Salvatore Ferragamo is a silent warrior of meticulously created handbags. Typically the brand flies under the radar, much like Tod’s and Bottega Veneta, but the admiration for the craftsmanship remains. While many Ferragamo bags tend to be simple, the Salvatore Ferragamo Shoulder Bag is oh-so-lovely and touches on every aspect of a bag that I adore. First off, the soft Italian leather is a must and it is paired perfectly with a braided shoulder strap to add a nice dimension. The signature brass closure also has a small pouch attached, though it appears as if you can remove it. I simply love this bag. It caught my eye from the get-go and I still love it. It is different than most bags in my collection and can easily fit in with many outfits and occasions. Measurements are 15″W X 11″H X 3″D. Buy through Saks for $1490.

In the past, I’ve been critical of this particular type of Fendi bag. And I still stand by that – in glazed black leather, this bag is boring, plain and simple. But there’s something about the color combination in the Fendi Two-Tone Baguette that makes me enormously fond of the bag, and it just goes to show you what good a small tweak can do.

The juxtaposition of the blush leather with the black trim and light gold chain handle gives the bag a more authentically retro look than just a solid color by itself. At the same time, the combination is positively Parisian, giving the bag an obvious audience in fashion’s many Francophiles (and probably not staving off any of the nagging Chanel comparisons any time soon). The proportion of the bag is petite enough to be worn to a fancy dinner or cocktail party, but I could also easily see it paired with dark denim and a cashmere sweater for fall and winter. I think you can get something more interesting for the price, but if you like this look, the bag is indeed pretty cute. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1395.

Head over to Bluefly and see what kind of amazing designer handbags are on sale… for only two more hours. Take a look at that Balenciaga, Fendi or Gucci bag you’ve been eying for a while now.

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Every designer has their signature. Bottega Veneta’s is of course their woven leather, known as Intrecciato. When a designer departs from their signature the end product can turn out totally wrong or better yet the end product can turn out magnificently. Bottega Veneta rarely misses with their bags. Some say they err on the side of caution, but I believe they know what a quality timeless product is and they continue to stand behind their work. The stunning gold metallic leather paired with the simple design of Bottega Veneta Metallic Leather Tote creates a different but lust-worthy look for Bottega Veneta.

Would it be entirely odd if I said I want to stuff this bag with a pillow and then cuddle with it? Bottega Veneta leathers never disappoint. After touching one of their bags you will begin to yearn for leather that supple and soft. And when you do not find it on another bag you will begin to crave BV leathers and dislike the others. This tote is entirely simple. The chain-link and leather straps add a nice touch up top as the wave seams at the bottom break up the rest of the tote. Dimensions are 28″W X 12″H X 8″D. Some may find this boring, but it is just another well-made design from Bottega Veneta that I could look at all day. Buy through Saks for $1950.

In Athens, Georgia, the Freshman Apocalypse is nigh. We’re the home of the University of Georgia, my alma mater and a school of over 35,000 students, and in two short days, that will include 5,000 brand new freshman. For a town this size, the influx of the new students (in addition to the other returning students that had left for the summer) means we’re about the see the sort of chaos and havoc that’s only novel when you’re one of the people that is helping to create it. Target and Wal-Mart will be completely sold out of…everything, none of the thousands of brand new residents know where anything is or how to drive, and they’re all going to be really excited to be out in public without their parents. If you don’t hear from me for a few days, it’s because I have run off into the woods, mumbling deliriously, in order to escape them.

But what this time of year means for most normal humans is that it’s time to start gathering together back-to-school wardrobes, either for themselves or for their kids. And the topic of chic and functional school bags is always a topic of discussion on our Forum, and something that I’ll talk more about later this week, but for right now, I’d just like to show a little love to the A.P.C. Black Leather Satchel. This crossbody bag appeals to my inner grad student – it’s made of thick, matte leather that, when combined with the traditional shape and double buckle closures, has “vintage book satchel” written all over it. The proportions are a bit shrunken to look more appropriate on a female body, but it still looks easily large enough to carry the laptop, bottle of water and cosmetics pouch that normally populated my school bags (journalism school? Rather light on textbook usage). Buy through Net-a-Porter for $420.

In stark contrast to my enthusiasm for embellishment of all types (and of the industrial type in particular) for fall and winter, I can’t help but swoon upon seeing the Valentino Bow Hobo. It’s incredibly simple, monochromatic, without external hardware, and conspicuously lacking some of the outer intricacies for which Valentino handbags are so often known. And despite all of that, or perhaps because of it, I think I’m in love.

Of all the bags on display to molest at fine department stores, Valentino bags are my favorite to pick up and feel. The quality of materials used in their bags continues to surprise and delight me, even after eight solid months of writing about handbags for 40 hours per week. And when you combine their obscenely soft leathers with a design so deconstructed, so slouchy, so irresistibly French-looking (despite the fact that the brand itself is Italian), you come up with a bag like this: gorgeous, casually elegant, and not trying too hard in the least. The amount of style contained in this simple hobo clearly adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Buy through Saks for $1895.

Can you believe it? Fall is right around the corner. We are still in the middle of the typical massively hot Florida summer but I am craving a Fall trip to feel crisp air and see the leaves changing. While brown is not my favorite color, it is perfect for the autumn to bring in the natural hues. Here are three of my favorite fall browns; a Diane von Furstenberg coat, Proenza Schouler bag, and Miu Miu Studded Leather Ankle Boots. The bad news is both the handbag and coat are sold out, but the Miu Miu shoes are available at Net A Porter for $870.

What wardrobe items are you craving for fall?

This week on Bag that Style the cast of Gossip Girl reigned supreme. From Treesje to Prada to newcomer Bodhi, the cast of Gossip Girl continued to excite us with their handbag choices. And check out Bag that Style for more Celebrity Style!

Check out Jessica Szohr’s Bodhi bag while she strolls with Michelle Trachtenberg [link]

Leighton Meester carries and unknown clutch while Blake Lively sports Prada [link]

Recently, our Facebook Fan Page was named one of the Top Nine Facebook Pages for Fashion! We loved being recognized among some amazing other designers and brands. Our fan page is steadily growing and will continue to bring you the latest and greatest from the handbag world, including; upcoming sales and events, handbag discussions, photos, celebrity style, and exclusive giveaways.

We will be leaking information on our next fabulous giveaway on Facebook today before we announce it on PurseBlog. Make sure you fan us to learn a bit about the giveaway before the rest of the world!

Elsie is quite a unique name, and I actually know two Elsies and one Elsa, so I’m a bit biased. But the Chloé Elsie Lurex Shoulder Bag is not quite as unique as the name. Sure, it has a bit of exotic, with its alligator print, but that’s about the extent of its exotic and unique identity. However, if you want a classy, classic bag and are tired of Chanel, then this is certainly a great choice. If there are two things that Chloé has mastered, it’s great, heavy leather and the fact that the devil is in the details (metaphorically speaking).

This bag is made of Lurex, so no great heavy leather here. But there are some extremely subtle details that are worth noting: the twisted rope handles and the interesting clover-shaped turn-lock closure. So yes, it looks cool and classic and all that, but I think something is missing here. There’s a hint of blahness that is just not going away for me. I’d say, pair it with an amazing outfit to distract from that. Otherwise, I’m not sure this bag is worth its high price of more than a grand. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1,250.