Under $200

I don’t know about you, but I definitely find myself interested in where designers come up with names for handbags. Sometimes I feel like there is a story behind the name that I will never know about and other times the name is 100% clear. Take the Lodis Puzzle Starlet Clutch, for example. I think it is pretty obvious why the words “puzzle” and “starlet” are used. But moving past the name, I have to say, I really like this clutch. The bright patent leather grabs your attention due to the glass mosaic design. I love the sleek design of the clutch. For some reason sleek designed clutches grab my attention. I think it is because I instantly think a sleekly designed clutch adds sophistication and focus. The interior has a center zip divider and comes with a removable ID case with card slots clearly making the transition from your day to day purse to this evening clutch much easier. No, it doesn’t have fancy material, but that means you can always put this up on the bar and not worry about what might get on it or stain it. More than anything else, this clutch is fun, chic, and has attitude. Perfect for a night out on the town. I want one. Buy through Nordstrom for $198.

As we enter fall further and further into fall, winter is just on the horizon. A few of my family members who live up north have already reported a few gloomy snowy days. This reminded me of how dismal some winter days can seem. Gray skies, no signs of life on the trees, people all bundled up simply trying to get from one place to the next. From time to time, it can almost seem outright depressing. Yet, adding a little color to your outfit not only cheers you up but can also cheer others up. I think the Hype Dali Satchel would be a perfect way to add a little color. The orange grained leather exterior contrasted ever so slightly with smooth leather trim and polished goldtone hardware is gorgeous.

Orange is the kind of color that can seem overwhelming if done wrong, but I think Hype put together a successful handbag here. The front zip pocket and pleat detailing adds a little texture and personality to the purse. I like to carry bags that have great closures, like this two-way zip top closure, especially during the winter. I hate when things can fall out of my handbag, but I hate it even more when it is freezing outside and all I want to do is get from one place to the next. One other thing I really love about this handbag is the interior rose pattern lining. A simple extra touch like this sticks out to me and definitely bumps up my desire to own the bag. I love when I open a gorgeous bag and find great lining. And finally, the price is absolutely right. As I begin to think about gifts I need to buy, this would be a perfect gift for a friend without breaking my budget. I think I’m going to have to keep an eye out for Hype bags, what about you? Buy through Bluefly for $177.

I have read a few of mentions of Matt & Nat handbags through the Purse Forum. I actually began to look into this designer a couple months back and I have to say my jaw instantly dropped – in a good way. Matt & Nat are vegan handbags. Can you believe it? The Matt & Nat Japanese Paper Sade Clutch might just be the first vegan purse I call my own. The magenta clutch also has magenta nylon lining, tone on tone stitching and antique silver and black nickel hardware. Open the fold-over zipper closure and you will find plenty of pockets to store anything you carry in your clutch. And you know, the more I think about it, the more I would be absolutely thrilled to tell anyone who asks about my clutch that it is in fact made of vegan leather. I’m not going to go and give up on my fabulous leather handbags anytime soon, but how can you not at least stop and think twice about vegan handbags? Buy this clutch for $150 or peruse other handbags through Stefanibags.

An athletic shoe company? Making nice handbags? You’re not serious, right? Oh, you are? Ok…well I guess Puma is slightly more stylish than your average sneaker brand, and they are a favorite of hipsters everywhere. So maybe I can see that. They do make a lot of man bags that seem very popular, a woman bag couldn’t have been far behind. And now ShopBop carries them, which, you know, who knew? And I quite like the Puma Runway Shoulder Bag. I’d take the extra shoulder strap off (natch!), but what you’ve got is an affordable, on-trend (purple AND patent!), highly usable handbag. I like the light gold hardware (particularly the zip-around zipper) and the subtle branding, plus the color is divine and I wouldn’t be afraid to throw it on the floor of my car if I needed to (at the moment, it makes me absolutely cringe). And, I mean, I guess you could use it as a messenger bag, if you’re in to that sort of thing. Which I’m not. So. Buy through Shop Bop for $110.

When I think of LeSportsac, I don’t necessarily think of clean design and aesthetic restraint. That’s really not there thing, and I won’t pass judgement on that – to each her own, and they’ve got a huge following of people that eat it up and adore it. That’s why I was surprised when I saw the LeSportsac Lexie Tech Tote. In my all-time-favorite-neutral grey, the tote is subdued, simplisticly chic, and very usable in day to day life. It’s so hard to find a stylish, well-made laptop bag, and with a name like Lexie Tech Tote, that is surely what this is intended to be. The center compartment is padded for safe storage, and because the bag is fashionable, it doesn’t scream “steal me, I have a laptop inside!” I also find the side-fastening very interesting; the clips pull the bag shut without giving it a hard closure on the actual opening. Smells innovative to me – I truly cannot remember seeing something like that elsewhere. All things considered, this is surely the chicest tech bag I’ve seen in a long while. Buy through Shop Bop for $120.

