I find myself often not being a huge fan of this brand, but there’s a first time for everything, right? And in a way, I actually quite like the Giorgio Brato Painted Side-Pleat Bag.

What first attracted my attention was the painted finish. It’s just distressed enough without being obvious or fake-looking, and the underneath color is close enough to the paint color that it actually achieves the look they’re trying to get at. This is an exceptionally difficult line to walk that I’m kind of impressed anyone was able to get it right, let alone a brand I usually misses the mark. I also like the detailing of the bag – the pleating and pintucking at the sides are just enough to give the bag some visual interest without competing with the painted finish. I have one question, though – what do you guys think the odds are that the paint is going to fade and wear over time? That would be my first area of concern, and if anyone has had a bag with a painted finish in the past, please let us know how it wore in the comments. Buy through Shop Bop for $981.

One thing that I don’t get to do very often on PurseBlog Savvy is write about exotic bags. Even though more and more bags are being made with exotic skins, particularly snakeskins, designers still usually price them above the thousand-dollar price ceiling to which we tend to adhere. I don’t think it’s necessarily as a result of the price of the raw materials – snakeskin is undoubtedly more expensive, but not THAT much more – but because of the consumer’s perception that exotics SHOULD cost a certain amount. Because it’s widely expected, designers don’t have much motivation to charge less.

But then there are companies like Biern and purses like their Watersnake Caroline Bag. They seem to have based their entire line on the idea that exotics don’t have to break the bank if done correctly, and based on the prices they’re charging and how quickly their bags sell out on BlueFly, they seem to be right. These bags aren’t rocket science – their designs are simple and functional, with flat handles and shapes made to hold plenty of stuff. But they are made of real watersnake, so anyone that’s always wanted an exotic bag and can’t justify dropping three stacks on one, here you go. Buy through BlueFly for $172.

I am always searching for a great beach bag. The kind of bag that can go from the sand, to the bar, to the restaurant. It needs to be something functional, fresh and fun! But I would be lying if I said I didn’t care what it looked like. Although typically a little more than I would pay for a beach bag, the Michael Kors Marina Medium Tote might actually be a viable option.

True, the rope detailing is a bit much, but hey, it could be a conversation starter. This canvas tote with leather trim and double handles looks like it has what it takes to handle the sun and sand while still looking rather cute. I think canvas is great for the beach due to its durability. After you open the bag, you’ll have all sorts of compartments to stash your must haves. Of course, the marina theme helps to make me think of the beach, so I am sure you know how my mind went all beachy with this bag. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $595.

Whenever I think of Steve Madden, I still think of those black wedges with the thick, stretchy strap that were SO popular when I was in middle school. I think everyone had a pair of those elasticized monstrosities, except for me, because my mom thought that they’d be bad for my feet. I have since gotten my revenge on her by refusing to wear anything but flip-flops for the rest of my life.

Anyway, ol’ Steve is trying pretty hard to make sure we forget about those ridiculous shoes of the late ’90s, if the Steven by Steve Madden Shirred Soft Hobo is any indication. It’s got a great, poppy color, an interesting, cut-up construction, and if the name is to be believed, then it should be soft and supple as well. It’s my favorite size and shape and would work great as an everyday bag. Plus, the higher-end “Steven” line still prices their all-leather handbags really well – you can Buy through Nordstrom for $268.

I’m not a wallet person. I have one, because I feel like I have to. I bought it before I really knew anything about high-end handbags and it was one of my first luxury purchases. I was a freshman in college. It still looks pretty much new because I rarely, if ever, touch it. Which means I’m always vaguely surprised when my friends pull out wallets that are busting at the seams with receipts, sticky notes, coupons, and all other sorts of things. All of that crap lives at the bottom of my purse, but for those that prefer to have a separate holder for it, I present the Kooba Large Tab Wallet.

It’s somewhere between a clutch and a wallet (if you have a very small cell phone, I suppose) and has lots of pockets for all your stuff in two different zip-around compartments. One of the best parts, though, is the faux-python finish. Wallets get tumbled around constantly, get bent out of shape, and rub against everything else in your purse. A wallet with an intricate pattern, such as snakeskin, is going to do a great job hiding any signs of wear and tear. Buy through Nordstrom for $295.

