That being said, I wish she didn’t stick to doggedly to her principles, because I would absolutely love the Stella McCartney Chain-Detail Tote if it was real leather.

This take on the season’s industrial trends is decidedly simple and straight-forward, which is kind of refreshing when you consider the glut of studs, zippers, and chains that adorn everything we’ve come across recently. The shiny, thick silver hardware frames an enormous piece of matte black faux leather that I can only wish were real. I’ve never come across non-leather approximations of the material that I found at all inspiring, and I fear this may even smell funny in person, but I sincerely hope it does and that it fools everyone. But I doubt it will – the graining of the material is just too uniform to look like the real thing.

And also, it has to be said – the way that the chain is attached and forms the handle reminds me of the Chanel Coco Cabas totes from a few years back. There, I said it. I’m officially turning into one of those people that thinks that everyone rips off Chanel. Go ahead and put my out of my misery now, while I still have an original thought or two in my head. I still really like this bag, though. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1145.

Last week we brought you the information that Hermes would have its own farm to breed crocodiles in Australia. PETA did not like that and neither did many of you. It only seems fitting that today we feature a socially responsible vegan line.

Matt & Nat handbags have long been on our radar and today we must tell you why they are buzz worthy. Matt & Nat goes beyond making Eco Friendly bags, the premise for the company and brand is social responsibility. You will read about ‘Duality 21′ on the Matt & Nat website which is the drive for the brand to explore eco fabrics on a whole new level. They have two full collections as well as the lining in each of their bags being made of recycled plastic water bottles. I am guilty myself of using water bottles rather than re-using the same container. But it is somehow plausible, that one of my recycled plastic water bottles has gone into the design of a Matt & Nat handbag. The number 21 is used because on average 21 bottles are recycled to produce the lining while as many as 55 bottles are recycled when the shell is included.

The paragraph above does not read as one that would follow a brand that can be found in major stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, CUSP, and Bluefly. The bags are stylish. I would actually wear one and I can not say that when it comes to many Eco Friendly lines. The price point is amazing, most bags between $100 to $200. The main question is how the bags feel in person and this I should be able to tell you soon! We are going to have a batch of Matt & Nat bags to review in he office soon. The duality of environmental consciousness along with a design centric focus, Matt & Nat is a handbag line you should not disregard. Learn more and shop Matt & Nat bags via their website.

This bag is not just about being Eco Friendly, but it is for a great cause. Bergdorf Goodman just launched Lauren Bush’s newest FEED bag exclusively. The FEED 2 Kenya bag will help feed 2 people for one whole year for each bag sold.

Each FEED 2 Kenya Bag will feed two Kenyan kids in school for one year. The bag will cost $100 which is a donation to the United Nations World Food Programme’s School Feeding operations in Kenya. The FEED Kenya Bag is handcrafted by a coop of women in Kenya featuring colorful beading. The materials may not be worth $100, but the point of the bag is to donate to support the kids in Kenya while also supporting women artisans in Kenya. This bag is being sold exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman.

Over 350 million children go to bed hungry each night. Hunger and malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis combined. In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry. For a hungry kid, school is often not even an option.

Yet there is hope. When boys and girls are given a free, nutritious meal in school, research has shown that attendance increases by 100% and performance improves greatly.

For many kids this is the only meal they will receive all day, and it is enough to empower them to survive, learn, and improve their lives.

The FEED Kenya bag has been handcrafted in Kenya by a coop of women. Therefore, not only is your purchase feeding children in school, but you are also supporting women artisans in Kenya.

Thank you for supporting FEED Projects and the United Nations World Food Programme in the fight to end child hunger! We hope you enjoy your handcrafted FEED Kenya bag which is created in Kenya to benefit Kenyans. You have provided two full bellies, supported education, and brighter futures for two hungry children.

For more information about FEED Projects please visit, Feed Projects Org.

And then there’s the size issue. A lot of designers make these wallet-sized clutches, and I’m not really sure who they’re selling them too – people without cell phones, maybe? Certainly people without Blackberries. I could never wedge mine into it. Whoever they are, it seems like an extremely niche market. What I do like, however, is how subtle the zebra print is. It doesn’t yell zebra, it merely whispers it, and subtlety and animal print are two hard concepts to combine. She does it rather well here, but it’s not enough to rescue the bag as a whole. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $515.

Happy Earth Day everyone! Today we want to feature an array of eco friendly handbags. From cotton canvas to vegan, these designs are eco friendly and sure to put a smile on Mother Nature’s face. We are bringing you bags from the well-known Marc Jacobs as well as PurseBlog favorite Hayden Harnett. We also are highlighting newcomer Matt & Nat, known for their design-centric, eco friendly and vegan accessories. Make sure to get rid of your plastic bags and sport reusable totes not just for Earth Day, but as much as you can! If you run into Vlad and I today, we will be sporting our Rebecca Minkoff Bread and Wine Tote, which compliments this gorgeous weather perfectly. Happy Earth Day!!

