With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to start thinking about the travel bags that will accompany us to our Christmas destinations. If you favor high tech goodies, the new Trip bag from Travelteq will definitely do the trick.

This bag reminds me more of a Decepticons robot than a suitcase. A kangaroo compartment in the front opens to allow easy access to your laptop. The hard shell then converts into a chair, so you can sit down and surf the web while you’re waiting in the airport lounge. More technology comes in the form of a USB port, which can charge your cell phone and camera while you’re traveling. Choose the Trip Sound and your bag can even double as an iPod dock, with its integrated sound system with detachable speakers.

While the tech appeal will attract gadget loving girls, it’s good to note that the suitcase itself is also cleverly designed. The aluminum body is as tough as it is lightweight. The Trip tips the scales at just 14 pounds, but it can support more than 300 pounds of weight in seat mode. Its wheels run on skate bearings so it can turn this way and that as you’re navigating the airport.

At an introductory price of €595 for the standard model, or €650 for the Trip Sound, this travel bag will likely cost more than your vacation will. But if you’re a frequent flyer it might be worth splashing out. Both models are available from the Travelteq website.

[Source: Luxist]

Aluminum Suitcases on eBay

[phpbay]aluminum suitcase, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

B. Makowsky gives the hobo style a sleek makeover with this Derby bag.

It’s from B. Makowsky’s Classics range, but that term refers more to its timeless style than its adherence to hobo tradition. While most hobos are slouchy affairs with boho vibes, this one is a structured, sophisticated creature. Reinforced corners and complementary stitching help this striking trapezoidal purse keep its shape.

The silver nameplate looks a little chunky against this purse’s ladylike design, but it’s not really a deal breaker. However, I like that the logo is incorporated into a clasp for the front pocket. While a hidden closure would have looked more elegant, we all know the brand could have chosen something far less tasteful to show its marque!

The interior is very well designed for daily use. Two large zippered compartments flank the large center section for easy organization. This central space is not too big or too small, and it’s got plenty of tough, leather trimmed pockets. There’s even a dog leash clasp to make sure your keys don’t disappear into those corners.

At $238 this Derby hobo is well priced considering its quality and timeless style.

More Features of This B. Makowsky Leather Hobo

• Nickel and gold-toned hardware
• A large rear slip pocket
• Purple satin lining
• An interior zip pocket and a large slip pocket
• Protective feet on the base
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 8.5 x 3 inches

Get this B. Makowsky Classics Derby Handbag:

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

[phpbay]B Makowsky Derby hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Beau’s Bounty eBay store to see if this B. Makowsky bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More B. Makowsky bags on BagBunch
• The B. Makowsky Classics Derby tote bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more B. Makowsky bags on eBay

Miu Miu’s Matelasse bags are the best designed accessories the label’s put out in seasons. Thankfully, there’s a whole series of them, because the rest of Miu Miu’s offerings have been lackluster, over-the-top, or a bizarre combination of both. This Matelasse clutch is a spot-on bit of glamour for an evening on the town.

I’m crazy about the smooth-grained leather that Miu Miu uses to create this quilting effect. The quilting itself has one of the most interesting patterns I’ve seen. The stitching is so intricate that leather looks almost as though it’s been woven instead of quilted.

The soft shape of the clutch is perfect for showing off the quilting, which gives the bag volume. The hard-edged frame top balances out the softness of the bottom of the bag. This bag has a look that’s both classic and edgy at the same time, which makes it remarkably versatile. I can see it working with a short LBD or with ripped jeans and a motorcycle jacket.

And at $360, it’s not just reasonably priced; it’s the least expensive Miu Miu bag I’ve had in ages. Hopefully, this combination of great design and affordability is something that Miu Miu will be making into a trend.

More Features Of The Miu Miu Matelasse Leather Clutch

• 10″ x 7″ x 1″ size
• Fully lined in black twill

Get this Miu Miu Matelasse Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Miu Miu bags on BagBunch
• The Miu Miu Bugatti Glazed Leather Tote, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Miu Miu handbags on eBay
• Other quilted black clutches on eBay:
  [phpbay]quilted black clutch,2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I love Christmas as much, if not more, than the next person. I love getting together with family, singing along to Christmas carols, eating and drinking too much, and of course the presents. But there’s another reason I adore this time of year: all those gorgeous holiday handbag collections! The latest to turn my head is the seasonal range from J. McLaughlin.

