Coin purses have always been popular with those who like cute bags that come in tiny sizes. The traditional kiss-lock closure and slouchy thus spacious shape make them an attractive design with a healthy dose of functionality. This over-sized version from Goldenbleu acts as a clutch, yet with all the sweet features of our old coin purses.

The shape is obviously pretty, and the kiss-lock clasp is an age-old design that rarely breaks as well as looking good. The exterior sexy leather design, however, is what makes this bag really quite beautiful. In a bright diamond pattern contrasting blood red patent squares with a more muted matte shade, this oozes style as well as a stylized cubist-yet-60’s vibe. The effect disappears somewhat on the black option, but is very desirable in red.

Looks-wise this Goldenbleu clutch is flawless, from the monogrammed faux suede interior with its matching red trim to the glossy metal frame. It is also pretty functional, although the interior of this patent wonder is perhaps smaller than one would hope for. The main drawback is the lack of any sort of handle. Whilst clutches are meant to be clutched, they need to be carried easily too!

More Features of this Goldenbleu Christi Clutch:

• Roughly 8″ x 8″
• Printed faux suede lining
• Leather exterior and trim
• Interior zipped pocket

Get this Graphic Diamond Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Goldenbleu bags on Bagbunch
• The Hobo International Robin wallet, a great alternative to this cute bag
• Searching for more kiss-lock clutches on eBay
• Other Goldenbleu bags on eBay

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When it comes to Global Elements, you never know quite what you’re going to get. The label loves to frock up, but it can just as easily keep things casual with bags like this cute Beaded Flower Tote.

While its name suggests springtime blooms, there’s just one beaded flower on the bag. Instead, the design is dominated with large leaves. One big leaf appears like a flame leaping across the bag. Just like the flower, it gets its color from thousands of tiny little beads. The other leaves are much subtler, their white beaded outlines providing a silhouette against the black backdrop. This tote has a busy look, with beaded tassels and colored handles completing the vibrant design.

The brightly colored lining matches the handles and flowers. This is a medium sized tote, so it should fit the things you need without tempting you to take extras. That may disappoint fans of the oversized fad, but it’s also refreshing not to be weighed down. The lightweight fabric helps that, as do the long shoulder straps. My only criticism is the tie closure. It might be whimsical with its tasseled end, but it’s not as secure as a zip or magnetic snap. It’s also bound to become annoying before long.

It’s not red carpet ready, but at $80 this Global Elements bag is a fun accessory for everyday outings.

More Features of This Global Elements Flower Tote

• A zip pocket and two slide pockets inside
• Four protective feet on base
• Measures 13.7 x 3.2 x 11.7 inches

Get this Global Elements Beaded Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Global Elements beaded flower tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Global Elements bags on BagBunch
• The Rafe Camilla bag, a great alternative to this beaded bag.
• Searching for more Global Elements bags on eBay

If ever there was a must-have accessory, it’s a black leather tote. Like the little black dress, this versatile wardrobe staple never goes out of style. Giuseppe Zanotti’s answer is this Naplak Nero handbag.

The traditional boxy tote shape is glammed up with polished patent leather and modern ruching. Giuseppe Zanotti lets these details shine by keeping accents to a minimum. The only hint of bling is in the silver center frame, which is capped off with a chic jeweled closure.

This framed section helps to divide the tote into three compartments. Each is large and functional, perfect for surviving a day at the office or the mall. Additional pockets in the side walls make it even easier to keep your essentials in order.

The dual shoulder straps are padded to cushion your shoulders when you’re on the go. It’s these practical touches that give this Guiseppe Zanotti tote the edge over the other labels. While the details impress me, I’m not sure they justify the whopping $2280 price tag.

More Features of This Guiseppe Zanotti Patent Leather Tote

• Logo print lining
• Dual shoulder straps with a 7.5 inch drop
• Measures 14.5 x 14.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Giuseppe Zanotti Naplak Nero Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited quantities)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Guiseppe Zanotti bags on BagBunch
• The Nine West Double Delight tote bag, a great alternative to this patent bag.
• Searching for more Guiseppe Zanotti bags on eBay
• Other black patent leather totes on eBay:

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Earlier this summer, we learned about Jimmy Choo’s decision to team up with the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation for a capsule collection of flip-flops and handbags. The collaboration, which will benefit the Project PEP initiative, is still several months away from being in the hands of thoughtful shoppers … or so we thought.

