I am so enamored with Bottega Veneta’s luxurious, but subtle, designs that it’s really hard for me not to rave about them. This is one line that never follows the trends. It either sets them or transcends them entirely, making accessories that stay relevant. This iridescent leather bag is a great example of the label’s restrained design approach at play.

The iridescent purple leather on this bag is simply extraordinary. I’m not really a fan of flashy leather treatments, but the finish on this bag is a lot more fascinating than it is flashy. It has an opalescent shine that is eye-catching and unique, but the color is deep enough to keep it versatile.

The bag’s simple pouch shape is accented with a flap front that fastens with a magnetic closure, which makes it easy to get in and out of, but still secure. The woven edge details take the bag to a whole new level in terms of style. Without them, this would be a perfectly lovely bag, but their seamless integration into the design allows the quality craftsmanship to shine through.

Unfortunately, simply beautiful bags like this one come at a price. In this case, the price is $2,250; not bad for a designer bag, but not within the realm of possibility for most of us. So what else is new?

More Features Of The Bottega Veneta Iridescent Leather Shoulder Bag

• 11″ x 8″ x 9″ size
• 23″ strap drop
• Fully lined in taupe suede

Get This Bottega Veneta Iridescent Leather Shoulder Bag:

• Available at Net-A-Porter
• Check the Passion 4 Fashion 4 Less eBaystore to see if this Bottega Veneta clutch is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Bottega Veneta bags on BagBunch
• The Bottega Veneta Woven Box Clutch, a neon green alternative to this bag
• Searching for more Bottega Veneta bags on eBay
• Searching for other purple leather shoulder bags on eBay:

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Laser-cutting and mesh still seems to be quite high up the fashion designer’s wish list for A/W 2010. The technique is expensive and effective, creating visually beautiful pieces that tend to come with accompanying very high prices.

The Prada Saffiano tote is no exception. In fact, it may well be one of the most expensive cut-out bags I have seen, clocking in at $1,196. I understand that you are paying for technique as well as brand name, but even so that sort of price will leave a lot of aspiring bag owners out in the cold. Where, of course, the holey leather bag will offer them no shelter at all!

This, you see, is my main problem with this handbag. Were it lined, then I would at least be able to wax lyrical about the minimalist yet practical design. Instead, I am left trying to look for positives in a bag that, whilst gorgeous and unusual, will let all the rain in immediately, not to mention it getting stained so easily.

If you have lots of dosh, then this is a piece that you can buy on a whim, and use only when the fancy takes you, such as on a sunny summer’s day!

More Features of this Prada Cut-Out Tote

• Goldtone hardware (logoed)
• White cut-out leather exterior
• Thin dual leather handles
• Large and spacious interior

Get this Saffiano Shopping Bag:

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

[phpbay]prada saffiano fori tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Prada bags on BagBunch
• The Jesselli Couture Grand Buco tote, a great alternative to this cut-out bag.
• Searching for more perforated bags on eBay

This J. Renee clutch, in glorious blue lambskin, actually bears more than a passing resemblance to the eel skin purses from exotic design Jalda. The main difference, aside from the actual leather, is the price, as this is slightly more reasonable at $110.

Of course, you can tell at a glance that this is still a reasonably expensive bag. The leather is soft, gently shiny, and in this incredibly luxurious sapphire blue shade. The unusual quality of this makes it stand out from the crowd, and is why I don’t feel quite as resentful as normal about the fact that, at the end of the day, this is a clutch that still costs over $100.

Whilst the fabric is lovely, I would imagine people will be divided by the over-sized decoration. On the one hand the metal embellished wood is stylish and luxurious, and I love the industrial look of the brushed steel texture. On the other hand, however, it may be a bit too big, and it is fair to say that the leather could have been left to talk for itself.

With a nice shape and great materials, the Kleo clutch is a great way to bring a little color into your outfit.

More Features of this J. Renee Lambskin Clutch

• Cord interior lining
• Soft lambskin leather exterior
• Wood and metal buckle detail

Get this Buckled Kleo Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More J. Renee bags on BagBunch
• The Ananas Coco clutch, a great alternative to this lambskin bag.
• Searching for more leather bags on eBay
• Other J. Renee bags on eBay:

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If you enjoy the homespun charms of Vera Bradley feast your eyes on this Shelby shoulder bag from Lily Waters.

