Some of my personal favorite handbags are ones that so accurately capture a bygone era that they could probably be passed off as really fantastic vintage finds. So much in fashion is predicated on what has been done in the past that a designer deftly recreating the mood of a time period can show a great deal of skill, if done correctly.

And with all the glitz and glitter that’s popular for winter, I can’t help but think that the Judith Leiber Sunburst Clutch is totally disco-tastic.

Can’t you just see someone at Studio 54 wearing this with a super sleek Halston dress back in the day? I totally can. But I can also see a stylish woman carrying it today with a biker jacket over a minidress, tights and booties. And whether the piece is actually vintage or just vintage-inspired like this one, the test of how good it is if it can easily blend into looks from two different eras, and I think that this one accomplishes just that. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2995.

With the popularity of animal print this season, it stands to reason that before long, someone would make a bag that is actually an animal-print animal. And of course that person was Judith Leiber – who else could it have been? And she’s really the only one that could get away with it; she has a gimmick and she sticks with it. Even if you don’t like her bags, you’ve got to give her that. But I can’t exactly decide how I feel about the Judith Leiber Jaguar Clutch.

I know that youth and modernity have never exactly been Leiber’s thing, but for some reason, this clutch is feeling particularly mumsy. Maybe it’s just because women of a certain age are often prone towards whimsical brooches, many of them sparkly, and often, a reasonably sized subset of that brooch category is safari-themed.

But then again, it’s probably the case that only well-established women have the cash on hand to be purchasing bejeweled jungle cats, so I may have missed Leiber’s point entirely. Couldn’t you see someone a bit sassy but still totally elegant like, say, Helen Mirren carrying something like this to an awards show? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $5495.

I think I’m in love.

The Alexander McQueen Red Skull Box Clutch has me in its grips and is showing no signs of relenting. The red Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch that Leighton Meester wore to the Emmys got me thinking about little scarlet bags, and it took me about an hour of Internet-wandering to find one that spoke to me. But this one doesn’t just speak – it whispers sweet nothings in my ear and tells me how nice my hair looks today (also important to note: this clutch is a liar, I’m in bad need of a shower).

With the advent of fall, Halloween isn’t far behind, and I feel more comfortable indulging the dark side of my personal style during that this time of year than in, say, April. The red-on-red beading on this clutch recalls (purposefully, I’m sure) artfully spattered blood (have I been watching too many Dexter reruns, or has McQueen?) and the signature skull clasp is the veritable cherry on top of this truly macabre clutch. If I get that long-awaited Oscars invite (it’s coming this year, I know it!), this little bag is absolutely what I’m carrying. Buy through Zappos for $1399.

Marchesa has realized what most fashion watchers already know: handbags are one of the most profitable categories of products that a brand can make. They don’t take the sizing and fit of a dress, they’re seen as useful and more worthy of expenditure by consumers, and they can be sold in a larger variety of stores than a ball gown. They provide an introduction to the brand for new customers and increase awareness and familiarity among potential clients. Any high-end designer would be crazy not to make bags.

Georgina Chapman and the fine folks at Marchesa are decidedly non-crazy, so the bags are on their way and will debut for Spring 2010 at the forthcoming New York Fashion Week. Since their line is made up almost exclusively of ultra-detailed evening wear, it’s not surprising that they chose clutches and evening bags to make up their inaugural accessories collection. They show much of the detailing that has become Marchesa’s signature – intricate beading, rosettes, and a limited color palette. My favorite touch, though, is the jagged crystal wrapped in stone-encrusted metal that forms the closure on many of the bags. A little bit of a hard edge to set off an evening bag’s demure nature.

The designers insist that all of the bags were designed specifically to be large enough to fit a Blackberry, keys, and makeup for touch-ups. If that’s the case, then hallelujah, it’s a common concern that they’ve chosen to address. They will be made in silk, metal, and exotic leathers and will retail from $995-$5000. Since the collection has yet to be presented, store availability is unknown, but the designers say that they will be sold in the same types of stores that sell their dresses, both in the evening wear department and on the main floor with the rest of the accessories.

Source: Women’s Wear Daily

Yes, yes. Quilting, tonal studs, chain handle, we get it. And it’s on-trend, but for some reason it’s just not exciting. Or maybe it would be more exciting if this bag, which is made of absolutely zero leather, were priced in a more appropriate way for a non-leather bag. So exactly how much is it?

It’s $1695, which blows my mind – Jacobs is usually much more reasonable on pricing when it comes to his satin or nylon bags, but not here. And that’s not to say that this bag doesn’t look well made – it does. The quilting is incredibly precise and the satin is just plush enough to make it look luxe. The tonal studding is a nice nod to one of this season’s big trend. It has some things going for it.

