$600 - $799

You know what the Kooba Blair Bag reminds me of? Marisa Tomei’s Oscar dress. Versace’s dove grey origami extravaganza was a site to behold and probably the dress with the most mixed reviews of the night. Everyone either loved it or hated it, there was very little middle ground, and I absolutely loved it. The construction of the dress was flawless and detailed, and it had fashion tongues wagging about whether or not we were seeing an origami trend emerging. Well, if this and several other of Kooba’s Spring 2009 bags are any indication, that may indeed be what we’re seeing.

The Blair bag is definitely more tailored and structured than the average hobo, but it would be impossible to do an origami reference without a good bit of structure. My favorite part is the shoulder strap – it’s quite sculptural and stiff in real life and holds its shape very well, but surprisingly, it still felt fine on my shoulder. The bag makes a statement, and it’s different than a lot of what I’ve seen out there, although I think we’ll be seeing more bags of a similar theme from other designers in the future. I was also a big fan of the color in person – it’s the only bag I’ve seen so far this season that, despite being very light in color, is not a pastel and would look good when worn with white. Most non-white light bags kind of clash with white, but I think this has enough blue undertones to go with it perfectly. Buy through ShopBop for $675.

Yay, new Gryson! I feel like it’s been a while since we’ve seen new bags from them, and although I haven’t adored their previous collections, I think they have a ton of potential to innovate and make great things. And I think I was right, if the new iteration of the Gryson Lola Tote is any indication. Dark pink and black is one of my favorite color combinations, and the bold colorblocking on this tote (it almost looks like it’d hang like a hobo when worn…a tobo!) makes it wearable in more ways than if it had been combined as a pattern or in a more intricate way. When there’s a pattern, it becomes difficult to match a bag to clothing with any kind of pattern, so I recommend bags with large swaths of color, if a bicolor bag is your think. The leather also looks pretty fantastic on this bag – soft, matte, thick. All the reviews I’ve read of Gryson bags in the past have said wonderful things about the materials that are used, and I can see why. When a big is going to by simple in design, such as this one, leather quality is an absolute and total necessity – it becomes to feature point of the bag. It’s clear from the pictures that this company’s designers understand that. Buy through Saks for $795.

I like the Botkier Violet Runway Hobo, even though for some reason I feel like I shouldn’t. I’m not really sure why I feel that way, but it might be the brown strap with the metallic body of the bag. Surprisingly, despite my dual hatred for brown in general and bicolor bags in particular, I think it totally works. The small brown accents turn what could have been an enormous metallic monstrosity into a reasonable day bag by breaking it up a bit and providing a good counterpoint to the blingy nature of shiny metallic leather. I also think Botkier did a great job picking an appropriate shade of metallic for a large bag – gunmetal is the most versatile, most day-friendly metallic available, and it also goes with the greatest variety of colors and outfits. My only bit of trepidation is that this is a bit dark for a spring bag, but I know that many ladies out there aren’t as neutral-averse as I am. In fact, I’ve heard that some of you PREFER neutrals – who woulda thunk? Not I, says the girl with the purple handbag. At any rate, I think this is a real winner from a brand that’s been struggling to find its way for the past several seasons. Buy through Saks for $695.

A good evening bag is hard to find, and a good leather evening bag is even harder. Leather is often an inherently casual fabric – it’s plush, matte appearance can sometimes be not quite glam enough for certain events, even when paired with ritzy hardware and in scaled-down proportions. That presents a problem for people like me – I feel like a dolt paying big bucks for non-leather bags, but I still want a beautiful, well-made, luxury evening bag. Well, the Erva Rouched Leather Sac seems like a perfect solution to my problem. Its soft, supple leather is in a great shade of purple to set off a black outfit, and the skin is draped in such a way that it retains the soft elegance of a silk or satin clutch. It’s rare to see a material that can be so tough and edgy look so delicate and feminine, and the folks at Erva have made it look very easy. The kisslock closure is the perfect touch – dainty and detailed, you’ll want to look at it closer in person and it’s not at all overpowering to the inherent femininity of the bag which it graces. I want one in every color imaginable. Buy through Barney’s for $650.

We all have those moments, moments when we find something we like but aren’t quite sure why. That was my initial reaction with the Rafé New York Riveted Leather Large Tote. Yet as I spent a little more time examining the handbag, I figured out exactly why I like the bag. It is different. Sure, many handbags are different from one another, but this bag is definitely not one you will see everywhere you look. The various detailing found throughout the bag is nothing less than eye catching. The rivets, studs and crossed straps actually all compliment one another. Usually I feel like less is more, but in this situation, I am pleased with the intricate design. And where there are cutouts, the grey linen lining can be seen. Clearly there is ample storage room. But more than that I have to go back to the fact that I like that the bag is a bit different. I can see someone going for a boho chic look carrying a bag like this, can’t you? Plus since the bag has a simple yet intricate look, there has to be several different situations in which you’d like to carry this bag. Buy through Nordstom for $695.

