I’m used to seeing stylish leather bags in bright poppy colors from Joe’s Jeans. So I was surprised to see the label opting for something a bit more casual with The Bag Canvas Argent.

The leather is gone, replaced with a relaxed military style canvas. The colors have also been washed out, replaced with more masculine shades of army green and slate gray. Personally I think these colors are a bit drab, but they’ll certainly suit the lads and girls who prefer more androgynous fashions.

The style of The Bag Canvas Argent is also interesting, although again I’m not sure that it’s my cup of tea. Rather than adding a pair of shoulder straps as most designers would, Joe’s Jeans as opted for a hand strap. Personally I think this bag is a bit big for this kind of carrying option, but so long as you don’t overstuff it I’m sure you’ll manage. I really like the look of using the hand strap though, so perhaps it’s worth the effort.

I’ve always admired Joe’s Jeans reasonable prices, but I think $173 is too much to pay for a canvas bag, no matter how innovative. Do you agree?

More Features of This Joe’s Jeans Canvas Bag

• Full zippered closure
• Cotton poplin lined interior
• An interior pocket
• Measures 1 x 18.5 x 9.5 inches

Get this Joe’s Jeans Argent Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Joe’s Jeans Argent, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Joe’s Jeans bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Joe’s Jeans bags on BagBunch
• The Joe’s Jeans The Bag Canvas Mila bag, a great alternative to this canvas bag.
• Searching for more Joe’s Jeans bags on eBay

JJ Winters gives us an accessory with youthful energy with this Chain Stud Shoulder Bag.

I’m sure that teens are going to love this purse, with its array of differently sized studs and poppy golden zipper trim. It’s just the sort of bag I can imagine dangling casually from the shoulders of Hollywood starlets or the cast of 90210. But as someone of more mature tastes, it just doesn’t do much for me.

JJ Winters has always been swayed by the trends, but this seems a little too much like “edgy design by numbers.” There’s really nothing new here, so while the elements are executed well I feel as if I’ve seen it all before.

It’s also on the small side, which is both a blessing and a curse. While no one wants to feel weighed down by their everyday purse, they also want it to hold everything they need. This might do it with some careful packing, but it’s going to be a tight squeeze.

But at least JJ Winters doesn’t charge us a fortune for it. Teens might still need to save their pocket money to afford this $218 purse, but considering its luxury materials it’s still a fairly inexpensive way to indulge in modern trends.

More Features of This JJ Winters Suede Shoulder Bag

• Magnetic snap closure
• An interior slip pocket
• A chain strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 8.5 x 5.5 x 3 inches
• Made in the USA

Get this JJ Winters Chain Stud Handbag:

• Available to buy at Boutique to You
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More JJ Winters bags on BagBunch
• The JJ Winters suede shoulder bag, a great alternative to this studded suede bag.
• Searching for more JJ Winters bags on eBay
• Other JJ Winters studded bags on eBay:

[phpbay]JJ Winters stud, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Proud Mary is the latest company empowering women in need around the globe through the creation of eco-friendly accessories and homewares.

From its base in Charlestown, South Carolina, Proud Mary employs artisans in Guatemala and South Africa. The women working at local weaving cooperatives and sewing workshops come together to create handbags, shoes, neckties, and pillows. They’re paid fair wages and given the opportunity to provide for their families.

The women of Guatemala favor cotton for their creations. Their items pay tribute to the workers’ Mayan heritage, with playful pom-pom and tassel accents, and bold, traditional colors. The South African artisans also use cotton, but they embellish it with potatoes. The humble spud becomes a clever printing tool under the artistic hands of the women of Capetown.

The Proud Mary items are available at selected markets, the shopping website Supermarket HQ, and the Proud Mary website. The items are a bit expensive, even if they are handmade, but knowing that 10% of each sale benefits education programs in South Africa and Guatemala makes those prices a bit easier to swallow.

If you’re keen to indulge in the current tribal trends, a purse from Proud Mary is an authentic, socially responsible, and eco-friendly way to do it!

[Source: Tree Hugger]
[Image Source: Proud Mary]

Jimmy Choo lets its materials speak for themselves with this Rhea shopper.

Jimmy Choo has given this sand-colored calfskin a lift with gentle lizard skin embossing. This is one of my favorite reptilian finishes, as it’s much more subtle than the more lauded crocodile and snakeskin. To that end, I wish Jimmy Choo had chosen a stronger color for the leather. In such a wishy-washy shade, this Rhea tends to fade into the background. However, this pale hue will fit right in with the nudes so popular right now.

The Rhea’s design is a bit confusing to me. It seems so structured, but then there’s the drawstring top which seems to rebel against that. You’ll need to tie it loose to avoid awkward bunching, but that seems to defeat the drawstring’s purpose. At least with a zipper hidden beneath it security isn’t an issue.

The interior is much more attractive to me, with its sumptuous suede lining and many features. There’s a zippered pocket and pair of open pouches for gadgets, and a loop for holding your keys. It’s not an overly large bag, but it should have enough space to carry everything you really need.

I don’t think Jimmy Choo’s done enough to warrant the $1095 it’s asking for the Rhea, but its timeless style might help to justify the cost if you’ve fallen for it.