But overall, $1695 is too much to pay for a satin evening bag without obvious proof that some serious artistry or hand work has gone in to it, and that’s just not evident here. Knock about a thousand bucks off of the price tag, and maybe we can talk. Maybe. Buy through Nordstrom for $1695.

Which brings us to the Celestina Roseanne Blacklip Clutch. I can’t imagine that anyone could look at this and have a negative reaction – it’s sleek and simple, covered in diamond-cut tiles of blacklip mother of pearl. The colors are earthy and warm, but deep enough to function as a cold-weather event option despite the material. It reflects a great deal of light and would likely change colors fantastically in different settings. If you were to take it to an event, you’d easily stand out in a sea of boring black evening bags. Buy through Barneys for $1290.

Which is why I sorta like the Jimmy Choo Cara Suede Evening Bag. Suede is usually a bit too casual for an evening out, but the varied print that Choo uses to embellish this bag makes it glam enough to go with a modern Little Black Dress. The colors also work well together – the shimmery silver combined with the matte black gives the bag a bit of a glam rock edge. The chain strap is fully detachable, which allows the bag to be used on the shoulder or as an oversized clutch, and who doesn’t love a little bit of versatility. What I want to know is if the bag feels embossed in person – it looks like it might be, but the bag’s description doesn’t give us any information on that. Buy through Saks for $895.

Clearly, this bag is still pretty small, but what makes it functional is the built-in mirror that has its own tiny compartment at the base of the bag. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen something like this, especially in an evening bag, and I consider it pretty innovative. The sepearate compartment also gives the bag an interesting shape, as if it’s one of those beach sacks, but much smaller and much fancier. And of course, the bag is in the traditional Pucci print; it’s pretty cool to know that the pattern on your bag is one that has been around for centuries. Buy through Saks for $1,495.

One of Celestina’s strong suits is making clutches out of unexpected, non-traditional materials. Most handbag designers limit themselves to animal skins and maybe some straw or canvas, but beyond that, there’s little creativity. Well, not these folks. They specialize in using materials like wood, shell, and metals to craft incredibly inventive, stylish little bags for every occasion that you could imagine.

Here we have two excellent examples – first, their famous woven box clutch in what appears in be a new bronze iteration (they’ve done sterling silver in the past). The clutch is simultaneously subtle and complicated, a combination that is incredibly hard to achieve. The second clutch appears to be a completely new design, probably made out of sterling silver, which appears to have beautiful, glowing mother of pearl on the bottom. These clutches are typical of the Celestina aesthetic and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store in future collections.

Photo via WWD.com

In all seriousness, folks, I think this bag is pretty perfect. I’m not entirely convinced about the weird sort-of-tassel in the corner, but I think a more literal flower would have been a little too obvious and precious, and what I really like about this bag is it walks the line between fashion and costume really, really well. You wouldn’t have to be dressed as a flapper on Halloween to wear it, but the reference is well-played and people that aren’t devoted fashionistas would probably still understand what it was going for. And isn’t that the ultimate test? Fashion is at least somewhat of a democratic art form, and I think all of my friends would understand just why this little fantasy bag is so completely fabulous. Buy through Barneys for $1900.

It feels just like Sex and the City did, which is to say it doesn’t feel new. Fendi, as a brand, seems to be stuck circa 1999 in their accessories department, and although the baguettes are an important part of handbag history, I wish they’d innovate a little more. The Spy bag was great, of course, and a lot of people liked the B-Bag, but if you’re only producing two popular handbags per decade, you need to get with the program. As a brand, they’ve got such amazing resources and possibilities, I’m not sure why they’re still living in the past. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2140.

Pursebloggers, I am confused by the Barneys New York Chic Chain Bag on a few levels.

First, I’m confused that Barneys really makes house-brand bags. Of course, I knew on a factual level that they did, but really? Do luxury goods customers want house brands? Even if the house is a good house? I can’t imagine anyone looking to spend a large amount of money on a bag would look first to something not even made by a proper design house. As much as I like buying supermarket-brand milk and cheese at the grocery store (it’s the same stuff! Cheaper!), I would never do the same with money that I saved up to by something special and luxurious.

Second, BURLAP?? EVENING BAG? Did those two concepts just collide on one handbag? Couldn’t someone at Barney’s marketing department come up with a slightly more fashionable word for the material? Burlap’s really all they’ve got? Asking all these questions is starting to make me dizzy and more than a little annoyed. But they have to be asked, because this makes no sense.

