Charlotte Olympia Pandora Feather Clutch, $995 via Moda Operandi

In general, I’ve always been a fan of little lucite (or perspex, if you’re British) clutches. Making the things you carry part of a handbag’s visual design is an interesting move, and a box clutch is small enough that you’re unlikely to be carrying anything particularly messy or embarrassing. Choose your phone cover and card case wisely, but other than that, there’s little over which to fret.

For those who are made slightly more nervous by the prospect of a see-through bag, the Charlotte Olympia Pandora Feather Clutch would be a beautiful way to dip your toes in the water. This new version of the Pandora for Spring 2012 features a little bit of privacy through inlaid feathers, but your bag’s contents will still be on display.

Images via Fashionista.com

You guys, it’s Friday. May I repeat for everyone who’s glazed over in front of the computer at work: IT’S FRIDAY. So it’s time to have some fun, ok? Today, I’d like to do that with these images from our friends at Fashionista.com of the latest and greatest Prada Tricks, which is what the company calls its absolutely adorable bag charms, which are often ursine (Fancy word for bear-like, y’all. Haven’t used that one since the SATs.) in nature.

Fashionista scanned these images out of the new Prada Gifts lookbook, which is why they’re a tad wonky, but these little guys and gals are totally awesome nonetheless. From a thinly veiled take on Axl Rose to bears dressed as crystal-studded robots, these are the kind of whimsical, silly little things that I actually would hang from my bag with a great deal of joy. Fashionista estimates that they’ll cost around $150, and we’ll update you when they become available. Check out the rest of the Tricks in the gallery after the jump.

I don’t mention it much in these parts, but I’m a big, enormous vintage fan. At a certain point, I think I hit a wall with regular shopping – I felt like I had seen everything before it hit stores, so once it was there, I was often underwhelmed and ready for something different. The curse of working in the fashion industry, eh? Which is why so many fashion girls are unrepentant vintage hounds; it’s the final frontier of clothing consumerism, where only those with the best eye will survive.

Vintage handbags still don’t have much of a draw for me because utilitarian leather items tend to degrade a great deal over time, which is where items with a heavy retro influence like the Valentino Laser Cut Patent Evening Bag come in. It’s the kind of thing I’d find in a second-hand shop and dearly love, except his one is brand new and totally pristine.

All images via Vogue.com

Despite the fact that Spring 2012 was kind of a down season for runway bags, there were still plenty of highlights that deserve to be noted. After all, in a season where Louis Vuitton gives you wall-to-wall exotics and Hermes reintroduces a long-shelved shoulder bag, things can’t really be that dreary, can they?

So here we have the ten best bags from the Spring 2012 show schedule, presented in alphabetical order. We picked only bags that appeared in major runway shows because those are the ones to which we have access at this point in the season. Once bag designers who didn’t have shows start sending out lookbooks, we’ll have lots more bags (and lists) to show you. Tell us which bags are your favorites in the comments, and let us know if we missed anything!

Images via WWD.com

On the runways, it was a bit of a disappointing show season for accessories. There were highlights here and there (and we’re going to round them up for you tomorrow, so stay tuned!), but ultimately, Megs and I were left feeling underwhelmed. Thankfully, lots of amazing accessories designers don’t have traditional runway shows, so there are plenty of amazing bags left to discover for the season.

Anya Hindmarch is one such designer whose collection we’re just now getting to see, and several of the pieces from Anya Hindmarch Spring 2012 are already favorites of mine. First and foremost, how can you resist the glittered apple and pear clutches featured above? They’re not as precious (or as expensive) as a Judith Leiber piece, but they’d add a note of unexpected whimsy outfit. Another favorite is Hindmarch’s colorblocked python satchel, which you’ll have to check out after the jump. I can’t wait for this collection to hit stores.

Today is your last day to vote on Phase I of our PurseForum + Rebecca Minkoff Design a Bag collaboration. Phase I is integral to the process, as this will decide the shape of the bag to be designed by Rebecca Minkoff and her design team.

We will be beginning Phase II later today, in which you can tell us precisely what makes the perfect bag. Don’t miss out on being part of an amazing opportunity and cast your vote for Phase I now!

Images via WWD.com

My appreciation for Longchamp varies widely from season to season, but what I’ve seen so far from Longchamp Spring 2012 has me hopeful for my favorite collection from the brand in years. Although surely most of the brand’s revenue comes from the sale of its ever-popular nylon totes, Le Pliage and otherwise, it would seem as though the brand has taken more care with its leather goods for this season.

That’s just conjecture, but if it’s the case, the results are indeed successful. The colorblock bags and python tote in particular are standout pieces, and they’re also not necessary the kind of thing I’d expect to find from Longchamp. Those unexpected items could go a long way toward expanding the brand’s business, but if you’re still a sucker for Longchamp’s nylon totes, the balloon pattern for spring is adorable.