some of the most stylish diaper bags I've seen. This ostrich embossed diaper tote is another impressive accessory from her Baby Phat label.

This diaper tote is ...

At its worst Nine West is a derivative label that makes barely veiled designer replicas in tacky, cheap materials. But at its best the fashion house delivers really stylish handbags that cost far less than their competitors. The label ...

Versetta has added stylish iPad handbags to its range of sophisticated fashion accessories. The Illinois brand has created two iPad collections, and following their success there's one more on the way.

The Prima and Affari bags are made from high quality leatherette. They have an inner frame ...

Hilary Radley offers an antidote to all those sequin covered, frilly evening purses with this Foreign Press clutch.

The Foreign Press is a much more relaxed accessory with an almost messenger bag-like flap design. Some well places stitching and seams do all the talking, ...

How do you dress up an ordinary shopper bag? If you're Kathy Van Zeeland you add leopard spots and colorful graffiti and create the Tag Team.

Honestly it's not a design approach I'd suggest. It looks really unprofessional, the kind of thing ...

I rarely warm to Ed Hardy's tattoo graphic covered accessories, but I have to tip my hat to the designer for creating this unusual Helen tote.

With so many totes looking like cardboard cutouts, it's refreshing to find one with a style all its own. It ...

Embrace your silly side with this fun Ginia Epoxy satchel from Nicole Lee.

The Ginia isn't decorated with Swarovski crystals, grommets, studs, or any of the accents we typically see embellishing high-end handbags. Instead it's covered in colorful epoxy charms. These plastic decorations look a little ...

Chocolate lets us hold on to spring for a little longer with this flowery Rosy hobo.

It's easy to see where this hobo gets its name from, as it's covered in replica roses. These structured blooms are paired with cute bows for an extra girly flourish. It could ...

I've been pleasantly surprised by many of the accessories from pop star Jessica Simpson's signature fashion line. Sadly though, the Bliss tote isn't one of these accessories.

The Bliss tote isn't a bad tote per se, but it's far too ordinary to deserve such a glowing ...

Hilary Radley combines mod fashion with some contemporary flair with this Jude satchel.

Grommets are right on trend, but when they're made as large as this they get a fun sixties feel. I love the clean way the belt accent threads through the metal hardware, and ...

Tianni serves up zips, zips, and more zips with the Elle Tote.

Vertical zippers decorate the front of this rectangular synthetic handbag. At first I thought they might have hidden a practical secret; some hidden pockets or expandable sections perhaps. But no, they're merely an aesthetic detail designed ...

I've long been admirer of Soapbox's quirky retro styles, so I was disappointed to see the label take a turn for the ordinary with The Nell satchel.

From the outside there's really not much that we haven't seen before. The crocodile embossing seems like a halfhearted ...

Roxy began as a surf line, but lately it's expanded operations to create more everyday accessories. This Sweet Home hobo is another Roxy purse that begs to be taken away from the shore.

With its generous dimensions and buckled front pockets, this is a hobo that ...

Pilar Abril serves up plenty of attitude with this Stacey Tote.

There's an awful lot going on here. Honestly I think it's too much. Its faux fur body is already eye-catching, and the chunky synthetic trim and handles add another dimension. Then Pilar Abril adds a ...

Nine West serves up some serious attitude with the Rockin Out satchel.

I've seen so many fashion designers attempting to create edgy, rock and roll looks, but never quite like this. Narrow strips of synthetic are threaded through silver chains to create a striking ...

Lately I've been falling in love with studs all over again. Designers are beginning to realize that less is more, and using the accents with the restraint they really deserve. And then there's Nicole Lee.

There's nothing restrained about the application of studs on this Nadia ...

Melie Bianco embraces its feminine side with this flirty Melissa hobo.

Ordinarily designers make their bags girly by covering them in sequins and bows and crafting them in sugary pink fabrics. But Melie Bianco takes a more atypical approach. This one is pink, but it's a ...

Kathy Van Zeeland's accessories are rarely subtle, but she offers us a bit more sparkle than usual with the Dazzle Up hobo.

This bucket shaped hobo is covered in literally thousands of tiny rhinestones. Some might say it's too flashy, but by ...

Woven leather is a high end designer trademark, but you needn't spend the big bucks to enjoy this look. J. Furmani replicates this luxury staple with this more affordable woven metallic clutch.

OK, so no one's going to mistake this purse for a Bottega ...

If you like Kate Spade or DKNY style but, like me, can't afford to own one of their handbags, then you need something inspired by classic designer looks - but much cheaper. The Aldo Kemfort is just the ticket!

The quilted synthetic body and cute polka dot ...

With Easter just around the corner men are faced with two choices. They can give the traditional gift of calorie-laden chocolate to their lady love, or they can choose a more unusual Chocolate gift like this Carla tote. It's unique, and completely guilt free!

From a distance I ...

It might have a demure name, but this Eliza bag from Max Azria's BCBGeneration label is totally fierce.

Animal prints have always been a reliable way to inject some attitude into an accessory, but this one's a bit different than those we typically see. The print is created ...

Aldo offers an affordable alternative to a Hermes bag with this Cyphert satchel.

While it's not a carbon copy, I can't help thinking of the Kelly bag when I see the Cyphert. It's very structured and ladylike, with clean, crisp lines. The front tassels help to soften the ...

Kensie Girl shows its sensible side with the Button Up cross-body.

This purse's name comes from both its conservative demeanor and that cute little button accent on the envelope style flap. That button gives an otherwise classic style a bit ...

Puma celebrates its heritage with this retro styled Kick Grip gym bag.

It's new season stock, but this Kick Grip could have easily stepped out of the 1970s. That brown leatherette body is very retro cool, and the popping white formstripe is another throwback to the ...

With its sexy curves and stitching, there are certainly shades of Chloe's Marcie bag in this affordable Dakota purse from Melie Bianco.

If you can afford the original, I can't imagine the Dakota would tempt you. But as a designer substitute, this one does ...

Big Buddha reminds us that fashion-forward accessories don't need to cost the earth with this Maya hobo handbag

The woven finish of this bag is really striking. Big Buddha hasn't tried to replicate the looks of weave masters like Bottega Veneta. Instead it's gone out on ...

Its name is meek and mild, but the combination of synthetic and faux fur makes this Alvin bag from Big Buddha totally fierce.

Fashion snobs may wish for genuine leather and fur, but the use of high quality manmade materials here actually looks quite stylish. It's ...