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 classic crescent hobo. These differences go some way towards making the Naomi more sophisticated, but the skin is the finishing touch. The leather-like surface is embossed with crocodile scales, which make it appear richer than its price tag would suggest.

Admittedly fashion snobs would never fall for the trickery. The skin is quite thin, and it has the telltale sheen we find on so many cheap synthetics. The embossing is convincing though, and the polished golden hardware brings an extra level of luxury.

The Naomi doesn’t leave us wanting for space. The generous main compartment is well appointed with a selection of pockets. Each has been trimmed in more of that synthetic to help it last. A zipper would have offered more security than the snap closure, but if we’re careful the existing clasp should do the job.

The vachetta color isn’t very exciting, but it is versatile and on trend. It’s rare to find a purse which looks so stylish for just $88, but this hobo fits the bill. Jessica Simpson will never be amongst the fashion elite, but she’s produced another solid bag with the Naomi.

More Features of This Jessica Simpson Croc Embossed Hobo

• Split shoulder handle
• Fully lined interior
• Measures 5 x 17 x 11.5 inches

Get this Jessica Simpson Naomi Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Jessica Simpson Naomi hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Jessica Simpson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

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• More Jessica Simpson bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Simpson Naomi satchel bag, a great alternative to this croc-embossed bag.
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Christian Louboutin tends to create elegant clutch purses to pair with his red soled shoes. They’re beautiful, but not very practical. So it’s refreshing to see the designer offering a much larger, but no less luxurious, handbag with the Sybil.

Louboutin’s use of genuine fur is controversial, but I can’t be too critical of the designer’s choice. He’s used springbok sourced from Zambia, where the species is flourishing. In fact, the springbok is one of the few antelope species with an expanding population. If designers insist on using authentic pelts, taking them from such a sustainable species seems like the best choice.

And Christian Louboutin has used the fur beautifully. It avoids being too fluffy, as many fur bags are, and instead stays refined and opulent. The pelt’s natural beige coloring is complemented by the Sybil’s tan leather handles. This is how fur should be used.

The Sybil’s dimensions make it ideal for everyday use. However you’ll need to be careful with it to ensure it stays pristine. Plush fur attracts dirt, so you’ll have to watch where you put it down.

If you love it though, you’ll make the effort. At $1595 it represents a significant investment, so it deserves to look good for the long term.

More Features of This Christian Louboutin Springbok Tote

• Golden hardware
• Signature red lining
• Measures 12.6 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Christian Louboutin Sybil Handbag:

• Available to buy at Neiman Marcus
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Christian Louboutin bags on BagBunch
• The Christian Louboutin Pola bag, a great alternative to this fur bag.
• Searching for more Christian Louboutin bags on eBay
• Other fur tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]fur tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

It’s not yet December, but Jane Marvel is already feeling the holiday spirit. From now until Christmas you’ll receive a free bag for every regularly-priced one you purchase online thanks to Marvel’s Friend it Forward promotion.

Customers can choose a handbag of equal or lesser bag to complement the one they’ve bought. It sounds like an economical way to do your Christmas shopping or simply get ready for the next fashion season.

If you’re not sure what your friend or family member would like, that’s not a problem. The promotion works by issuing gift vouchers, which are valid for 45 days. That’s plenty of time to browse the site with your nearest and dearest or simply decide which new bag you’d like to add to your collection.

There are plenty of purses to choose from too, with Jane Marvel selling a comprehensive range of totes, travel bags, and cosmetics cases. And with most priced under the magic $100 mark, they won’t break the bank either. There’s no limit to the number of free gift vouchers you can receive during the promotional period, so you could end up with several by the time you’re done Christmas shopping!

Scoring free bags sounds like an excellent way to celebrate the holidays, don’t you think?

[Source: Examiner]
[Image Source: Jane Marvel website]

Jane Marvel Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Jane Marvel, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Nina Ricci bucks the trend and creates an evening purse for the pack-rats with its Liane bag.

This is the purse for girls that need more than their keys and lipstick to enjoy an evening out. It’s luxuriously large, so you can truly make the day to night transition without compromising your cargo.

I appreciate the balance Nina Ricci has found between size and style. Carrying a large handbag can seem ungainly, particularly when it’s paired with an evening dress. However as the Liane is slender, we get away with it. The soft rose colored tweed is also very soft, so storage space isn’t compromised by the skinny design.

