It’s a rare day for me to be calling a $1,900 handbag a surprisingly affordable option. Well, maybe I wouldn’t quite call it affordable, but I was at least somewhat pleasantly surprised by the starting price point of designer label Balmain’s highly anticipated handbag line.

For a label whose items include a nearly $14,000 leather jacket for sale on Net-A-Porter, a collection of shoulder bags with a price range of roughly $1,900 to just over $3,900 seems almost reasonable … or at least slightly attainable for some shoppers.

Consistent with previous rumors of the collection’s designs, these Balmain bags include plenty of embellishments. More specifically, you’ll find quilted stitching, strategically-placed smatterings of studs, and even a little fringe among the bunch. Each one has an edgy, contemporary twist that is indicative of Balmain’s signature look.

This somewhat small line of handbags, including the priciest Punk Suede Shoulder Bag shown above, will be available on Net-A-Porter’s website this coming Monday, October 19. See all four styles from the collection at Bag Snob’s website.

[Source: Bag Snob]

Studded Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]studded, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Roxy is known for casual, carefree styles. That’s exactly what you get with this Staying Alive Cross-Body tote bag.

Although not denim, it definitely has the appearance of a wonderfully broken-in, relaxed pair of jeans. In fact, it’s not even leather but rather synthetic material that gives the impression of washed leather. Roxy gave us a double trompe l’oeil with this one.

Whatever impression the exterior has for you, the style is set in stone. The Staying Alive Cross-Body is nothing but casual cool with its multiple front pockets and cotton canvas adjustable strap. I wouldn’t recommend carrying it to a business meeting unless flip-flops and sneakers are common accessories in the office, but it’s perfect for pairing with jeans and a tee.

The nearly square shape of the bag makes it easy to store things of various sizes, and the outside pockets work well for holding small necessities. The top closes with a zipper and flaps over the front. The Roxy Staying Alive tote isn’t enormous but rather decently mid-sized. However, for $38, you can’t really go wrong with this one for an occasional laid-back bag.

More Features of the Staying Alive Cross-Body

• Measures 12.5 x 11 x 2 inches
• Crossbody strap with 23.5 inch drop
• Washed synthetic material

Get this Roxy Staying Alive Bag:

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

[phpbay]roxy staying alive, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Buy’s Internet Superstore to see if this bag is still in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Roxy bags on BagBunch
• The Treesje Jovi Cross-Body, a great alternative to this casual crossbody-style bag.
• Searching for more Roxy crossbody bags on eBay

Timmy Woods does occasionally produce some genius bags. Lovingly constructed out of luxury materials, they are glossy and unusual and more like art than a handbag.

When not designing these purses, however, Timmy Woods has a strange fondness for novelty bags. With bags like this little Kris Kingle Christmas purse it is apparent that she may well be completely and utterly bonkers!

Don’t get me wrong; the purse is gently amusing and definitely a conversation starter. I just struggle to see how anyone could carry this around with a shred of seriousness, unless they were one of the few people that are so incredibly cool and kitsch that they can happily exist in a different dimension of taste to the rest of us.

That said, with Christmas coming, the time for tacky bags and strange political statements is upon us, and if you want a gold hatted Santa Claus wearing cute miniature glasses then this Timmy Woods purse may be the only one available!

What more can I say?! This will spread Christmas cheer and insanity without doubt!

More Features of this Timmy Woods Novelty Clutch

• Shaped like Santa Claus
• Chain handle
• Gold hat and wire glasses

Get this Kitsch Kris Kingle Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Timmy Woods bags on Bagbunch
• The Timmy Woods Eiffel Tower bag, a great alternative to this novelty bag
• Searching for more Christmas bags on eBay
• Other Timmy Woods bags on eBay:

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A starring role in the Twilight movie made Stitch & Swash bags an overnight sensation. Seattle designer Angie Bowlds has been inundated with orders since Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, carried a Stitch & Swash tote in the cult vampire film.

“It’s an everyday bag that’s easy to throw things in. [Bella] didn’t have to fumble with a zipper or a flap,” Ms. Bowlds explained.

