We’ve seen Matt & Nat bags at play, and now with the Phoenix the animal-friendly designing duo offers us an accessory for the office.

Gone are those fashion forward accents they’re so fond of. Instead the Phoenix has a much cleaner, more androgynous design. That might disappoint some of the brand’s fans, but I think it’s very appropriate for the Phoenix’s function. This is a bag for the board room and client meetings after all, not cocktails at quitting time.

It’s a little plain, but the high quality vegan leather shines through. Matt & Nat are synthetic specialists, so this skin has none of the plastic finish that typically plagues leatherette.

But the Phoenix’s appeal must be more than skin deep. I was thrilled to see plenty of organizational pockets and a padded compartment for a laptop inside. The short handles will work when carrying the Phoenix from your office to the board room, but there’s also a longer cross-body strap for commuting.

Considering it’s not made from real leather I think the Phoenix is a little pricy at $265, but I’m sure animal lovers won’t mind paying a premium for this cruelty free business bag.

More Features of This Matt & Nat Vegan Business Tote

• Zip closure
• Sueded fabric lining made from plastic bottles
• Dual handles with a 4 inch drop
• An attachable, adjustable strap with a 16 to 26 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 16 x 3.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Matt & Nat Phoenix Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Matt Nat Phoenix, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the SmartBargains eBay store to see if this Matt & Nat bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Matt & Nat bags on BagBunch
• The Matt & Nat Ramones business tote bag, a great alternative to this business tote bag.
• Searching for more Matt & Nat bags on eBay

Wherever American Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton goes, a large tote back isn’t far behind. The former First Lady is rarely seen without one of the generously proportioned purses in hand. I’ve always assumed her cargo would be a closely guarded secret, but Mrs Clinton was happy to spill the beans in a recent interview with London’s Daily Mail.

Many of the items are quite ordinary, including cosmetics, wet wipes, headache pills, and bandages. She also carries an iPad for research and staying abreast of the daily news, a pillow for air travel, and international plug socket converters to ensure she can charge her Blackberry no matter where she is. Mrs Clinton even keeps a small flashlight to help her find any errant items, although as she uses tiny mesh pouches to keep her goodies organized I doubt she needs to pull it out often.

But it’s the quirkier items that have really caught my attention. Apparently she keeps chili pepper flakes on hand to spice up bland food, a permanent marker and photographs for autograph hunters, and a lint roller to ensure she always looks her best.

With all that stuff inside, no wonder Mrs. Clinton needs to carry such big bags!

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: Department of State/Wikipedia Commons]

It’s not big enough for carrying your ball to the local lanes, but I’ve fallen hard for this Debut Bowler from Stuart Weitzman.

It’s strange, because this isn’t usually the sort of bag that would start my pulse racing. Colorblocking has never been my favorite look, but it works here. Pairing gold, gray, and pink is a bold move, but Stuart Weitzman has made the colors mellow enough to complement one another. Frankly I’m not a fan of the stronger monochrome and coral pink color schemes, but this gentle one is really lovely. The pearlized finish to the calf leather is also alluring, adding shine that works well with the gleaming golden turnlock pocket.

The muted colors of the exterior contrast with the wild leopard print lining we find inside. It covers a space that is small but well organized, with a zippered pocket to hold anything you couldn’t fit in the one up front.

The pair of short handles works well with the Debut’s retro good looks, but they’re not ideal for a busy day of running errands. That’s when the longer strap steps in. It’s fully adjustable to help the Debut work as a shoulder or cross-body bag.

At $475 we’re not getting a lot of bag for our dollar, but it’s so well made that I think it’s worth the splurge!

More Features of This Stuart Weitzman Colorblocked Satchel

• Zipper closure
• Dual handles with a 5 inch drop
• An adjustable, attachable strap with a 12 to 21 inch drop
• Measures 7 x 11 x 5.5 inches
• Made in Spain

Get this Stuart Weitzman Debut Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Stuart Weitzman bags on BagBunch
• The Stuart Weitzman Snap cross-body bag, a great alternative to this satchel bag.
• Searching for more Stuart Weitzman bags on eBay
• Other Stuart Weitzman satchel bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Stuart Weitzman satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Roger Vivier is opening up its archives for its loyal customers. Starting in September, fans can shop online for handbags and shoes from seasons past.

