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, giving the Foreign Press its clean and casual good looks. I love the stormy blue shade, which seems made for pairing with denim, but it’s also available in raspberry pink.

A daytime purse really needs to be bigger than the average clutch, and Hilary Radley has obliged. That extra space is made more user friendly with the addition of a handy zippered pocket on the back, and several more inside. Another zip across the top of the main compartment keeps your precious cargo safe and sound.

Such a large purse could be difficult to manage, but the short handle makes clutching this clutch easier than the average. However if you want to go hands free there’s also an attachable strap. This is made from more leatherette rather than the chains we see on most clutch purses. That works well with the Foreign Press’ casual good looks, and it’s much more comfortable to carry.

This clutch is clearly made from synthetic rather than genuine leather, but its weathered grain makes it look a little more authentic than some man made skins. And at $85, the price is affordable enough for frugal shoppers to appreciate the compromise.

More Features of This Hilary Radley Convertible Clutch

• Twill lined interior
• A short handle with a 2 inch drop
• A detachable, adjustable strap with a 12-24 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 14 x 2 inches
• Made in China

Get this Hilary Radley Foreign Press Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the No1BrandNameLiquidatorStore eBay store to see if this Hilary Radley bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Hilary Radley bags on BagBunch
• The Hilary Radley Thimble clutch bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Hilary Radley bags on eBay
• Other blue synthetic clutches on eBay:

[phpbay]blue synthetic clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

If you’re still searching for the perfect beach bag, what have you been doing? With the warmer weather threatening to turn cool in the coming months you’ll want something cheap and cheerful, something like this Glimmer tote from Roxy.

The Glimmer is one of those casual, cotton bags that does just what it says on the tin. However its clashing striped body and soft ropy handles give it a fun nautical flair. It looks perfect for the season, and it’ll work for you as well.

The Glimmer is large enough to hold fluffy beach towels, a pair of flip flops, a trashy romance novel, and most anything else you need to enjoy your time on the sand. However because it’s made of cotton it won’t weigh you down as large leather bags are prone to do. Such a wide handbag probably deserves more than a magnetic snap for real security, but at least there’s a zippered pocket inside. That’s large enough to keep valuables safe while you’re spending time in the surf.

It’s hard to find fault with a bag costing just $32. That’s a steal, even if this tote will spend half the year in a closet!

More Features of This Roxy Striped Tote

• Cotton lined interior
• Rope handles with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 18 x 8 inches
• Made in China

Get this Roxy Glimmer Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Roxy Glimmer, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Roxy bags on BagBunch
• The O’Neill Moody Blues bag, a great alternative to this nautical bag.
• Searching for more Roxy bags on eBay

Animal rights activist, actress, and socialite Cornelia Guest is preparing to add handbag designer to her already extensive resume. The American personality will soon launch a line of leather free handbags, wallets, and pet accessories.

Guest said she decided to create the vegan collection so she could design and wear the items she loves, and share these with friends.

Man made leather alternatives often appear a bit tacky, so I’m thrilled to hear Guest’s developed a “beautiful, soft” vegan skin for her accessories collection. There promises to be something for all kinds of animal lovers in the range, from woven day bags and everyday totes to more elegant clutch purses and small wallets.

Guest’s website offers some rather abstract images of the new purses, but I’m impressed with what I can see. The faux leather looks gorgeous, particularly on this woven purse. I only hope the final bags live up to the promise of the photos on the site!

I also hope that Guest’s new foray into fashion comes with the charitable component we’ve seen in her vegan cookies. She donates a portion of the proceeds raised by the snacks to the Humane Society of New York, and I’d love to see her accessories supporting the same charity, or other animal-friendly organizations.

We’ll find out when Cornelia Guest’s vegan accessories hit stores this fall.

[Source: Vegetarian Star]
[Image Source: Cornelia Guest website]

Vegan Leather Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]vegan leather, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

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 you’d expect a junior high kid to create with some marker pens. But you can’t accuse it of being boring!

I’d take a little boring over this tacky design, but I can’t fault it on a practical level. There’s a zippered pocket on the back and an open pocket on each side, and that’s all before we open the shopper up! Pop open the magnetic snap and you’ll find another secure pocket, as well as a selection of open pockets for sunglasses and personal technology. The red graffiti printed lining should hide any stains too. If only we bought bags for their functional features we might be tempted.

It doesn’t look like a high-end bag, but Kathy Van Zeeland doesn’t charge like a high-end designer. At least at $79, the Tag Team’s pretty cheap! That’s still not enough to convince me, but if you’re hanging onto early 90s hip hop culture you may feel differently!

