Chocolate was clearly inspired by nature when creating the Priscila, a tote which goes beyond the typical floral bag.

This is one dramatic tote, with three-dimensional rosettes adorning one corner and large leaves covering the other. The synthetic appliqué pushes the envelope, but in this gentle blue I think Chocolate gets away with the risk. The look is feminine and a little fussy, but muted just enough. I wasn’t sure at first, but I think Chocolate may have won me over.

I suppose it’s not surprising considering the price, but I’m disappointed by the almost bare back. The zippered pocket is practical, as it offers a secure place for stashing the items you need on hand, but I wish it was surrounded by more of those gorgeous blooms.

You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but the Priscila is far from a frivolous accessory. The divided interior makes the roomy space more user-friendly than most high end designer bags, and its synthetic trimmed pockets are made to last.

If this tote had the Valentino name attached it’d cost thousands. Sure, that bag would be made of real leather rather than synthetic. But I’d rather pay $104 for Chocolate’s man-made alternative!

More Features of This Chocolate Nature Tote

• Logo print lining
• Zip top closure
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 17 x 4.7 inches
• Made in China
• Available in blue, pink, and gray

Get this Chocolate Priscila Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Chocolate bags on BagBunch
• The Whiting & Davis Leather Flowers Hobo bag, a great alternative to this rosette bag.
• The Chocolate website
• Other rosette bags on eBay:

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I remember being a child in the 80s when scratch and sniff stickers were all the rage. With everything else from this colorful decade being resurrected, perhaps it’s not so surprising that Helen Rochfort has released a collection of scratch and sniff handbags!

If we’re honest though, this has come out of left field. But I kind of like the idea of handbags that can add a pleasing fragrance to the air. They might be just the thing to carry when riding cramped commuter trains or visiting the stinky bachelor pad your boyfriend lives in. And the designs are pretty cute, with colorful Andy Warhol-esque fruit illustrations. Each print hints at the fruit scent we can expect once we get scratching.

Choose from strawberry, cherry, and apple. They’re all available for £69 from Helen Rochfort’s online store. If you like these wacky designs make sure you spend some time browsing Helen Rochfort’s range, as there are many more quirky handbags on show!

[Source: Heatworld]

Fruit Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]fruit, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I spend so much time looking at handbags that it takes something special to really turn my head. But I think
I’ve found it in the Ely shoulder bag from Chloe.

This isn’t from the brand’s affordable diffusion collection, but from its signature line. So it’s not surprising that no expense has been spared. It’s made from luxurious goatskin, one of the world’s most covetable leathers. On the sides the natural grain is left unadorned, but on the front and back it’s embellished with thin patent stripes. The contrast of black on black is subtle and sophisticated. In short, I love it. I’m not so enthusiastic about the handles, which look a little chunky with their bold gold-tone attachments, but at least they’re long enough for comfortable over-the-shoulder carrying.

That’s a very good thing, as such a large bag will inevitable become heavy once it’s loaded up. We should be able to take advantage of all that storage space, but the single zippered pocket makes me hesitate. With this lone compartment to keep smaller items organized, I imagine this bag will become cluttered if used as an everyday accessory.

And that’s the real shame, because at $2055, you’d want to show it off at every occasion. Few fashionistas will spend that sort of money on something that will sit in the closet, no matter how pretty it is.

More Features of This Chloe Goatskin Bag

• Two-way zip closure
• Cotton lined interior
• Dual 20 inch leather handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 10 x 8 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Chloe Ely Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bluefly (limited stock)
• Check the Andy’s Lifestyle Bargains eBay store to see if this Chloe bag in orange is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Chloe bags on BagBunch
• The Anya Hindmarch Belvedere bag, a great alternative to this black striped bag.
• Searching for more Chloe bags on eBay
• Other goatskin bags on eBay:

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Christian Louboutin brings a French, feminine look to everything he designs. There’s something so special about his accessories that they are almost always reserved for evening wear. This Amaya clutch is a testament to the man’s uncanny ability to design the chicest pieces around.

The black satin fabric on the Amaya is perfect. It has shine to it, but not that 1980s polyblend appearance that so many satin clutches have. In fact, it almost looks like grosgrain. And the deep blue/black color will complement any evening wear palette.

