Sometimes when I look at a bag, I think “If only they had made this in a different shape, or for a different purpose.” That’s kind of how I feel about the Cole Haan Biscayne Hobo. Which is weird, because it’s a hobo, and hobos are usually my absolute favorite. I’m much more likely to like a hobo than, say, a tote.

But in this case, I think it would be much better if this bag was a tote. A pattern like this, with this many colors, is going to be really difficult to match to an outfit in order to go shopping, out to dinner, etc. A person would have to wear an outfit with no patterns and very few colors, and what’s the fun in that, particularly if you don’t change your bag every day? It might have worked well, though, as a big tote bag. One that you could use for your laptop and papers for work or school. Bags that serve that kind of function have less of a need to go with every outfit that a person wears, so a crazy pattern isn’t so prohibitive. Buy through Nordstrom for $228.

Seeing cute little tailored bags like the Rebecca Minkoff Straw Fling Minaudiere always makes me wish I had some sort of fancy business dinner to go to. And I don’t, and I probably never will, because I’m a blogger, and that means I don’t shower very often. I’m all about saving water, y’all.

Anyway.

This seems like the perfect understated clutch to straddle the line between business and pleasure. The colors are neutral and the woven pattern reminds me a bit of uber-business-y houndstooth, but the shape is tailored and formal and the material is summer-appropriate and casual. This clutch could potentially be all things to all people, but I think it would be perfect for a summer business dinner, possibly where a smart linen suit is involved. Buy through Luna Boston for $235.

When you get too caught up in the world of handbags it is easy to forget about price friendly options. Let’s be honest folks, not everyone can drop thousands of dollars each time you want to add to your handbag collection. Sure, there are some of you out there (psst – I want to know your secret) but most of us need to pinch pennies, in order to save up for that must-have-will-do-anything-for bag.

Amanda wrote about the Jimmy Choo Metallic Hobo and although I’m not a huge fan of that bag in particular, there was something about it that I do like. Yet the price, yikes! Now, as I was checking out J. Crew I came across a bag that kind of reminded me of the Jimmy Choo bag. Sure, not everything about the J. Crew Large Metallic-Leather Gallery Hobo is the same, but I might actually like this one a bit more. The color pops, the leather is soft and the shoulder strap actually is a great fit for the bag. Better yet, the price. Buy through J. Crew for $325.

I live right on the edge of East Bumble Nowhere, admittedly. The town I live in is really cool, and probably (in my completely biased opinion) the greatest college town in the country, but I live about 3 minutes from the edge of town, which means that livestock is just around the bend. And there’s a flock of sheep out there, which means LAMBS! And they’re adorable in ways you can’t even imagine, and so tiny when they’re born!

And there’s also a lamb on the front of the LAMB Redfin Messenger Bag, and although lambs are cute, and I get why this brand in particular would be using pictures of barnyard animals, I feel like they could have made other types of winking references to their name without being so obvious and literal. Beyond making a bag SHAPED like a lamb, I think this is just about as literal as you could get, and this really isn’t say “high end” to me. Buy through Luna Boston for $195.

Oh, now isn’t this just darling. The Jas MB Rucksack Flap Messenger Bag is the most adorable backpack that we’ve ever seen – that can actually be used as a backpack that is. Which begs the question – why do they call this a messenger bag? It doesn’t appear to have any messenger strap, but it does have two very permanent backpack straps.

No matter why they call it what they do, I much prefer it how it is. I could absolutely see some hipster college student wearing something like this. You know the type – a girl with skinny jeans and straight bangs and Wayfarers in a fun color. This would be the perfect school bag for a girl like that, and there are so very many girls like out there that you’ve got to wonder why more designers don’t target them. In a perfect world, I’d love to see what a brand like Marc by Marc Jacobs would do with a similar style. Buy through Barneys for $565.

Jalda handbags have definitely been becoming more popular. Typically known for her Bean Clutches, I was happy to see a slightly different design. The body of the Jalda Saffiano Clutch is certainly sleek and sophisticated.

But what do I like the most? Without a doubt it would be the chain shoulder strap. It is chunky, funky and definitely adds a bit of youthfulness to the clutch. Sure they chain might be a little overwhelming for the bag, but if you pair this with the right outfit, I am sure the look will be amazing. Upon opening the bag you will see bright turquoise lining; it really pops! And you can’t go wrong with a pewter bag. It is one of those colors that can be worn any time of the year with so many different outfits. Buy through Bluefly for $147.

Sigh. I’m a big Lauren Merkin fan in general. I like a designer that knows what she’s good at and doesn’t venture too far into other territory. There’s something to be said for carving out a niche and really perfecting it, and that’s what Ms. Merkin tends to do with her cute little clutches.

I cannot, however, get on board with the Lauren Merkin Ava Jeweled Clutch. It’s not terrible, per se, it’s just kind of…meh. And I wouldn’t so much call it “jeweled” as I would call it “with rocks randomly attached.” The color and finish of the leather are a little too granola-y for me, as are the color and the general appearance of the “jewels.” The whole thing just isn’t inspiring to me, and clutches have such an infinite ability to be fun and adorable that I’ve come to expect more from Ms. Merkin. Buy through Shop Bop for $325.

I love it when a wayward brand makes good. We’ve discussed previously that Kate Spade has recently taken on some new talent to right the ship, and while this season’s collection isn’t amazing, they have certainly come a long way from their relatively uninspired past.

If the Kate Spade Montclair Jacques Tote is a good representation of their new designer’s talent, then they’ve got lots of positive things to come. The things that strikes me the most about this bag is the apparent care and attention to detail that was taken when designing it. The edges are precise and well-thought, the folding and layering deliberate and painstaking. The contrasting paint that adorns the exposed leather edges gives the design a bit of depth and heft. The overall effect is high-end and expensive-looking, which is exactly what Kate Spade had been missing for a while. Keep turning out more bags like this, please! Buy through Nordstrom for $475.

I’ve grown accustom to handbags with unique names. You know, names after people, places, inspiration, etc. So, it does come as a bit of a surprise to find a handbag that does nothing but name the designer and give a bit of a description of the bag. I am not saying there is anything wrong with this, I am just not used to it. This being the case, I almost skimmed right past the B. Makowsky Metal Edge Pleated Hobo.

I am very glad I didn’t. It was the lush purple leather that drew me in. The goldtone hardware frames this handbag perfectly – a little here, a little there, magnifique! Purple is definite a color worth noticing and so is this bag. I actually have taken quite a liking to the curved seams, folding and pleating. Sure, that combination could be disastrous, but in this case, it makes perfect sense. And for a little extra fun, the bag is lined with leopard lining. Ferocious! Buy through Nordstom for $268.

This clutch took me a bit of guard. I am not always as up to date with Cole Haan handbags as perhaps I should be. I guess they just aren’t on my radar screen like some other designers. But, almost every time I stumble across a Cole Haan handbag, I like what I see. The Cole Haan Keaton Buckle Clutch is no exception.

The sleek snakeskin clutch serves more than just one purpose. Not only will it hold whatever you might typically put in a clutch, but it also will keep you uber organized. Brushed goldtone hardware is a great accent to this clutch. Add the buckle strap detail and buckle strap along the back break up a typical clutch which results in some real texture, some real individuality. Oh one more thing, the price is beyond right!!! Buy through Bluefly for $170.99.