Tusk gives the traditional hobo a chic makeover with this Gramercy bag.

In many ways this is a classic hobo handbag. Its crescent shape is instantly recognizable, and its buttery soft leather slouches in all the right places. But the Gramercy is much more sophisticated than the average hobo.

Perhaps it’s the pretty pleating, which adds an extra dimension to the design. It might also be that appealing gloss which gives the leather just the right amount of shine. Either way, the Gramcery appears elegant enough to make the day to night transition, which is an unexpected perk at this price point.

While I love the look, it’s also very reminiscent of a croissant. Funnily enough that’s not entirely a bad thing, although I do worry about developing a craving for pastries while carrying it! You could avoid that problem by buying it in black, but as the tasseled zips stay tan I don’t think it works quite as well.

This hobo is very smart, with plenty of space and superior quality materials. It’s also very affordable at $338.

More Features of This Tusk Pleated Hobo

• Zip closure
• Satin lined interior
• A single shoulder strap with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 16 x 2 inches
• Made in China

Get this Tusk Gramercy Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tusk bags on BagBunch
• The Tusk Gramercy satchel bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Tusk bags on eBay
• Other pleated hobo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]pleated hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

FEED Projects has reprised its spooky Halloween collaboration with HSN for the second year.

It’s a brand new year, but you wouldn’t know it looking at this trick or treat bag. Unfortunately FEED Projects has simply recycled last year’s model for 2011. I’m a big fan of recycling materials, but looks is a different matter. Surely the labels could have put their heads together and done better than simply reusing 2010’s Jack-O-Lantern design!

At least we’re getting the goodie bag a bit cheaper this time round. This cute FEED Projects purse is available from the HSN website for $12.95, and it comes with a free jello mold. Sure the 25c saving on last year’s bag isn’t a lot, but every little bit helps!

It’s difficult to judge whether FEED Projects is feeling more or less generous this holiday season. In 2010 we were told the company would donate all its profits to UNICEF. This time around we hear it will give $3.50 to the cause. Of course we don’t know exactly how much the profits on the original Halloween bags amounted to, so we’re left guessing. What we do know is that every purse bought this year will provide a year’s worth of micronutrient powder for a child in the developing world. This substance enhances the benefits of foods eaten by children in need.

Even if it’s not FEED Projects’ most exciting accessory, its altruistic side makes it worth another look.

[Source: People]

Halloween Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Halloween, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I’m starting to wonder exactly what a hobo bag is in 2011. When this handbag style was invented it was slouchy, crescent shaped, and bohemian. This Dylan hobo has the signature slouch, but it’s a very different bag to those early hobos.

There’s not a hint of crescent to its shape. Instead it’s vaguely triangular, with a wide, flat base and gently sloping sides. It’s also more wild child than hippie chick. The studded buckled belts that decorate its sides give it just the right amount of edge. Black leather might have been more rebellious, but even in brown this bag has ample attitude.

The Dylan’s generously sized interior is well appointed, with a pair of pouches for gadgets, a secure zippered pocket, and a handy hook for keys. The magnetic closure isn’t as smart as a zip would have been, but it gets the job done. The wide strap is the final functional touch. It’s flat, so it won’t slip from our shoulder, and just long enough for easy carrying.

At $595 the Dylan is no bargain, but it’s also not unreasonable for a bag made with such quality materials.

More Features of This Treesje Belted Hobo

• Made of washed Italian lambskin
• A shoulder strap with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 17 x 12.5 inches
• Comes with a dust bag

Get this Treesje Dylan Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Treesje Dylan, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Excessshopper4 eBay store to see if this Treesje bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Treesje bags on BagBunch
• The Hilary Radley Jude bag, a great alternative to this belted bag.
• Searching for more Treesje bags on eBay

Travelon keeps your nosh cold with this slim Pack-Flat Lunch Bag.

Travelon tends to make travel accessories, but with this bag it’s created one for every day. It’s made from tough 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon, which is insulated to keep your food fresh and cool. There’s a top handle, but the much longer strap seems a more practical carrying option. That’s particularly true if you’re braving public transport before hitting the office.

