Chloe Gabby Bucket Bag, $2395 via Saks

It should be noted, before we continue, that this Chloe collection got at least one designer fired. Hannah MacGibbon, who had been creative director for the brand for several years, was shown the door after Chloe Fall 2011 was roundly panned. Other shuffling in the brand’s ranks weren’t announced, of course, but based on how much better Resort 2012′s accessories are then those of Fall 2011, one can only imagine that a significant shakeup did occur.

I have a little secret, today’s bag in our Free Endearment + Shontelle giveaway is one of my favorites. Completely on-trend, a bit of bright pink and green colorblocking looks amazing against neutral leather.

Today we are giving away the Free Endearment Corinne-Bone/Green/Pink Clutch. Priced at $265, this clutch will amp up any outfit. Dimensions are rather spacious, 9″ x 14″ x 3″.

Reed Krakoff Kit Bag, $1390. Reed Krakoff RDK Hobo, $1290. Reed Krakoff Boxer Tote, $990. All via Saks.

Sometimes I feel the need to reiterate this point when I sit down to write yet another post about a brand that I love: Reed Krakoff has never given me a free bag, a discount on a bag or any kind of perk whatsoever in exchange for a post.

Loewe Flamenco Bag, $1726 via Matches in green and orange

If you’ve never seen a Loewe (pronounced Low-AY-vay) bag in person and they brand is available in your area, I’d encourage you to seek them out for a test drive around the department store or boutique of your choice. I still can’t understand why so many starlets choose to carry the canvas version of the company’s Amazona bag; leather is where the bags shine most brightly.

When was the last time you looked at a Marc Jacobs bag and thought, “Whoa, that’s a great bag?” Sometime around the entré of the Stam, right? Well that’s exactly what I said, out loud, by myself, to my computer in sudden fit of excitement when I saw the colorblocked satchel at top left from Marc Jacobs Resort 2012. I mean, that’s a good bag, right?

Just when I was beginning to wonder if Coach president Reed Krakoff could continue to replicate the smashing success that he’s had in the very short life of his eponymous label, Reed Krakoff Resort 2012 comes around to prove it to me. Ladies, this line isn’t just a flash in the pan.

When I was flipping through the press photos, it was the Reed Krakoff Boxer Bag that you see at left that really proved to me that there’s something major here.

Yves Saint Laurent Lucky Chyc Colorblock Tote, $1350 via Net-a-Porter

By now, we all know what spring’s big trend are: Colorblocking, mixed brights, pink and orange, brights contrasted with neutrals. We’ve all been saying this since the collections made their fashion week debuts six months ago, and those looks have made their way to retail with a vengeance. And in the case of the Yves Saint Laurent Lucky Chyc Colorblock Tote, they’ve all showed up in one design.

Marc Jacobs Snake Clutch, $1095 via NAP

Without looking at the name of this clutch or a close-up image, you might miss that a snake design is separating the raspberry suede and orange leather colorblocking. What makes the snake design stand out even more is the fact that it has a face and is created with actual python, which keeps the design legit while also making me feel a wee bit slimy.

At PurseBlog, we understand that spring’s trend toward bright colorblocking can be intimidating, particularly when you decide to do it in a minimal way a la Jil Sander Spring 2011. In those kinds of ensembles, there’s nothing to hide behind – it’s just you and your colorful pants, out there for the world to see. Depending on your personality, that thought might either be exhilarating or terrifying.

The more I look through the handbags from Chloe Fall 2011, the more I wonder who the Chloe girl is. I also wonder if Chloe’s accessories designers know the answer to that question, or if they’ve chosen instead to hope that they can make everyone feel like a Chloe girl by creating a collection that eschews a unifying aesthetic in favor of encompassing a group of ideas that are seemingly not related.