I am often really critical of Stella McCartney’s designs. I like her minimal aesthetic, but I often find that the materials she uses aren’t well-suited to them. I also find a lot of her prices to be ridiculous. But I do love her collaboration with Adidas, and this Pack Away bag is a great example of why.

The combination of red nylon and canvas on the Pack Away makes it lightweight, practical, and versatile. Also, it will be really easy to keep clean, so if you decide to use it as a gym tote, you won’t have to worry about your sweaty sock smell becoming permanent. Not only that, but the eye-catching color and glossy pattern are really cool.

The simple design of the tote is ideal. There are no frills or extravagant organizational schemes, but it will fold up nicely if you want to travel with it. It’s also large enough to accommodate a day’s worth of necessities, or even to be used as an overnight bag. The interior includes an adorable, and detachable, owl-shaped pouch for all that little stuff that could easily get lost at the bottom of your bag.

In my opinion, the best thing about the Pack Away is the low $60 price tag. You won’t find a designer tote for less, and certainly not one as versatile and attractive as this one.

More Features Of The Stella McCartney Pack Away Bag

• Fully lined
• Designer-stamped silver plaque

Get this Stella McCartney Pack Away Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Stella McCartney bags on BagBunch
• The Alexander Wang Bianca Vest Bag, a hip alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Stella McCartney items on eBay
• Other red nylon totes on eBay:[phpbay]red nylon tote  handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Vitalio Vera might not be a name on every fashion lover’s lips, but I’ve always admired the way the brand churns out affordable accessories that don’t skimp on substance or style. The Sandra is another example of the label’s commitment to affordable luxury.

Of course, for less than $50 you wouldn’t expect real leather. But the synthetic alternative Vitalio Vera employs doesn’t make us feel we’re missing out on too much. Looking at the way this hobo softly slouches only confirms its quality. What a shame that Vitalio Vera chose to trim it with glossy synthetic. It doesn’t have the same luster of a real patent; unlike the body’s synthetic this appears like an obvious fake. It cheapens a bag which really shouldn’t have looked cheap.

I can’t stay glum for too long though, because the Sandra is a smartly designed bag. It’s generously sized, perhaps even a bit too big by modern standards. The trio of interior pockets makes sure it doesn’t feel overwhelming though, so we’re merely left satisfied that we need leave nothing behind. The straps are just long enough for comfortable over-the-shoulder carrying.

The Sandra isn’t a perfect bag but then again, neither are many purses that cost much more. If you need to make compromises, why not save a bit of money at the same time?

More Features of This Vitalio Vera Large Hobo

• Silver-toned hardware
• Cotton-nylon blend lining
• Dual handles with a 7.5 inch drop
• Measures 11 x 15.5 x 6 inches

Get this Vitalio Vera Sandra Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Vitalio Vera Sandra, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check ThePursesBoutique eBay store to see if this Vitalio Vera bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Vitalio Vera bags on BagBunch
• The Vitalio Vera Savitha hobo bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Vitalio Vera bags on eBay

A lot of people were dubious when Halston chose Sarah Jessica Parker to design its Heritage line. She is, after all, an actress, not a fashion designer, and so many of these celebrity collaborations have failed in the past. But, as it turns out, SJP seems to have an intuitive knack for design. I am loving what she’s done with Heritage this season, and this Samantha chain mail bag is a great example of the line’s flashy, sexy aesthetic.

The silver chain mail on the Samantha is extremely sparkly. It isn’t exactly chain mail, per say, but instead a flat mesh. The flat silver metal surfaces catch the light in a remarkable way, and the space in between them gives the material a lot of fluidity. It almost looks like silver lame, but is far more durable.

You might remember this material from the disco era. It has a definite retro appeal. But the design of the bag is entirely modern, which makes for a nice mix. The bucket shape of the bag turns slouchy and slinky in silver mesh, and would make for a fabulous evening bag for the girl who just can’t fit all her evening accessories into a clutch, or just doesn’t want to be bothered with holding on to one.

The drawstring top closure is a little awkward in mesh, and I have some concerns about how well it will stand up over time. New, the flatness of the metal pieces ensures a smooth closure, but after time they will get dinged and bent and it may not be so easy. Frankly, I think this bag is a little overpriced at $650.

It looks cool, but the materials don’t really warrant the price tag.

More Features Of The Halston Heritage Samantha Chain Mail Bucket Bag

• 11″ x 17″ x 8″  size
• Rose gold trim
• Fully lined in black satin

Get this Halston Heritage Samantha Bucket Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Halston bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Jensen Harmony Hobo, an everyday alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Halston handbags on eBay
• Other silver mesh bags on eBay:[phpbay]silver mesh, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

The Jade collection by Stuart Weitzman is pretty distinctive, what with its stylish silver buckle and mottled panels, but the materials make it stand out even more.

