This cute Isaac Mizrahi for Target bag offers vintage style at a price we can all afford.

The style is reminiscent of Goldenbleu’s Audra clutch, with front pockets appearing like little coin purses. Each pouch features a vintage style ball clasp, imitating the main compartment’s closure. The classic style seems a little at odds with the glossy pink finish, but I think that surprising mix makes it more interesting. If you’re after something tamer though the same purse is available in more conservative browns and burgundies.

As the name suggests, this frame purse is small in stature. But thankfully there are plenty of storage options beyond the front pockets. Inside we’re treated to a secure zip pocket and a handy key strap.

The chain strap looks a little bulky for this purse, and it’s not likely to be the most comfortable thing to sling over your shoulder. It can be tucked inside, but then your storage space is compromised. I’ll let you decide which option is the lesser evil!

With a retail value of just $20, this handbag flew off the shelves when it was released at Target. That makes it a little tricky to track down, but if you keep your eye on eBay you might just get lucky!

More Features of This Isaac Mizrahi Small Frame Bag

• Silver-tone hardware
• Measures 11 x 6 x 4 inches

Vintage Frame Purses on eBay

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The days when women would carry one bag to the office, another to the shops, and another out to dinner are dwindling. The global recession means modern girls demand purses that work double-time. Physhion has tackled the last frontier, creating sports bags that actually look good.

The brand is the brainchild of Liz Tave, a busy mom of four. Like so many girls on the go, she was on an endless quest for a gym bag which would hold her stinky sneakers while looking stylish. Discovering it didn’t exist, she took matters into her own hands and made her own! The result is Physhion, a label which combines fashion and functionality.

With sexy names like the Siren, Vixen, and Hipster, these modern purses could easily double as everyday handbags. The contemporary designs could win anyone over, but the conservative color palettes may not please younger gym bunnies. The khaki and burgundy and gray and white color combos look sophisticated, if a little drab.

Twill fabrics are traditionally used for work wear, so it’s a practical and hard-wearing choice. Here it’s given a gloss coat and dressed up with patent leather accents, but the look still isn’t entirely chic. An all-over leather may not have proved as durable for daily use, but it would have been more stylish.

It’s easy to focus on looks, but it’s the little details which make Physhion bags invaluable at the gym. Features include side sneaker sleeves, waterproof pouches, programmable gym locks, water bottle pockets, and gym pass holders.

Physhion purses start from $225. It’s not exactly expensive for a fashion handbag, but it is pricy when compared to other sports bags. But these purses occupy a very small niche, satisfying the girls who care about how they look leaving the gym as much as the calories they’ve burned.

[Source: Physhion]

Gym Bags on eBay

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The modern good looks of this Giorgio Armani pochette make it a real statement piece. But like so many head-turning purses, it’s strictly for special occasions.

I was instantly drawn to the quilted suede finish, with its striking wicker pattern. The ivory shade is a more practical choice than pristine white, and one which will serve it well for years to come.

The chrome handles are one of the bag’s strengths, and my main bugbear. These metallic arcs look so dramatic, but can you imagine carrying them? For maximum comfort I’d fold them down and carry the pochette in my palm. It’s likely to get tiresome at the end of a long night, but at least your hand won’t hurt!

The slim design doesn’t afford a lot of storage space, but at least it’s well organized. Pop open the magnetic snap to reveal two large zippered compartments, one on each side of the clutch.

At $595 retail, this Giorgio Armani purse isn’t exactly exorbitant. But its flaws mean I’d still think twice before laying my money down.

More Features of This Giorgio Armani Quilted Purse

• Engraved handles with a 3 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 7 inches

Giorgio Armani Clutches on eBay

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A good black leather bag for work is hard to find when you want to combine style, function and affordability. This B. Makowsky Galway Tote could be a good contender.

The slouchy shape, straps and gold hardware give it a modern but conservative look appropriate for the office. It has all the style you would expect from a line by B. Makowsky, Kathy Van Zeeland’s husband.

