But so far, the most that I can say is that I really like parts of it, and that other parts completely confuse me. So let’s explore that a bit, after the jump.

First of all, the body of the bag is great. I’ve never seen a bag that’s Dreamsicle orange, but I kind of like it. The leather rings that are woven into the straps that traverse the exterior of the bag are also unique and fun, and when combined with the ultra-feminine take on studs, they give the bag a great deal of personality.

The problem that jumps out at me is mainly with the handles and attachments. They look a tad…cheap. The rolled, knotted handles don’t seem to correspond logically to the clean edges of the visual elements on the rest of the bag, and they look like they might have come from a different purse entirely. Fix those, and it’s a fun bag indeed. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1060.

Is it just me, or is Chloe not a brand that makes a whole lot of hobos? Well, that’s not entirely true – they usually manage to turn their popular bags into hobos at some point in order to capitalize on their popularity – but it seems like most of their bags don’t start life as hobos, right? But today is a new day, because the Chloe Marcie Hobo is a hobo from birth and it’s, eh, medium amounts of successful.

The stitched texturing on the front flap looked good upon initial examination, but now I’m not so sure. It gives the impression that the leather is layered, but in reality, it’s just a clever sewing trick. Which is cool, I admit, but it just kind of…stops. There’s not a seam there to mark a natural ending point, which means it rather looks like someone got tired of sewing. Which, I mean, I can understand that. Sewing looks hard.

Other than that point, and it’s a small one, the bag is quite pretty. Chloe uses some of the best leather of any designer, and the creamy beige color shows it off well. The wrapped handle is a nice touch to keep things from looking to under-designed, and I like the thickness of the dangling drawstrings. Chloe should really consider making hobos a larger part of their original repertoire. Buy through Nordstrom for $1595.

The Gucci Pelham Medium Hobo is an excellent example of Gucci’s signature style – textured, supple, and with a bit of color variation that makes all the difference.

The color variation and distressing on this bag are absolutely perfect. It doesn’t look worn or previously used, it simply looks like the leather is lush and high-quality, and that the people who designed it took care to treat it in such a way to bring out its inherent beauty.

And that’s just what they achieved. I doubt that this leather is super soft in person, but it does look like it would be incredibly durable. Combine that with a functional shape and a beautiful medium grey neutral color, this is the sort of bag that so many women would do well to add to their wardrobe. The signature braided handle is a telltale Gucci detail that doesn’t overpower the beautiful finish of the leather. Buy through Saks for $1550.

But for all those people that are taking the chillier weather as a sign to get the heck out of Dodge and down to the St. Barts, designers see fit to give you your very own between-collections collection of clothes and accessories that are appropriate for warm weather. These are often my favorite things of the year – it’s warm in my neck of the woods for such a huge proportion of time that I get a lot more use out of things suited for high temperatures than low ones. Still, seeing something like the Gucci Jackie Raffia Shoulder Bag at this time of year is more than a bit startling.

Despite the generally balmy climate here, I can’t help but look at this bag and think, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Not so fast.” I know that fashion is an industry that is constantly looking six months ahead, but I’d like to enjoy my cold weather and hot cocoa and bags made of thick leather for at least a little while before I have to think about picking out anything made of straw. I will say, though, that this is probably as luxe and subtle as a straw bag can get (but it’s also priced much higher than I’d pay for raffia). Buy through Saks for $2995.

Take the MCM Notte Large Leather Hobo for example. The leather is exceptional in the soft shape while the double chain-link strap gives an edgy and current touch. What is not to like about this bag? As far as classic black bags go, this is an ideal buy. The inside is lined in suede and there is a zipper and two open pockets. Dimensions are 15″W X 10″H X 5″D.

While I have never seen an MCM bag in person, this week that will change. There is a MCM store in our hotel in NYC that we are planning on stopping by to see the bags in person. Once we get to touch the bags and see the quality for ourselves, we will report back with more information. Buy this MCM hobo via Saks for an affordable $925.

We’ve covered the Mulberry Mitzy Hobo before, and we generally try not to repeat bags, but I can’t help but be totally obsessed with the ultra-deep blue cracked finish that Mulberry has debuted for Fall 2009.

I wear so much black that I’ve sort of shied away from navy blue accessories, even though the combination of the two can be super glam when done correctly. As with anything, it’s hard to find exactly the right bag.

But I think that the steely, silvery undertones on this bag make it a perfect option to pair with black and dark grey. In fact, the handle itself is black, which should make the color combination a fairly obvious way to style it. The shiny finish makes the color all the more vibrant, which is the perfect way to incorporate navy into an already dark outfit. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $895.

Leave it to Bottega Veneta to do something so intricate and yet still keep their aesthetic so classic and streamlined. They’re playing the sequins trend perfectly with the Bottega Veneta Ebano Paillette Hobo.