It’s unusual for me to celebrate the practical aspects of an evening bag before its styling, but those are so unusual here that they’re worth mentioning first. Happily Nina Ricci doesn’t let us down on the looks front though. The pastel pink is delicate and ladylike, a feminine foil for the rich golden hardware. The metal latch and flap-over design help give the Liane an on-trend vintage vibe.

The bottom line is, of course, the biggest stumbling block. At $1995 it’s out of the budgets of many of us. However that money at least buys us an evening bag large enough to put things in, which puts it ahead of most in this price range.

More Features of This Nina Ricci Tweed Evening Bag

• A magnetic metal latch
• Leather lined interior
• Measures 11 x 14.2 x 4.3 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Nina Ricci Liane Handbag:

• Available to buy at Neiman Marcus
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nina Ricci bags on BagBunch
• The Nina Ricci Tiered evening bag, a great alternative to this evening bag.
• Searching for more Nina Ricci bags on eBay
• Other tweed bags on eBay:

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The saga surrounding John Galliano’s successor at Christian Dior continues. It seemed that Marc Jacobs was almost a certainty to fill the disgraced former creative director’s shoes, but now those negotiations have stalled.

Fashion bible Women’s Wear Daily claims Jacobs hoped to take his entire design team from Louis Vuitton with him to Dior. Meanwhile Phoebe Philo, the woman most likely to take the reins at Louis Vuitton, was keen to continue her work with Celine. Consequently the folks at Dior are still considering their options.

Those options are pretty enticing though. WWD reports that Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, and Raf Simons are now the frontrunners to take fashion’s most coveted vacant position.

WWD said it’s possible that Dior will resume its talks with Marc Jacobs, but for now LVMH president Bernard Arnault is looking for a designer “whether young or mature — with a strong affinity and respect for the brand’s glamorous DNA, and a vision for taking it forward in the post-Galliano era.“

Frankly waiting on Dior’s decision is quickly becoming torturous. Just when we thought we’d sussed it out, the fashion house has thrown us a curveball. And so while we wait, who would you like to see helming Christian Dior?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Ed Kavishe/Wikipedia Commons]

Christian Dior Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Christian Dior, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Marc Jacobs takes us from day to night with this gorgeous Karlie purse from his affordable Marc line.

The Karlie’s fresh spring green color initially turned my head. Marc Jacobs calls it lime, but I don’t think that description does it justice. It doesn’t have that acidic citrus hue to it, and the color’s much sweeter for it. It’s also much more versatile. While lime assaults the senses this green is playful but still pleasant.

The Karlie is a modern version of the traditional flap-over purse. Its silhouette is sumptuously slouchy, emphasizing the quality of the leather and giving it a versatile day to night appeal. It’s relaxed enough to be casual, but also made from the kind of quality materials that never look out of place.

Adding to the versatility is that chain and leather strap, which can be removed if you prefer to carry the Karlie as a clutch. I’d probably leave it on much of the time as it makes this sizable purse much easier to manage, but a few carrying options are always appreciated.

At $258 the Karlie is relatively affordable, so you needn’t worry about how easily green can work with your wardrobe. If you’re still concerned though you can always opt for the more predictable and boring beige.

More Features of This Marc by Marc Jacobs Convertible Cross-Body

• Golden hardware
• Measures 6.5 x 10.5 x 1.75 inches

Get this Marc by Marc Jacobs Karlie Handbag:

• Available to buy at Cusp
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Marc Jacobs Karlie, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the VIPFASHIONS eBay store to see if this Marc Jacobs bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Marc Jacobs bags on BagBunch
• The Marc Jacobs Percy bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Marc Jacobs bags on eBay

Be sure to set your alarm tomorrow. Rebecca Minkoff’s edgy new tech accessories will be available through eBay’s Fashion Vault from 9 am.

The range features six modern accessories with a tech bent. All too often laptop bags and cell phone cases are geared towards men, so I’m thrilled to see a line that’s much more feminine and fashion forward. Feminine isn’t girly here; Minkoff’s pointy studs and animal prints are much more fierce!

The large Spike Stud iPad Envelope pictured is my favorite piece from the line. I love the way the sawn off golden studs pop against the pebbled black leather. It’s got a classic envelope base, but the liberal application of hardware makes it feel very modern. It’s also quite affordable for a limited edition piece at $220. It’s almost enough to tempt me to bite the bullet and indulge in one of Apple’s famous tablets!

If that’s still beyond your budget you needn’t miss out. You can score one of the iPhone cases for just $28.