Don’t expect to carry too much tucker inside this slim purse though. While its slender dimensions work for sandwiches and small snacks, it’s not even wide enough to fit an average water bottle. Sadly Travelon’s stock images are a bit misleading, as they show a bag filled with plenty of luncheon items. They may fit in there, but the bag won’t close if it’s so full. And if it doesn’t close, you lose all the benefits of the insulated interior.

Girls on diets or carrying snacks, rather than full meals, may find this bag useful though. Its petite dimensions help it pack flat when it’s in storage, and sit elegantly against your body when it’s not. It’s also very affordable at $19.95.

More Features of This Travelon Lunch Bag

• Zip closure
• Measures 11 x 7 x 3 inches

Get this Travelon Flat-Pack Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Travelon lunch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Buy’s Internet Superstore eBay store to see if this Travelon bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Travelon bags on BagBunch
• The Emilie Sloan Gabrielle lunch bag, a floral alternative to this black lunch bag.
• Searching for more Travelon bags on eBay

Tory isn’t the only Burch that knows a thing or two about design. Her ex-husband Chris is preparing to make his own mark on the fashion industry with the launch of his lifestyle label, C. Wonder.

Most lifestyle brands start small before building the collection up, but not C. Wonder. It’s assaulting us with a comprehensive range featuring apparel, homewares, handbags, sunglasses, footwear, and even bicycles and mopeds. The items will be vividly colored and emblazoned with bold signature prints.

I’d be concerned about Chris Burch’s ambitious undertaking if I didn’t know more about his history. Burch is far from a newcomer to the world of fashion and style. He played a pivotal role in building Tory Burch’s empire, and he still holds a position on the company’s board of directors.

C. Wonder will open a flagship store in Soho by the end of the month, and we can expect other outlets to follow quickly. The 5100-square-foot space sounds impressive, but you probably need that much room to house such an exhaustive line.

C. Wonder is just one of Chris Burch’s current projects. He’s also involved in the launch of the Monika Chiang lifestyle brand, an office line called Poppin, and an apparel collection developed with PR guru Kelly Cutrone.

I’m not sure whether Chris Burch will ever completely step out of the shadow of his famous ex-wife, but he’s certainly going about it the right way.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Tory Burch plays it safe with this Norah Satchel.

This is the kind of the handbag that every girl needs in their wardrobe. It’s sedate enough to suit any situation, its color ensures it works easily with any outfit, and it’s large enough to hold anything you ever want to step out with. It’s not all that exciting, but you can rely on it to serve you well season after season.

While it might not inspire handbag envy, there’s a lot to like about it. Its leather is buttery and soft, and its polished golden clasp striking. It’s also so well made that we feel pampered when we carry it.

It’s got those little touches that scream high-end accessory, including protective metal feet on the base, leather trim around the interior pocket, and a range of carrying options. I expect those perks in a bag costing four-figures, but they seem like a real luxury here.

At $525 the Norah is great value. You may be tempted to indulge in something more fashion forward, but for longevity this is a much smarter proposition.

More Features of This Tory Burch Leather Satchel

• Canvas lined interior
• Flap and clasp over zip-top closure
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• A removable shoulder strap with a 16 to 27 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 10.75 x 4 inches

Get this Tory Burch Norah Handbag:

• Available to buy at Sak’s Fifth Avenue
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Tory Burch Norah satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tory Burch bags on BagBunch
• The Tory Burch Natalya hobo bag, a great alternative to this black leather bag.
• Searching for more Tory Burch bags on eBay

Missoni has given visitors at the TFWA World Exhibition a sneak peek at its new travel collection for Bric’s.

Missoni seems to have its finger in a few pies these days, but it was only a matter of time before the label joined forces with Bric’s. The Missoni family has a long history with Bric’s founders, the Briccolas, so it seems only natural that they’d eventually create an accessories collection together.

The bodies of each bag is made from either zig zag printed PVC or water-proofed nylon. These cheaper materials are then dressed up with leather logos. And as they’re made in Italy, they’ve got superior craftsmanship even if they’re not made with superior fabrics.

The PVC luggage line features a pair of soft travel bags, two necessaires, a wheeled duffle bag, a laptop case, and a trio of differently sized trolleys. The nylon range offers two shoulder travel bags with double handles, a vanity bag, a collapsible shopper, and pair of trolleys.

