Mother of pearl shell is a classic luxury material, and Serpui Marie acknowledges this fact in a play on the classic Mother of Pearl checkerboard.

Of course, this particular checkerboard is less likely to be seen huddled over by old men than played with and fawned over by girls! In fact, it comes in the form of a cute little clutch. The dark and light sections of shell contrast in an intricate and complex checkered pattern all over the body, making it much more about the fashion than about the tradition!

Of course, though this special evening bag looks remarkable, it costs a pretty penny too. In fact, it costs $595, making it a really “special occasion” bag if ever there was one. The question is whether that sleek shell exterior is enough to make you spend that much, or whether you would be willing to risk the shoddier workmanship in a cheaper alternative.

Whilst I can’t make that decision for you, I can say this. The curved shape, rich coloring and remarkably eye catching design in this Serpui Marie clutch could easily make you the belle of the ball.

More Features of this Serpuie Marie Shell Purse

• Genuine shell exterior
• Unusual hand-crafted shape
• Patterned fabric lining
• Solid box design

Get this Luxury Checkerboard Clutch:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Serpui Marie bags on BagBunch
• The Mad By Design Mother of Pearl clutch, a great alternative to this shell bag.
• Searching for more Mother of Pearl bags on eBay
• Other Serpui Marie bags on eBay:

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With the Eugenia, Rafe’s created a clutch that doesn’t need to wait until after five to make an appearance.

This is one purse that reminds us that an accessory doesn’t need studs and sequins for texture. Instead Rafe uses a range of snake embossed finishes artfully pleated and woven across the Eugenia’s surface. The dramatic diagonal lines are contemporary, yet in basic black they don’t appear too trend conscious.

I’m not always a fan of black and brown purses as they’re often too traditional, but that’s not the case here. In a more vivid shade such a striking purse could have appeared too much, but here it’s just interesting enough.

The Eugenia has the right look for daytime and evening wear, and it’s got the dimensions to match its versatility. You shouldn’t expect to fit the kitchen sink inside, but there should be enough space for the essentials with some careful packing. The array of leather trimmed pockets will help you keep the clutter at bay when you’re making the day to night transition.

No one wants to carry a purse in their hand all day, so I’m thrilled Rafe has added a shoulder strap. This chain is fairly stock standard, but anything more adventurous may have overshadowed the Eugenia’s design. I’m just happy it’s detachable, so we can leave it at home on an evening out.

At $295 the Eugenia is on the expensive side, but I can see you getting plenty of wear for your dollar.

More Features of This Rafe Embossed Snakeskin Clutch

• Hinged frame closure
• Logo print lining
• A chain strap with a 14.5 inch drop
• Measures 7.75 x 13.5 x 3 inches
• Made in China

Get this Rafe Eugenia Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Rafe bags on BagBunch
• The pleated Rafe Eugenia bag, a great alternative to this woven bag.
• Searching for more Rafe bags on eBay
• Other snake embossed clutch bags on eBay:

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I’ve really been talking up the MICHAEL line, lately. It’s been putting out some very cool, and very affordable, accessories this season, and I can’t help but get excited. This Princeton washed leather shoulder bag, unfortunately, is not the best the line has to offer.

The washed brown leather is pretty cool, but honestly, I think the label’s gone a bit too far in the washing department. The leather is so wrinkled in parts that it just ends up looking really sloppy instead of casually chic. Also, because the straps are not washed, they look somewhat mismatched on the Princeton.

The shape of the Princeton is great. I love a more structured hobo, and this one definitely fits the bill. It’s also a really reasonable size, so you can get that boho look without dragging around a garbage bag-sized accessory. The front pockets are a cool utilitarian touch and the perfect dimension for stowing your keys and phone.

Basically, I like everything about the bag except its over-wrinkled material. Unfortunately, at $380, it’s just a bit too pricey for me to overlook the leather.

