Thanks to the seventies inspiration that flounced and strutted its stuff down the catwalks recently, we are seeing a lot of handbags with a little hint of a 70s fashion vibe. Whilst the temptation is to go for garish colors and psychedelic floral patterns, the clever designers (like Lodis) have opted for something a bit smarter.

It has kept with the palette of browns and greens, but the size of the pattern has been modernized, made far smaller and subtler so that it can work without the walnut furniture, cigarettes and whiskey (me, paraphrase Mad Men? Surely not). As you can see, the result is a complex and sophisticated bag that hints to a retro vibe without being too explicit. If you want Orla Kiely lookalikes that is fine, but sometimes you need a bag that is, dare I say it, a little more boring and normal. When you look closely you realize the depth of detail in the printed leather, but from a distance the pattern seems to blend together. It is almost like two bags in one!

The inside of this bag does away with the seventies inspiration altogether, preferring instead to have a calm solid color fabric lining and plenty of pockets. With bold linings being all the rage this is a bit of a break from the norm, and is what keeps the Belize Logan sophisticated and mature. It is a sensible choice with fun lying beneath the surface.

More Features of this Lodis Belize Logan Tote

• Available in two other color combinations
• Printed leather exterior
• Multiple interior pockets and compartments
• Adjustable dual shoulder straps

Get this Seventies Leather Hobo:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More  Lodis bags on BagBunch
• The Magid Fashion Matte tote, a great alternative to this seventies bag.
• Searching for more seventies inspired bags on eBay
• Other Lodis bags on eBay:

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I’ve always admired American West’s intricate hand-tooling, but all too often the label’s purses are too country and western for this city slicker. But I think the label’s got the balance right with the Over the Rainbow tote.

Without the hair calf, clashing colors, and fringing that American West is so fond of, we can properly focus on the main event: that gorgeous hand-tooling. The design is intricate and Western inspired, but in complementary colors it doesn’t look like it’s stepped out of a rodeo. A little stitching and tiny silver studs flatter that tooled work without overwhelming it.

It’s also worth mentioning that cherry red colored leather, which makes a refreshing change from the blacks and browns the label typically favors. Green fashionistas will be happy to note that its colored using vegetable dyes rather than harsh chemicals. Of course, to be really green American West would have to shun leather altogether, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.

At $189 this tote is well priced considering its quality and detail. American West stands by this, offering a lifetime guarantee with every bag sold. That should make you feel a bit more confident about laying your money down!

More Features of This American West Hand-Tooled Tote

• Zip top closure
• Open side pockets
• Zippered pockets and pouches inside
• Measures 14 x 3.5 x 10 inches

Get this American West Over the Rainbow Handbag:

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

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• Check the Top Rocky Mountain Seller eBay store to see if this American West bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More American West bags on BagBunch
• The American West Over the Rainbow wallet, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more American West bags on eBay

Most of us would say there’s no place for children’s toys in the world of high fashion, but Italian designer Mariasole Cecchi would disagree. She’s just released Le Petit Joueurs, a range of high end purses decorated with Lego blocks!

The collection’s name means little players, a clever nod to its whimsical toy accents. The colorful toy blocks have been used cleverly to create fun patterns like a piano keyboard, bright leopard spots, and Piet Mondrian inspired geometric art.

While Lego blocks aren’t exactly luxurious accents, I can’t fault Mariasole Cecchi’s craftsmanship. Each bag is handcrafted from Italian suede, and equipped with several functional features. Each has a removable shoulder strap for easy carrying, a magnetic closure, and a zippered pocket and small tethered pouch tucked away inside.

I really like the kitsch appeal of Mariasole Cecchi’s collection, but I’m not sure I like it enough to spend $995 on the bags. That’s a whole lot of cash for something that’s a bit of a novelty. If your fashion sense is daring enough though, you can find the bags on Aha Life. Are you excited by these colorful and innovative retro purses, or do you think they’re merely child’s play?

[Source: Bag Snob]

Alla Leather Art has quickly become one of my favorite handbag labels, but I’m a bit disappointed in the Goldy. It’s refreshing to find a tote so clean and simple, but has the label played it too safe?

The curved base and asymmetrical handles give the Goldy a quirky artistic feel, but other than that this bag is pretty plain. Its high quality leather shines through, but I find myself looking for some distraction. And when it comes in the form of a cluster of coins, I’m left cold. They just appear a bit messy and uninspired.

