After the bold design of its Boston Tie-Dyed satchel, the classic colors of 7 Chi’s Jen Mini Shoulder Bag took me by surprise. But look a little harder and it’s easy to spot the brand’s typical modern style.

While its silhouette looks traditionally boxy from a distance, the Jen is all about the angles. The luxury leather body is enhanced with running bond-pattern seaming. It reminds me a bit of roof tiles, or even a subtle patchwork; whatever it is I love the unique texture it delivers. The diagonal seams are complemented by an asymmetrical dual entry, which pops in gold.

Mini is really a relative term here. While the Jen is smaller than many shoulder bags on the market, it should have enough space for essentials and even a few luxuries if you know how to pack it. Rather than really limit us, the Jen’s size just makes it look more sophisticated and chic than a larger shoulder bag. Packrats may struggle, but I think the downsized dimensions will come as a pleasant change of pace for most bagistas.

The Jen can easily make the day to night transition with very little fuss. Attach the long cross-body strap for a contemporary everyday look. Then switch to the shorter woven chain strap once night falls. Both straps are fully removable to keep the design clean.

If you’re wavering, the price is sure to be the clincher. It’s rare to find such a stylish handbag priced at less than $100, but to see one made of real leather at this price point is astounding.

More Features of This 7 Chi Stitched Mini Shoulder Bag

• Twill lining
• A woven chain strap with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 13.5 x 3.5 inches
• Made in China
• Also available in brown

Get this 7 Chi Jen Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Shoe Summit eBay store to see if this 7 Chi bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More 7 Chi bags on BagBunch
• The 7 Chi Nabi mini shoulder bag, a great alternative to this mini shoulder bag.
• Searching for more 7 Chi bags on eBay
• Other mini shoulder bags on eBay:

[phpbay]mini shoulder bag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Philadelphia based messenger bag brand R.E.Load Baggage has recently released a yummy new collection known as Tasty Treats.

Each quirky messenger is emblazoned with a different guilty food pleasure: a pretzel, a burger, and this bold pizza design. It’s enough to get your mouth watering!

The Tasty Treats collection was inspired by designer Brieann Tracey’s love of cooking and obsession with food.

“Mixing flavors is an art, as is mixing colors just the right way to make that perfect hue. I love to try new foods and spices, but I also love the classics, as seen in the series so far. So, loving both the edible and the 2D (and 3D) pieces of art, it only made sense to combine the two, and create this new series of (hopefully) tasty looking bags,” she explained.

As with all R.E.Load messengers, the bags in the Tasty Treats collection are hand-made from scratch to guarantee their quality. That should help to justify the rather hefty price tags. The Tasty Treats bags cost between $240 and $345 depending on their size and features. They’re available online from the R.E.Load Baggage website.

[Source: R.E.Load Baggage]

Food Bags on eBay

[phpbay]food, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Savanna shows us that individual style doesn’t have to cost a fortune with this unique Satin Beaded Clutch.

Rather than use a traditional box or oval shape, Savanna has instead opted for a half-moon shaped design. Honestly it reminds me a little bit of a taco, but the soft champagne satin helps to quash any food analogies. Tiny colored beads in complementary shades are sewn over the tab closure to give this fairly simple style a lift.

The interior is simple but it does the job. Some of us might crave some more space, or even more pockets, but let’s remember the bottom line. For the money we’ll spend, the basic interior with its drop pocket is perfectly adequate. The thin cord strap looks a little cheap, but you’ll be thankful for it when the night wears on.

We’ve alluded to the price, because it really is surprising. It’s rare to buy any clutch for $34, let alone one with such original style. It’s not the poshest of purses, but this Savanna clutch shoulder still turn heads.

More Features of This Savanna Champagne Clutch

• Satin lined interior
• A braided tuck-away shoulder strap with a 21 inch drop
• Measures 1.5 x 9 x 4 inches

Get this Savanna Beaded Satin Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Savanna satin beaded clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Savanna bags on BagBunch
• The Savanna satin beaded flap bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Savanna bags on eBay

Bebe has unlisted an unlikely designer for its latest handbag: a teenager suffering from a brain tumor from Kentucky.

