The Betty hobo from Big Buddha is a mass of contradictions. But the jury’s still out on whether its unique look is fashion forward, or simply confused.

The body of the Betty is as feminine as its name. Soft flowers cover the front in a look which reminds me of so many modern Valentino designs. In this subtle beige shade the blooms have a delicate vintage charm. But then at the top we’re greeted with thin belts, which thread through gleaming grommets. These accents are edgy and contemporary; they seem at odds with the pretty rosettes we see underneath. The juxtaposition of hard with soft can often make a dramatic statement, but it just doesn’t seem to gel here.

Then we turn the Betty around and our hearts sink. After embracing all those flowers on the front the soft, plain material seems a little … well … boring. It’s almost as if the garden was raided and all we’re left with is muddy soil! I appreciate the practical addition of the zippered pocket, but I’d appreciate the same flowers we saw up front even more.

The Betty is just the right size for daytime use. It’s big but not enormous, with enough space for everything we need without excessive bulk. Yet even though it’s not massive, I find myself craving a couple more pockets. There’s a lone zippered pocket inside, but even with the pocket on the back it probably won’t satisfy more girls.

I feel like the Betty is a bit of a misstep from Big Buddha, but at $85 at least it’s one that won’t cost us the earth.

More Features of This Big Buddha Rosette Hobo

• Magnetic snap closure
• A single shoulder strap
• Measures 14 x 3 x 11 inches
• Made in China

Get this Big Buddha Betty Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Big Buddha Betty hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the My Favorite Online Store eBay store to see if this Big Buddha bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Big Buddha bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Betty bag in black, a great alternative to this beige bag.
• Searching for more Big Buddha bags on eBay

Prix Prix isn’t the only label turning neck ties into cute purses. Redesigns by Durkin also gives these men’s accessories a new lease of life with its BeauTie Collection. The eco-friendly line features handbags, clutch purses, and throw pillows.

While Prix Prix used the ties for subtly designed wallets, Redesigns by Durkin makes no secret of the original materials. The ties are clearly visible here, creating quirky shapes that point to each purse’s green status.

As Redesigns by Durkin uses reclaimed vintage and designer neckties, each one is an original. The brand sources ties made from silk, rayon, cotton, acetate, nylon, and polyester and their unique surfaces bring texture to the eye-catching bags.

These green bags aren’t just about their looks though; interior pockets, sturdy lined seams, and zip closures make them practical as well as pretty.

The BeauTie Collection accessories are available from the Redesigns by Durkin website and Eco-Handbags online store.

[Source: Redesigns by Durkin]

Recycled Silk Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]recycled silk, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

There are few things that flamboyant fashion designer Betsey Johnson loves more than sequins and animal prints. Here she combines the two flashy elements for the head-turning Sequincy Shopper.

It might sound silly, but at first I couldn’t see the sequins. It was only when I took a closer look that I realized this shopper’s shine comes not from a polished patent but from the thousands of tiny sequins which cover every inch of this tote. They make black and bold cheetah spots which contrast with the glitzy sequined backdrops. Take your pick from such flashy shades as aqua, pink, and silver.

With its basic box shape, I assumed the Sequincy was all surface without the substance. How wrong I was. The interior is fully lined and packed with pockets including a detachable zippered pouch. I can imagine using this tiny purse in place of a wallet for carrying change. The pockets are trimmed with glossy patent synthetic to help them withstand daily use.

This is one shopper that doesn’t deserve to be schlepping your stuff home from the grocery store. In fact, I’m not quite sure where you’d carry such a bold shopping bag, but I’m sure those with the confidence to own it would figure it out!

More Features of This Betsy Johnson Cheetah Spot Shopper

• Patent synthetic trim
• Snap closure

Get this Betsey Johnson Sequincy Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Betsey Johnson Sequincy shopper, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Betsey Johnson bags on BagBunch
• The Betsey Johnson Cheetah Girl bag, a great alternative to this animal print bag.
• Searching for more Betsey Johnson bags on eBay

FELT is a Canadian company who creates handbags from, not so surprisingly, felt! Felt is a fiber that comes from wool, and while it oozes winter warmth I wouldn’t mind carrying one of the brand’s beautiful bags this summer.

