I love Phillip Lim for his minimal, timeless designs. They always appeal to me as classic and wearable for almost anyone. And, while I don’t think this bag is an exception, I do have a few reservations about it.

I’m not trying to tap in to the global broken record of recession complaints, but seriously, I am trying to spend less money these days, and I think most other people are too. Which is why I have some reservations about this bag.

Because aesthetically, I can find no fault with it. It is a cheerful color that would pop against almost any other color, it is well designed, and the craftsmanship is amazing. You would be hard pressed to find a more perfect tote bag for the beach.

The leather is sturdy and treated to look like canvas. It is roomy and has fabulous thick leather handles that will hold up to years of use and won’t dig into your shoulders when it’s weighed down.

But the thing I ask myself looking at it is: Why do I need a leather bag that looks like canvas for $525? It seems like if “canvas tote” is the look I’m going for, then it could be had at a much lower price point. Of course, it wouldn’t secretly be leather like this one, and it wouldn’t have the caché of a designer bag, but then again, how much caché do I need to carry my paperback novels to and from the pool? And secondarily, is a tote bag really where I go to up my style factor? Isn’t that what clutches are for?

This is a gorgeous take everywhere summertime tote, and if you have the cash for trompe l’oeil canvas, go right ahead, but I’m sticking with the real canvas tote I picked up at my local market for under $10.

More Features Of The Phillip Lim Kanvas Leather Tote

• Open top with magnetic closure
• Soft canvas lining
• Separate change pouch included

Yellow Canvas Totes On eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see more from the Unzpoken Words store on eBay
• Click here to search Phillip Lim handbags on eBay

The SAK has been trying to break free of their “mom bag” image for a while now, moving from their signature crochet purses to more stylish options in materials like leather. This SAK Silverlake Flap Bag is a step in the right direction. Sure, the fashion is toned down, probably still appealing to moms – but chic yummy mummy types.

Actually, this would be a good bag for a mom or any woman on the go who needs or likes to carry a lot of stuff with her. The slouchy hobo shape and 15 x 3 x 11.5 inch dimensions make it plenty roomy for those who carry more than just keys and cash. Two front exterior pockets, an interior back wall zip pocket and cell phone slip pocket, and a hidden pocket in the flap keep you organized.

This bag would be very versatile. The 10-inch drop of the shoulder strap means you could comfortably carry it no matter how bulky a jacket you were wearing. In black or brown leather it would make a terrific everyday bag.

The leather looks like it will quickly develop that lived-in patina a lot of people like, so if you prefer a more sleek, perfect-looking calfskin you might want to steer clear.

More Features Of The SAK Silverlake Flap Bag

• Platform bottom with feet to protect the bag
• Printed polyester lining
• Braided loop detail

The SAK Silverlake Flap Bags On eBay

[phpbay]The Sak Silverlake, 2, 63852, wallet[/phpbay]

• Click here to buy this The SAK hobo handbag on Amazon
• Click here to see more bags from The SAK on eBay

LeSportsac is pretty much the epitome of function, at least for the handbag world. I don’t think they even produce bags that aren’t completely convenient and durable. If they do, I certainly haven’t come across them.

Hence, the Jen Cross Body bag fits perfectly into the typical functional, cute, and sturdy categories that make up the LeSportsac brand. When I first saw it, I was instantly reminded of the Madison 3 Zip. However, the Jen has a few extra features that set it apart from the rest.

For starters, the Jen handbag actually has three separate exterior pockets in addition to the main interior compartment, each with its own zippered entry. You also have practical choices for carrying it. Just grab the double handles on top if you want to carry it as a traditional tote bag. If you prefer the crossbody style, just fold the top down and attach the adjustable strap to the handle rings on the back of the bag. Voila! It’s now a messenger-style tote.

The Jen Cross Body comes in several popular nylon LeSportsac patterns, but my favorite is the “fontastic” with its light gray canvas trim. The print is a compilation of whimsical numbers, letters, and symbols you could expect when playing with different fonts and colors on a computer program. This quirky and cute handbag currently retails for $88.

More Features of the Jen Cross Body

• Measures 14.5 x 15 x 0.5 inches
• Double handles with 5.5 inch drop
• Adjustable, detachable crossbody strap
• Zipper closure

LeSportsac Jen Bags on eBay

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• Get this fun “fontastic” Jen Cross Body on Amazon
• Click here to search more LeSportsac handbags on eBay

Origami is one of the harder styles to wear this season. Super-tall super-pretty supermodels traipse happily up and down the catwalk, covered head to toe in sculptured ruffles and dramatic shapes. For us mere mortals, however, wearing folds and creases as big and obvious as this is nothing short of hard work!