The shape of the Amaya is strategically simple. It’s a traditional pouch of traditional proportions with a very traditional fold-over front. All that traditional design leaves a lot of room for the delicate beauty of the asymmetrical ruffles to shine through. Seriously, what could look more ultra-feminine and drop-dead sexy at the same time? This is a red carpet ready bag if I’ve ever seen one.

The price is also red carpet ready, I’m afraid. At $895, the Amaya is beautiful, but I’m going to have to hold out for that Oscar nomination.

More Features Of The Christian Louboutin Amaya Ruffled Satin Clutch

• 9″ x 4″ x 2″ size
• Lined in signature red twill
• Internal pouch pocket

Get this Christian Louboutin Amaya Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Christian Louboutin bags on BagBunch
• The Christian Louboutin Pillow Clutch, a sweet alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Christian Louboutin items on eBay
• Other black ruffled clutches on eBay:
• [phpbay]black satin clutch, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Martin Margiela’s avant garde designs are often difficult for women to actually imagine wearing, even if they really like them. Which makes this oversized jewelry box bag sort of a crossover item, because it is way more mainstream than Margiela’s usual fare.

The faux black leather, or pleather as I like to call it, on this bag is sleek and has a good sheen to it. Since it’s synthetic, it’s probably really water resistant too. But I still kind of have a problem with it, because I’m not sure how it will wear. Real leather has unpredictably predictable wear-in results, but pleather sometimes just looks faker and faker as it gets nicked and scratched.

The shape of the bag is a real winner, though, and it might explain the use of man-made materials. Since the hard-cased clutch is basically faceted, it might be difficult to keep real leather at a consistent level of tension to stretch across the bag. The pleather perhaps ensures that those nicely placed seams stay right in place.

Although I really like the sleek, quirky look of this bag, I am kind of obsessing about the materials. At $1,355, I’m not sure I want to deal with a bag that might look fake and icky in a few months. Sure, the inside is lined with genuine white leather, but how often are you going to show off the inside of your bag if the outside won’t hold up?

More Features Of The Maison Martin Margiela Oversized Jewelry Box Bag

• 5″ x 5″ x 3″  size
• 22″ handle drop
• Removable shoulder strap
• Magnetic fastening

Get this Maison Martin Margiela Oversized Jewelry Box Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Maison Martin Margiela bags on BagBunch
• The Bulga Regis Messenger Bag, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Maison Martin Margiela items on eBay
• Other black box bags on eBay:
  [phpbay]black box purse, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Stella McCartney’s signature brand of eco-minimalism has a cult following. Urban fashionistas love her designs, but outside of cities, she wasn’t much of a name until she began collaborating with Adidas. But she might just be able to garner a larger audience with sleek, pared-down pieces like this one.

The soft black washed silk fabric would seem very delicate if it weren’t covered in tiny silver studs. It’s a good thing that it is, though, because they really make the bag. Set against the black, they shimmer and sparkle and create different designs depending on which way the light is hitting them.

The simple foldover style makes a great backdrop for the fabric, and has a subtle charm all it’s own. This little clutch doesn’t have too much in the way of details, but it does have an irresistibly glamorous appeal.

At $755, this level of glamour comes to you at a pretty mid-range price. Considering its versatility and timelessness, it might just be a good investment.

More Features Of The Stella McCartney Washed Studded Silk Clutch

• 12″ x 6″ x 4″ size
• Internal pouch pocket
• Fully lined in pink twill

Get this Stella McCartney Washed Studded Silk Clutch:

• 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, hip, daytime alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Stella McCartney items on eBay
• Other black silk clutches on eBay:
  [phpbay]black silk clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

We are used to seeing cute wallet style clutches from Lodis, and this simple Ballet purse is no exception. Following in the footsteps of the stunning Padova Primadonna, this is an incredibly simple way to make an impact.

There isn’t much to talk about with this clutch. You have the plain rectangular shape, with its sharp angles and wide expanse of deep, gently burnished red leather. You have the tiny little metal clasp, with its ultra cute logo embellishment. You have a functional leather interior, full of pockets and slots for cards and notes. Other than these basics, however, there is nothing much spectacular, nothing much remarkable.

