Burberry may be known for their nova check pattern, but their leather bags should not be passed up. Why I love their leather bags is the price is typically still manageable for premium designer and the quality coincides with the price. The Burberry Glossy Grain Tote does not give you the typical check pattern, rather soft, glazed grain leather with nickel hardware. What I adore about this bag is the engraved check drop chain detail, it is an easy but edgy touch. The inside brings you logo check lining along with a center zip divider, interior zip, cell phone, and additional pockets. Dimensions are sizable: 3.25″W x 13.25″H x 6″D with a 7.5″ drop. And then there is the price, which like I said before it relatively great. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $895.

One of my favorites of the new crop is the Burberry Metallic Leather Hobo. It’s well-documented that dark silver or pewter is my favorite of all the metallics and probably my favorite neutral, and this is a great example. It has a great shimmer without being too shiny and over-the-top like lighter silvers can tend to be, and it would work well in any kind of weather. Also, I’m usually very anti-logo, but I think the way that Burberry subtly embossed their signature plaid into the soft leather is really creative – it gives the bag a bit of branding and visual interest all wrapped in one. If you’re looking for a slightly glam neutral for fall, I’d go ahead and pick this one up. Buy through Nordstrom for $1795.

Which is why I was so pleased to see the brand new Burberry Leather Satchel. Because of the nature of red pigmentation, in can be really difficult to get a rich color on leather and red bags often lack the pop that I desire. Not so with this purse, though – the red is deep and lovely (patent or glazed red bags usually have better luck getting this effect) and the bag’s design is simple enough to show off the great color. The hardware details are also great, but not overdone – the chain and the handle attachment are both subtly imprinted with Burberry’s signature check pattern. Buy through Nordstrom for $895.

And although the bag may be fairly simple in design, it doesn’t seem like an afterthought to me. The finish of the leather reminds me of the crinkly bags that Prada has released this season, except this bag is slightly more matte and the shoulder strap allows it to be worn as a very chic oversized shoulder bag or across the body. Good design doesn’t necessarily mean extra complications, and based on this line from Burberry, it also doesn’t mean exorbitant prices. This may not be the most exciting bag that any of us have ever seen, but I think the price point is cause to celebrate indeed. Buy through Saks for $375.

What I can’t decide, though, is if the bag itself is bad or if this is just an epically bad choice of color and texture combination. The bag, of course is made out of raffia straw. But when you dye it blue-grey and fade it, then fray it around the edges and stitch it together in a patchwork formation…it just looks like someone cut up my old jeans. And not in a good way. The color is definitely what makes it so obvious, but the tan version looks like frayed denim from a distance as well. I like the shape and the idea of patchwork raffia, but I think it’s lacking in execution. Patchwork denim isn’t a good look on anyone, even if it isn’t really denim. Buy through Nordstrom for $1395.

At first I only saw the picture on the right, the nutmeg version of this tote. To me it was great. A simple leather tote with simplicity as its focus. I liked the shape, I liked that it was slouchy, I loved the rich nutmeg color. But then I saw the picture on the right, the black version of this bag. And the bag lost its luster for me. When stretched out the length of the bag gets long and lanky, and looks like it will just hang aimlessly from your arm. So I am torn down the middle when looking at the Burberry Drawstring Leather Tote. Do I believe it will look more like the nutmeg version on the left or will it loose its composure as the black version does on the right?

My problem is that with the thin shoulder straps, it looks as if the bag could just hang from your body and dig into your shoulder. Leaving an uncomfortable feeling on your arm and a bag that begins to look more and more like a sac dangling. But I am still loving the nutmeg version. The style of this bag is very laid-back and the drawstring/snap closure would make this bag easy to get in and out of while securing tightly. Dimensions are 18½”W X 17″H X 3″D. The price is amazing for a large leather tote. I guess I am looking for you to push me one way or the other: What do you think? Buy through Saks for $550.

But when I do like a neutral, that neutral is almost always some version of pewter or gunmetal, and the Burberry Metallic Leather Hobo is a great example of that color. It’s not a bright silver at all – it has a lot of grey in it, but enough shine and innate glimmer to make it decidedly glam and metallic. I can see it going with almost anything, but I can’t imagine it blending in and hiding at all, as the “neutral” moniker would indicate. So if you’re going to do something neutral, please do something with at least a LITTLE BIT of a kick. Buy through Nordstrom for $1795.

The latest example is the Burberry Prorsum Leather Dégradé Tote. The only real gripe I have with this bag is the usability of the ombre color scheme. It’s somewhere between chartreuse and brown, which is beautiful to look at on its own, but might be hard to incoporate into an average wardrobe unless brown is your go-to neutral. It has the same square “scaling” effect as the Burberry Prorsum Willow Leather Clutch that we spoke of not long ago, and in this case, the dégradé color scheme makes the texture look even richer. You know what I really wish they had done, though? A scarlet red-to-black ombre. I’d be typing in my credit card info right now if they had. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2395.