Lastly, $950?!?!?!?!?! For a BURLAP EVENING BAG? If Megs and Vlad would allow me to cuss, this is where it would be happening. I find myself offended at the implication that anyone should be spending $950 on anything made out of something that’s widely regarded as packing material. And I think I need a cocktail. Buy through Barneys for $950

Because you see, my dears, it’s not just super sparkly. It’s super sparkly AND animal-print. At the same time. And that’s a stroke of quasi-tacky genius for which only the folks at Leiber, the home of the bedazzled watermelon bag, could be responsible. It’s combination of two of the tackiest bag idea inspires me to continue to find the awesomeness in all things moderately distasteful, and since I’m not cool enough to have anyplace to take it, I sort of want to have one just to sit it on top of my TV and admire it’s twinkling, zebra-ish glory. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $3895.

The Salvatore Ferragamo Leather Evening Bag is a great contender for an ultra-fabulous Mother’s Day gift. The soft textured leather it topped with a bow trim on the chain strap. The lavender colored leather pictured here definitely hits that Mother’s Day/Spring Time feel. However, if you don’t want to seem too limiting, go for the black leather and let mom look fashionable with several outfits throughout all seasons. Buy through Saks for $520.

What are your plans for your mom or yourself on Mother’s Day? Share with us!

And what pair of over-the-top shoes would be complete without a similarly fabulous bag? I think that, in this case, a solid-color bag in the same shade would be a bit much, and I generally warn against an exact handbag-shoe match in almost every case. Instead, go for the glitter theme in a small proportion. The Judith Leiber Morning Dew Minaudiere strikes just the right note; it’s glittery but avoids the dyed-to-match look that trying to match a powerful shoe can often create. The color of the shoes appears in an important part of the clutch, but it doesn’t fall into the matchy-matchy trap. You’ll have to really work it to pull off this much shine, but with a solid-color dress (call me crazy, but I’m thinking maybe the green in the clutch could be that solid color…it’d be a totally unexpected but would pull together really well with the bag) and limited jewelry, I’d totally work it. I’m not sure where I’d go, but by God, I’d find somewhere to wear it.

Christian Louboutin Glittered Pump can be bought through Neiman Marcus for $745. Buy the Judith Leiber Clutch through Neiman Marcus for $2395.

Is the brand’s name strong enough in the UK to merit that kind of cash for a 6″ wide silk clutch? If it is, then that’s insane. I think I would scoff at any American designer trying to do the same. The colors would spice up a solid color outfit, and I like the name. The kaleidoscope effect is cute, as is the big tassel, but nothing about this is explaining to me why I need to spend so much money on it. Until someone else explains it to me, I think I’ll pass. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1200.

We’ve talked a bit about it in the comments of a few previous posts, and I think a designer coming out with a small group of lower-priced bags along with their normally high prices is a great way to remain inclusive of their customers whose financial situation may be temporarily suffering. My favorite of these less-expensive bags is the Marc Jacobs The Single Evening Bag. I can’t help but think that, in seasons past, this bag would have been in the $775 price range, if not a couple hundred dollars more, but now we’ve got it for the reasonable price of $575. It comes in a variety of colors, but the metallic pink is so fun and works well for a small evening bag. Plus, it’d spice up any black outfit in a heartbeat and be a great addition to satisfy the current neon trend. I think the lower-priced bags are a great idea, and this is cute no matter the price tag. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $575.

There’s something very Old Hollywood about the Mary Norton Jones Clutch, isn’t there? I’m not sure if it’s the swoop of the top flap or the construction of the attached flower, but it’s reading retro to me in a very good way. I think the way that the photograph was taken is making the bag look cheaper than it would in person, so I’m going to ignore the shininess for now. It seems like it would have more of a subtle sparkle than an all-over gleam in natural light, and that would be gorgeous. I’m having one problem, though – I can’t figure out what era it’s from. Part of me says, “1920s. Definitely 1920s.” And another part of me says, “No, 1950s, you dolt.” Either way, those are my two favorite periods of American fashion, and this clutch would do either justice. It’s got the right amount of glitter, a super cute adornment that is pretty unique in the current clutch market, and it looks big enough to hold all the night-out essentials. Buy through Saks for $895.

Sadly, I haven’t seen the show yet, but I hear it is absolutely fabulous and rather addicting. In fact a few designers Megs and Vlad met with during their last trip to NYC mentioned that they too are Mad Men addicts. One of the things about the show that seems to be heavily discussed is wardrobe. It’s the old school elegance, style and grace that keep people a buzz. When I saw the Santi Yellow Satin Beaded Evening Bag, I thought this could be a handbag you might catch on the show. Santi handbags are hand-beaded and sequined which definitely emulates the 1960’s look that seems to be making a come back. The color, shape and bead work results in a handbag that could be a gorgeous way to add something very unique and special to your night-on-the-town look. I think I like it. Click here to peruse other Santi handbags.