Inspired by vintage illustrations and plant patterns, Ms. Bowlds creates all the screen prints featured on her Stitch & Swash handmade leather bags. This fall, Stitch & Swash fans can look forward to black leather bags, in addition to the label’s typical earth tones. With this monochrome color expect some vivid screen prints in lime, aqua, and persimmon.

Prices start from $10 for a card case. Larger totes and satchels range from $175 to $225. If you want a Bella bag, I’d advise you to put your order in soon. The waiting list is already five weeks, but expect that to blow out when the bag is seen again in New Moon.

[Source: NW Source]
[Image Source: Stitch & Swash Etsy store]

Twilight Bags on eBay

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

With its bright orange finish and massive size, it’s impossible to ignore a bag like Kooba’s Blake.

It’s crafted from patent leather, but the surface isn’t as glossy as many on the market. It’s a good thing too, because a color this bright doesn’t need to look more daring! To that end, Kooba keeps the design simple. A contemporary shape, a little stitching, and a splash of silver hardware is all that’s needed to add interest.

At first glance, it’s easy to miss the large zippered pockets which run down the sides of the bag. But don’t underestimate these practical pouches. They provide a convenient place for stashing your keys and sunglasses, away from the expanse of the oversized interior.

It’s really hard to keep such a big bag organized, but Kooba tries to help by including more pockets than the average. The obligatory zip and slip pouches are complemented by a penholder and handy key-chain.

The Blake shoulder bag is also available in crisp white and green varieties.

More Features of This Kooba Oversized Shoulder Bag

• Magnetic snap closure
• Dual shoulder straps with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 22.5 x 1 x 15 inches

Get this Kooba Blake Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kooba Blake, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Kooba bags on BagBunch
• The Lodis Krush Lola bag, a great alternative to this orange bag.
• Searching for more Kooba bags on eBay

New spring and summer handbag designs have been drifting down recent fashion week runways on the arms and wrists of decked-out models, and the styles we’ve seen are as varied as the mind can imagine.

In a completely opposite vibe from Versace’s “Alice in Wonderland” girl-fest of prints and color, celebrity favorite Proenza Schouler went for sporty and just a little beachy with its recently revealed spring bags. It’s quite a change from the uptown chic PS1 tote that made such a splash.

Instead of laid-back sophistication, Proenza Schouler drew inspiration from the surfing and skating world to create a line that includes details such as stripes, animal prints, chunky chains, and neon colors. The look is very specific and not at all neutral or understated, but I’ve got to call this collection downright cool.

“We wanted something young, something that felt fresh, so we looked to surfing and skating, the things we grew up on,” the brand said in a statement.

You only have to take one look at what walked down the runway to understand the inspiration. I can’t wait to see some of these up close. I’m guessing they’re even more striking than they appear in these pictures.

[Source: That’s a Fabulous Handbag]

Sporty Handbags on eBay

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Every gal needs a good basic, stylish tote bag. It’s an essential wardrobe piece and an addition that’s ideal for those days when you’ve just got to grab-and-go while getting ready. We all have them, right?

There are also times when entirely practical has to accompany basic and stylish. That’s where B. Makowsky got it right with this Lites Greenwich E/W tote. In my opinion, this handbag fits all three categories with a little edge on top of everything else.

It’s a rather enormous size ringing in at over eighteen inches wide, but I don’t know many women who couldn’t fill it up on a busy day in less than five minutes. The superb interior organizational features make it a great option for work or play. There’s even a zippered center divider inside and side slip pockets on the exterior for storing particulars.

Beyond the convenience of pockets, however, the Lites Greenwich tote bag has a pretty crinkled leather texture that looks fabulous in this toffee brown. The effect reminds me of the swishy broomstick skirts that were so popular in past years, but frankly I’m much more content to carry the texture around on a leather purse than wear it. The Greenwich E/W tote also comes in an equally basic black color as well as a not-so-basic orange.