More Features Of The MICHAEL Michael Kors Princeton Washed Leather Shoulder Bag

• 13″ x 10″ x 6″ size
• 9″ strap drop
• Fully lined

Get this Michael Kors Princeton Washed Leather Hobo:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Michael Kors bags on BagBunch
• The Marc by Marc Jacobs Moto Proto Hobo Bag, a very cool alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Michael Kors handbags on eBay
• Other brown leather hobos on eBay:

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Tory Burch has won a landmark settlement against hundreds of website selling counterfeit version of her famous handbags and ballet flats. The New Yorker was awarded $164 million in damages, the largest sum in a case against counterfeit e-tailers.

Recent studies have disagreed, but Burch claims counterfeiting costs American fashion houses more than $20 billion dollars each year. She says the judgment isn’t only a victory for her brand, but also her customers and the fashion industry as a whole.

Many discerning fashion fans can spot the fakes, but these websites were pretty cunning. Their masterminds, which were believed to be based in China, created websites designed to fool customers into believing they were shopping at authorized Tory Burch retailers. They even took photos from the official Tory Burch website to flog their replica products.

Along with the financial compensation, the court also ordered that the 232 domain names in question be taken offline and given to Burch. The financial accounts of all the counterfeit websites have also been restrained, and Burch has new powers which allow her to shut down any future copycat sites without another court visit.

This landmark case really paves the way for other fashion houses to crack down on their copycats. I expect to hear many more lawsuits just like this in the near future.

[Source: The Examiner]
[Image Source: David Shankbone/Wikipedia Commons]

Tory Burch Bags on eBay

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Radley serves up practicality in a pretty pink package with this Wigmore shoulder bag.

I know, I know, this bag is very pink. This particular hue is so sugary that you might get a toothache if you stare at it for too long. It’s definitely for the girliest of girly girls. But personally I think it’s the pick of the bunch. The black and ivory shades are so predictable, although they’re probably a bit easier to work into a wardrobe.

Colors aside, the devil’s in the very impressive details here. Rather than traditional piping, Radley has mixed things up a bit with pretty plaited reinforcement. The drawstring top helps emphasize the quality of the soft leather, and the golden Scottie dog plate is a whimsical way for Radley to make its mark.

I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of the drawstring on a practical level though. It’ll be fiddly to use, and I’m not sure that inconvenience is worth the look. Radley does give us a zippered pocket underneath, which makes up for the drawstring’s security shortcomings. Personally I’d prefer this was the lone closure. The strap is also a bit skinny for my liking, as it’ll pull at your shoulder once the Wigmore is full.

But these are minor niggles in what is otherwise a very stylish and smart shoulder purse.

More Features of This Radley Leather Shoulder Bag

• Scottie dog printed interior lining
• A front pocket
• Interior zip and slip pocket
• A single shoulder strap with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 15.4 x 12.6 x 4.7 inches

Get this Radley Wigmore Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Radley bags on BagBunch
• The Radley Top-Stitched hobo bag, a great alternative to this leather bag.
• Searching for more Radley bags on eBay
• Other pink leather shoulder bags on eBay:

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Just when I thought I’d seen sustainable handbags made from every material imaginable, Blauvent by Carmesine’s come along to surprise me. The Spanish label makes tote bags, wallets, belts, and other fashion accessories from the retired wings of paragliders.

The green brand claims its products are made “for paraglider pilots, by paraglider pilots,” but I don’t think you need aviation skills to appreciate these practical green purses.

Every one is made is hand made in a small Spanish production facility from different sections of the wings. The material is tough but feels light to carry, and as an added bonus, it’s also water resistant.

As the Blauvent by Carmesine bags are made from upcycled materials, no two purses are exactly the same. And to further ensure you won’t come across someone else carrying a similar purse, they’re made in limited runs of 100. Each piece is numbered and signed, which makes them feel just a little more special.

Blauvent by Carmesine’s commitment to green practices doesn’t stop once the bags leave its premises. The Spanish label encourages its customers to send their old bags back to Blauvent by Carmesine’s headquarters for recycling. It offers a €3 credit towards a new product, and absorbs the shipping costs.

[Source: Ecouterre]

Puma hopes we’ll be starry eyed over its Dazzle shopper tote, but this proves to be one bag that doesn’t live up to its name.