More Features of This Kathy Van Zeeland Leopard Print Shopper

• Made of synthetic
• Dual rolled straps with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 5 x 14 inches
• Made in China

Get this Kathy Van Zeeland Tag Team Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kathy Van Zeeland Tag Team, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Charm of Bags eBay store to see if this Kathy Van Zeeland bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kathy Van Zeeland bags on BagBunch
• The Kathy Van Zeeland One Night Stand bag, a great alternative to this leopard print shopper bag.
• Searching for more Kathy Van Zeeland bags on eBay

Sarah Jessica Parker has reportedly parted ways with Halston Heritage. The actress served as the president and chief creative officer of Halston’s diffusion label since January 2010.

Details are very scant at the moment, but the always reliable Women’s Wear Daily reports that the Sex and the City star is working on terminating her agreement with the label.

Rumors are swirling that Halston is suffering financial difficulties. If that’s so, it’d make sense to trim such a high profile celebrity employee. Something tells me that Ms Parker’s services wouldn’t have come cheaply. It’s been suggested that Halston may be sold again, but at this point it’s all speculation.

If the industry buzz is true it’s strange that Halston hasn’t released a statement to confirm the news. Perhaps it’s waiting for another president to step up before announcing anything officially. Many other brands have recently hired low-key talent, rather than big name designers. No one knew Olivier Rousteing when he stepped up for Balmain, and before she designed Duchess Catherine’s wedding dress Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton was a virtual unknown. A similar move would be smart for Halston Heritage if it is indeed struggling financially. It’s a solution that’s frugal with the potential to inject a real freshness into the line.

Are you sorry to see Sarah Jessica Parker leave Halston Heritage?

[Source: FabSugar]
[Image Source: David Shankbone/Wikipedia Commons]

Halston Heritage Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Halston Heritage, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Anyone who knows Nicole Lee knows she never takes herself too seriously. Her accessories are fun and just a little frivolous, but they never fail to make a style statement. And with the Floria, she seems to be saying “I really love flowers!”

If you don’t share her enthusiasm this bag will be far too much for you. However, there’s a whimsical charm about the laser-cut flowery leatherette, and the contrasting structured blooms that trail down the purse. I only wish all those flowery details were continued on the back of the bag; the standard satchel shape looks very bare without them! The rolled handles are made in the same teal leatherette, which contrasts beautifully with the bag’s paler aqua body.

It’s all just a bit silly, but beneath that playful surface is a very smart purse. It’s generously sized, but its collection of zip and slip pockets ensure it doesn’t feel unwieldy. A zip running across the top keeps your precious cargo safe and sound. And there are even metal feet on the base to ensure the synthetic looks its best for seasons to come. Or at least until the cheap material gives out on you!

At a mere $89.99 we wouldn’t expect the Floria to last forever, but it’ll make a big impression while it’s with you!

More Features of This Nicole Lee Flower Bag

• Fully lined interior
• Measures 15.5 x 14.5 x 5.75 inches
• Also available in white and green

Get this Nicole Lee Floria Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Nicole Lee Floria satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Just  My Bag USA 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 Floria shopper bag, a great alternative to this satchel bag.
• Searching for more Nicole Lee bags on eBay

Earlier in the season, I was totally in love with DKNY’s low key, affordable aesthetic. But, lately, I’m just not so sure. Things are getting a little boring. This “Luster” leather tote is about as uninspiring a bag as I’ve ever seen.

The camel colored leather of the Luster is good way to start, material-wise, but it’s not really enough to carry the design. Actually, now that I look a little closer, while the color is fine, the texture of the bag is a little weird. It looks really plastic-y. I hope that’s not what DKNY meant by “luster.”

The design of the Luster, though, is what’s really getting to me. I think the label tried a little hard to keep it classy and it comes off as just plain boring. The design is boxy and badly constructed. The sides bow out horribly. The only possible redeeming quality of the bag is the front pocket, and you just can’t buy a bag based on the pocket alone.

Especially, when it’s $345. If that money’s really burning a hole in your pocket, I’ll send you my Paypal address.

More Features Of The DKNY Luster Leather Tote

• 15″ x 11″ x 7″ size
• 5″ strap drop
• Fully lined

Get this DKNY Luster Leather Tote:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• Other DKNY bags on Bag Bunch
• The Jimmy Choo Caro Leather Shoulder Bag, a chic alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more DKNY handbags on eBay
• Other tan leather totes on eBay:

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