Hester van Eeghen is making a play for the American market with the launch of her new US website. The Dutch label’s handbags have gained cult status in Europe since they were introduced more than 20 years ago, but they were only available in a select few American outlets. That is, until now.

The launch of the American e-store is sure to increase Hester van Eeghen’s American fan base. Her purses combine five key elements: beauty, passion, shape, color, and surprise. I love the way she blends classic influences with contemporary design elements, and I’m sure American handbag fans will respond in kind.

There are both men’s and women’s accessories available, and with each one priced under the magic $1000 they’re quite reasonable for European designer goodies. I think this fun retro Monacle bag is my favorite. I love the way it blends such cheery colors together in an elegant minimalist way. It’s also a limited edition line which comes signed by Hester van Eeghen herself. Consider me sold!

What Hester van Eeghen bags have caught your eye?

[Source: Luxist]
[Image Source: Hester van Eeghen website]

Donald J Pliner handbags never come cheap, and the Bazil tote is no different at $365. However, with all the structure and all the fashion credentials, I am inclined to say that you do get a lot for your money.

Firstly there is that great structured design. The white and black appearance may be a little overly minimalist for some, but I find the black piping  and heavy seaming to be quite enjoyable to look at. The soft flexible leather just makes this better, as it adds a really tactile quality to what is otherwise quite a simple purse.

Of course, white is always going to be hard to look after, and when you are spending a hefty chunk of cash on it you have to be even more delicate than normal. The Bazil tote is, therefore, quite an investment, and not one to be treated too lightly!

Pretty, sophisticated and above all luxurious, this Donald J Pliner hold-all is the ultimate in class.

More Features of this Donald J Pliner Striped Tote

• Available in three other colors
• Genuine leather seamed body
• Black contrasting piping
• Multiple interior pockets

Get this Luxury Bazil Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Donald J Pliner bags on BagBunch
• The Bodhi seamed tote, a great alternative to this striped bag.
• Searching for more leather bags on eBay
• Other Donald J Pliner totes on eBay (see listings below):

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Make a big bang with the adorable patent Meredith clutch from Big Buddha.

With this wristlet, you don’t just get the bright red patent faux leather. You don’t just get the acordian style layered pleats. You don’t just get the rippled layered flower. You get all of them! The end result could be a little bit over the top (and the bright red will certainly get you noticed!), but thanks to the compact size I think you will probably get away with it.

Of course, it would be nice to have real leather in a red patent handbag. After all  nothing beats the genuine article. However, when paying just $40 you can’t really expect that, meaning that for this Big Buddha wristlet you only get the synthetic stuff. Still at least it looks great!

This is a cute and affordable rose purse that will be bound to make an impact.

More Features of this Big Buddha Pleated Wristlet

• Synthetic patent leather exterior
• Single interior zipped pocket
• Short wrist strap handle

Get this Patent Meredith Clutch:

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

[phpbay]Big Buddha Meredith, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Big Buddha bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Sasha clutch, a great alternative to this rose bag.
• Searching for more pleated bags on eBay

If there’s one thing you can say about Swoop, it’s that the label is committed to its vision. The clean lines and the familiar prints make these bags so easy to spot, but it’s the functional features that keep fans coming back.

This curved trapezoid shape is quite striking, not incredibly daring but something less conservative than I’d expect from the brand. The pattern is very familiar to me though. Honestly, this subtle black on black wallpaper print is the only one I can imagine carrying on a regular basis.

The J’aime pattern, with its Eiffel Towers and beret wearing bulldogs is just a bit silly, and the stark contrast of the black and white Maison and Wallpaper patterns seems too much over such a large bag. Of course though, it’s all a matter of personal taste and if yours is bolder than mine you might love them.

The interior is always where Swoop bags really appeal to me. The elasticized inner pockets offer more security than regular open pouches do, and the ribbed lining is built to last. I can imagine reaching again and again for this bag when popping out to do errands or hitting the mall.

The quality of the material does make me hesitate though. Endless.com customers have called it “horrible” and “cheap,” with some going so far as to return the bag as promptly as it arrived. At a little less than $100 I don’t expect real luxury, but I do expect a bit of class. I suggest looking at these bags in store to decide if the fabric is something you can live with.

More Features of This Swoop Patterned Shoulder Bag

• Zip top closure
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 17.5 x 7 inches
• Made in China

Get this Swoop Trapezoid Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Swoop bags on BagBunch
• The Swoop Carry On Duffel bag, a great alternative to this shoulder bag.
• Searching for more black shoulder bags on eBay
• Other trapezoid bags on eBay:

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Military handbags will enjoy renewed popularity in winter, and few are as authentic as those in Jane August’s new capsule collection.

The designer is best known for chic python purses, but this new range is much more casual. Each one is crafted from real military jackets found in army and navy surplus stores and flea markets.

That makes each one unique, eco-friendly, and full of real military cred. Carrying these handbags is a great way to salute the work our troops do and look right on trend.

Considering each one is almost entirely made from reclaimed materials the prices seem a bit steep. The cheapest is $225, but if you’ve fallen for one of the premium purses you’re up for $400. That sort of money does buy originality and quality design, but can you justify it?