And the reason that they’re doing such a good job is that this bag really isn’t covered in sequins at all. Well, technically, I guess they’re sequins. But they’re not the cheapy aluminum foil type – they’re made out of Bottega’s signature butter-soft leather. Isn’t that clever?

The motif is executed perfectly, which is the only reason that it works. It could have easily looked clunky and silly, but the sequins are so small and cut so thin that they look exactly like real thing, except a thousand times as luxurious and restrained. From a distance it’s a chic textured bag, and up close it’s a triumph of well-edited design. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $4200.

First of all, for those of you avid online shoppers, you will be pleased to know that this bag was created exclusively for web customers. It feels good to be loved, doesn’t it? Well, this bag is spacious enough for just about anything you might need as you head out of the house for the day or even just a quick trip to the post office. I love the soft combination of colors which work just as well in the Fall as they would in the Spring or Summer. The shoulder straps look comfortable; not like those straps you might look out and think, “ouch, this is going to dig into my shoulder”!

Whether you are a mom looking to carry around things you need as well as toys or treats for your kids or a young single girl who is looking to explore the city you live in, this bag can work for you! Buy through Tylie Malibu for $305.

So what exactly did they do to it? Exactly what it sounds like, actually. But you’ll have to make the jump to see the close-up.

Well, Givenchy cut the leather! More precisely, they put in dozens upon dozens of intersecting laser-precise scores in the top layer of the leather, exposing in small parts the light coloring underneath. It’s a very cool effect, but it leaves me with a few questions.

My first concern is about durability. The distressing appears to cause the leather to pull away where the surface has been cut, and I’ve got to think that that effect is going to become exacerbated over time. Anything like that is going to cause a bag to wear more quickly than its non-distressed counterparts, and when most people consider the purchase of a bag this expensive, durability is a concern.

It may be that Givenchy has done something to address that potential problem, as any high-end brand should, but that’s impossible for me to verify at the moment. If I was functioning under the assumption that they did, I would say that this is a very cool bag indeed. The cutting is so precise and the distressing so perfectly controlled that I’m glad they got creative here and tried something new. I just hope it works out in the long run for whoever buys the bag. Buy through Barneys for $1675.

Has Gucci released a leather hobo with a price tag substantially under $1000? Because it looks like that’s exactly what the Gucci Web Guccisima Hobo is.

I’ll be straight with you on this one – it’s not going to win any awards for innovative design. It’s a black leather hobo with Guccisima embossing and a very simple closure. But what it is is perfectly functional and neutral; the kind of bag that every woman needs one of in her closet. It’s a go-anywhere, do-anything sort of purse.

And because of the extra-long lead time between when a bag is designed and when it lands in stores, I doubt this is any sort of nod to the current economic climate. But it is particularly opportune, and maybe a little boring, but a bag that most people would probably find a use for if they had it in their closet. And at this price point, a lot more people can add it to their collection than might have before. Buy through Saks for $875

Their studded bags really didn’t tickle my fancy back then; they were shiny, smooth, and gold, which is really not my thing. The bags they’ve introduced recently have been much better, though, whether they’re studded or unstudded. I’m having a really difficult time choosing a favorite; my opinion on the matter changes from day to day. But today, it’s the Be&D Cosette Hobo.

The Cosette is everything I like in a bag. Big, functional, soft, yet textured. It’s not overly complicated, but there is enough visual interest to spare. I’m unsure about my feelings on the ruched handles, but I respect them for doing something slightly off the beaten path. I’m trying to visualize it with thick, soft leather straps instead; I’m not entirely sure it would be an improvement. As it is, it’s certainly not bad.

The tiny quilts on the front look like they’d be soft and touchable, and when you combine that with the woven leather and metal chain, this bag almost reminds me of a more urbane, less ladylike take on the Marc Jacobs Stam. Be&D has a reputation for using smooshy, drooly-worth leather, and this doesn’t look like it’s any exception. Overall, quite a solid effort to relaunch the line’s buzz. Buy through ShopBop for $995.

Like it or not, studded bags are a huge hit still for fall. So many of us continue to love the studded trend while others are ready for it to be over. While this may be a newer endeavor for some designers, the duo behind Be&D has been adding studs to their handbags for years.

From Yves Saint Laurent, to Marc Jacobs, to Rebecca Minkoff, studs reign supreme. Be&D is no stranger to this trend, as their line of studded Garbo bags hit shelves years ago (we have a large Be&D piece for you all next week!).

If you want a little bit of stud without an all-over studded bag, the Be & D Woodstock Hobo may be the handbag for you. This oversized leather handbag features a studded strap detail on the deliciously colored sand leather bag. From first hand experience, the leather Be & D uses is absolute superb. The shoulder strap also pops with the whipstitching. Totally digging it. Buy through ShopBop for $995.

I know you guys enjoy this as much as I do.