Why, therefore, would I advocate spending over $100 on this Lodis wallet? Well, for me it comes down to one thing and one thing only. This purse will never go out of date. It will work with every outfit (and even more so if you buy the black version), it will always look elegant, and it doubles up as either a clutch or a wallet. It is brilliant in its simplicity, and timeless in its design. It won’t do everything you need from a handbag, but what it does do it does well.

This large Ballet purse from Lodis is yet another of its designs to steal my heart.

More Features of this Lodis Leather Wallet

• Also available in black
• Coordinating leather interior with multiple compartments
• Metal frame design
• Interior zip pocket for change

Get this Glossy Ballet Purse:

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

[phpbay]Lodis Large Ballet Purse, 2, “”, eden[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Lodis bags on BagBunch
• The Abas Cate accordian wallet, a great alternative to this sophisticated bag.
• Searching for more leather wallets on eBay

It isn’t often that you find a beaded bag that manages to be casual, but I think that Aldo has achieved just that with their Rucinski clutch.

So, what makes this casual? Well, I think it must be the bright and happily colored beads that do it. Rather than subtle coordinating colors and glitzy shades, this is all about the cute pastels and sunny yellows, on a casual pale fabric background. It may look a little like it is covered in little pills and capsules (red pill or blue pill?!), but at the same time it is fun and relaxed.

The actual design of this beaded purse is, as with most Aldo bags, unremarkable. You are only spending $20 after all, and for that sort of moolah you won’t be expecting any revolutionary fashion concepts! Instead,you have a purse that does what it says on the tin, holding your belongings and looking pretty. You even get an optional handle, although I have to admit to not really being a fan of the slightly tacky and fragile looking metal chain.

The Rucinski handbag is a great and affordable way to have fun without shelling out too much money, and the cheery shades should help to keep your spirits up in preparation for winter!

More Features of this Aldo Rucinski Purse

• Beaded fabric exterior
• Optional short chain strap
• Single interior slip pocket
• Metal frame closure

Get this Colorful Beaded Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Aldo bags on BagBunch
• The KC Malhan Swirl clutch, a great alternative to this affordable bag.
• Searching for more beaded bags on eBay
• Other Aldo bags on eBay:

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Chinese Laundry delivers style on a budget with this funky Michelle satchel.

The flared shape is stunning, and the pebbled vinyl body a convincing alternative to leather. I love the idea of the wide belt which circles the satchel, but I’m not impressed by its execution. I suppose the glossy finish is attempting to look like patent leather, but it simply appears cheap. Some may argue that you get what you pay for, but I’ve seen many accents on bags at this price point look classier.

It’s a small misstep though, which does little to temper my enthusiasm for the design. The interior only cements my adoration, with its cheery yellow lining, enormous dimensions, and practical pockets.

I must mention those dimensions again; this is one gargantuan satchel. That’s worth considering if you’re a petite purse lover, as it could easily dwarf your tiny frame. If you’ve got the body to work such a large bag though, the Michelle is the perfect match for an elegant fitted skirt and blouse at work or your favorite jeans and tee on weekends.

More Features of This Chinese Laundry Oversized Satchel

• Nylon lined interior
• Magnetic closure
• Dual handles with a 4 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 26 x 4.5 inches
• Made in China
• Available in white, purple, and gray

Get this Chinese Laundry Michelle Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock in white)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Chinese Laundry bags on BagBunch
• The Mad by Design Stingray tote bag, a great alternative to this flared bag.
• Searching for more Chinese Laundry bags on eBay
• Other Chinese Laundry satchel bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Chinese Laundry satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Colorado based designer Annie O. Waterman celebrates traditional Peruvian materials and helps the women of South America rise above their circumstances with her colorful accessories range. Annie O’s collection features hand-embroidered purses, scarves, belts, jewelry, and other fashion items all made in accordance with Fair Trade practices.

More than just accessories, Waterman says the products in her collection “are wearable pieces of art which tell stories and reflect rich and diverse cultures.“

Each piece is handcrafted by female artisans in Central Peru who have fallen on hard times. These women have suffered at the hands of domestic violence and poverty, but through their work with Annie O they are finding financial independence and reclaiming their lives. These talented women merge traditional techniques and contemporary design elements to create accessories which are as colorful as they are inspired.

The Annie O fashion items are available to buy through the label’s online Etsy store.

[Source: TreeHugger]
[Image Source: Annie O Etsy store]

South American Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]South America, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]