The Shelby clearly takes its cues from Vera Bradley’s famous fabric handbags, but I think it’s even lovelier. The patterned fabrics clash delightfully, creating a look which is a bit more playful and less stuffy. It’s a world away from the chic minimalist handbags that grace the catwalks, but it looks to appeal to a different kind of bag lover.

I can imagine the Shelby becoming a firm favorite of busy moms and students. It’s got so many usable pockets inside and out, and its soft adjustable strap will make carrying comfortable at any length. It’s not the largest bag around, but the clever organizational features and soft material walls will help it hold more than you expect.

It might not suit uptown girls, but if you don’t mind having fun with fashion this Lily Waters bag is a steal at just $40.

More Features of This Lily Waters Fabric Handbag

• Gingham fabric lining
• Zip top closure
• An adjustable single shoulder strap with a 12 inch drop
• Measures 8.5 x 8.5 inches

Get this Lily Waters Shelby Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Lily Waters shelby, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Lily Waters bags on BagBunch
• The Lily Waters Heather hobo bag, a great alternative to this shoulder bag.
• Searching for more Lily Waters bags on eBay

I’m personally quite happy using a Stella McCartney handbag for its intended purpose, but if you’d like to make the eco-friendly accessories a little greener you’ll want to watch this video. It shows you how to convert a Stella McCartney purse into your own strawberry patch!

Rocket Gardens’ Rob Cox hosts the vid which is part of Café Direct’s Sow Your Own campaign, an initiative which looks to inspire urban dwellers to grow their own food. I’m not sure whether the misuse of handbags is any way to go about it though!

If scenes of handbag torture make your blood boil, you might want to skip this video. But if you’re willing to sacrifice a purse, this video could prove inspirational. After all, everyone knows that home-grown, organic fruit tastes so much better. I so suggest hacking into a more affordable bag than a Stella McCartney original if you’re going to plant your own mini garden!

[Source: The Bag Lady]

Stella McCartney Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Stella McCartney, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Many discerning fashionistas turn their noses up at the patterned polyester accessories from LeSportsac, but there’s no denying that the brand makes practical purses. Carrying a LeSportsac tote around town doesn’t make the most sophisticated style statement, but enjoying the brand in small doses like with this Kevyn cosmetics bag makes a lot of sense.

It doesn’t divert from the traditional LeSportsac formula, but the cutesy prints aren’t as grating when you can stash them inside a more sophisticated tote. The soft sided design makes it perfect for hiding inside a medium or large bag while leaving room for the other essentials.

Dual zippered compartments equipped with inner mesh pockets make it easy to organize your cosmetics. We rarely see these cleverly separated sections in more expensive designer makeup purses, so I really appreciate them here.

In many ways LeSportsac gives us more than the European designers, but it refuses to gouge us for it. The Kevyn is a bargain buy at just $25.

More Features of This LeSportsac Cosmetics Bag

• Made of ripstop polyester
• Lined in polyester
• Measures 4.25 x 7 x 3.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this LeSportsac Kevyn Handbag:

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

[phpbay]LeSportsac Kevyn, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Chezmia Handbag Store eBay store to see if this LeSportsac bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More LeSportsac bags on BagBunch
• The LeSportsac Page bag, a large alternative to this cosmetic bag.
• Searching for more LeSportsac bags on eBay

Hermes has expanded its fashion empire with the launch of its latest retail brand, Shang Xia. The first Shang Xia store is now open in Hong Kong Plaza Mall, with similar outlets in Beijing and other key Chinese markets to follow.

Shang Xia is Mandarin for “Up Down,” a phrase which describes the brand’s philosophy. The brand’s artistic director Jiang Giong Er further explained that it is an “expression of two opposing forces or sides — yin and yang, extraordinary and ordinary — that come together to strike a harmonious balance.“

The brand looks to operate as a “home grown” Chinese luxury retailer to tap in the Asian nation’s love of designer labels. It aims to offer affordable luxury to its clientele, although that is always a relative term. Still, seeing jackets selling for around $1000 and shoes priced at about $300 would be unheard of at the Hermes stable.

If Shang Xia is a success, Hermes CEO Patrick Thomas said the retail store is likely to open outlets in other international locations including France. Until then, you’ll need to get yourself to China if you want to enjoy this “affordable luxury.”