Each style is available in a selection of colors. I particularly like the blue and pink versions, but traditionalists will be likely to appreciate the more sedate brown and black alternatives.

The PVC range will start selling at Missoni boutiques, Bric’s stores, and selected specialist outlets this December. The nylon luggage line will join it in the same boutiques next spring.

[Source: The Moodie Report]

Missoni Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Missoni, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

There must be a chill in the air, because it seems I’m seeing more woolen purses than ever. If you’re not brave enough to carry a large wool bag, this Tasseled Mini from Tommy Hilfiger may be just the ticket.

The checkered finish and chocolate leather trim create a purse with a real preppy vibe. It’s the kind of thing you might imagine sitting on the hips of upper-crust misses as they sip tea at the country club. The design is timeless, although I’m not sure it needs those tassels. The accents seem far too bohemian for the rest of the design. They muddy up a style which should be much cleaner.

As it’s a mini bag we wouldn’t expect a lot of storage space. On that score we’re not disappointed. However its zippered pocket is a more practical feature than we see inside most small purses.

This Tasseled Mini has high quality materials, but there’s not a lot of them. That makes its $78.40 price tag seem about right to me.

More Features of This Tommy Hilfiger Woolen Mini Purse

• Magnetic snap closure
• Canvas lined interior
• An adjustable cross-body strap with a 21 to 25 inch drop
• Measures 7 x 8.75 x 3.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Tommy Hilfiger Tasseled Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tommy Hilfiger bags on BagBunch
• The pebbled leather Tommy Hilfiger Tasseled bag, a great alternative to this plaid bag.
• Searching for more Tommy Hilfiger bags on eBay
• Other plaid wool bags on eBay:

[phpbay]plaid wool, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

For a tote that seems to be having an identity crisis, the Shirt shopper from Tod’s seems very together.

Its name seems designed to raise eyebrows. After all, this tote is certainly not a shirt. In fact, it doesn’t appear to have any shirt-like qualities at all. But it is a lovely creature all the same. Its creamy leather is delicious, a timeless pastel that is much more interesting than white or ivory. A drawstring cinches in the top, creating soft pleats and a casual versatility.

I’ve never been the greatest fan of drawstrings. They’re fiddly to use, and not very secure. But with a magnetic snap helping the tie out, I’ve got less to rally against. The pair of closures helps to make the mid-sized interior safe. It’s not very large, but I still wish there was more than a single zippered pocket. We’ll need to work hard to keep the Shirt clutter free, as it won’t do it for us.

At $1265 this shopper is more expensive than any shirt I own, and also any handbag! But if you’ve got the cash, you could do worse than spending it on a purse with such timeless sophistication.

More Features of This Tod’s Drawstring Shopper

• Polished silver-toned hardware
• Logo printed jacquard fabric
• Dual handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 10.5 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Tod’s Shirt Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Tods Shirt tote, 2 63852, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tod’s bags on BagBunch
• The Alaia Crocodile bag, a great alternative to this drawstring bag.
• Searching for more Tod’s bags on eBay

Following a mixed reaction from fashion commentators, Miu Miu has replaced 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld with a much older model for its new season campaign. At 34, Guinevere van Seenus isn’t exactly over the hill, but when compared to the young actress used for fall she’s virtually a senior!

I loved the carefree and age-appropriate images of Steinfeld we saw in Miu Miu’s last advertisements. However the campaign’s critics suggested that Miu Miu’s adult target audience would be unable to relate to the teen.

With this new Resort 2012 campaign it feels Miu Miu is taking a more traditional approach. Van Seenus’ austere expression is a far cry from Steinfeld’s much softer appearance. Photographer David Sims hasn’t done anything too dramatic with the staging here. It allows the clothes and accessories to shine, although it’s also quite boring. I feel like I’ve seen this ad before so many times, don’t you?

Funnily enough, I can imagine Steinfeld looking fabulous wearing these clothes. I’m a little younger than van Seenus, but I can’t imagine donning that beaded headband or the rhinestone encrusted bracelet. They’d appear cute on Steinfeld, but van Seenus appears like mutton dressed as lamb.

Do you approve of Miu Miu’s new model choice, or do you think it should have given Hailee Steinfeld another shot?

[Source: Fashionista]

Miu Miu Purses on eBay

[phpbay]Miu Miu, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]