Rampage gives the classic boxy-shaped satchel a modern makeover with the Caden.

At its core this is a very traditional satchel, but its tough attitude makes it much more contemporary. I’m not usually a fan of metallic hues on large handbags, but the weathered finish on the gunmetal synthetic helps mellow the hue. The modern shade is also a lovely complement to the gleaming metal hardware which circles the base and services the straps.

With so many designers downsizing their bags, it’s interesting to see Rampage bucking the trend. Anyone who enjoys stepping out with their kitchen sink will appreciate the extra inches, but they also make the bag more difficult to manage. The short strap will work if you’re travelling lightly, but it’ll be useless once there’s any weight underneath it. Thankfully Rampage has also added an extra cross-body strap to help us out. This attachment is also completely adjustable for just the right fit.

By choosing synthetic rather than real leather, Rampage has kept the Caden affordably priced at $118. I wouldn’t call it a bargain, but we are getting a lot of bag for our dollar.

More Features of This Rampage Gunmetal Satchel

• Top zip closure
• Exterior magnetic snap pocket
• A single handle with a 3 inch drop
• An attachable strap with an 11 to 23 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 12 x 6 inches

Get this Rampage Caden Handbag:

• Available to buy at Nordstrom
• Check the Beanie Babies and More eBay store to see if this Rampage bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Rampage bags on BagBunch
• The Rampage Nessie tote bag, a great alternative to this large bag.
• Searching for more Rampage bags on eBay
• Other gunmetal bags on eBay:

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When Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen released a $39, 000 alligator backpack through their The Row label a few seasons ago, we all scoffed. Yet it seems the celebrity sisters were on to something. Their luxury handbag sold out, and now it seems other high end labels are clamoring to replicate their success.

Backpacks have been all over the new season catwalks as fashion houses follow the latest “sport luxe” trend. I find this blend of casual athletic gear and high class luxury curious, but it’s rare that I embrace everything on the runways. Do you think you could pull it off?

If so you might enjoy the burgundy leather backpack Alexander Wang showed, or the edgy metallic green ones on Felder Felder’s catwalk. It’s hard to shake the feeling that this style of bag is intended for school kids, but the rise of the backpack is a surprisingly practical fashion trend. We have all the space we could hope for, and if we use the dual straps we won’t even get the chiropractor bills that usually come with large accessories!

Just remember to wear yours in the center of your back, so its base sits just beneath your waistline. Too high and you’ll look like a super keen student; too low and you’ll seem like an angry emo kid. Neither look exactly screams high class fashion, does it?

[Source: The Telegraph]
[Image Source: Barun Patro/Stock.xchng]

Leather Backpacks on eBay

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Ralph Lauren helps us add a touch of luxury to our everyday lives with this Harbridge Hobo.

The soft curves and slouchy silhouette are classic hobo, but the snake-embossed surface makes it feel more sophisticated than the average. It’s not the most convincing cobra mimic, but I appreciate its neutral tones and chic mottled pattern. It’s not overly showy, but that makes it perfect for such a large surface.

This really is a big bag, which is both a good and a bad thing depending on how you look at it. On one hand we’re treated to as much space as we could ever need. The trio of slip and zip pockets go some way towards keeping the interior organized, although not far enough in my opinion. A central zippered pocket dividing the space would have been much more practical.

The strap also feels a shade too short. It’ll sit over your shoulder, but snugly. Personally I’d have preferred a cross-body option to better distribute the weight of all that bulk.

The Harbridge isn’t the best designed bag but it is a head-turner made from high quality materials. I think it’s priced a shade too high at $548, but if I could find it on sale I’d be sorely tempted.

More Features of This Lauren by Ralph Lauren Snake Embossed Hobo

• Magnetic closure
• Twill lined interior
• A single strap with a 4 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 4 x 14.5 inches

Get this Ralph Lauren Harbridge Handbag:

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

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• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Ralph Lauren bags on BagBunch
• The matte Ralph Lauren Harbridge hobo bag, a great alternative to this snake embossed bag.
• Searching for more Ralph Lauren bags on eBay

Rafe’s created a purse to take you from a busy day of errands to a night on the town with the Liz wristlet.

The Liz doesn’t have the flash of some of Rafe’s other accessories, but that makes it a very versatile creature. It’s not without flair though. While its black color is traditional, the crinkly texture helps the leather stand out in a crowd. The long zipper pulls on the external pockets also give the purse some more personality.