14-year-old Abigail Gebauer designed The Abigail handbag after making an appeal to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Abbie worked with Bebe designers to create the purple quilted purse which bears her name. The fashion house has created 600 of the bags which will be available at Bebe stores around the country and online.

“They went above and beyond my wish,” Abbie told The Enquirer. “It was more than I ever could have imagined.“

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of hundreds of sick children every year, but the charity’s directors say Abbie’s wish was particularly special.

“We send lots of kids to Disney World, but when we have a little girl, actually a woman, who says ‘I just want to make something that is lasting that will be displayed in a store on Rodeo Drive,’ that really got the attention of a lot of people, not only at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but also at Bebe,” said Nancy Whetstone, director of Marketing and Public Relation for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.

Abbie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January of 2009. She has responded well to radiation and chemotherapy, and doctors are optimistic that she will make a full recovery.

[Source: Cincinatti.com]
[Image Source: Bebe]

Bebe Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Bebe, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Contemporary style meets classic good looks with this Molly Pearl clutch from Sara Berman.

This elegant evening purse pairs lush black snakeskin with a dazzling band of mother of pearl. The natural faceted tones of the pearl are a delicious contrast to the dark reptilian scales. I could probably have done without the large bauble clasp though; these spheres are just a shade too big to be truly chic. I’d prefer a hidden magnetic snap to maintain the Molly’s clean sophisticated lines.

Box clutches always look sleek and stylish, but they’re notoriously impractical. The hard sides maintain their shape, but limit storage room. This one is a little more forgiving than the rest though. It’ll never satisfy a pack rat, but it should be able to handle a cell phone, small digital camera, and your make-up essentials. While we’re bemoaning the practical limitations, it’s a shame that Sara Berman hasn’t included a shoulder strap. A delicate chain would definitely come in handy as the night wears on.

But this isn’t a purse you buy for its functionality. It’s all about the looks, and they are truly lovely. Step out with this boxy beauty and wait for the compliments to roll in!

More Features of This Sara Berman Snakeskin Clutch

• Also available in white

Get this Sara Berman Molly Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sara Berman bags on BagBunch
• The VBH Mother of Pearl clutch bag, a great alternative to this mother of pearl bag.
• Searching for more Sara Berman bags on eBay
• Other black snakeskin clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]black snakeskin clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Sonia Rykiel dresses up the usually conservative Boston bag style with this purse from her Sonia by Sonia Rykiel diffusion line.

Animal lovers need not be incensed by this accessory; while its leopard printed body feels sumptuously soft, it’s actually made of a faux fur. The imitation fur probably won’t fool anyone, but it doesn’t look as tacky as some cheaper faux materials.

And for this price, it wouldn’t want to. $310 seems pretty exorbitant for a faux fur purse, especially one which comes from a diffusion label. At least Sonia Rykiel appeases us with genuine leather handles and trim. I’ll try not to think of the hypocrisy which shuns genuine fur products but advocates the slaughter of cows; at the end of the day this luxury material helps to justify that hefty price.

The lovely leopard print body is really the selling point here. Everything else toes the line, from the traditional Boston shape to the perfectly functional interior. It’s generously sized and has its fair share of compartments, but it’s really nothing to write home about.

This isn’t the cheapest Boston bag around, but it is one of the most distinctive. It’s up to you whether that’s enough to justify the relatively expensive price.

More Features of This Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Faux Fur Bag

• Silver hardware
• Stud bottom detail
• Main zip closure
• Dual handles
• Measures 14 x 10 x 7 inches

Get this Sonia Rykiel Leopard Boston Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sonia Rykiel bags on BagBunch
• The Lambertson Truex Erin bag, a great alternative to this leopard print bag.
• Searching for more Sonia Rykiel on eBay
• Other leopard faux fur bags on eBay:

[phpbay]leopard faux fur, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Many bagistas are willing to pay the big bucks for Louis Vuitton’s signature brown and tan print, or the large interlocking Cs of a Chanel purse. But new research reported in the Journal of Marketing says that discerning luxury lovers are happy to pay even more to leave those ostentatious logos behind.

The reasoning behind it is this. Those who are really well off don’t need gaudy symbols to advertise their wealth. Instead they’re content with their fortune, while those who simply seek status want to advertise the pedigree of their latest purchase. They look to let those beneath them on the social rung know that they’ve climbed the ladder, unaware that the fat cats at the top are looking down on them. It all makes sense when you think about it, although it probably won’t please signature print fans!