For the currently happening Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, the fashion experts at ELLE and Jimmy Choo are distributing one of these perfectly punk-rocker totes for one day only. People can head over to the famed Bryant Park this Wednesday, September 16, between the hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm to get one of their very own. This handbag from the Project PEP collection will only be distributed while supplies last, however, so get in line early if you’re in the area.

For those of us not fortunate enough to be in NYC for the fashion week events, we’ll have to wait until November to get our hands on the designs. Don’t worry, though: you can head over to Jimmy Choo’s website to sign up for their Project PEP waiting list to make sure you don’t miss out.

[Source: ELLE News]

Jimmy Choo Handbags on eBay

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Jessica Simpson is sometimes hit or miss with me. There aren’t many of the brand’s styles that I absolutely detest, but I’m not always in love with them either. This Jimmy satchel takes a turn for the better as far as my opinion goes.

Yet again, you can’t expect anything even remotely close to real croc leather or something that’s a superb imitation when you’re paying Jessica Simpson prices. This satchel is only $108, so there’s no mistaking it for the real deal. However, people paying in this price range wouldn’t expect it and probably wouldn’t be disappointed by what they get.

With this interesting patchwork of faux croc textures and colors, I’m not particularly distracted by the fake material, though. The mix of neutral browns with a pop of this season’s trendy purple color is very appealing to the eye. The colors work well together to create a versatile handbag despite the fact that purple is anything but a neutral by most standards.

What stood out to me as missing on this bag is the signature Jessica Simpson cursive logo sewn on the bottom panel. What’s there in place of it is a J-shaped piece of hardware that actually functions as the Jimmy satchel’s clasp closure. It was unexpected to me and quite clever. If I didn’t know that this is a Jessica Simpson design, I probably wouldn’t have ever noticed that it is shaped like the letter. Kudos to the brand for a little originality.

More Features of the Jimmy Satchel

• Measures 15.5 x 11 x 4 inches
• Single strap with 10 inch drop
• Patchwork faux crocodile
• Available in other bag styles

Get this Jessica Simpson Jimmy Bag:

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

[phpbay]jessica simpson jimmy, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Shoes Handbags and Clothing Shop on eBay to see if this bag is still in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jessica Simpson bags on BagBunch
• The Jessica Simpson Mint satchel, a great alternative to this faux croc bag
• Searching for more faux crocodile handbags on eBay

Anya Hindmarch is a relative newcomer on the design front, but she has quickly developed an A-list following. Her fashion-forward contemporary classics are the kind of accessories that look fabulous long after the season passes.

This Three Pocket clutch is one of the most fabulous finds of the fall season. The combination of gray leathers creates a colorblocked look that is both 80’s retro and also totally of-the-moment. The neutral color palette and sophisticated chain strap make it the type of clutch that can turn up the volume on your office wardrobe without looking ostentatious. But it has enough of an edgy evening appeal to go out on the town with your favorite LBD.

The interior of the clutch features two front pockets and two inner compartments, which should provide you with at least enough organizational options, if not too many. My only complaint with this aspect of the bag is that it seems like you might end up with basically one item in each pocket, which translates to a whole lot of opening and closing.

The logo press closure on the front mimics the shape of the bag and is relatively innocuous, as far as logos go. But personally, I don’t love it. There’s something a little generic about it, a little less thought out than the rest of the clutch, that I just don’t find appealing.

Overall, though, I think this clutch is fabulous and has a great day-to-night appeal.

More Features Of The Anya Hindmarch Three Pocket Clutch

• 12″ x 8″ x 4″ size
• 9″ handle drop
• Fully lined interior
• Gold tone hardware

Get this Anya Hindmarch Three Pocket Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Anya Hindmarch bags on BagBunch
• The Anya Hindmarch Jackson Shoulder Bag, a great alternative to this bag
• Searching for more Anya Hindmarch bags on eBay
• Other colorblock clutches on eBay:

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If you are looking for a classic look with a modern origami handbag twist, Chocolate may have produced a pretty and surprisingly affordable option.

This folded tote isn’t cheap as chips, but it only costs $131 and looks pretty high end. The fashionable origami shape is a particular favorite of mine, and tends to look similar whether you pay $100 or $1000! The colors too, muted tones perfect for the cool winter days, are classy and mature. If you want a spacious tote that will suit the evenings, why not try the gunmetal shade?

The handles are a little short for such a chunky hold-all, meaning that it will be a little uncomfortable when fully loaded. It should still hold some weight, but this tote by Chocolate won’t be the most elegant bag around when full, unless you use the less than sexy long handle.

Inside the brown lining is sophisticated, yet somehow ugly. This pleated handbag will look great for a good few seasons to come, as long as no-one looks inside!

