Vans serves up a cheap and cheerful cross-body with some retro flair with this Triple Threat.

The words triple threat reminds us of those rare talents that can do it all. Those shining stars act so convincingly, sing like a bird, and dance like a dream. Vans’ Triple Threat isn’t anywhere near as exciting as those multitalented celebs, but it’s got a certain appeal. I like the sporty feel the white piping brings, and the retro pop of the purple and orange racing stripes.

And I can appreciate its practicality. It’s not large, but it’s as spacious as it needs to be for everyday use. While it’s not very big, some extra pockets would make it a bit more user-friendly. At least the zippered pocket will come in handy for holding loose change and a cell phone. The wide cross-body strap is also perfect for those busy days we all enjoy.

At ₤35.95 it’s also very cheap. Personally I’d rather pay more for a bag made with more impressive materials, but girls on a budget will appreciate the Triple Threat’s features and athletic flair.

More Features of This Vans Polyurethane Cross-Body Bag

• Lined with a cotton polyester blended fabric
• Measures 10 x 7.5 x 3 inches

Get this Vans Triple Threat Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Vans Triple Threat, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Samplelicious 08 eBay store to see if this Vans bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More cross-body bags on BagBunch
• The LeSportsac Cleo cross-body bag, a great alternative to this affordable bag.
• Searching for more Vans bags on eBay

Jill Milan is expanding its offerings for spring/summer 2012. The new season sees the fashion house adding office and travel bags to its range, and several warm weather hues.

The company’s namesake, co-founder, and chief executive officer, says the latest additions bring broader appeal to her company. They’re the work of the company’s lead designer Maya Stewart, who honed her craft at leading fashion brands including Judith Leiber, C.C. Skye, and Matthew Williamson.

The Tribeca Day Bag is one of the key new designs for office wear and business trips. It’s large enough to carry an iPad, and has several interior pockets for holding mobile technology and other essential small items. Its exterior features Jill Milan’s iconic V-shaped quilting and polished palladium-coated accents. It’s available in sensible business colors: black, camel, and brown.

The Firenze Satchel is another office appropriate choice. It metal-edged angled flap is complemented by its quilted body. It’s also large enough for holding an iPad along with important documents and devices. Just like its stablemate, it’s available in black, camel, and brown.

As with the entire Jill Milan collection, the new bags are made entirely from high quality vegan materials. I concede that these Italian made skins are better than your average synthetics, but I still think the accessories are too expensive. The Tribeca Day bag costs $750, and the Firenze Satchel is even more pricy at $1600. Do you think that’s too much to spend on a vegan leather accessory?

[Source: MarketWatch]
[Image Source: Jill Milan website]

Jill Milan Handbags on eBay

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Katherine Kwei offers a casual take on the classic Boston bag with the Kate.

While classic Bostons have a recognizable structured design the Kate has a much slouchier silhouette. Its basic shape takes its cues from the Bostons which came before, but the buttery burnt orange lambskin softens the Kate. The slouchy finish creates a look which is casual and not so buttoned up.

I can’t imagine spotting the Chinese knots that decorate the Kate’s straps on any of those stiff Bostons either! These playful details are Katherine Kwei signatures, and they’re used to great effect here. They tell us this isn’t just any Boston; it’s a Katherine Kwei Boston. However they do it in a much prettier way than any loud logos or nameplates.

Just like the very best Bostons the Kate is luxuriously large. Frankly it’s too big for my everyday needs, but I can imagine it serving me well on a weekend away. However it could work in a casual office setting, or even for girls who just can’t bear to leave anything behind!

The Boston style was pioneered by high end labels like Gucci and Fendi. Luxury lovers would probably still prefer to indulge in their four-figure creations, but the Kate is a more attainable everyday option for girls who love the look.

More Features of This Katherine Kwei Lambskin Boston

• Silver-toned hardware
• Top zip closure
• Dual handles with a 6 inch drop
• An attachable strap with an 18 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 9 x 6 inches

Get this Katherine Kwei Kate Handbag:

• Available to buy at Muse Ten
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Boston bags on BagBunch
• The Katherine Kwei LuLu tote bag, a great alternative to this Chinese knot bag.
• Searching for more Katherine Kwei bags on eBay
• Other lambskin Boston bags on eBay:

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It might be petite, but this Bitsy Bag from Veda packs quite a punch.