I don’t think I’ve seen a handbag with this kind of shape and look for a while now. Since it is kind of new to me, I can’t decide if I like it quite yet. It seems as it the handles of the Hobo International Slim Horizontal Zip Satchel are too big for the bag. I think it is mostly because the bag itself has such a sleek and somewhat small look. The color, I love. It is bright, vibrant and simply pops. If I was in the market for a handbag that was a bit unique and different this one might be in the running. Or actually, better yet, ditch the handles and you might have yourself a cute clutch! But what do you think? Do you like the look or does it seem off-kilter? Buy through Nordstrom for $158.

All I can say right now is that I really need a bunch of slouchy, soft, touchable purple leather in my life. Yep. That’s all this clutch makes me think. The picture itself? Not that awesome. I’ve seen other pictures of the Foley + Corinna Arm Candy Clutch in different colors that do it much more justice – it’s oversized and slouchy while still being structured because of the frame closure. But none of them, none of them at all, have the purple leather that this one has, and it’s the purple that I really want to talk about.

This color? Seriously? I’m in heaven. It’s the absolute perfect shade of purple, will look great with pretty much color except red or royal blue, and the shape is simple enough that you’ll use it for years as a go-to going out bag. So what are you waiting for? Go get one so I can live vicariously. Buy through Luna Boston for $365.

In a world where an increasing number of people are concerned over the condition of the environment and how the cattle industry impacts it (something about cow farts, I’m not sure, honestly), it’s important to a lot of consumers to have options that they perceive as environmentally friendly and conscientious. It seems like a new brand pops up every day trying to fill this part of the market, but let’s face it, some of the bags aren’t cute. Well, the all-vegan Deux Lux Tribeca Woven Hobo sort of is. It has a strong, obvious Bottega Veneta influence with a bit more of a rustic edge.

I can’t say that I enjoy the webbing at the handles, but overall it’s relatively unoffensive and might even be something that customers without environmental concerns would consider adding to their handbag collection. And that’s always been the problem with environmentally friendly products – convincing average consumers that they’re not sacrificing what they really want by getting something that’s less harmful to the world around them. I’m not sure that this bag can do that, but it’s a strong contender. Buy through Luna Boston for $125.

I. Want. A. Wristlet. I want a wristlet! And when it comes to actually PURCHASING things of this nature, I am woefully indecisive until something just HITS me over the head and it becomes totally obvious that, yes, that is what I shall purchase. I spent a day last week scoping out handbags at one of the better malls in Atlanta, and of all the wristlets I saw (and there were many, I assure you), the winner has got to be the Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Wristlet.

The leather is the same soft and wonderful kind that’s used in the rest of the bags in the Q line, it’s big enough to put my Blackberry in (and my Blackberry takes up more than a bit of space, mind you), and the wrist strap is long enough to slide easily over my hand (I was shocked at how many wristlets had straps so tiny that I had to fight to get them on – my hands aren’t that big!). And that’s all I really need or want in a wristlet – it’s supposed to be simple and inconspicuous, hold only the essentials, and be easy enough to get on and off of my wrist. So, check, check, and check. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. Buy through Saks for $168.

My personal belief is that Kooba is at its best when they’re using soft leather in a muted color and with limited hardware. Their designers have a knack for making the simple interesting, and if they’d stick with things like the Kooba Convertible Hobo and stay away from the gimmicks, then I’d be a really happy camper. This bag is beautiful in its simplicity – it’s not over-designed, and I think it would probably wear well. The leather looks exceptionally soft, as it does on many of Kooba’s bags, and a soft, slouchy hobo is my favorite kind of bag out there.

This bag does have a bit of a gimmick, though, but I think it’s a good one. The strap up there is convertible from a regular-length hobo strap to a longer, hip-slung hobo strap. I’m not sure exactly how that is, based on the limited pictures available, but if they say it can be done then I believe them. If you’re unsure about the long-strap trend, a bag that converts a single strap from one style to another is probably the best (and certainly the most elegant) way to explore it. Buy through Nordstrom for $575.