Top row, left to right:
1. Hayden Harnett Friends of Al Eco-Tote; $27.50 via Hayden Harnett
2. Felix Rey Toys & Trinkets Eco Diaper Bag; $360 via ShopBop
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Print Locket Pocket Big Tote; $168 via ShopBop

Bottom row, left to right:
1. Matt & Nat Oversized Pleated Satchel; $350 via Nordstrom
2. Hayden Harnett Green Is Good Tote; $20.25 via Hayden Harnett
3. Nordstrom Reusable Tote; $21.95 via Nordstrom

A company called English Retreads is pioneering the idea of taking used and recycled “vintage” rubber to make handbags with a tough, industrial edge. My favorite is the English Retreads Cruiser, a black hobo made out of reclaimed rubber from old inner tubes. It’s got a minimalist but edgy vibe to it, and the material makes it stand out from other bags. It’s certainly a far cry from the designer bags that you and I are familiar with, but it doesn’t lack style. Techniques and sourcing strategies like the ones used in this bag have yet to make their way into high-end bags, but things like these usually flow from a niche market to a more mainstream fascination, and you never know what may be around the corner from your favorite designer.
Buy through eBags for $49.99.

These bags are still made of the super-luxe leather that we expect from designer purses, but the leather was tanned using natural tannins instead of the harmful chemicals that are used in the manufacture of most leather on the consumer marketplace. The interiors are made of a hand-woven hemp lining, which involves little, if any, chemical processing that would damage the environment. The one thing that confuses me is this: the bags claim to be metal-free, but there’s no alternative explanation of what the hardware is made out of. It looks metal to me, but could it be plastic? And if it was…isn’t that just as bad? Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1890.

Somehow it seems to be an oxymoron that a trend is saving the planet. Don’t we always want to save the planet? Breathe clean air? Eat hormone free food? Or maybe we don’t, hence we are in the position we are now. I love to see designers who offer eco-friendly bags. I just picked up a new favorite green bag which I will be sharing later. Today I ran into a great organic canvas bag, the Juicy Couture California Go Green Canvas Bag, which will work for a small grocery trip, the beach, or everyday carrier. I see many women who use their handbags as a triple threat, a do-it-all. The bag is made with organic canvas and sports a cute heart-shaped green logo on one side and double shoulder straps. There are two open pockets and dimensions are 20½”W X 17½”H X 1″D. Nothing to write home about, but with the green trend, the slow economy, and summer around the corner, this is an option. Buy through Saks for $75.

If you have not already done so, you must get rid yourself of using paper and plastic bags at the grocery store. It is really not necessary, hurts the environment, and furthermore it is so entirely unfashionable right now. It is like a huge fashion faux pas now. So stop doing it and start reusing! I keep about six Whole Food’s canvas bags in the trunk of my car so that Vlad and I can use them each time we go grocery shopping. The only real concern is remembering to take the bag out of the trunk and into the store. Typically we forget until checkout and inevitably I shout to Vlad to make a run for the bags before the cashier finishes ringing up our food. Not only is this friendly to the environment, but it gives Vlad a mini-work out a few times a week.

For Earth day, if there is nothing else you can think of doing to help the environment, at least buy some canvas shoppers and put an end to using plastic bags. Leftover Bags are designed with organic-cotton and feature a graphic that can define your style. Choose from the time tote, flowerpower tote, thankyoulady tote, and the realfashion tote. The back of each tote features a logo graphic. There are double handles with a 9” strap drop, which is perfect for carrying over the shoulder. Dimensions are 16”H x 17”L x6”D. Each of these environmentally friendly totes are carried exclusively at ShopBop for $38.

Leftover Bags Realfashion Tote and Leftover Bags Time Tote

The eco friendly rage is still going strong, but now many people are trying to buy eco friendly because they know it actually does in fact help the environment (ok and if you do not, just quite reading from here down). Some designers are coming out with eco friendly leather bags, but I also like the idea of cotton canvas totes. The Beau Soleil Beau Bag reads ‘reduce recycle renew’ on the front and sports cargo style snap-patch pockets on the front, back, and sides. The bag is designed with organic, raw cotton canvas, which of course is environmentally friendly and the knot detailed handles are designed with recycled, double rope. This bag is ready to help the environment while being usable and practical, sporing many outside and inside compartments. Dimensions are 13″H x 16″L x 4″D with a 7″ strap drop. Buy through Shop Bop for $44.