Its small stature might see some girls overlook it, but they’d miss its gorgeous details. Its lambskin body is sumptuously soft, yet its design gives it a sophisticated structure. Often metal hardware pops against black leather, but Veda’s opted to give it’s a black sheen. This makes the turn-lock closure subtle and keeps the look very low key. The complementary stitching is another sedate but elegant touch.

This Bitsy Bag’s interior is small, but it’s large enough to hold the bare essentials. Some girls may crave more space, but I think there’s something liberating about stepping out without a big bag weighing you down. Its adjustable strap helps the Bitsy convert from a shoulder bag to a cross-body, giving you two unique looks.

The high-end materials see this Bitsy Bag priced at $365. That’s admittedly a lot to spend on a purse so small, but remember that this purse won’t fall out of fashion quickly. Perhaps then indulging in it isn’t about immediate gratification, but an investment in your wardrobe’s future!

More Features of This Veda Lambskin Purse

• A rear patch pocket
• Metal feet on the base
• Fully lined interior
• An adjustable strap with a 20 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 8 x 3 inches

Get this Veda Bitsy Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More bitsy bags on BagBunch
• The Chloe Wristlet Leather Clutch bag, a great alternative to this small lambskin bag.
• Searching for more bitsy bags on eBay
• Other black lambskin bags on eBay:

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Following last week’s lawsuit against Tennessee salon Hair in XS, Coach is taking on another American store selling counterfeit versions of its bags. The all-American brand is suing Fort Lauderdale’s popular Swap Shop, and its founder Preston Henn, following a year of unacknowledged cease and desist letters.

When the retailer paid no heed to its warnings, Coach sent one of its investigators to Fort Lauderdale. He found a lucrative collection of counterfeit Coach stock at Swap Shop’s market stalls.

Henn is pleading ignorance on this one, claiming its impossible for him to monitor what his thousands of vendors are moving. However that sort of excuse has never washed in a case of this nature before, so something tells me he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

Coach has aggressively targeted counterfeiters since introducing Operation Turnlock in 2009. Coach’s senior president Todd Kahn says the initiative looks to “make it both more costly and increasingly difficult for vendors to purchase, sell, move, or store counterfeit products in the United States. We have a responsibility to protect the brand’s core values and further enforce our commitment to this global issue, starting with our home market.“

What do you think of Coach’s efforts to stamp out counterfeiting?

[Source: Huffington Post]
[Image Source: Matthew Hurst/Flickr]

Coach Handbags on eBay

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Diane von Furstenberg offers a modern take on the fanny pack with this Elaine New Belt Bag.

Rather than providing a shoulder strap, Diane von Furstenberg’s given us a belt. This allows us to strap the Elaine on for a busy day of running errands or dancing up a storm at a summer music festival.

Of course that unusual carrying option won’t appeal to everyone, or even suit every occasion. Happily though we can easily use that belt as a regular shoulder strap, or even detach it entirely and use the Elaine like a clutch.

While its quirky carrier is the Elaine’s main draw card, it’s a pretty neat purse all on its own. Diane von Furstenberg’s used the very best cowhide leather in a classic bohemian brown hue. The long tassel at the side adds to the Elaine’s free-spirited feel.

It’s not very big, but we wouldn’t want anything strapped to our hip to be bulky. That means we don’t get a lot of storage space, but what is here is organized well. The zippered pocket inside and patch pocket underneath the flap make the Elaine easier to manage.

At $345 the Elaine is a bit expensive for a bag so small, but its versatility helps us justify the splurge.

More Features of This Diane von Furstenberg Belt Pouch

• An adjustable canvas belt
• Turn-lock closure and zip to main compartment
• Fully lined interior
• Gold-toned hardware
• Measures 5 x 9 x 1.5 inches

Get this Diane von Furstenberg Elaine Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Diane von Furstenberg bags on BagBunch
• The Diane von Furstenberg Kaitlin bag, a great alternative to this boho bag.
• Searching for more Diane von Furstenberg bags on eBay
• Other Diane von Furstenberg Elaine bags on eBay:

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Longchamp has taken a leaf out of Lanvin’s playbook for its latest video advertising campaign.

This video, entitled Oh! My Bag! has the same kind of playful charm we saw in Lanvin’s Pittbull soundtracked commercial. It seems Longchamp took note when Alber Elbaz showed us few things are as funny as dancing models. Canadian beauty Coca Rocha manages to keep pace with former ballerina Liisa Winkler and professional dancer Alexia Level. No doubt all the Irish dance training she did in her youth came in handy!

