It may not seem like a revolutionary handbag, but I’ve been waiting for this teal and black version of the Diane von Furstenberg Harri Clutch to make its debut for what seems like 800 years – ever since I saw it on the Fall 2011 runway way back in February. In reality, it’s a matter of months, but in fashion time that’s an utter eternity. Still, something about the simple color combination and clean lines of this clutch gets under my skin, and I’d like it to get into my closet.

This type of texture is the perfect (and perfectly affordable) in-between for someone who wants to experiment with color but who isn’t quite sure if they’re ready to make, say, turquoise a wardrobe staple quite yet. Because the clutch is half black, it’s a little more accessible for someone who tends to stick with dark colors for evening events. If you’re a little more adventurous (or just sick of snakeskin), DvF has two more interesting options in the same shape that I’ve included after the jump. If you prefer the snake texture (as I do), you can get it for $350 via Matches.

Diane Von Furstenberg Harri Block Clutch, $495 via Matches

Diane Von Furstenberg Harri Wave Clutch, $365 via Matches

As we already discussed in our general review of Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2012, DVF was all about lightness for spring, much more so than usual, and that choice certainly carried over into the season’s handbags. There are a lot of whites, ivories, lilacs and dove greys to be found among these leather goods, with an occasional shot of emerald or cobalt to make sure that everyone stays awake.

Not that it would be a problem without the brights, of course. Von Furstenberg’s company has shown great growth in its handbag designs, and although I’d chuck the folded, hand-slotted clutches out of this collection entirely, everything else makes beautiful sense, both in the context of the clothes and the season itself. Pay special attention to one of the newcomers: a ladylike, structured shoulder bag with an elongated top flap. I can’t wait to see the full range of colors it will be available in at retail.

Even though the notes for Diane von Furstenberg’s Spring 2012 runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York indicated that the inimitable DVF had been inspired by modern Africa, the clothes that can down the runway felt a lot more like early-1960s California to me. Between the soft color palette (the show opened with white, a first for von Furstenberg), the midcentury modern floral prints and the models with beehive hairdos, I could have sworn we were all in Palm Springs.

Regardless of location, though, this collection is where I want to be in my mind. It looks like a place of relaxation and chic comfort, and even though lavender flowers on an ivory background have precious little to do with my personal style, DVF pulls it off so well in some of these looks that I can’t resist. After all, who works with pattern like she does?

I have professed my love for my two DvF Stephanie Hobos countless times (here here here) and now my DvF love is being geared toward the Elaine line of bags. Amanda already covered the Shoulder Bag, and today I want to share the DvF Elaine Festival Crossbody with you.

The Elaine line will undoubtedly offer countless sizes and options for every fashionista out there, but I am set on this iteration in particular. I love the classic appearance of the design paired with the long shoulder strap and tassel detail. Also, great news for those that don’t always love the extra tassel flair: This one is removable. For some reason, the idea of black pebble leather is not nearly as alluring as the tan luggage leather shown. Buy via Neiman Marcus for $475.

When we talk about bags around here, we usually show one shot: The exterior. That’s what attracts almost everyone to a bag in the first place, not to mention that most retailers aren’t as thorough as our beloved Net-a-Porter when it comes to photographing a bag’s ever facet. But in the case of the Diane von Furstenberg Elaine Shoulder Bag, we just couldn’t restrain ourselves from giving you both shots. After all, when you’re going to be carrying a bag for your daily activities, the structure matters a great deal. And in this particular case, the bag’s interior setup is just as good as its exterior aesthetics.

The triple-compartment organization of this bag reminds me a lot of one of the most functional totes I’ve ever own, the Botkier Trigger. With one roomy zippered interior section (lined in light canvas so you can see all of your stuff) flanked by two narrow snap-closed pockets that form the outside of the bag, there’s no reason for you to ever lose anything at the bottom of your purse again. And as if that weren’t enough, the bag also has several outside pockets for all the stuff that you need to be able to grab quickly.

The bag also has several other charms that I’m sure you’ve noticed. The deep, rich burgundy color acts as a wonderful neutral alternative to brown or tan and will go with any ensemble where you’d choose one of those colors for your accessories. Trust me on this one. The bag also has two options for carrying, and the removable shoulder strap looks long enough to enable cross-body wear when our hands are full. I’d prefer this design in a bright color for myself, but as soon as I see it in a cobalt blue or turquoise, you best believe I’m going to snap it up. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $650.

