$800 +

At first glance, I can think of a million ways this tote can be used, why it would be a good investment, and why I really need it right now. After that first glance, though, the doubts begin to set in. That’s because while this Marc Jacobs Fresh Dew Tote is quite pretty, the price seems way too high for what you’re getting here. And I think for a tote of this style, I’d much rather have some neat woven rope handles. Otherwise, the shape is great.

The handles seem in proportion with the bag, and the hooks that connect them to the tote itself ensure that the handles will flap down when the tote is set down, rather than standing up awkwardly like most beach bags. The exterior compartment adds zest to the bag by bringing in more gold, and the canvas that the tote is constructed of is coated, leading me to believe that this is waterproof. But still- the tote is so open that it could not be used as an everyday bag, and I feel that, at least for me, the style and color looks a little too un-usable as a schoolbag. For this price, at the very least. I’m picturing it at the beach, the pool, and for some sort of fancy picnic. For almost a grand, shouldn’t we at least get a little more than “goldtone” hardware? Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $895.

The studded line from Alexander Wang is the most anticipated line of handbags that I can remember since the heyday of the It Bag several years back. Mary-Kate (or was it Ashley?) Olsen showed up around town wearing the line’s satchel a few months ago, and fahionistas everywhere clammered to know who made it and where they could get it. Well, the answer was that they couldn’t get it, and that they’d all have to wait. The line has since inspired wait lists and hype that we haven’t seen in a while, and it makes this bag veteran smile to see it again.

And while we haven’t been able to locate online the satchel that the Olsens made famous, we DO have the Alexander Wang Hilary Large Tote, which I like even better. The widely spaced, nontraditional studs give this bag a totally different, industrial look when compared to your average studded bag by a lesser designer, and Wang continues his tradition of making oddly fabulous purses that I like despite not totally understanding why. He’s one of the most exciting new designers out there, and I can’t wait to see more from his fall line. Buy through ShopBop for $890.

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.

Before this year, I had never ever seen a high-end handbag made of nubuck. In fact, I had to look up exactly what nubuck was in order to write this post. I had heard of it previously, of course – mostly in the suede-ish bomber jackets sold at cheapy retailers like Wal-Mart during the winter – but was unsure if it was ACTUALLY an animal product. And as it turns out, it is. To be more precise, it’s leather buffed on the skin-side to look and feel similar to suede (which is, of course, made from the other side of a tanned skin).

It had been completely off my fashion radar until YSL made several bags out of the material last season, and now we’ve got the Jerome Dreyfuss Nubuck Billy Bag in the same material. We already covered this bag in a nasty 80s upholstery pattern, but now it’s in bright turquoise, and I’m feeling a bit differently about it. It’s far from love-at-first-sight, but the color is so bright and pretty that it make’s the bag’s awkward construction and unusual material work. Sort of. It looks kind of deconstructed and more hippy chic than hippy dippy, and it may just prove the old political adage true: the medium is the message. Buy through ShopBop for $848.

Is Alexander Wang naming some of his bags after Beverly Hills 90210 characters? If he was, that would make me like him even better. First, I told you guys about the Donna hobo, which shares a name with Tori Spelling’s character on the original version (although I doubt Tori is cool enough to carry this bag in real life), and now I have the Alexander Wang Brenda Washed Shoulder Bag, which shares a name with crazyperson Shannen Doherty’s character (who may be almost cool enough in real life to have one of these bags, although she’d probably have to pay retail). And this bag is cool in the same way that the Donna was – it looks, on the surface, kinda unfashionable. But when worn correctly, and by the right person with the right attitude, it’s far and away more stylish than any bag I’ve seen lately by our more established friends in the design world. My desire for this bag is larger than I ever thought it would be, and I generally hate bags with long chain straps. Alexander Wang is really on to something with his handbag line. I can’t wait to see more. Buy through Barney’s for $725.

Ok, so you’ve already seen plenty of entries about handbags that sport some sort of fringe. And for better or worse it doesn’t look like fringe is going anywhere anytime soon. I struggle when I try to decide if fringe on a bag is a hit or a miss. As I’ve said before, when it comes to fringe less is best. But I know there are plenty of handbags, boots and items of clothing that boast tons of fringe. What about this Vanessa Bruno Fringe Hobo, does the fringe do the hobo good, or bad? This pebbled leather handbag placed it’s fringe on the front patch pockets and tab. At closer look, I wouldn’t mind the fringe on the bag if the fringe on the tab was removed. I do like the double handles; that almost came as a pleasant surprise. Sometimes little surprises like this make the bag worth a second look. The lined interior has zipper pockets and two patch pockets. As with most hobos, there is plenty of room to store your essentials. But, I am not sure I can get past what I consider to be too much fringe. So, tell me, what amount of fringe is just right? If you feel this bag is it, buy through Shop Bop for $830.