Acclaimed dancer and choreographer Bianca Li directed the video, which sees the trio skipping, high-kicking, and twirling about the streets of Manhattan, clearly excited that they’re all carrying boldly colored Longchamp bags. I must admit to feeling thrilled when I’ve spotted someone holding a similar carryall, but the experience has never inspired me to bust a move!

This video sees Longchamp looking more youthful than it has in ages. I only wish the models hadn’t been so careless with their designer bags at the video’s close! Handbag sins aside, it’s so refreshing to see the French brand letting its hair down and really cutting loose. What do you think of its latest marketing ploy?

[Source: Fashionista]

Longchamp Bags on eBay

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Hype’s created a conservative barrel bag with just a hint of sass with the Harrison.

From the front it seems like so many conformist carryalls. Its smooth brown leather is a safe choice, and the nude leather accents aren’t much wilder. The barrel shape is also a classic style decision, one that’s meant to maximize storage space rather than turn heads.

But turn it around and you’ll discover the Harrison isn’t the wallflower it first appears. Leopard printed ponyskin panels at each end give this barrel bag an unexpectedly fierce finish.

Packrats will love the Harrison’s generous dimensions. This isn’t one of those sleek and slender carryalls. Its barrel shape makes it perfect for carrying bulky items, and plenty of them. After all, with just one zippered pocket inside most small items will likely get lost at the bottom! Using the regular rolled handles may be difficult if we fill it full, but Hype’s added a long, wide cross-body strap to help us out.

At ₤159, the Harrison is a great buy for a bag that combines substance, style, and spirit.

More Features of This Hype Barrel Bag

• Zip top closure
• Measures 9.4 x 12.6 x 5.9 inches

Get this Hype Harrison Handbag:

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

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Hype bags on BagBunch
• The Hype Rebecca bag, a great alternative to this brown bag.
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Wild colors and a flurry of fringe ensures this Hida Baguette from Antik Batik is anything but boring!

There are an awful lot of elements here fighting for our attention. The pretty patterned panels have a folky charm, the beading has a tribal feel, while the pale suede fringe takes us to the Wild West. I’m not sure that any designer could make so many competing influences work well together on the one purse. I suppose it’s admirable that Antik Batik has taken on such a challenge, but the resulting accessory will be too much for most tastes.

Honestly I can’t think what you’d wear with the Hida. I immediately think of very plain neutral ensembles, but anywhere you’re dressing so conservatively probably wouldn’t be the right setting!

Strip away all that faff and you’ll find a surprisingly functional baguette. Its zippered pocket is more practical than the tiny slips most baguettes offer, and its braided strap provides a hands-free carrying option.

Despite those practical perks, $185 seems an awful lot to spend on such a novelty purse. I suppose if your heart’s set on it you won’t find anything similar for less, but I can’t imagine you’ll carry it enough to justify the outlay.

More Features of This Antik Batik Beaded Baguette

• Snap closure
• Fully lined interior
• A braided strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 5.5 x 11 inches

Get this Antik Batik Hida Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Antik Batik bags on BagBunch
• The Antik Batik Bongo bag, a great alternative to this fringed bag.
• Searching for more Antik Batik bags on eBay
• Other beaded baguette bags on eBay:

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Yves Saint Laurent has officially named Hedi Slimane as its new creative director following Stefano Pilati’s last stand at Paris Fashion Week.

When news of Pilati’s departure hit the media Slimane was tipped to take on the role, but an official statement has confirmed the news. His appointment makes a lot of sense for the leading fashion brand. He understands the label well after serving as its artistic director of menswear for several years. He left Yves Saint Laurent in 2000, but it seems the fashion house is welcoming him back with open arms.

“Hedi Slimane’s exceptional talent and understanding of the spirit of Yves Saint Laurent heralds a promising new chapter in the story of the maison,” said Paul Deneve, Yves Saint Laurent’s chief executive officer.

Slimane’s role sees him assuming total creative control of Yves Saint Laurent’s image and all its future collections. He will complete these duties while continuing his burgeoning photography career. It seems likely then that we’ll see Slimane shooting many of the brand’s advertisements in future.

It’s refreshing to see a fashion house wasting no time to make a formal announcement, but it makes a lot of sense. Now we can stop the speculation and start anticipating Slimane’s first line for YSL, rumored to be a resort collection in June. Perhaps it’s time Christian Dior followed its lead and named Galliano’s successor!

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Flyheatherfly/Flickr]

Yves Saint Laurent Handbags on eBay

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