It would easily hold all the daily essentials like your Blackberry, wallet, makeup bag, sunglasses and keys. Carrying it by the handles would be comfortable and fashionable if you’re just running out for lunch, but you could get out the shoulder strap when you’re schlepping papers home from work.

But it’s important to note from the side view that this tote isn’t as roomy as it looks from the front. While a small notebook and a file or two would probably fit inside, the top is clearly more narrow than the bottom so it could be difficult getting things in and out of the tote without rumpling papers.

If you’re really looking for the bag that does everything, this also might be difficult to transition to evening. It would be perfectly appropriate at a casual dinner and would surely see some weekend wear, but might require switching out to go from day to a night out on the town.

More Features Of The B. Makowsky Galway Tote

• Measures 12 x 16 x 4 inches
• Dual shoulder straps with a 6.5 inch drop
• A longer, detachable strap
• Logo lining
• Magnetic closure

The B. Makowsky Galway Tote on eBay

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• Buy the B. Makowsky Galway Tote on Amazon
• Search for more B. Makowsky handbags on eBay

Leave it to Sondra Roberts to come up with yet another affordable but striking bag. In some ways, SR Squared by Sondra Roberts reminds me of Jessica Simpson’s handbag line because of the stylish styles offered at easily attainable price tags. Both brands also use a lot of synthetic leather material to keep the prices down.

Some of SR Squared’s purses, though, are more offbeat and eyecatching than many of Jessica Simpson’s. Like the Ruffle Satchel, the style of this Ombre Mermaid Hobo is meant to be unexpected and unique. It’s the kind of handbag that you can’t wear with everything but will most certainly be the only one around when you do carry it.

The Mermaid Hobo earns its name from the round faux leather pieces that lay on top of each other in rows, creating the appearance of a mermaid’s scaley fin. The green color has an ombre effect that also mimics the look of the mythical creature and brings out the slight texture on the synthetic material.

It’s hard to see the shape of this handbag because of the “scales”, but the Mermaid Hobo is slim and flat with a slight flair at the bottom. The single strap seems like it would be comfortable enough, although the wrapped top seems like it could cut into the shoulder if you’re carrying too many heavy items for an extended period of time. I do like the beaded detail on the handle, which reminds me of bubbles and adds to the Ombre Mermaid Hobo’s underwater theme.

More Features of the Ombre Mermaid Hobo

• 11.75 x 8 x 3 inches
• Single strap with 7.5 inch drop
• Zip top closure

Sondra Roberts Hobo Handbags on eBay

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• Get this green Ombre Mermaid Hobo on Amazon
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There’s something about spring that brings out the mod in me. It’s such a good time for short a-line dresses and patent leather flats. And nothing could go better with these seasonal outfits than this bright and retro bag by Anya Hindmarch.

True, the chain strap is more like 90s retro than mod, but the white leather main compartment with its minimal color cutout detail is mod all the way. Plus the rounded-off geometric shapes and the bright-on-neutral color blocking are totally 60s.

Plus, this bag has everything you need to keep your stuff safe and organized. It closes in front with a key lock, has a rear zipper pocket, an inner zipper pocket, and an inner pouch pocket, so all your important things can have a place of their own.

At 15″ x 14″ x 4″, this is actually a pretty large handbag. So big, in fact, that it might need more than a chain strap. We all know how uncomfortable it is to carry a heavy bag with that strap that digs right into your shoulder. And the price is another question. Don’t get me wrong, I love the looks of this bag, but most women won’t be taking it to the office, which makes it a casual weekend bag, and maybe not worth $1,150 unless your life is really full of long weekends.

More Features Of The Jackson Shoulder Bag By Anya Hindmarch

• 8″ handle drop
• Gold tone hardware
• Fabric-lined interior

White Retro Vintage Handbags On eBay

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Felix Rey embraces the warmer weather ahead with this fun envelope style clutch purse.