Good looking accessories are a dime a dozen though, so I’m happy to see Rafe’s backed up the Liz’s contemporary design with some practical features. The front pockets hint at what’s to come. The generously proportioned main compartment has a spacious zippered pocket and a handful of slips for gadgets. Making that wrist strap detachable might have given the Liz a bit more versatility, but ultimately I think a purse this size is best served with a strap of some sort.

The Liz is a solid purse, but I’m not sure it’s worth the $295 Rafe is asking. However if it’s on sale, I’d snap it up!

More Features of This Rafe Crinkle Leather Wristlet

• Fully lined interior
• A wrist strap with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 7.5 x 2.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Rafe Liz Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Nicole’s Overflowing Closet eBay store to see if this Rafe bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Rafe bags on BagBunch
• The Rafe Jodie wristlet bag, a glitzy alternative to this wristlet bag.
• Searching for more Rafe bags on eBay
• Other black leather wristlet bags on eBay:

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Meryl Streep isn’t the only big name profiting from the success of The Iron Lady. British fashion firm Launer is enjoying record sales as women everywhere attempt to emulate Margaret Thatcher’s no nonsense style.

The firm reports that sales of its boxy purses have increased by 59% since the biopic hit cinemas earlier this month. It’s so optimistic about the results that it plans to add more sewers and machinists to its workforce to cope with the demand.

Launers business was already booming following the royal wedding last April. After the Queen carried a Launer bag to that occasion the company’s sales rose by some 60%. And those figures might have been even higher if the demand hadn’t crashed the Launer website for two days! The monarch has been a longtime fan of Launer’s accessories, so the company will no doubt have his fingers crossed that she’ll carry another of its bags to the upcoming diamond jubilee celebrations. Can we feel another sales spike coming on?

Launer has long been a favorite amongst older Brits, but it’s only recently that the label’s captured the imaginations of younger fashion fans. It’s observed more 25 to 35-year-old women buying its bespoke designs, which is really encouraging for the brand going forward.

Is a Launer bag on your wardrobe wishlist?

[Source: Express & Star]
[Image Source: Wikipedia Commons]

I’m not sure whether Radley was influenced by Christina Hendricks’ formidable Mad Men character, but there’s a delicious retro air about this Holloway Shoulder Bag.

Joan would probably carry something more petite to the offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, but I like to think of this shoulder bag as the modern equivalent. We’ve got all that extra technology to worry about after all!

The Holloway has a very proper look, with polished buckles and a structured shape. However the signature Scottie Dog charm gives the design just a splash of whimsy.

This handbag is a great medium size, which makes it perfect for everyday use. It’s not big enough to weigh you down, but it should hold everything you really need. Just remember to utilize those side pockets for those items you need on hand.

The Holloway is available in a range of classic colors, that some may call boring. However black, hazelnut, and this rich brown called bitter chocolate, will always find a place in any wardrobe. That versatility and quality makes the Holloway great value at £179.

More Features of This Radley Leather Shoulder Bag

• Zip fastening
• An interior zip and slip pocket
• A single strap with an 11.8 inch drop
• Measures 11.8 x 8.7 x 4.3 inches

Get this Radley Holloway Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Radley bags on BagBunch
• The Radley Large Grab Bag, a great alternative to this medium bag.
• Searching for more Radley bags on eBay
• Other brown leather shoulder bags on eBay:

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It’s been some time coming, but Jill-e Designs has finally created a carry bag for iPad 2 fans. The E-GO Leather Tablet Tote is designed to carry Apple’s latest device in style.

“Our stylish new E-GO Leather Tablet Tote has been created to safely carry the iPad 2 and these other remarkable electronic devices by successfully fusing fashion and function,” explained Jill-e Design’s co-founder and president Gail Backal.  “It satisfies a growing demand for bags that not only offer security for today’s ubiquitous personal electronic devices, but also a certain flair and ‘eye appeal’ that help establish your personal image.“

The tech tote is created from buttery soft leather fashioned into a messenger-style design. Its adjustable cross-body style strap is perfect for busy days, while its array of exterior pockets are perfect for stashing the items you want on hand. Its mid-sized main compartment is also lined with fabric and cushioned to keep your tablet safe in transit.