Those materials, you see, are beautiful embossed leather, and utterly exotic salmon skin. They’re not the most traditional of materials, hence the rather painful $625 price tag. The contrast between the textured matte blue and the smoother, shinier side panels goes some of the way to justifying the cost. Plus, for many people the conversation point of such unusual fabrics will be enough on its own.

Other than the materials, the Bianca tote is just a typical tote, The shape and design make it stand out, but inside it has a simple satin lined interior and a big zipped pocket. That’s nothing remarkable, but at the same time everything you would expect from a tote bag.

The Bianca is a luxury tote with a little something special about it.

More Features of this Stuart Weitzman Bianca Handbag

• Also available in green tones
• Salmon skin and leather exterior
• Mottled animal print lining
• Single interior zipped pocket

Get this Salmon Skin Jade Tote:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Stuart Weitzman bags on BagBunch
• The Devi Kroell python handbag, a great alternative to this exotic bag.
• Searching for more exotic bags on eBay
• Other Stuart Weitzman bags on eBay:

[phpbay]stuart weitzman handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

I don’t know if I’ve said it before, but I love Matt & Nat. The designers are good for the world, with vegan materials and recycled ingredients, which is enough to give anyone with a little bit of a global warming conscience a bit of a self-esteem boost. And then, on top of all those eco-credentials, the designers keep making beautiful bag after beautiful bag!

The Phish clutch, even if the name makes me crave Ben & Jerry’s, is one such purse. It may look like a crinkly leather clutch, but actually that cute exterior is entirely synthetic. Often synthetic leather alternatives are viewed with some derision on sites like this, but we are wholeheartedly behind them if that do two simple things: look good, and help the world.

The rest of the design is equally tempting, especially for a clutch that costs just $54. The chain detailing makes the optional chain strap tie in with the whole look, and there is something incredibly luxurious about the way the chain stripes waterfall off the edge of the purse, draping just so. Stunning!

I don’t have much to complain about with this vegan clutch, because it hits all of the right buttons for me: looks, price, and ethics. Winner!

More Features of this Affordable Matt & Nat Clutch

• Also available in pink and blue
• Vegan friendly recycled materials
• Optional short chain strap
• Single interior zip pocket

Get this Vegan Phish Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Matt & Nat bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Liberty bags, a great alternative to this vegan bag.
• Searching for more chain bags on eBay
• Other Matt & Nat bags on eBay:

[phpbay]matt nat handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

What do you get when you cross a tradesman’s work belt with a fanny pack? Fabric Horse’s clever new utility belt!

Designers Carrie Collins and Mary Casper make each utility belt to order from material castoffs and fabric remnants sourced from local thrift stores. The waxed canvas, nylon, and vinyl scraps are then reinforced with old bicycle inner tubes.

You can choose from five different styles, which include an array of pockets and straps for keeping your essentials in place. Some belts even feature Fabric Horse’s other popular products, including the U-Lock Holster for storing bike locks. We particularly like the Superhero belt pictured; its pockets are lined with waterproof vinyl to keep your essentials safe from unexpected showers.

I imagine these utility belts will be really popular amongst cyclists and travelers, but fashion snobs may be a bit slower to embrace them. With handbags getting smaller though, I think this clever utility belt has come along at just the right time.

The Fabric Horse utility belts are priced between $68 and $146 from the fashion house’s online store.

[Source: Ecouterre]
[Image Source: Fabric Horse website]

Fanny Packs on eBay

[phpbay]fanny pack, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

As a handbag lover, it’s only natural for the big names like Prada, Valentino, and Versace to set my heart racing. But all too often it feels like these famed fashion houses don’t deserve my admiration. This embossed leather hobo is one of those times when it feels like Versace is merely phoning it in.

This bag started out with such promise. Its braided shoulder strap is as gorgeous as it is substantial, and an elegant flap falls softly to emphasize the leather’s quality. But cast your eyes down and you’re bound to be as crestfallen as I am.

The brown color of the leather is downright boring, and I have a hunch Versace knows it. Why else would it call the shade mud? The unattractive shade is matched by this hobo’s bland shape. With little embellishments to draw the eye, Versace had an opportunity to experiment with the silhouette. It didn’t though, and the bag is poorer for it.