The natural canvas finish is accented with patent looking PVC trim. The glossy gold contrasts with the subdued canvas tone for a versatile day-to-night look. But the real feature here is the golden shell clasp, a unique touch which pays homage to long summer days at the beach.

This clutch has a slim profile, but it’s large enough to carry most girly essentials. There’s an interior pocket and a cell phone slip too to help keep your bits and pieces in order and the clutter at bay.

The slender design is perfect for hand-held carrying, but that’s not always practical in a day-to-night purse. I have my reservations about how comfortable the skinny chain strap will be, but its rich appearance is the ideal foil for the clutch’s golden trim.

The shell detail gives this clutch a quirky look for the summer season, but it’s likely to seem a little silly once the weather cools. Thankfully Felix Rey has kept the price down, so you might not mind keeping it in the closet for half the year!

More Features of This Felix Rey Canvas Clutch

• 100% cotton lined interior
• Soft-side construction
• Magnetic closure
• Measures 13 x 2.5 x 8 inches

Envelope Purses on eBay

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I’ve just been introduced to the work of Finnish fashion illustrator Laura Laine, and I must say I’m impressed. This is just one of the amazing pieces featured in the latest issue of Italian art fashion magazine Muse.

You might have seen Laura’s work before in campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger and Escada, and editorials for Elle Girl and the New York Times. In a world dominated by computer graphics, it’s refreshing to see an artist shunning technology for simple pencil drawings. Who needs high-tech wizardry when you can create works of such beauty without it?

I love the way Laura’s whimsical illustrations meld seamlessly with the slick product shots. Who would have thought a glossy metallic clutch could be a mirror? Some of the other creative works re-imagine a tote as a hot air balloon, and an evening purse as a swing. Click here to see the rest of the stunning sketches on Laura’s website.

[Source: Laura Laine]

Mirror Handbags on eBay

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So often I see designer bags which appear overworked and ostentatious. That kind of garish design is never flattering, but at least these purses display a little personality. And that’s the sort of pizazz I find sorely lacking with the Little Softee from Accessorize.

The faux leather is soft enough, but it certainly doesn’t have the buttery texture of genuine cowhide, or the tactile appeal of suede. It’s also not the kind of fabric which can stand alone as it’s required to here. With a basic shape and only a little stitching for style, the Little Softee looks a little bland.

I do love the shoulder strap though, with its wide center and knotted details at the ends. If only such a modern look had been employed in the rest of the bag I may have been a little more inspired.

But the lack of bells and whistles does make the Little Softee a versatile choice. It’s not likely to turn heads, but it will prove a functional accessory for years to come.

More Features of This Accessorize Metallic Purse

• Fastens with a metallic snap closure
• An internal zip pocket and two slip pouches
• Measures 14 x 9 inches

Silver Shoulder Bags on eBay

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Ladylike floral prints are big for spring. This Valentino Bouquet d’Ete Printed Tote is perfect for the woman who wants to embrace the trend but avoid overly-fussy all-over patterns.

A vibrant decorative statement adorns this taffeta tote which is accented with patent leather trim and silver-toned hardware. When you’re spending Valentino-level money on a handbag, you might expect real silver and a bit more leather, but taffeta is just as luxe.

While the taffeta and eye-catching print suggest an evening bag, the size – 12 x 17 x 6 inches – puts it more in the daytime category. It’s rare to find such a dressy bag that’s also practical and roomy. So, ladies who lunch on the Upper East Side, take note.

The saturated pinks, blues, yellows and greens stand out chicly against the black background. This bag will be the focal point of any outfit, and would be best worn with one of the colors mentioned above on its own or paired with a neutral.

More Features Of This Valentino Floral Print Handbag

• 2-1/2 inch drop handle and detachable shoulder strap
• Made in Italy
• Matching floral-print wedge shoes are also available

Valentino Tote Bags on eBay

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