Between the black fabric and the cheap-looking silver-and-black roses that look like they were attached with a safety pin, this bag looks like it was manufactured by Guess or XOXO and is meant to be sold to thirteen-year-olds in the juniors department at Macy’s. And maybe it’s just me, but I think the patent trim at the bottom is really what does it in, juxtaposed with the fabric that makes up the body.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with looking like one of those brands – I remember being thirteen myself and thinking those bags were so awesome – except that this bag is made by a major Italian design house that’s known the world over and intended to be sold to grown women with sizable checking accounts. It simply doesn’t hold up to the standard that we should all have for $1800 bags – oh, didn’t I mention that? That’s how much this bag costs.

Gross, right? Buy through Saks for $1795.

The thing that struck me first is the color – it’s a beautiful medium grey with strong blue undertones, and the temperature of the color is cool enough to be perfect for the forthcoming colder weather (well, forthcoming for those that don’t live in my area of the country. We have several months of scorching heat ahead of us). It’s also light enough to highlight the differentiation between the python scales, which is something I believe all bags made out of exotic materials should do – after all, if I’m paying out the nose for it, I want to see the natural beauty of the skin showcased. Indeed, most of the bag is sublime – the thick straps, the shiny silver hardware in unexpected shapes, the tonal suede accents. The only thing that gives pause is the fringe emanating from the handle attachments. I don’t hate it at all, I’m just not sure about it and think that it possibly could have been done better. I can’t imagine how, though, so maybe I’m asking too much. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $4200.

Which is part of the reason that I like the Salvatore Ferragamo Studded Jazz Satchel: the petal effect of the cut leather is not something you or I see every day. It’s incredibly intricate (and for the price, I certainly hope it was done by hand) without taking away from the essential function of the bag, which is a trick that not all designers execute skillfully. Usually I’m not a fan of brown, but in this case, keeping the color neutral and unobtrusive was the wiser decision. Although, now that I think of it, the tiny studs are silver – wouldn’t this bag be cooler in black? It looks less industrial this way, though, and maybe that will appeal to a wider customer base. Still, black version? Please? Or maybe not, since it’s so hideously expensive that I can’t buy it anyway. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $3845.

Personally, I think it’s brilliant; the gold was warm and sunny for summer weather, and the combination of steely light and dark silvers that go into the fall version would look great against winter’s dark, woolen clothing. It’s bright without being inappropriate for the season, and the suede trim makes it an even better idea. This is definitely on my short list for must-have fall bags – grab it before it sells out, because it absolutely will. Buy through ShopBop for $875.

For some reason, they want us to believe that this bag is gold. Maybe the lighting is bad, but Nordstrom’s pictures are usually among the most accurate on the Internet, and on their website, the bag looks beige. Metallic beige, maybe, but beige nonetheless. In my household, the color is much reviled and derided, but on the Jimmy Choo Metallic Mandah Hobo, it works pretty well. The shimmery finish goes a long way towards banishing my boredom, and I could see this working really well as a metallic winter white. How cute would it be next to a fuzzy grey sweater? Buy through Nordstrom for $1595.

The first thing to stop me in my tracks was the color – red with earthy brown undertones. It’s incredibly rich-looking without being ostentatious or showy in the least. Instead of screaming at you about how wonderful it is, it puts its hand on your shoulder and whispers in your ear. From there, I then noticed the subtle but important texture of the leather. Instead of being boring and smooth, it’s somewhere between a stamped exotic and a conventional pebbled leather. Like the color, it’s interesting and luxe without being unnecessarily attention-grabbing. It talks softly and carries a big stick. The refined, sleek shape is the perfect compliment – the structured handle provides a nice counterpoint to the soft, slouchy shape. The metallic hooks on the ends of the strap are the perfect finishing touch. Buy through Saks for $1395.

What isn’t ugly or unremarkable, though, is the Bally Multi Zip Hobo. In fact, this bag is quite well-done and executed nicely. We’ve seen plenty of bags over the past few months that use zippers as a decorative feature instead of just a functional attribute of necessity. The idea is particularly brilliant – not only is it visually stimulating, but it’s a fun play on the expected structure and construction of a handbag and the role that all the parts play. This Bally hobo pulls it off in a particularly sophisticated way – smooth, rich-looking strips of black leather separated by industrial silver zippers. Perfect. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1774.

But the Jimmy Choo Bardia Shoulder Bag just isn’t doing it for me, and it’s mostly because the whole idea for the bag seems a little bit half-baked. Instead of really playing with the idea of a bag inspired by industrial style, it looks like the folks at Jimmy Choo merely took a really boring black hobo and but some nonfunctional buckles and straps on the sides. At best, it looks like a bit of an afterthought and at worst, it looks totally contrived. With so many outstanding bags of a similar style on the market for fall, Choo is going to have to try harder next time. Buy through Saks for $1750.