[Source: Accessories Magazine]
[Image Source: Gary Tamin/Stock.xchng]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Hermes bag, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Lauren Merkin knows how to impress on the red carpet, but I’ve never really warmed to her day bags. Perhaps it’s just because she set the bar so extraordinarily high, but in comparison to those covetable clutches bags like the Sylvie just seem a little flat.

Of course a hobo like the Sylvie is difficult to really fault. I just wish it sparkled a little more. But a classic design philosophy isn’t altogether a bad thing. With its conservatively colored buffalo leather and clean lines, the Sylvie wouldn’t look out of place at a smart dinner or board meeting.

It is really well designed too, with the right amount of space and pockets inside and out to organize all your small essentials. The strap also offers us a few carrying options; when clipped to the lower D-rings the Sylvia works as a shoulder bag, but you can convert it to a cross-body by attaching the strap to the higher rings.

The Sylvie isn’t the kind of bag that we’ve come to expect from Lauren Merkin, but we shouldn’t dismiss it just because it doesn’t have obvious star quality. It might blend into the background, but it will serve you well in almost any situation.

More Features of This Lauren Merkin Buffalo Hobo

• Zip top closure
• Navy cotton twill lining
• A single strap with a 15.5 inch drop when shortened and 20.5 inch drop when lengthened
• Measures 14 x 13 x 3 inches
• Made in the United States of America
• Available in black and burgundy

Get this Lauren Merkin Sylvie Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Lauren Merkin bags on BagBunch
• The Lauren Merkin Phoebe bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Lauren Merkin bags on eBay
• Other buffalo leather bags on eBay:

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Judith Leiber is the queen of grown up accessories. Her designs are elegant, expensive, and unique.  Unfortunately, sometimes they are more expensive than they are interesting or unique, as far as I’m concerned. This New Bean bag is as beautiful as ever, but it is also, unfortunately, ridiculously priced.

The deep black satin on the New Bean  has a great sheen on it, but it’s not overly shiny. This is good for a number of reasons. First of all, it’s more subtle and refined than a super shiny satin bag, but it’s also not going to show wear the way that a shinier fabric would.

The shape of the New Bean is retro fabulous. It has a remarkable, 40s look that will work with a lot of evening wear. The top pleating adds a lot of volume, but without looking sloppy. In fact, the New Bean retains an impeccably tailed look, despite its embellishment. The top clasp is adorned with a cluster of rhinestones that give the bag just the right amount of bling.

Everything about the New Bean is subtle and beautiful, except the price. No matter how classic and versatile it is, I just don’t think it’s worth $2, 774.

More Features Of This Judith Leiber New Bean Satin Clutch

• 7″ x 4″ 2″ size
• 6″ handle drop
• Fully lined in purple satin

Get this Judith Leiber Crystal Satin Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Judith Leiber bags on BagBunch
• The Judith Leiber Leopard Minaudiere, a quirky alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Judith Leiber bags on eBay
• Other black satin clutch purses with rhinestones on eBay:

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Bottega Veneta has the kind of timelessly chic style that makes things that aren’t even close to your style seem palatable. I am the last girl that you would find carrying a hot pink clutch, but I am dangerously close to falling in love with this one.

The hot pink leather on this bag is absolutely luminescent. Looking closely at it, I don’t actually think the color is hot pink, but the shade combined with the weaving and the pink embroidery makes this hue look richer and brighter.

The design of this bag is simple and sleek. Bottega is genius at allowing beautiful materials to stand up for themselves. The intrecciato pattern is perfect for this little clutch. I’ve never seen this beaded style of embroidery on a woven bag before, and it really adds an interesting texture and, as I mentioned, richness to the color.

This sweet little clutch has a classic appeal that will definitely stand the test of time. As it should for $1,980.

More Features Of The Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Clutch

• 11″ x 6″ x 2″ size
• Fully lined in grey  suede

Get This Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Clutch:

• Available at Net-A-Porter
• Check the Passion 4 Fashion 4 Less eBaystore to see if this Bottega Veneta clutch is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Bottega Veneta bags on BagBunch
• The Bottega Veneta Woven Box Clutch, a neon green alternative to this bag
• Searching for more Bottega Veneta bags on eBay
• Searching for other pink woven clutches on eBay:

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