This morning the Diane von Furstenberg Sample Sale opened its doors to the press. I rolled out of bed earlier than usual but it was all in the name of fashion, obviously worth it. The line was manageable, with only about 15 people in front of me, and I was allowed in soon after the doors opened at 8AM.

Rack after rack of DvF clothing takes up the entire room, with prices ranging from mid-200′s for coats down to $50 for shirts. To be honest, I forget much of the pricing but I found it very reasonable. As far as the bags go, I did not see any Stephanie Hobos (my absolutely favorite) but when I walked by later a group of girls left with a Stephanie over each of their shoulders. I did snag a Harper, a bag I have been lusting after for quite some time, along with a few coats and beach items (click here to see my loot).

If you are in NYC make sure to stop by the sale. Details are included on the image above!

I am on end of the season sale overload right now. From Net-A-Porter to ShopBop, I am not sure where to start or how to whittle down my list of wants to a somewhat manageable number.

I started quickly browsing all of the bags that landed in the virtual sale racks of NAP. My eyes were drawn to the Diane von Furstenberg Harper in the geometrically color blocking pattern of white, olive, and black. A small bag that packs a fashionable punch, I absolutely adore this little bag.

Diane von Furstenberg bags continue to leave me in awe, with the selection each season growing stronger bag by bag. The Harper was an instant hit for its funky boho vibe and I always had a special place in my heart for it. Seeing it marked 50% off only makes my e-shopping finger ready to press add to cart. Buy via Net-A-Porter for $212.

I’ve already explained how much I love Diane von Furstenberg’s Fall 2011 Handbags, but with the advent of some more detailed stock photos to add to the conversation, I feel like it bears repeating: These bags (and the huge selection of clutches in particular) are genuinely quite good, and at a more reasonable price point than many brands with such a well-known name offer. From embellished box clutches to big everyday bags, DVF has something in a color and texture that could suit nearly anyone’s taste.

And that’s probably what draws me to this line – instead of just a group of nice bags, it feels like a complete accessories wardrobe for the quintessential DVF girl. That takes a good bit of thought and planning on the part of a design team, which usually means that the individual pieces were also carefully considered and created with an aesthetic purpose in mind. But enough about that nonsense, which is probably the type of thing that only fashion writers care about. Most of these bags are really cute. Enough said.

Photos via Style.com

The Diane von Furstenberg Harper Leather Satchel is the kind of bag that we routinely praise around here: Functional, neutral, but with enough interesting details so that it doesn’t fade into that background as another purse that sacrificed aesthetics for utility. This is a Fall 2011 bag, so you’ll have to wait until July for delivery, but take it from someone who knows about waiting for a pre-order all too well: When your perfect new bag arrives one day, it’ll all be worth it.

If you’ve been considering one of DVF’s bags, now’s a good time to buy in. Fall 2011 is her best accessories collection to date, with covetable bags in multiple sizes and textures, but this one might be the most long-term functional of them all. The big hardware and tassel are important, current design elements, but in a couple of seasons, they won’t make the bag look old because they’re not part of an obvious seasonal trend. Choosing a bag for the long haul can be hard, but this tote is a pretty safe bet. But don’t worry, it’s not safe in a bad way. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $675.

I have to give you all a peek at my newest addition to my handbag family, my Diane von Furstenberg Medium Stephanie in navy. You all recently saw my large version of this bag, and my love for it only deepens with the addition of the medium size.

While smaller in size than the large version, the medium size provides ample space for every possible item you may want to carry. Today I have my wallet, a bottle of water, kleenex, lip gloss, a notebook, and glasses inside this bag and it is not weighing me down. There is also a longer shoulder strap and shorter hand strap option. I will go into further detail when we share a more comprehensive image, but I am so excited by this bag I have to share it with you all. Shoes pictured above are Bed Stu Aunt Bettie Hop Hand boat shoes and they are both affordable and super comfortable ($70 here).

You can get the medium Stephanie for $875 via ShopBop or DvF online.