All the vintage accessories will be brand new, but as they’re old stock numbers are strictly limited. Fashion second chances don’t come along every day, so if you kicked yourself for failing to purchase the Roger Vivier clutch you admired from afar in the mid-naughties I’d jump on it quickly this time around.

I only hope other fashion labels follow suit. If they’ve got surplus stock sitting around, why not get rid of it and make some extra coin? I can only but imagine how exhaustive the archives of Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, Chanel, and other long-reigning fashion houses would be. Before the popularity of the internet offloading surplus stock would have been tricky, but now fashion houses can reach millions of potential buyers around the world without the overheads of a bricks and mortar store.

Roger Vivier’s latest marketing move is bound to be popular. Fashion is so cyclical that I’m sure plenty of the accessories will be back in fashion once Roger Vivier’s online store opens. Will you be shopping for vintage Roger Vivier goodies in September?

[Source: The Purse Blog]

Roger Vivier Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Roger Vivier, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Nicole Lee shows uncharacteristic restraint with this Candace Boston Bag.

It seems the cheap and cheerful label may have taken more than a few leaves out of Louis Vuitton’s design book here. The signature print with its flowers and diamonds seems inspired by Louis Vuitton’s more famous quatrefoils and blooms. The gentle camel coloring also isn’t such a departure from Louis Vuitton’s favored tan, although Nicole Lee does offer us a few more options. The black’s not bad, but the vivid blue and purple shades seem a bit out of place on such a traditionally styled purse.

Carrying this affordable Boston bag certainly won’t make you feel as pampered as holding a Louis Vuitton original will. We don’t get real leather, or protective feet on the base. The lining feels pretty cheap, and its pockets aren’t reinforced.

But perhaps we should be focusing on what we do get, rather than what we don’t. Honestly I think Nicole Lee’s given us value for our dollar here, with a selection of carry straps and a plethora of pockets. At only $64.50, the Candace is a great buy for frugal fashionistas.

More Features of This Nicole Lee Signature Boston Bag

• Dual handles
• Double zip closure
• An interior zippered pocket and two open pouches
• Measures 13.5 x 9 x 7.5 inches

Get this Nicole Lee Candace Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Carmens Handbags Perfumes Store eBay store to see if this Nicole Lee bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nicole Lee bags on BagBunch
• The Nicole Lee Zahara Boston bag, a great alternative to this Boston bag.
• Searching for more Nicole Lee bags on eBay
• Other Nicole Lee Candace bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Nicole Lee Candace, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

The fashion world may be looking ahead to winter, but Kate Spade reminds us that we haven’t seen the last of summer yet with this Lawn Party purse.

The Lawn Party strikes the balance between Kate Spade’s conservative side and her more whimsical nature. Its large flower is playful but also on trend. It’s the latest in a long line of purses just like it, which may disappoint some fashion fans.

But while Kate Spade hasn’t pushed the envelope here, I think she’s done enough to make me take another look. The straw body is inspired; it gives each petal structure while making the Lawn Party seem a bit more summery. The version with the natural and black straw also looks quite trippy, although I think I prefer this more classic black one.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll need to remember that this is a bitsy purse so space is very limited. It’s really meant for lawn parties, those high class occasions where drinks are free, chauffeurs are provided, and you need only worry about having a lipstick on hand for emergency touchups. Modern misses may struggle with that limited space, but if you know how to travel light you’ll appreciate the freedom a purse like this one offers.

I probably wouldn’t mind a purse that I could only carry on occasion if it was affordable, but at $195 I’m not sure Kate Spade is giving us enough bag for our dollar.

More Features of This Kate Spade Straw Cross-Body Bag

• Zip closure
• One interior slide pocket
• Gold-toned hardware
• A single chain accented strap with a 23 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 6 x 5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Kate Spade Lawn Party Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kate Spade Lawn Party Bitsy, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kate Spade bags on BagBunch
• The Kate Spade Lawn Party Tate tote bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Kate Spade bags on eBay