“We took a little liberty with our holiday 2010 collection,” explained Kevin McLaughlin, the New York label’s creative director. “Party dresses – usually the main event – are just the appetizers.“

The collection features ready-to-wear apparel and scarves, but of course we’ve only got eyes for the purses. They include an elegant matte leather hobo, a sophisticated black croc embossed clutch, a leather trimmed cotton Dorchester Tote, and a wool tartan porthole bag which is available in two different plaids.

Prices are relatively reasonable for a limited edition line, with the clutch priced at $155 and the hobo topping the range at $325. Will they make your Christmas wish list? If so, make sure you point your loved ones to the J. McLaughlin boutiques around America, or the label’s online store.

[Source: Luxist]

J. McLaughlin Bags on eBay

[phpbay]J McLaughlin, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Perhaps it’s the holiday season, but I’m in the mood for bags as fun and frothy as this Aurora Shoulder Bag from Ashley M.

There’s nothing subtle about this purse. Those large round sequins will catch the light, adding an injection of glitz and party vibes to your everyday. With Christmas in the air this festive red purse has caught my eye, but it’s also available in four other shades including blue and gold.

The concept is adorable, but the execution leaves a little bit to be desired. The bag is actually made from the same striped material we see on the handles, and that peeks through the sequins. This fabric doesn’t really gel with the Aurora’s glam good looks; a more neutral material or, dare I say it, a heavier application of sequins, would have solved the problem.

But let’s remember, we’re not buying Lanvin or Balmain here. Ashley M is always about being cheap and cheerful, and if it has to cut corners to price this purse at $44 so be it.

I’m not sure I’d have the confidence to carry this bag all year round, but for that price I’m happy to restrict its application to the silly season!

More Features of This Ashley M Sequin Shoulder Bag

• Magnetic snap closure
• Fabric lined interior
• A wall zip pocket, cell phone pocket, and two slide pockets inside
• Measures 4.5 x 17 x 21 inches

Get this Ashley M Aurora Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Ashley M Aurora, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Ashley M bags on BagBunch
• The Prezzo Palliette Disc and Crochet sling bag, a great alternative to this sequined bag.
• Searching for more Ashley M bags on eBay

A new bill passed by the US Senate Judiciary Committee should help to protect our favorite handbag designers from those nasty knock-offs. The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act grants “unique and original designs” three years copyright protection.

Under the bill your average plain black tote probably wouldn’t be covered, but the Alexander McQueen hard case clutches with their skull clasps would likely be sufficiently unique and original. It’s a big step towards protecting the intellectual property rights of the world’s creative minds as it goes beyond existing laws, which we all know haven’t really worked.

The other aspect of the legislation that I love is the emphasis on the designers, rather than the consumers. While fashion houses must ensure their designs are unique, bagistas won’t be blamed for “accidental purchases” of knock-off goods. That’s good news for anyone who’s fallen for those ultra-cheap and oh so convincing imitations!

Do you think these regulations go far enough to protect intellectual copyright, or would you like to see more done to stamp out purse imposters?

[Source: The Fash Pack]
[Image Source: Ben Schumin/Wikipedia Commons]

Authentic Designer Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]authentic designer, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

A wallet needn’t be simply a functional accessory to tuck away in the bottom of your bag. If you’re carrying a wallet like the Joss from Anya Hindmarch, it deserves to take center stage.

While it doesn’t have the space of a clutch, I’d be tempted to travel light and use it as an evening purse. That bright red patent leather is stunning at any time of year, but with Christmas upon us it also feels very festive.

Our enthusiasm for studs may be waning, but I really like the delicate little silver orbs used here. They work well with Anya Hindmarch’s signature bow accent, creating a look which is both feminine and fun.

The interior isn’t as practical as I might like, but it does the job with eight credit card slots and a zippered pouch for coins. A large open pocket for paper money would have been appreciated, but I suppose we could fold up our notes and stash them inside the zip compartment. Or we could just rely on the fantastic plastic!

The Joss is priced far too high at $375, but if someone you love is feeling generous perhaps you could put it on your Christmas wish list!