More Features of this Chocolate Larkspur Tote

• Optional long handle
• Pleated detailing
• Synthetic leather
• Rolled handles

Get this Pleated Origami Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More origami bags on Bagbunch
• The Devi Kroell Accordian shoulder bag, a great alternative to this spacious bag
• Searching for more origami bags on eBay
• Other origami bags on eBay:

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Green fashionistas are spoiled for choice these days, with cotton canvas, bamboo, straw, and vegan leather giving us plenty of alternatives to animal skins. Grasscloth may not have the profile of many other eco-friendly fabrics, but that makes bags like the Nicole so attractive.

The tightly woven cloth is crafted from several Asian grasses and fibers. The neutral fabric is dressed up with colorful mock-croc trim. No one will mistake these vibrant accents for genuine crocodile, but they do add a little pizzazz. In coral, the Nicole is ready for fall. It’s also available in teal and a bright purple called raspberry.

The Nicole was made with women on the go in mind. The large zippered pocket up front is a handy place for stashing car keys and other essentials. The girly pink lined interior features a zippered pocket on one wall, and two slip pouches for gadgets on the other.

$295 seems a little expensive for the grasscloth and faux leather trim combo, but if you don’t mind the price this is a cute carryall for casual days out.

More Features of This Elaine Turner Glasscloth Tote Bag

• A recessed zip top closure
• Custom crown hardware
• Dual braided 18-inch handles with an 8-inch drop
• Measures 16 x 2 x 9 inches

Get this Elaine Turner Nicole Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Elaine Turner Nicole, 2, “”, camel grey[/phpbay]

• Check the CSN Stores eBay store to see if this Elaine Turner bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Elaine Turner bags on BagBunch
• The Elaine Turner Nicole snake bag, a great alternative to this croc bag.
• Searching for more Elaine Turner bags on eBay

We already knew oversized handbags are an ergonomic nightmare which put us at risk of identity theft, but now it seems there are a few more reasons to ditch our large totes. A study by insurance company Sheilas’ Wheels shows that enormous bags pose a serious threat to female motorists.

Women favoring the huge handbags spend an average of 416 hours of their lives rummaging for “buried” car keys. While it’s astounding, it probably seems like little more than an inconvenience. But when you consider the safety risk this behavior poses, the situation becomes a little serious.

A third of the women surveyed said they felt anxious about finding their keys when traveling alone or late at night. 12% of women were victims of bag snatching crimes, while 28% felt they were being followed when returning to their vehicles.

“Two of the most important things a woman can do to improve her safety is to stay aware of her surroundings and to avoid potentially dangerous situations,” explained Jenny Fawson, director of personal safety at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

“If you are distracted from your surroundings because you are chatting on your mobile, listening to an MP3 player or rummaging about in your bag for keys, you will be less likely to see danger approaching and therefore less likely to be able to avoid it.”

It’s also an idea to stash keys safely in your bag’s zippered pocket or external pouches, or ditch the big bags altogether when flying solo.

[Source: Daily Mail]
[Image Source: David Shankbone/Wikipedia Commons]

Oversized Handbags on eBay

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Chinese Laundry has brought a modern attitude to the shoulder bag with the Olivia, part of its fun new fall collection.

The front is adorned with layered flaps, which are cut diagonally to add edgy interest. Layers can look feminine and fussy, but the surprising angles give the bag more of an uptown vibe. I just wish we saw them on the back of the bag as well. Without these accents, the plain back looks boring and unfinished.

Chinese Laundry keeps the price to a recession-friendly $99 by sacrificing real leather for a synthetic. This manmade material is stylish with its mottled design and subtle gloss, but I don’t expect it to last as long as its more luxurious counterpart.

The interior space is simple and slim: perfect for hugging close to your body but not ideal for carrying bulky goods. The manmade material may stretch to accommodate a bulky novel or two, but then you risk shortening the synthetic’s life even more. The zippered pocket is a real drawcard though. It extends across the length of the bag, so it affords more space than the average compartment.

This pretty purple is my pick, but if you’re more of a traditionalist you may prefer the olive green. This darker shade is so close to black, it could easily pass as a neutral.

More Features of This Chinese Laundry Layered Shoulder Bag

• Nylon lined interior
• Zip top closure
• A rolled knotted strap with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 17 x 4 inches
• Made in China

Get this Chinese Laundry Olivia Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Chinese Laundry bags on BagBunch
• The Wabags Lotus layered bag, a great alternative to this synthetic bag.
• Searching for more Chinese Laundry bags on eBay
• More layered handbags on eBay:

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