Rebecca Minkoff’s exclusive Fashion Vault line is intended to be available for the next four weeks, but we all know the best items will never last that long. I recommend logging on bright and early to enjoy the pick of these stylish new Rebecca Minkoff goodies.

[Source: eBay Fashion Vault]

Rebecca Minkoff iPad Cases on eBay

[phpbay]Rebecca Minkoff iPad, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

I spend a lot of time writing about handbags, and just about as much daydreaming about the ones I could never afford. You know the ones; those gorgeous things that could clean out your bank account in an instant. I can’t imagine my husband would be happy if I spent our savings on this Bottega Veneta Resina Tope Bag, but looking at it I wonder whether his wrath would be worthwhile.

As totes go, they don’t get much more luxurious than this. Vertical stripes of velvet and painted python skin make it look more covetable than any other tote I’ve come across. It’s dramatic with colors that transcend trends and seasons. Can’t you tell that I’m in love?

And I’m only falling deeper as I think about using this Resina Tope handbag. Ordinarily the bags I covet are too small to fit the items I want to carry, too pale to look pristine for long, and too minimalist to be user-friendly. But not this beautiful tote. It’s large enough to carry a laptop inside, along with your important documents and your favorite fashion magazine. The interior has a zippered pocket for valuables and an open one for your cell phone. And that mottled snakeskin won’t show stains.

But of course it’s not perfect. It costs $4500. When I think of all the practical things that money could buy, I just can’t part with it. It seems I’m destined to love this tote from afar.

More Features of This Bottega Veneta Velvet & Python Tote

• Lined with nappa leather
• Dual handles with a 12.6 inch drop
• Measures 14.6 x 15 x 0.8

Get this Bottega Veneta Resina Tope Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bottega Veneta
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Bottega Veneta bags on BagBunch
• The Bottega Veneta Breezy bag, a great alternative to this python bag.
• Searching for more Bottega Veneta bags on eBay
• Other Bottega Veneta tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Bottega Veneta tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Leading British fashion houses have taken on a unique design challenge to benefit the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. Mulberry, Erdem, Katie Hillier, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, and more have given the charity initiative’s mascot Pudsey Bear some fashionable new makeovers.

Pudsey Bear’s signature yellow fur has been replaced by suede, tartan, floral fabrics, and leathers. These new looks may take some getting used to, but they’re all for a good cause. Each teddy is being auctioned on eBay for Children in Need. The program has raised funds for various charities helping disadvantaged children for the last three decades. Bidding on the designer bears started at £200, but they’re already fetching much more than that. And that’s great news for Children in Need.

I think my favorite new Pudsey look comes from Mulberry’s Emma Hill. She’s used the same buffalo leather we saw on the Alexa handbags. His “fur” is classic oak, and his paws and smiling mouth are made from darker chocolate brown. His eyes and nose are made from Mulberry’s famous gunmetal rivets, and his bandana is crafted from the same fabric that lines Mulberry purses. What a clever way to repurpose all the materials we know and love!

Pudsey is definitely looking sharp these days. Which one is your favorite?

[Source: StyleClone]

L.A.M.B. goes back to basics with this Malibu East-West tote bag.

Ordinarily this bag wouldn’t turn my head, but after watching L.A.M.B. recycle the same shapes and prints for far too long I’m delighted to see something entirely new. In many ways it’s a bog standard tote, but its ombre print helps to make it something a bit more special.

It’s only fitting that this tote is called the Malibu because its gentle orange hues make me want to pack my bags and head to the beach. It uses the colors of sunsets and my favorite cocktails to give it a casual breeziness. I also really like the L.A.M.B. trademark itself. It’s such a unique way of branding the bag, and that quirkiness ensures it doesn’t feel as obnoxious as a nameplate or signature fabric.

This tote looks fairly simple from the outside, so I expected to see just a plain main compartment inside. Thankfully though, L.A.M.B. has added a zippered pocket. This is a really smart move as without a clasp, this is the only secure place we’ve got for holding valuables.

It won’t suit anyone paranoid about the safety of their possessions but at $98 this tote is a cheap way to own a piece of Gwen Stefani’s fashion house.

More Features of This L.A.M.B. Canvas Tote

• Dual shoulder straps with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 7.5 x 12 inches

Get this L.A.M.B Malibu Handbag:

• Available to buy at 6pm
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]LAMB Malibu, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Discountcouturefashion2011 eBay store to see if this L.A.M.B. bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More L.A.M.B. bags on BagBunch
• The Juicy Couture Live for Love bag, a great alternative to this canvas bag.
• Searching for more L.A.M.B. bags on eBay