More Features of This Anya Hindmarch Studded Wallet

• Zip around closure with tassel pull
• Logo lined interior
• Measures 4.1 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches

Get this Anya Hindmarch Joss Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bloomingdale’s
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Anya Hindmarch bags on BagBunch
• The Tambourine by Dan W Multi Micro Stud Wallet, a great alternative to this studded bag.
• Searching for more Anya Hindmarch bags on eBay
• Other red patent leather wallets on eBay:

[phpbay]red patent leather wallet, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

I haven’t always warmed to the hand painted purses from Anuschka, but I think the label’s onto a winner with this half moon wristlet.

While Anuschka’s trademark painted designs can look a little kitschy on a large canvas, they’re ideal on this small scale. The blue hibiscus flowers of this purse give it a Polynesian feel. However by placing it on a gray background, the wristlet doesn’t appear as summery as it might. That ensures you can carry it easily all year round.

The purse’s retro half moon shape gives this clutch some real personality, and makes it easy to carry by hand. However it’s always lovely to have a hands-free option, which is where the leather wrist strap comes in. If you prefer to clutch the old fashioned way you can unclip the strap for a more streamlined look.

Like most clutches this purse is on the small side, but it’s surprisingly well appointed with a zippered pocket stretching across the length of the interior and another small slip pocket tucked away.

At $175 this wristlet is quite expensive for a bag of its size, but considering the quality of the leather and the work that’s gone into the design I think it’s still reasonably priced.

More Features of This Anuschka Hibiscus Wristlet

• Top zip entry
• Wrist strap with a 6.5 inch drop
• Measures 1.5 x 12 x 6 inches

Get this Anuschka Half Moon Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Anuschka Half Moon Wristlet, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Anuschka bags on BagBunch
• The Anuschka Tribal Lily Half Moon bag, a great alternative to this hibiscus bag.
• Searching for more Anuschka bags on eBay

Our taste for It bags waned once the financial crisis hit, but it seems they might be making a comeback. The first genuine contender for the title in some time is the Gucci 1973 tote bag.

These things all start with celebrity endorsements after all, and plenty of stars have been spotted carrying this gorgeous purse. Angelina Jolie, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, and Heidi Klum are just some of the style icons who’ve been snapped with this piece of eye candy.

It makes sense that these personalities have snapped up the bags, as just like the purse itself they favor classic good looks. The 1973 tote was inspired by the bags Gucci created in the 1970s. The vintage GG monogram and traditional curved flap make these handbags real status symbols.

Of course they’ve got the four-figure price tags to match their exclusive It bag status, but if that doesn’t deter you you’ll find the 1973 tote at Gucci stores and Farfetch.

[Source: Red Carpet Fashion Awards]

Gucci 1973 Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Gucci 1973, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Antik Batik gives us luxury for considerably less than many big name designers with this Pampa Mini Bag. Given its lovely taupe toned snakeskin body, I was pleasantly surprised to see it priced at just $345.

Of course we’re not getting a lot of bag for our dollar, but whenever an authentic exotic purse is priced under a thousand I think we’re getting a pretty good deal. That’s especially true when the bag has as much style as the Pampa.

The simple flap style is jazzed up with soft pleats. While many designers might cut corners by keeping the pleats on the front, Antik Batik continues the style on the back.

The shoulder strap is also gorgeous, with more of that skin snaking through the chain. But its appeal is more than aesthetic. We can wear it doubled up to make the Pampa a shoulder purse, or extend it out to convert the bag to a cross-body.

Considering its size it’s not surprising that you’ll struggle to fit everything you really need inside. That makes it more appropriate for evenings out than busy days, unless you typically travel light. Given its petite dimensions, I’m impressed to see a zippered pocket tucked away inside.

This neutral taupe color is very on trend, but it’s worth noting that it’s actually a bit darker than it appears in the picture. If that’s not to your taste you can also find it in a fetching gray-blue shade called navy.

More Features of This Antik Batik Snakeskin Bag

• Magnetic front flap
• Antiqued brass hardware
• Fully lined interior
• A single strap with a 24 inch drop when fully extended
• Measures 5.5 x 7 x 1.5 inches

Get this Antik Batik Pampa Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Antik Batik bags on BagBunch
• The Jimmy Choo Tita snakeskin fringe bag, a great alternative to this snakeskin bag.
• Searching for more Antik Batik bags on eBay
• Other snakeskin bags on eBay:

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