Lusting after a gorgeous handbag is always fun. But from time to time, I come across a handbag-esque item that I think is worth sharing. I would have to say just about every time I reach for my make-up bag, I say to myself, “I really could use a new one”. I am sure you know what I am talking about. Make-up bags aren’t something I lust after nor do I wish I had several to choose from depending on my outfit. However, you know it is time for a new one when the the inside lining looks like a color palate an artist would die for. For me, the LeSportsac Peacock Val Cosmetic Bag is a great option. I don’t think it makes much sense to spend your money on something that never leaves the house (except when traveling) and is bound to get dirty. Yet at the same time, I like the idea of a fun and functional make-up bag like this one.

And actually, since the bag is so affordable, you could buy this, fill it with new make-up, other goodies and give the fun-filled bag to someone for a holiday gift. Ooooh, I like that idea. I might have to do it myself! But it got me thinking, should I spend a little more on a make-up bag, I mean is there any reason to? What do you think? At this point, I’m still pretty pleased with the look of this bag and I might have to visit Shop Bop to buy it for an ever so reasonable $23.

The Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show began yesterday and is running through November 3rd. Living in Ft. Lauderdale has several perks, but one definitely has to be when the Boat Show is here. You might not know this, but Ft. Lauderdale, believe it or not, has been referred to as the Venice of America. With tons of intercoastal waterways, it is a great location for boats of all shapes and sizes. When I came across the Marc by Marc Jacobs Graffiti Standard Supply Tote, I am not sure why, but I instantly thought of the Boat Show. For whatever reason, I feel like this would be a great tote for a day of yachting. Ok, don’t judge me if you think I am way off my rocker. I am not a yachter; I am only going off of what I imagine. I actually really like the graffiti-print canvas handbag. No, this is nothing fancy; it isn’t one of those designer handbags you pick up for one of your dress to impress outfits. But, I can see how this could come in handy. The simple black and white means the handbag can go with so many different outfits and be used for several occasions. If you were cruising the intercoastal on a yacht, could you see yourself carrying this with you? Buy through Shop Bop for $148.

I cannot for the life of me think of how this bag would come in handy. So here is the deal. I have come across this bag for the past couple weeks and every time I have I cringed just a little bit. I guess I finally had to write about it. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Dot Hobo is a complete miss in my book. Apparently this hobo is supposed to fit comfortably on your shoulder, but I can’t imagine this resting ever so gracefully on your side. In fact, I feel like the shape of the bag is a bit awkward. On my shoulder I think I would be spending most of the time trying to carry it a little behind my arm as the bag keeps rubbing up against it. I don’t know about you, but one of my biggest pet peeves about bags is when you look like you are fighting with it in order for it to just be still! The color is ok, but on this bag it looks like it is too much. Again, with a large hobo, there will obviously be plenty of room for you to store anything and everything you might need. This hobo is no exception to the rule; it is huge. Maybe it would be ok for a day at the beach, but otherwise, I don’t think you would ever see me carrying it around. However, if you disagree, you can buy through Bluefly for $173.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Poem Print Canvas Tote

Sigh. I have a few conflicting thoughts on the BCBGMAXAZRIA Poem Print Canvas Tote, so bear with me here.

First, I think it’s great that, at $88, its appropriately priced for a canvas bag. Canvas bags should not cost as much as leather bags. Period. This is the first tenet of savvy handbag-buying.

Second, I want to know if the words on it are actually from poetry, or if they’re just random fun-sounding words. As a writer, I think it would be kinda awesome if it was a real poem. But it’s probably not, I’m guessing, since handbag designers aren’t writers and probably don’t think about these things. I’ve zoomed in as much as Saks would let me (and briefly considered opening the image in Photoshop to zoom in further, but that would make my office-mates REALLY wonder about me), and as far as I can tell, no real poetry. A few lines that sounded like they’d be better for cheesy R&B song lyrics, and then a bunch of the brand name. My dreams are basically thwarted on this front.

Third…did anyone else look at this and think “Tory Burch tote bag?” Because I certainly did. The setup, materials, and center applique are all VERY similar to totes we’ve seen from Ms. Burch’s line, and I find it a bit disconcerting. Amanda no likie design stealers.

So, my opinion of BCBG’s effort here is decidedly blah. Not their finest work. But at least the price is right, I guess? Buy through Saks for $88.

Bows are back. Well, actually, do they ever completely go away? I mean, I definitely notice that bows are more popular some years than the next, but I feel like bows are an accessory that never completely disappear. Kooba found a great way to incorporate a bow into their clutch. The Kooba Kasie Bow Clutch is definitely one I would love to see in my closet. The crosshatched metallic leather is contrasted with leather piping. The pleating and bow detail on the front of the clutch takes a classic look and makes it chic, urban and youthful. Now, since I am a huge Kooba fan, I am sure my opinion could be a little biased. But, I have to say, Kooba bags are wonderfully made. I’ve had my first Kooba for about six years now and it looks as amazing as the day it was given to me. Well, minus a few of my own mishaps of course. So, if this clutch is made like a typical Kooba bag, it is sure to stay looking gorgeous for all the bow seasons to come. Buy through Bluefly for $195.