It’s surprising that we don’t see more purses made from felt, as the material is so strong and versatile. It defies fashion trends, remaining eternally stylish as the years pass. It’s also relatively affordable, and that is reflected in each bag’s bottom line.

The brainchild of artist Kathryn Walter, FELT has a commitment to green manufacture. Its felt fabrics are made from 80-100% wool blended with a combination of virgin and recycled fibers. The designs also follow basic geometric styles which enable low-waste production.

I love the weathered look of this classic tote. Its dual felt handles are reinforced with nylon webbing, while its base is strengthened with hardened felt inserts.

The FELT handbags are all available for around $100 from the FELT website and the Eco-Handbags online store.

[Source: Eco-Handbags]

Felt Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]felt, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Cross-body bags are right on trend this season as women look for accessories which favor functionality over flash. It’s a good thing for Etienne Aigner, who has always preferred creating reliable handbags rather than the next big thing.

Its Christina cross-body bag features a utilitarian design, with polished buckles and zips. Unfortunately though in this east/west orientation the details look a little cluttered. The zipper pull hangs down in the buckles, and these seem too close to the zippered pocket.

Perhaps it all would have worked better on a bigger bag, but if the Christina was larger it might start to weigh us down. As it stands, the Christina has room for our essentials and it organizes them beautifully. With a zippered pocket and credit card slots inside, you could even leave your wallet at home. That’ll give you extra room for more important things.

Its design isn’t the cleanest on the market, but for a mere $49.99 I’m willing to overlook that. It’s one of the cheapest all-leather purses I’ve seen, yet I can’t see any evidence of corner cutting. Get yours in classic colors or playful springtime tones like this grass green.

More Features of This Etienne Aigner E/W Cross-Body Bag

• Fully lined interior
• Zip top closure
• A cross-body strap with a 23 inch drop
• An oversized key fob
• Measures 7 x 1 x 9 inches

Get this Etienne Aigner Christina Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Etienne Aigner Christina cross*, 2, “”, north[/phpbay]

• Check the That’s The Bag eBay store to see if this Etienne Aigner bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Etienne Aigner bags on BagBunch
• The Etienne Aigner Christina north/south cross-body bag, a great alternative to this east/west bag.
• Searching for more Etienne Aigner bags on eBay

Ever wanted a piece of the starry night sky? Well, if so then the Franchi Sai clutch will meet the bill!

OK, so it sounds cheesy. And it kind of is a little bit. However, the romantic cliche is actually one of the best ways of describing this sleek black box clutch with its random pattern of twinkling diamantes. It is a simple design, but the sheer understated simplicity and the classic silver on black combination makes it pack a bigger punch than expected.

Whilst it looks gorgeous, many will find this evening bag a little irritating. The main problem is the rigidity of the design, which stops you being able to pack lots in. Still, this happens with every box clutch I know of, and at least with this one you have an elegant design with the optional handle throwing a little practicality into the mix.

At $78 this is a middling price, and I think the gorgeous design means it is remarkably under-priced.

More Features of this Franchi Sai Box Clutch

• Also available in gold and silver
• Optional long chain strap
• Hard frame based box design
• Satin fabric exterior

Get this Diamante Satin Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Franchi bags on BagBunch
• The Prezzo diamante box clutch, a great alternative to this satin bag.
• Searching for more satin bags on eBay
• Other Franchi bags on eBay:

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

Some of the world’s most fashionable handbag designers are going green for Elle magazine. Last month the fashion rag asked the designers to create solar powered purses, which will be auctioned off on eBay. With the auction’s launch tomorrow, we’ll see the innovative technology employed by the likes of Diane Von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, Vena Cava, and Loomstate.

Each designer worked closely with Boston-based architect Sheila Kennedy on the project. The bags are all fitted with Kennedy’s own invention called the Flexible Light and Power pack (FLAP), which can be used as a reading light or a cell phone charger! The tech-savvy purses also have their own USB ports, LED lights, flexible solar panels, and rechargeable batteries.