Thankfully, high street and bargain basement brands have started to notice our predicament, and understand that our curves, lumps and bumps mean it’s too much for our bodies to be that necessary blank canvas. This means that the trend has been successfully calmed and softened, resulting in fashionable, wearable designs like this.

On top of problem solving, this bag is a nice size, fitting neatly over your arm and carrying what you need for a night out plus that little bit extra. With two compartments for various bits and pieces, and a zip pocket, you should have all the storage you need for your iPhone or your wallet. Consequently, it could also be used in the daytime with much success, acting to smarten up casual outfits with a little dramatic flare.

In synthetic leather, this little purse is quite a credit crunch beater. If your handbag addiction is sending you deeper into recession, then this is probably just the sort of affordable beauty you need. The price is not only kept down below $100, but below $50!

Luckily, it doesn’t look cheap and cheerful. The lighter contrasting trim on the waves and the realistic leather look all contribute to keeping it modern and covetable. This perfect multi-purpose clutch gives us a balancing act between being in vogue, and working ruffled folded origami in a real environment!

More Features of This Soft Eurostac Ruffle Bag

• Made in synthetic leather
• One zip pocket, two small compartments
• Perfect for the origami couture trend
• Contrast edging to emphasize the shape

Affordable Aldo Handbags on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see this ruched architectural handbag on Amazon
• Click here to see all origami purses on eBay

Nancy Gonzalez accessories are either traditional classics or quirky creations. This barrel clutch definitely falls into the latter category, with its surprising blend of crocodile and raffia.

Tightly woven cream raffia complements a brown crocodile lattice overlay. These aren’t fabrics we tend to see together; raffia is a casual summer fabric while crocodile is exotic and luxurious. It’s a risky combo, and one that I’m not altogether convinced by.

Instead of the crocodile dressing up the raffia, the reverse happens. The result is a purse that’s casual, and perfect for a summer wardrobe. I can imagine easily pairing this with a floaty neutral sundress or denim shorts.

But that genuine crocodile drives the cost up to $1300, much more than most of us want to spend on a casual purse. Also like so many clutches, space is a concern. The look screams day bag, but there’s not enough room to carry our everyday items inside. The small stature is much more appropriate for evening outings, but the style it too relaxed for all but beach cook-ups and pool parties.

I can imagine getting some mileage from this purse in the summer months, but I don’t think it’ll work hard enough to justify that four-figure price tag.

More Features of This Nancy Gonzalez Raffia and Crocodile Purse

• Magnetic closure
• Chamois lining
• Inside pouch pockets
• Comes with a dustbag
• Measures 9.5 x 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Barrel Clutch Bags on eBay

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• Click here to see more from the Closet Compass store on eBay – A Nancy Gonzalez Handbags Retailer
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Earth Day might have been and gone, but that doesn’t mean bagistas have stopped searching for stylish eco-friendly accessories. Kaija is the latest green label to make a splash with its organic and environmentally-friendly tote bags and clutches.

Kaija means “able,” a word which resonates with meaning for designer Khrisna Justo. During a visit to the Philippines she saw underprivileged women making a living by crafting goods from hand-woven fibers. Seeing the potential of their skills, Khrisna decided to take the women’s talents to the world.

On her return to New York, Khrisna established Kaija to provide stable employment and new opportunities for impoverished women. She designed a collection of bags, combining natural, indigenous fibers of the Philippines with contemporary Western style. The colorful tribal stripes of this Ana purse have really caught my eye.

Kaija’s social conscience extends beyond the labor. A portion of all Kaija profits are donated to UNICEF’s programs for orphan children.

Kaija bags are available online from $65.

[Source: PR Log]
[Image Source: KaijaNY]

Natural Woven Bags on eBay

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• Search for Kaija handbags online

This Maddalena Marconi box clutch can effortlessly add some retro glamour to any outfit.

The black patent leather finish features diagonal quilting, evoking vintage Chanel. But the embellishments are what make this purse no mere designer homage. The front features a blooming camellia flower carefully crafted from white Swarovski crystals. We see the crystals again in the dainty ball clasp.

I just wish Maddalena Marconi had stopped there. Instead rows of the gems also border the purse’s edges. This just seems like overkill to me, driving the price up without adding any real visual appeal. The old adage that less is more definitely should have applied here.

This clutch is also on the small side, and the structured box shape doesn’t help matters. I hope your cell phone is slim, and you’re wearing long-lasting lipstick, because only the bare essentials will fit inside this beauty.