More Features of This Jimmy Choo Lizard Embossed Shopper

• Flip lock tab closure
• Protective metal feet
• Dual handles with an 8.25 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 8.5 x 5.75 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Jimmy Choo Rhea Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Jimmy Choo Rhea, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Cdn619mpn924 eBay store to see if this Jimmy Choo bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jimmy Choo bags on BagBunch
• The Jimmy Choo Rosalie bag, a great alternative to this beige bag.
• Searching for more Jimmy Choo bags on eBay

A new eco-label is preparing to enter the American market. Ecoalf hails from Spain, and after conquering Europe has the United States firmly in its sights.

Ecoalf shows its commitment to the planet by using only 100% recycled and recyclable materials to create its apparel and accessories. These innovative green materials include recycled polyester made from used plastic bottles and nylon sourced from old fishing nets. Since its inception the label has helped recycled more than two million PET bottles and 8.9 kilograms of fishing net. When you consider how much space those plastics would take up in landfill, you seen realize the importance of Ecoalf’s practices.

Ecoalf can take care of most of your fashion needs with its range of bags, shoes, and jackets. They’re all fairly casual so probably only suitable for daywear, but who knows what’s to come from the label in future. I’d love to see some evening attire and clutch purses that are just as green as the rest of the label!

You can expect to see Ecoalf goodies at your local Bloomingdale’s and other high-end boutiques this July. And if you just can’t wait, you can score some select pieces early at New York’s green store KAIGHT.

[Source: Ecouterre]

Recycled Plastic Bottle Bags on eBay

[phpbay]recycled bottles, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Jil Sander gives us an evening bag that knows how to stand out from the pack with this Pyramid purse.

Jil Sander shuns traditional box clutches and frame purses for a much more unique pyramid shape. I’m not sure how practical this design is, but it’ll certainly turn heads.

I love the quirk factor of this purse, but I’m not so sure about the color. In and of itself the meadow green hue is fresh and quite lovely, but I wonder how easily it’ll work itself into evening wardrobes. I certainly don’t have a lot of green in mine, so I’d have to pair it with neutrals. Offering a few more traditional choices such as black, white, and a few metallics would have been a smart decision.

While we’re discussing the practical drawbacks it’s worth mentioning the limitations of the shape we love so much. While the Pyramid is a decent size, the amount of usable space is limited. You won’t be able to use the room near the corners, so it’s not really as spacious as it first seems.

If attracting attention is your ultimate objective, then you won’t mind spending $695 on this Pyramid purse. That’s not exorbitant for an evening purse, but it’s more than I want to pay for one that’s unlined and not incredibly practical.

More Features of This Jil Sander Leather Evening Bag

• Zip closure
• A flat leather handle with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 10.5 x 11 x 11 inches

Get this Barneys New York Handbag:

• Available to buy at Barneys New York
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jil Sander bags on BagBunch
• The Carlo Fellini Madeline bag, a great alternative to this pyramid shaped bag.
• Searching for more Jil Sander bags on eBay
• Other triangle bags on eBay:

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

A pineapple is becoming something of a staple in Kate Spades’ evening bags at the moment, and the odd thing is that it actually manages to work!

Now, there is no denying that the glittery fluorescent green gem exterior on the Lella clutch is incredibly reminiscent of 1990s club wear. It makes me want to dance to brutally awful tunes like Baby D “Let Me Be Your Fantasy,” and I have no idea if this is good, or bad. Whichever side of the fence you fall down on, the Lemon Drop evening bag will definitely tick all the boxes if you like looking bright, shiny and eye catching.

Of course, if you want understated subtlety then you may need to look away. The only time this decidedly retro purse leans towards the classy end of the spectrum is in the polka-dot lining, which, coincidentally, is the only time when this clutch looks like  something from the normally restrained Kate Spade brand!

It ain’t sensible and it ain’t quiet, but this bold and vivacious bag is perfect for girls with attitude.

More Features of this Kate Spade Pineapple Clutch

• Also available in yellow or opal
• Optional long chain strap
• Polka-dot fabric lining

Get this Lemon Drop Lella Purse:

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

[phpbay]kate spade lella, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kate Spade bags on BagBunch
• The Kate Spade Gold Lagoon purse, a great alternative to this pineapple bag.
• Searching for more fluorescent bags on eBay

With a Harvard MBA behind her, London-based entrepreneur Mireia Llusia-Lindh was always destined to succeed. She launched her handbag label Milli Millu online last October, and has just opened the doors to her first bricks and mortar store in Mayfair’s Dover Street.

Llusia-Lindh was inspired to create the label after becoming frustrated that fashionable bags willing to carry laptops and other modern day essentials were in short supply. Her accessories are targeted at other career women who need to carry plenty to the office.

Happily you needn’t be a corporate high flier to afford them either. They’re relatively affordable, with prices of the signature shoulder bags ranging between £295 and £445. The clutches are on the whole even cheaper, with prices ranging from £295 to £395. That price buys real leather, and in some cases genuine python skin.

Milli Millu bags are named after key European cities, including Stockholm, Barcelona, and the patriotic Londoner pictured. Given the nods to other European markets it’s unsurprising that Milli Millu is continuing to expand. Later this summer the bags will be available in high-end retailers in Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway. Plans are afoot to introduce the range in Germany, other European markets, and the United States before too long.

[Source: The Independent]
[Image Source: Milli Millu website]