And finally there’s the most controversial element, that familiar Medusa logo embossed near the base. I appreciate the gentle effect of the embossing, but I’m still not a fan of this branding. without any other real elements of note it seems like Versace relies on this to impress us, almost as if it’s saying “See, this is a Versace bag, so you should be happy to spend!”

I’m sorry Versace, I’m not happy to spend; particularly when you’re expecting me to fork out $1625 for the privilege of owning this snoozefest.

More Features of This Versace Brown Hobo

• Snap closure underneath the flap
• Fully lined interior
• An interior zip pocket and two open pockets
• A shoulder strap with a 12 inch drop
• Measures 13.5 x 14 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Versace Embossed Leather Handbag:

• Available to buy at Saks Fifth Avenue
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Versace bags on BagBunch
• The Marc by Marc Jacobs Magazine clutch bag, a great alternative to this embossed logo bag.
• Searching for more Versace bags on eBay
• Other embossed logo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]logo embossed, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

All too often it seems that cutting-edge technology forgets about the planet. Cities get bigger and pump out carbon emissions, we continuously consume the latest products and fill landfills around the planet almost as fast. Nau says enough! So it’s created the Pad Stash, an iPad sleeve that’s as green as it is tech savvy.

The wintery Apple tablet case is made entirely from recycled wool felt. While that’s impressive, the design is even more so. The protective front cover of the Pad Stash flips out, so you can use it as a stand while you’re browsing the web or sending e-mails. A large window and portal cutouts allow you to operate your iPad without ever removing it from the Pad Stash. There are also four pockets for bits and pieces and a SIM card slot, so it’s really the only tech accessory you’ll need!

The Pad Stash is available for an affordable $75 from Nau’s online store.

[Source: Ecouterre]

iPad Sleeves on eBay

[phpbay]iPad sleeve, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Vera Bradley’s put her inimitable stamp onto the traditional kiss-lock clasp coin purse with this Double Kiss.

We’ve all seen so many purses that look just like this, but I’m still strangely drawn to Vera Bradley’s take. It’s part of her new season collection, so its patterns are a bit more modern than we might expect from this iconic American designer. The over-sized kiss-lock clasp also makes this coin purse feel like a more youthful take on vintage fashion.

I had pretty low expectations of this purse, and expected to see a single small compartment once I popped open the clasp. So I was thrilled to see another compartment with another kiss-lock clasp hidden away. So that’s why they call it a double kiss! With this pouch taking center position, the interior is actually divided into several small compartments. That’s great if you’re holding money for friends, or trying to avoid spending that cash you owe your parents!

This coin purse is the kind of accessory that loves you back, which makes its $25 price tag seem even more appealing.

More Features of This Vera Bradley Quilted Coin Purse

• Made of cotton
• Silver-toned frame
• Measures 5.5 x 3.75 x 2 inches

Get this Vera Bradley Double Kiss Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Vera Bradley Double Kiss, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the 1st Purse and More eBay store to see if this Vera Bradley bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Vera Bradley bags on BagBunch
• The Vera Bradley classic coin purse bag, a great alternative to this kiss-lock bag.
• Searching for more Vera Bradley bags on eBay

VBH goes all out with this Vault Python Satchel bag. The fashion house is no slouch in the luxury department, but it rarely creates bags as opulent as this!

This Vault bag is made from exotic brown python. The scaly skin is beautiful just the way it is, so VBH is careful not to do too much with it. The tan piping adds some punch, but it doesn’t detract from the exotic skin. The simple satchel shape also works well.

You needn’t worry about the security of your stuff, as VBH offers us three turnlock closures. That might seem like overkill, especially when you’re attempting to retrieve your ringing cell phone, but it makes this satchel look very classy.

Open them up and you’ll find a sumptuous suede lined interior with space to spare. A metal plate proudly states the name of the bag and its limited edition number, so you know you’re getting the genuine article. The zippered pocket and pair of gadget pouches you’ll also find inside do their part to help you stay organized, leaving you to get on with more important things.

Before you whip out your credit card it’s worth noting this satchel’s prohibitive price tag: a whopping $5250. It’s probably worth that, but at this price I imagine the celebrities will be the only ones carrying this satchel this season.

More Features of This VBH Snakeskin Satchel

• Golden hardware
• Dual 14-inch shoulder straps
• Measures 10.25 x 15 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this VBH Vault Python Handbag:

• Available to buy at Neiman Marcus
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More VBH bags on BagBunch
• The Carlos Falchi python hobo bag, a great alternative to this python bag.
• Searching for more VBH bags on eBay
• Other python satchel bags on eBay:

[phpbay]python satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]