It’s that beauty that will ultimately be this purse’s selling point. It’s got practical limitations. At $898, it’s definitely a pricy after-five accessory. But it is a striking clutch guaranteed to turn heads.

More Features of This Maddalena Marconi Jeweled Purse

• A single chain strap with crystal rings and black gemstones
• Measures 2.4 x 6.1 x 3.9 inches
• Comes with a dust bag
• Made in Italy

Crystal Box Clutches on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to find this Maddalena Marconi quilted evening bag at Amazon
• All Maddalena Marconi handbags on eBay

By now, it’s nothing new to hear raves about the latest stylish outfit worn by Michelle Obama. Women everywhere are scrambling to emulate the style of the fashionable First Lady whether it’s a sleeveless dress from Michael Kors or a formal gown from Jason Wu.

Though her husband is only just approaching his first 100 days in office, Michelle Obama’s outfits are already being written about in a new book that showcases her signature fashion choices on the road to the White House. The book, entitled Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion, was written by Mandi Norwood and is set to release on May 5.

“Each outfit has a story around it,” says Norwood, who recalls the yellow J.Crew ensemble the First Lady wore on Jay Leno — which she purchased online for under $340. Suddenly we had this vision of the next First Lady sitting in bed, next to Barack, shopping online.”

Her classic American look is being looked at as the accessible and updated Jackie O style, as she accessorizes affordable clothes with quality accessories and adds interesting twists to otherwise simple outfits. With designers like Vivienne Westwood and Timmy Woods practically chomping at the bit to get their products on the First Lady, I’m thinking this is probably just one of many books to come.

Click here to pre-order the book on Amazon.

[Source: NY Daily News]
[Image: cliff1066/Flickr]

Timmy Woods Handbags on eBay

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There’s nothing as disappointing as when one of your favorite designers comes up with something that you think is totally unoriginal. Then you have to begin to question your own taste and wonder whether they were ever original at all.

Not that I would ever wonder those things about Marc Jacobs. I think he’s pretty much proven himself to be a complete genius over the years. Well, I guess even geniuses have off days, because this bag looks like it walked straight out of a Chanel store circa 1992. Seriously, it looks so much like a Chanel caviar bag that if you just threw a double C logo on it, I’m pretty sure it would fool anyone.

All that being said, the bag is still cute, and there’s no way you could walk out of a Chanel store with a bag like this for $575. The color is, as far as I’m concerned, what really makes this bag work. The Single has both a chain and a leather strap, so you can carry it on your wrist or sling it over your shoulder. The 8″ x 6″ x 2″ is perfect for a night on the town when you don’t need to carry much with you.

The metallic fuchsia quilted leather manages to look both brilliantly offbeat and a little elegant at the same time. It would be the perfect complement to a simple black dress or even something really loud and crazy. So, despite its lack of complete and total singularity, The Single is a hot designer bag at a decent price.

More Features Of The Single Evening Bag By Marc Jacobs

• Interior zip pocket
• Gold tone press closure
• 19″ handle drop

Fuchsia Leather Purses On eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see more from the TreasureHoard store on eBay
• Click here to search Marc Jacobs handbags on eBay

When I think of macrame handbags, Jessica Simpson’s brand definitely does not come to mind. Her looks are generally semi-casual everyday to formal, whereas macrame is the epitome of uber-casual, wear-with-flip-flops kind of style.

The material is something I would expect to see on a Lucky Brand bag like the Diana Shopper, which actually isn’t a far cry from this uncharacteristically bohemian-like Jessica Simpson Dreamcatcher Hobo. One of the main differences between the two styles is the lack of leather on the Dreamcatcher. While the Diana has a large leather body, the Jessica Simpson hobo has manmade trim and synthetic leather material under the macrame.

I’m a little disappointed that the lack of real leather on this casual handbag didn’t help to keep the price under $100. However, it’s not entirely surprising considering other synthetic options that the brand offers also exceeding that mark.

The Dreamcatcher is available in two colors, this blue denim and a tangerine orange. On both hobos, the main color comes from the leather-like material underneath the woven macrame, which has a slight tie-dye effect. A single twisted handle adds to the laid-back feel of this Jessica Simpson handbag.

More Features of the Macrame Dreamcatcher Hobo

• Measures 12 x 14 x 5 inches
• Zip top closure
• Logo tag and zipper pull

Jessica Simpson Dreamcatcher Bags on eBay

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• Get this casual macrame Dreamcatcher on Amazon
• Click here to see more Jessica Simpson handbags on eBay