I’m much more impressed than I previously have been with them. So today, in our Endless Parade of Burberry Handbags That Amanda Likes, we have the Burberry Prorsum Willow Leather Clutch. Like the brand’s other recently featured bags, they’ve worked the leather in a way that gives the bag an enormous amount of texture – the little leather squares flake up like python scales, but would theoretically be much more durable than the often-delicate exotic. It’s got a little wrist strap and a cell phone pocket inside, plus it’s a great neutral color with an interesting textural concept – where do I sign up for one? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $995.

The leather that makes up the base of the bag is just as soft as that that makes up the ruffle decoration, which gives the bag a slouch that would probably break in even more with a bit of use. The strap was plenty long to carry the hobo easily and it also has an extra crossbody strap, if that’s your think. The bag is big but not oversized, and still muted enough, with ruffles and all, to use as an everyday bag that could be carried to work. On the whole, I think Burberry did a beautiful job with this bag, and it’s really too bad that it doesn’t show up well in photos. This is definitely a bag you need to see to appreciate. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2195.

And as much as the check pattern is so over for me, I also am still drawn to it when Burberry can reinvent it some. That is precisely why I love the Burberry Shimmer Tote which is overhauled with the classic plaid pattern in shades of gray cotton with a touch of Lurex shimmer. The bag is quite simple, just cotton trimmed with leather. But it is such a great fall bag. Actually, it has me thinking of fall outfits so much that I am intensely missing having four seasons rather than sunshine year round. The other perk is the double top handles or detachable shoulder strap, which you all know I love the option of the two. There is a zip top and one large inside pocket and a cell phone and PDA pocket. When the bag is flat, dimensions are 15¼”W X 16¼”H X ½”. Buy through Saks for $895.

Burberry is synonmous with its check pattern, which many tire of quickly. I like it here and there, loved my Burberry scarf, but I can only handle it in doses. When Burberry creates a stunning leather bag and leaves the check pattern to the interior lining, they can end up with a fabulous handbag. And this is precisely what has happened with the Burberry Belted Leather Tote. The pebbled calfskin looks soft in pictures, which typically means that it is indeed sumptuous. What I love about this bag is the casual look, the belted accent which gives such a nonchalant finish. No need for crazy amounts of hardware, like in the Burberry Warrior, just simple with a nice touch. This look has me feeling fall already, it will be perfect with hues of green, purple, and brown. The golden hardware is a much better option than silver, giving a refined feeling, which I always feel in fall. Don’t you see that? The long coats and boots dress people up in the fall, making an effortlessly chic ensemble. There is also a detachable shoulder strap, double top handles, and many pockets on the inside. I simply can not argue with this handbag. Buy through Saks for $1195.

Burberry handbags may be actively trying to get away from their signature nova check image, well, sort of. While the preppy nova check pattern is recognizable from miles away, the brand has been striving to bring something new to the table, and attempting to revamp the brand and give the younger, hipper crowd something to swoon over. That is precisely what the Burberry Warrior Bag was supposed to do, but it ended up causing a ruckus with a struggle between love and hate. People either absolutely loved the edgy and funky style or absolutely abhorred it all. To be honest, I loved the bag, but refused to buy it at the price. So I am Warrior-less.

Now Burberry is seemingly trying to tone down the Warrior, just a bit. Adding gold studs to a pastel nova check pattern and taupe leather trim, the Burberry Gold Stud Bags are the not-so-distant relative of the Burberry Warrior Bag. But while the bold and edgy look of the black and silver contrast lured me in on the Warrior Bag, the combination of gold studs on the Burberry Gold Stud Drawstring Bag looks wimpy. The pastel undertones look like a pattern trying to show through, but failing miserably. The gold studs get a bit lost with the taupe leather. The overall feeling is weak. I do find the Burberry Gold Stud Wristlet to be much more appealing, and I wish the Warrior in the black/silver came as a wristlet, because that I would have snatched up. The wave ended Burberry, and these bags are just not cutting it. Buy through Saks for $1,995 for the Bag and $395 for the wristlet.

Burberry Warrior Bag

We arrived in New York yesterday and were greeted with a cold, wet New York day. Really, I did not bring an umbrella as I assumed The Big Apple would be thrilled we are here and would cease all stormy weather. Today again, more rain. After a great day yesterday (lots of pictures and an interview to follow), today is another day we are looking forward to. I made Vlad go to Duane Reade to grab us some umbrellas, just cheap black ones that keep the rain off. When I look outside our window I see mostly black specs of umbrellas briskly walking the streets of New York, intermittent with some Burberry Check pattern ones. We have not covered Burberry handbags in a while, so I find it fitting to cover one today. I spotted the Burberry Check Net Drawstring Bag which redesigns the classic check into a net drawstring bag. This is a great resort bag, especially with the drawstring top giving it such a beach vibe. The nova net is trimmed with leather and the top handles are also leather (which drop 11.5″ at their longest). One thing I am not keen on is the lack of pockets, but the dimensions are still great for a beach tote, 15″W X 17″H X 6″D. Are you a fan or is this bag a waste? Buy through Saks for $995.

*This bag is currently sold out at NAP, but they are expecting shipment again soon!*

Images via Celeb Utopia.