I have a few bag pet peeves – extra straps, lots of hardware, the color brown in its entirety. This one is a little more specific – I hate it when I can’t figure out if a bag is python or “python”. As in, it drives me crazy to not be able to figure out whether a bag is a real or faux exotic. Some materials are obvious based in price – croc and alligator cost thousands, no matter what. Things get a bit tricky with python, however – I’ve seen it happen for less than a grand, particularly when a line is reasonably priced to begin with. Which is why I’ve been googling around, trying to find some more information on the CC Skye Ashley Python Shoulder bag for about 20 minutes now. It’s a beautiful bag, and I can’t find it many places. One place says it’s python several times, another describes it as “snake-embossed leather”. So which is it? I’m inclined to believe the website making the most reasonable claims, particularly considering the very reasonable price tag. Either way, the bag is beautiful. Natural-colored snakeskin may be the most versatile neutral in existence (just try and think of a color it absolutely couldn’t go with) and this bag is roomy and functional while still being beautiful. So whether it’s python or “python,” it’s still pretty awesome. And get this – it’s also available in black. Buy through Singer 22 for $625.

I’ll freely admit that the Alexander Wang Donna Hobo is the type of bag that I profess to not like. It’s got a long strap and they probably want you to wear it across your body, meaning it will do that weird squishy boob thing to anyone over an A cup, and it’ll look weird and maybe awkward worn from one shoulder, and I should be telling you all how much you shouldn’t be buying this bag right now. But…I like it! And I have no idea why! I’ve been staring at it for 20 minutes, and I still can’t figure out exactly what it is that’s tipping things the other way for me. Maybe it’s that this bag feels more authentic – it’s not just TRYING for a punk and biker look, but it’s actually achieving it, and in a way that looks high end. Wang’s bags have gained popularity quickly among the more fashion-forward members of Young Hollywood, and I could totally see an Olsen Twin schlepping around the Donna Hobo, looking slovenly and smoking a cigarette. And that’s the kind of girl that this is made for – the ones with the messed up hair and the weird taste in music that know more about fashion than most of us can ever hope to, although they may not show it on the surface. So maybe that’s the reason I’m digging this bag, and this line in general – it feels like something only the cool kids know about. Buy through Shop Bop for $795.

Pretty in pink? I don’t know about you, but every year around Valentine’s Day my eye is drawn to hues of red and pink much more than during other times of the year. This being the case, the Gryson Hannah Bag jumped out at me due to the color. Well, it was at least the color that first grabbed my attention. The soft magenta leather is girlie while the classic shape of the handbag makes the bag durable and wearable. There are double handles or double shoulder straps to choose from. It’s not often that you see double shoulder straps, but I have to say, I kind of like something different. Start carrying this bag around Valentine’s Day and continue carrying it through the Spring and Summer months. Buy through Luna Boston for $695.

Are you a big handbag kind of person? I certainly am. Well I guess I should rephrase that, I am an any kind of handbag person. But I do have to say that I tend to have favorites. Big handbags definitely fall into that category. But just because I like big handbags doesn’t mean that I like all big handbags out there. The See by Chole Flap Jack Tote Bag is a big bag that is growing on me. I definitely like the color. For the most part I think I have become accustom to seeing large bags that are black. A bright colored large bag is a pleasant surprise. This calfskin bag with double shoulder straps, metallic calfskin trim and silvertone hardware all come together to make a unique handbag. It has cotton canvas lining, several pockets and of course plenty of room for just about anything you might want to store in it. To be honest, one of my favorite parts of this bag is the the metallic calfskin trim; it is definitely not something you see on every bag. Do you think more designers should try to add color into the larger bags they make? Buy this bag through Bloomingdales for $795.

I know I might be getting a little ahead of myself here, but I am thrilled that spring is on its way. And for me, one of the best things about spring is the start of the outdoor concert season. There are so many things in this world that make me happy, but one of them has to be outdoor concerts. I love sitting out on a lawn with some friends and listening to live music as the sun is setting. And while I think about concerts, hey, why not think about the handbag that I might carry to an outdoor venue. I would want something fresh, chic, and bright; something like the Rafe Shiny Croc Ali East/West Tote. This is the kind of handbag that would not just work at an outdoor concert but also work so well through the spring, summer and even fall months. Shiny croco embossed leather tote with double shoulder straps and a magnetic snap closure to keep all your content where they should be is great. Plenty of pockets and storage space make this handbag one that lives up to its “tote” classification. All in all, I like it. Buy through Bloomingdales for $775.