More Features of the Lites Greenwich E/W Tote

• Measures 18.5 x 12 x 5 inches
• Twisted double handles with 9 inch drop
• Magnetic closure
• Crinkled leather material

Get this B. Makowsky Lites Greenwich Bag:

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

[phpbay]b. makowsky lites greenwich, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Buy’s Internet Superstore on eBay to see if this bag is still in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More B. Makowsky bags on BagBunch
• The Matt & Nat Werner Japanese Paper Tote, a great alternative to this crinkled texture tote.
• Searching for more B. Makowsky Lites handbags on eBay

If you want to inject a bit of class into your everyday hold-all then think about opting for a colorful beauty, such as this Maxx New York cherry red tote.

Having a bag that wows people is brilliant and is even more so when it is a chunky spacious holdall. Generally you pay the price for functionality by sacrificing the good looks. Thankfully with this shiny patent tote the stunning color holds its own, meaning that the purse can look great and work brilliantly.

Whilst the hardware and cute pocket are great aesthetic touches on this Maxx New York tote, however, I do hesitate about one thing. The huge size of the bag with its expandable corners at the top may make for more room, but they ruin the lines of the hold-all. They should be smooth and elegant, but are in actuality a bit wonky and disjointed.

Of course this space does make for a bag that is practically a weekender, but I don’t know whether I prefer this or a smaller more compact version. Whilst hesitating, however, I was convinced back to loving it by the fifties style contrasting yellow satin interior. It is beautiful and elevates a lightly over-the-top handbag into the position of gorgeous purse!

More Features of this Maxx New York Patent Hold-all

• Satin Lining
• Patent red coordinating trim
• Available in red and white
• Multiple interior and exterior pockets

Get this Cherry Red Functional Tote:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Maxx New York bags on Bagbunch
• The Vitalio Vera patent tote, a great alternative to this glossy bag
• Searching for more red patent totes on eBay
• Other Maxx New York bags on eBay:

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The Bar None satchel from Kenneth Cole’s Reaction line is a bag for no-nonsense girls. The lack of bells and whistles may disappoint some, but its combination of high quality materials and functional design is sure to win fans.

The body is reminiscent of a barrel bag with its soft, sexy curves. A splash of polished silver hardware dresses up the tumbled leather finish. The design’s very subtle, making the satchel perfect for a day in the office, a trip to the mall, or even a dinner date.

The styling is chic, but the Bar None’s biggest drawcard is its practical design. A zippered pocket is discreetly placed at each end, adding storage options without detracting from minimalist look. The mid-sized interior is decked out with a massive zippered pocket and two small slips for gadgets.

The cream Bar None is bound to show marks quickly, so I’d opt for this mist shade if you’re after an everyday bag. It’s not a very dark leather, but it’s more likely to disguise wear and tear.

More Features of This Kenneth Cole Tumbled Leather Satchel

• Zip top closure
• Nylon lined logo print interior
• Dual shoulder straps with a 6.5 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 11 x 5.5 inches

Get this Kenneth Cole Bar None Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kenneth Cole Bar None satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Pottery Peddlers eBay store to see if this Kenneth Cole bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kenneth Cole bags on BagBunch
• The Kenneth Cole Bar None tote bag, a great alternative to this satchel bag.
• Searching for more Kenneth Cole bags on eBay

Following the announcement of Jimmy Choo and Elton John’s designer collaboration for AIDS initiative Project PEP, the fashionable pair has launched a photographic competition.

Your entry will need three things: you, your favorite shoe, and the number 72. The number is significant as Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) must be administered within 72 hours of exposure to the HIV virus.

The competition aims to raise awareness of the Project PEP initiative, which will raise funds for the Simelela Rape Center in Cape Town, South Africa. The center looks to administer rape victims with the vital PEP medication and provide medical, counseling, and legal support.

More than 100 lucky snappers will take home products from the Project PEP range, with the grand prize winner scoring seven pairs of shoes and two purses from Jimmy Choo. Many of the winning images will also be displayed at Project PEP’s official launch at Selfridges London on October 29.

[Source: View on Fashion]
[Image Source: Jimmy Choo 72]

Jimmy Choo Handbags on eBay

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