Ms Kennedy has a real investment in the project, as the eBay auction will benefit her Portable Light Project. This initiative looks to provide FLAP packs to poor communities around the world without reliable power sources.

The eBay auction begins at 4 pm tomorrow and runs until July 15.

[Source: Treehugger]

Diane Von Furstenberg Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Diane Von Furstenberg, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

So simple but so effective, the Posey clutch from Sara Berman for Isabella Oliver has the X factor.

The secret isn’t the styling, but the execution. We’ve seen so many simply shaped ruffled clutch purses, but never quite like this. The ruffles are tighter than we typically see, and the satin just a little more luxurious, but there’s still a certain something more that I can’t quite put my finger on.

It looks small at first, but that’s simply an illusion. Unfold it and The Posey expands to twice its size. It might be a bit more difficult to carry in this mode, but girls who struggle to travel light will persevere for the extra storage space. I’d appreciate a shoulder strap to make life easier, but something tells me The Posey wouldn’t look quite as appealing dangling from your shoulder.

The $275 price tag seems steep for an after five accessory, but who says it can’t see the light of day? Isabella Olivier suggests swapping it for your everyday tote to take your office look through to the evening. It’d definitely add flair to a blazer and pin striped skirt!

More Features of This Sara Berman for Isabella Olivier Ruffled Clutch

• Orange satin lined interior
• Zip closure with a hidden magnetic snap
• Measures 4 x 7.5 inches when folded, and 4 x 16 inches when unfolded

Get this Sara Berman Posey Handbag:

• Available to buy at Isabella Olivier
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More clutch bags on BagBunch
• The Menbur oversized kiss-lock bag, a great alternative to this frilled bag.
• Searching for more Sara Berman bags on eBay
• Other ruffled clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]ruffled clutch, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

We were all a little shocked when Lily Allen was handpicked by Karl Lagerfeld to front his Coco Cocoon advertising campaign for Chanel. But it seems no one was more surprised than the British pop star herself.

Lily has revealed that she was drunk during the meeting which led to her appointment, and can barely remember what they spoke about!

“It was a big party in Paris. I was drunk and got lost in the building. I wandered into an attic room and Karl was there. We had a chat – although I can’t remember what about,” she told Britain’s Elle magazine.

“I do remember asking about some shoes he’d designed that had a green ring in the heel. I asked how they worked. He drew a diagram explaining the physics of making the shoe – I’ve still got the drawing. A week later I was asked to do the campaign.“

We can only wonder whether Lily’s boozing saw her lose her status as the face of Chanel to Vanessa Paradis this year!

[Source: Toronto Sun]
[Image Source: Benoit/Flickr]

Chanel Coco Cocoon Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Chanel Coco Cocoon, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

DKNY claims to be channeling vintage fashion with this hobo. But honestly, I’m not quite sure when this confused accessory would ever really be stylish.

Fuchsia pink and pale tan don’t make a bad pairing, but there’s something puzzling about the execution here. The trim around the pockets and along the top of the purse seems too chunky, and it never quite gels with the rest of the design. The V-shaped pleat in the center of the bag appears to be an attempt at creating the slouchiness we expect from a hobo, but it also seems a bit out of place here.

It’s a shame really, because looks aside this hobo is more functional than the average. The flat platform base helps it stand to attention once it’s set down. That makes it easy to access all the goodies you can keep inside the generous interior. It’s spacious without being cumbersome, and easy to manage with its zip pocket and pair of open pouches. If you’re still looking for more storage space, don’t forget those side pockets.

If you prefer practicality over good looks, you won’t mind DKNY’s design missteps. After all, the recommended retail price of $245 is quite reasonable for such a functional bag made from real leather. Personally though, I’d rather spend that kind of cash on something with much more style.

More Features of This DKNY Leather Hobo Purse

• Fabric lined interior
• Zip top closure
• An adjustable strap with a 7.5 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 10 x 5.5 inches

Get this DKNY Vintage Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Bonbella Shoes eBay store to see if this DKNY bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More DKNY bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Simpson Escape bag, a great alternative to this pink hobo bag.
• Searching for more DKNY bags on eBay
• Other DKNY hobo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]DKNY hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]