While the Goldy needs its curved base to set it apart, it’s not a very practical design. It’s going to fall over the moment you sit it down. While the zippered top ensures your cargo won’t spill out, the leather is going to suffer. You’ll need to be really careful with this one to keep it looking good.

At least the interior is up to Alla Leather Art’s usual standard. It’s generously sized and well appointed, with plenty of pouches and pockets for keeping your small items organized. I’d probably avoid those open pouches if you can help it though. With the bag prone to toppling over, nothing’s going to stay put!

If it were designed by another fashion house I’m sure I’d feel a bit more generous about the Goldy, especially considering its very reasonable $289 price tag. It’s not a bad bag; I just know Alla Leather Art can do better.

More Features of This Alla Leather Art Leather Tote

• Dual handles
• Measures 4 x 18 x 15 inches

Get this Alla Leather Art Goldy Handbag:

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

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Alla Leather Art bags on BagBunch
• The Alla Leather Art Sarah satchel bag, a great alternative to this asymmetrical handle bag.
• Searching for more Alla Leather Art bags on eBay

A handbag collection designed to celebrate a television show doesn’t sound too promising on paper, but as always the devil’s in the details. Cult HBO series True Blood isn’t just any TV series, and Hammitt is no ordinary fashion house.

Hammitt isn’t a household name, but the label’s got a real following amongst fashion forward celebrities including Angelina Jolie and Taylor Momsen. I’m not sure why the Los Angeles company decided to sink its teeth into this collaboration, but the results are impressive.

The Italian leather handbags have been named after and inspired by the vampire drama’s key characters, and they’re every bit as complex as their fictional muses. The Eric seems to be a classic black cross-body, but turn it on its side and you’ll see its edgy bullet-shaped studs. The gray suede Sookie also looks like the perfect lady, but when we notice the rivet covered gussets we see it’s not as sweet as it seems.

Look for the True Blood Hammitt bags in stores this summer; their launch will coincide with the start of season four. Perhaps handbags inspired by television shows aren’t such a bad idea after all. Do these True Blood purses make you weak at the knees?

[Source: Styleist]

Hammitt Handbags on eBay

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

Alexis Hudson channels the glamour of the 1950s with this elegant Maddie shoulder bag.

I can just imagine the secretaries in Mad Men carrying this darling mini purse to the office, and then to the bar for after work cocktails. That gunmetal leather is glamorous but not as glitzy as a silver or platinum. It’s such an elegant and versatile choice, and really the pick of the Maddies.

In my opinion Alexis Hudson has tried too hard to liven up its black version. It’s covered in sequins, which seem to fight for attention with the large turn-lock closure. This clasp with its faceted finish really deserves to be the focus, and in the black bag it gets a bit lost. We also lose the beauty of the leather as it’s all covered up. A synthetic would have done the job just as well, and for a fraction of the price.

The shoulder strap is another inspired design decision. The soft leather center is complemented by several golden chains, all with different sized links and thicknesses. It could have appeared confused, but by keeping the threads delicate Alexis Hudson has pulled off a strap that’s as stunning as it is sensible.

The Maddie’s called a mini, so you shouldn’t expect a lot of storage space. However with some careful packing I think you could fit everything you really need to inside. It’s a little light on pockets, but it shouldn’t take much to keep such a petite space organized.

You might find something cheaper in a thrift store, but I think the Maddie still represents good value at $325.

More Features of This Alexis Hudson Turn-Lock Shoulder Bag

• Twill lined interior
• A chain shoulder strap with an 11 inch drop
• Measures 7.25 x 8 x 2 inches
• Made in China

Get this Alexis Hudson Maddie Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Carol’s Sweet Boutique eBay store to see if this Alexis Hudson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexis Hudson bags on BagBunch
• The Rebecca Minkoff Belle bag, a great alternative to this turn-lock bag.
• Searching for more Alexis Hudson bags on eBay
• Other retro shoulder bags on eBay:

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I am always shocked when Bally makes a handbag that isn’t all leather, but when it comes up with designs like this fabulous Redgrave I can’t really complain!

The main word for a painfully expensive bag like this? Classic. From the square handle, to the deep blue contrasting trim against the plain canvas. From the neat buckles and rectangular shape to the gorgeous textured leather. It is all classic, but in the most spectacularly luxuriously wonderful way. In case you can’t tell, this simple design is getting a big thumbs up from me.