Jill-e Designs knows the tablets don’t come cheaply, so it’s priced its E-GO Leather Tablet Tote affordably at $99.99. It will be available in black or white from selected retailers around the world, including Jill-e Designs’ website, from the middle of February.

[Source: PR Newswire]

Jill-e Designs Bags on eBay

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Puma shows us good things can come in small packages with the Avenue.

What I like most about the Avenue is that it doesn’t really look like a gym bag. Its fabric body isn’t very sophisticated, but the petite dimensions help it seem a bit more stylish. I also love the bold purple hue and the subtle stitched signature print. If you’re going to cover a bag in a logo print, this is the way it should be done.

This small satchel isn’t made for exercise fanatics, but it should have enough space for casual gym bunnies. Its dainty interior can handle a pair of trainers and a change of clothes, although a thick gym towel and some toiletries is probably pushing it. I also appreciate the array of interior pockets which make staying organized that much easier.

The long strap is the final finishing flourish for me. It’s completely adjustable, so we can wear it short as a shoulder bag or extend it and sling the Avenue across our body. That’s probably the easiest way to carry the satchel, particularly if it’s full, but I always appreciate a few choices.

The Avenue’s affordable material sees it priced at just $49. For that money you won’t mind too much if that New Year’s resolution to get fit doesn’t stick!

More Features of This Puma Embossed Satchel

• An adjustable strap with a 26.5 inch drop
• Measures 10.63 x 7.48 x 2.75 inches

Get this Puma Avenue Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check the House of Fly Kicks eBay store to see if this Puma bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Puma bags on BagBunch
• The Puma Avenue Shopper bag, a great alternative to this stitched bag.
• Searching for more Puma bags on eBay
• Other Puma Avenue bags on eBay:

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Proenza Schouler claims to cater to our after five needs with this Evening Clutch. However I’m just not sure it really delivers.

Proenza Schouler is a day bag specialist, so adjusting to our evening needs was always likely to be a tricky transition. However it barely seems like Proenza Schouler has tried at all. This is the same old Proenza Schouler bag, although admittedly on a smaller scale.

The clean, utilitarian design is classic Proenza Schouler, although the citron yellow hue gives it a bit of a lift. But it’s not very evening appropriate, so it seems like false advertising. I’m not suggesting the purse needed to be covered in sequins or gemstones, but replacing the leather with an exotic skin would have helped it feel less ordinary.

Perhaps we just need to adjust our expectations. If we’re looking for a purse to pop against an everyday ensemble, this will fit the bill. You’ll need to learn to travel lighter than usual, but the metal chain strap will help us out when we’re on the go.

This Proenza Schouler Purse has some admirable qualities, but I’m still struggling to see value. For $1175 I expect something special, and this just isn’t it.

More Features of This Proenza Schouler Yellow Purse

• Hinged top closure
• Fully lined interior
• Silver-toned hardware
• A chain strap with a 20 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 5 x 3 inches

Get this Proenza Schouler Evening Handbag:

• Available to buy at Kirna Zabete
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Proenza Schouler bags on BagBunch
• The Proenza Schouler PS11 Textured Leather Clutch bag, a great alternative to this small bag.
• Searching for more Proenza Schouler bags on eBay
• Other yellow leather bags on eBay:

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Jewelry designer Daniel Espinosa is expanding his accessories line to include clutch purses.

The Mexican designer continues to celebrate his culture with the new evening purses, dubbed Jewel Clutches. They’re predictably embellished with colorful jewels including Austrian crystals and semiprecious stones, jade and rose quartz, and even seashells. The addition of animal prints and tribal patterns makes some clutches a bit busy for my tastes, but at least they’re not blending into the background! I do appreciate the streamlined shapes which ensure that even the most cluttered purses don’t seem too overwhelming.

After 24 years in the jewelry making business, it seems a bit strange for Espinosa branch out now. However a company spokesperson says the expansion into the world of handbags is a “natural evolution from jewelry into a new classification.” That makes some sense, as the line between clutch purses and jewelry is often blurry. Hopefully that comment suggests that Espinosa plans to introduce larger handbags for daytime use in the future.

Considering the liberal use of semi-precious accents I’m impressed that Daniel Espinosa has kept the Jewel Clutches priced between $145 and $250. In the fashion world that’s relatively little to spend on such unique purses. Look for them in the usual retailers soon.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]