When I hear a bag is called the Dazzle I expect it will, well, dazzle me. But really this is a fairly lackluster effort from the sports brand. Its purple nylon body might have a little more shine than the average, and its pewter synthetic trim and handles are almost glitzy, but I’d hardly call the combination dazzling. This shopper’s flared top is also unique, but again I’m not really wowed by it. Pleasantly surprised might be a more accurate description.

The interior is also nice enough, but not all that inspiring. There’s plenty of space, so the Dazzle could certainly work as a gym bag or everyday carryall. There are enough pockets, and the polyester lining is pretty tough. But I really feel like I’ve seen it all before.

The price tag of $55 is also just about what I’d expect to pay. Its versatility makes the Dazzle a good buy, but I’d hardly call it a steal.

The problem with bestowing a powerful moniker on your bag is that it raises expectations. The Dazzle is perfectly adequate, but it’s hardly dazzling.

More Features of This Purple Puma Shopper Tote

• Zip top closure
• Dual handles with an 8.5 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 19 x 5.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Puma Dazzle Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Puma bags on BagBunch
• The Adidas by Stella McCartney Pack Away bag, a great alternative to this nylon bag.
• Searching for more Puma bags on eBay
• Other Puma Dazzle bags on eBay:

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iBaggs has launched The Traveler and Traveler Plus, a pair of travel bags designed for transporting everyone’s favorite tablets, the original iPad and the new iPad 2.

Unlike so many tech bags, the Traveler and Traveler Plus don’t only care about getting from Point A to Point B. The hand straps and open access window allow tech heads to actually use their devices while they’re still protected in the bags. In the Plus model this access window is also optical, clear, and scratch resistant.

An adjustable carry strap helps users convert their Traveler or Traveler Plus from a simple case to an easily transportable bag. These bags are made from heavy duty neoprene, an easy to handle fabric chosen for its protective qualities.

The iBaggs tech bags also feature a double kick-stand, which helps the iPad stand up without assistance in viewing and working positions. And if that wasn’t enough features, there’s a back seat display strap for long road trips and a dual access storage pocket for stashing small tech essentials like a headset and charger.

iBaggs stands behind its products, so it offers a 15-day money back guarantee and limited life time warranty with each one. The iBaggs Traveler and Traveler Plus iPad cases are available in a range of colors and prints from the iBaggs website. The Traveler costs $54.95, while the Travel Plus model is a bit more expensive at $59.95.

[Source: PR Log]
[Image Source: iBaggs website]

Neoprene iPad Bags on eBay

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When you think Proenza Schouler you probably think of the PS1. The label varies the fabrics and colors, but essentially its reputation has been built on the satchel. So it’s refreshing to see the brand stepping out of its box with this beach bag.

This is a real departure for Proenza Schouler. The luxury materials it typically works with are replaced with a much more beach-friendly neoprene. This waterproof material is paired with a large mesh exterior pocket, which is perfect for stashing the items you need on hand.

The bag is very tall and barrel shaped, almost like the Speedo bags we all remember using as kids. The dimensions seem made for carrying a neatly rolled up beach towel along with other seaside essentials. There are two zippered pockets inside, and a separate one along the bottom for storing wet swimsuits.

I’m never a fan of drawstrings, but I think Proenza Schouler gets away with the casual closure here. They’re difficult to manage on an everyday purse, but it’s not like you need to repeatedly get things in and out of your beach bag. As you won’t be using it too much, you probably won’t mind the effort that a drawstring requires.

Unless you spend a lot of time on the sand you’ll probably balk at spending $485 on this beach bag, but it’s certainly a well made option for luxury lovers!

More Features of This Proenza Schouler Neoprene Bag

• Patent leather trim
• Two plastic vents
• A D-ring
• Carry on one shoulder or as a backpack
• Measures 19 x 16 inches

Get this Proenza Schouler Beach Bag Handbag:

• Available to buy at Proenza Schouler website
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Proenza Schouler bags on BagBunch
• The Co-Lab by Christopher Kin Plexi bag, a great alternative to this neoprene bag.
• Searching for more Proenza Schouler bags on eBay
• Other neoprene beach bags on eBay:

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