If you can, visit the Sola Showroom in New York City to own one of these limited edition Jane August handbags!

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Jane August Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Jane August, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Susan Farber brings a bit of romance to the messenger bag style with the Romeo.

Messengers tend to be casual, unisex affairs but not this beauty. The soft leather ruffles make it much more feminine, and in my opinion much more appealing. This is the kind of messenger that could bring some real style to your college wardrobe, and then serve you well while you’re interning.

While the exterior is all frilly and feminine, Susan Farber doesn’t forget what we really need inside. It’s large enough to accommodate textbooks and other daytime essentials, although a little too skinny to hold many of them. But I do appreciate all those pockets for keeping smaller items organized.

At $550 this messenger is more expensive than your typical book bag, but treat it carefully and it’ll last long enough to make the splurge worthwhile.

More Features of This Susan Farber Ruffled Messenger Bag

• Snap closure
• Fully lined interior
• A small, cellphone, open, and two zipper compartments inside
• A single handle with a 12 inch drop
• Measures 10.5 x 12 x 0.5 inches

Get this Susan Farber Romeo Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check the BH Factory Outlet eBay store to see if this Susan Farber bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Susan Farber bags on BagBunch
• The Susan Farber Juliet shoulder bag, a great alternative to this messenger bag.
• Searching for more Susan Farber bags on eBay
• Other ruffled handbags on eBay:

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You might not be able to afford a getaway to Martha’s Vineyards right now, but you can own a piece of the area and help a good cause with this new Vineyard Vines Pink Ribbon Classic Tote.

The tote has a relaxed, preppy feel, with a subtle pink ribbon pattern around the top. I can just imagine filling it with tasty treats at the local farmer’s market before setting off for a picnic. With the waterproof base, it wouldn’t even matter if the grass was a bit damp!

The imported silk trim does add a bit of luxury to the basic canvas body, but I’m not sure it does enough to warrant the $95 price tag, do you?

At least with 25% of sales benefiting the Breast Cancer Alliance we can feel good about spending that kind of cash. While so many companies only donate during Breast Cancer Awareness month, Vineyard Vines is committed to this important cause all year round. What a great effort!

[Source: Vineyard Vines]

Vineyard Vines Totes on eBay

[phpbay]Vineyard Vines tote, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Stuart Weitzman takes snake print to the urban jungle with this Blason Poem clutch.

So often snake print is used in elegant purses, so it’s refreshing to see Stuart Weitzman making things a bit dirtier here. This is a more abstract take on snakeskin; rather than defined scales and markings we see gentle mottling. This brown shade called fango is almost like a new version of the old camouflage prints. I wouldn’t want to lose this in the forest, would you? You might never find it again!

The print is lovely, but what really makes this purse special is that faceted gold accent on the tab. The polished metal really pops against the muted leather, and makes the tab clasp a thing of modern beauty.

I’m also impressed by the drop in shoulder strap. So often straps seem like an afterthought on a clutch, but here it’s another compelling design element. The printed leather snaking through the golden rings is much more appealing than any stock standard silver chain!

This clutch is generously sized, but try to resist the temptation to overstuff it. Loading it up will only create unsightly bumps and bulges, which will interrupt those smooth serpentine lines. You should have plenty of room to carry everything you really need inside, so there’s no need to go overboard.

At $350 this clutch is nudging expensive, but I think Stuart Weitzman has offered enough to justify the price.

More Features of This Stuart Weitzman Snake Print Clutch

• Satiny lined interior
• Magnetic closure
• A single shoulder strap with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 11.75 x 2.5 inches
• Made in Spain

Get this Stuart Weitzman Blason Poem Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Stuart Weitzman bags on BagBunch
• The Stuart Weitzman Blason Stanza bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Stuart Weitzman bags on eBay
• Other snake print clutch bags on eBay:

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Nancy Gonzalez is the leader of the fashion pack when it comes to making classic and elegant crocodile bags. Her designs are simple and minimal, and allow the beauty of the materials to shine through. This burnt orange woven tote is a gorgeous example of her work.

The shape of this tote is simple, but the intricate details are amazing. I love the delicately curved design of the crocodile leather side plackets, and the way they form the also gently curved handles. While the design itself is somewhat conservative, it’s interesting enough to appeal to avant garde minimalists, and absolutely transcends fashion trends.

I have only ever seen crocodile skin woven on other Nancy Gonzalez bags, and the effect is really impressive. The combination of the woven texture with the natural scales of the crocodile creates a beautiful pattern that is impossible to replicate.

This bag is a stunner, for sure, and although it’s expensive, $4,100 is certainly not unreasonable for a bag with this level of quality and craftsmanship. Brava, Nancy Gonzalez.

More Features Of The Nancy Gonzalez Woven Crocodile Shoulder Bag

• 17″ x 13″ x 7″ size
• 6″ strap drop
• Zipped main compartment
• Fully lined

Get this Nancy Gonzalez Woven Crocodile Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Nancy Gonzalez bags on BagBunch
• The Botkier Jaden Hobo, an everyday alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Nancy Gonzalez bags on eBay
• Other orange crocodile bags on eBay:
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