Of course, convertible design and dramatic elegance doesn’t come cheap. Well it could, but that tends to mean it comes without the nice ingredients and the utterly crisp lines. Even so, $1495 is a lot of money, and you would have to be really sure of the investment value of a leather and canvas satchel. Does it work for you?

More Features of this Bally Redgrave Handbag

• Also available in yellow
• Leather and canvas exterior
• Optional long leather shoulder strap
• Metal clasp closure

Get this Luxury Traditional Tote:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Bally bags on BagBunch
• The Melie Bianco satchel, a great alternative to this traditional bag.
• Searching for more classic leather bags on eBay
• Other Bally bags on eBay:

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If bright colors and garish shades are too much for you, then you could be forgiven for assuming that you were out of luck when it came to looking for an eye-catching evening bag. In with the Tina clutch then, to prove this isn’t the case.

After all, there are no bright colors in this sequin minaudiere. There are no diamanté gems glistening, or obviously attention-hungry novelty shapes. Instead, BCBGeneration has stuck with an old favorite of the glamorous crowd, sequins, and have let a clever mixture of gray and black shades do the talking. They add texture and drama, but in a subtle way that means this box clutch is very black tie friendly.

Of course, sequins aren’t the newest trick in the book. They may well tread very close to being overdone, and so you need to be careful. In the same vein, the shape isn’t particularly original, but thanks to the pattern and understated class I still think this metallic purse manages to work!

More Features of this BCBGeneration Tina Evening Bag:

• Also in multicolor sequins
• Sequin exterior with metal decoration
• Optional long chain strap
• Satin interior lining

Get this Elegant Sequin Minaudiere:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More BCBG bags on BagBunch
• The Accessorize Sequin clutch, a great alternative to this evening bag.
• #mce_temp_url#Searching for more sequin bags on eBay
• Other BCBGeneration bags on eBay:

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There are box bags, and then there is the Tai bag from Alexander Wang. It doesn’t just have a square structured shape. It actually looks like a box!

This is a really clever accessory. Wang has tapped into that structured, retro styling that’s become so popular since Mad Men hit our television screens, but he’s reinterpreted it in a new, quirky way. The hinged metal opening and golden lock give the Tai some real personality, which is only heightened by the short retro-cool handle.

This is a purse that’s really more about making a style statement than getting the job done. That opening isn’t made to be accessed on the run, and the handle won’t make carrying easy. On the whole the Tai looks like it’d be pretty awkward to handle, and I don’t want inconvenience to come with a $755 price tag.

If you’ve fallen for the Tai I’m sure you’ll struggle to manage it, but I predict it’ll be back in the closet before the end of the season. This is definitely more of an occasional statement piece than an everyday purse, which only makes that bottom line seem more extravagant.

More Features of This Alexander Wang Leather Box Bag

• Silver hardware
• Press stud fastening tab
• Fabric lined interior
• Metal feet at base
• A top handle with a 2 inch drop
• Measures 9 x 7 x 4 inches

Get this Alexander Wang Tai Handbag:

• Available to buy at The Outnet
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexander Wang bags on BagBunch
• The Bodhi Oval Box bag, a great alternative to this box bag.
• Searching for more Alexander Wang bags on eBay
• Other box bags on eBay:

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New Yorkers can meet Nancy Gonzalez when she unveils an exclusive selection of her famous Leaf Totes at Bergdorf Goodman’s 5th Avenue New York store tomorrow, April 6. The Colombian designer will appear between 1 and 3 pm, although the collection will be available to view until 5 that day, and between 1 and 5 pm on April 7.

If you’ve got the cash to spare, one of these exclusive totes promises to be a great investment. Each crocodile tote is a one-of-a-kind, and available in unique shapes and colors. The Wall Street Journal recently named the Leaf Tote amongst its top three must have value bags. Nancy Gonzalez also keeps production and distribution of the bags limited to make them that bit more elite.

Those leaf accents really help to set these totes apart. They’re fresh, unlike the tassels and flowers we’ve all seen before. Gonzalez was inspired by the banana leaves so common in the country of her birth. Marrying them with the classic New York style tote seemed like a natural way to pay homage to her two homes.

Will you hot foot it to Bergdorf Goodman to meet Nancy Gonzalez and snare one of her ultra exclusive Leaf Tote bags?

[Source: Bag Snob]

Nancy Gonzalez Leaf Totes on eBay

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