I wonder whether this research sees more handbag designers taking Hermes lead, and reaping the considerable financial benefits.

[Source: Scientific American]
[Image Source: conny Leigl/Flickr]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Hermes, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

London Fog gives us the patent shine of a new pair of Mary Janes, along with all the polished poise, with this Audrey Tote bag.

That lovely sheen doesn’t come from real patent leather though, and it probably should for the $150 price tag. But what London Fog misses out on in quality it makes up for with practical design. You need only look at this tote bag to know it will serve you well. There’s little mystery with this tote; everything is on display from the two deep turnlock pockets to the large envelope pocket on the back. Some may prefer a cleaner style, but we can’t fault London Fog’s intentions here.

Inside the Audrey continues to help out us, with a large zippered divider and plenty of durable synthetic lined pockets. It’s also a generously sized bag, but it doesn’t look too bulky. This is the kind of tote you could happily pair with a tailored dress or chic blouse for a smart look.

London Fog caters to the traditionalists with its black and patent bone finishes, but I encourage you to dare to be different. Why not add a splash of color with a yellow or red Audrey?

More Features of This London Fog Patent Finish Tote

• Satiny lining
• Magnetic closure
• Dual handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 14 x 5.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this London Fog Audrey Handbag:

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

[phpbay]London Fog Audrey Tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Sweet Success Antiques eBay store to see if this London Fog bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More London Fog bags on BagBunch
• The London Fog Audrey cross-body bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more London Fog bags on eBay

I doubt anyone would disagree with me if I wrote that this tote was a simple and classic example of a spacious bag. However, I might get a few disbelieving raised eyebrows were I to mention that this bag costs just $29.98!

And yet, it is true. This bag costs less that I can spend on groceries when walking home from work! Question me all you like, but this is one incredibly stylish bag for one incredibly tempting price!

Now you’ve all stopped gawping, lets move on to the design of the bag. It is large and spacious, but still maintains an air of formality thanks to the muted color palette and the equestrian buckled straps. Those buckles are also what give it that classic and traditional look, and what ensures that this bag shouldn’t go out of fashion.

The compartments are also a lovely practical addition for what is a cheap handbag. The Buratti, in fact, manages to out-do other more expensive but less practical totes on the market. I could go on about how the fabrics and materials aren’t the poshest, but at this price point who cares?

More Features of this Aldo Buratti Affordable Tote

• Also available in black and white
• Belt style exterior hardware
• Multiple interior compartments (zip closure)

Get this Over-sized Classic Hnadbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Aldo bags on BagBunch
• The Maxx New York Hibiscus tote, a great alternative to this oversized bag.
• Searching for more classic bags on eBay
• Other Aldo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]aldo handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

I am all about edgy tie-dyed style creations at the moment, which probably goes some lengths to explaining why I really really love this L.A.M.B clutch.

Of course, there is no reason why I shouldn’t love this clutch. The graphic print may be a little too “urban” for some, but I doubt there are many people who would describe it as offensive. Similarly, people who dislike too many zips will opt for something simpler, but the zip trim generally will be seen as a decorative-but-not-ugly addition. All of this means, essentially, that I have no decent reason not to buy it, apart from the level of my bank balance, of course.

However, the $119 price tag isn’t all that high either. I have certainly seen other fashionable purses like this one sold for much higher prices. However, at least I can try to talk myself out of it by noting that the body is PVC, not leather or even a quality canvas. This is a shame; for over $100 you really expect good quality materials. Although, if we are being like that, then the sophisticated striped monochrome lining may tempt me back into the arena again!

The Haughton  is a surpsingly spacious and deliciously edgy clutch with some great graphic oomph. I want it!

More Features of this L.A.M.B Haughton Tie-Dyed Clutch

• Coordinating black and white fabric lining
• Fold-over design with zip closure
• PVC exterior
• Zipper trimmed exterior

Get this Edgy Graphic Purse:

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

[phpbay]L.A.M.B. Haughton Clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More L.A.M.B. bags on BagBunch
• The Foley & Corinna Classic City clutch, a great alternative to this tie-dyed bag.
• Searching for more graphic print bags on eBay