Marc Jacobs The Ace Messenger Bag, $1150 via Net-a-Porter

My enthusiasm for the Marc Jacobs The Ace Messenger Bag comes from one thing and one thing alone: My ability to imagine it in other colors. Not that there’s anything wrong with greige, per se, but I prefer the statement-making ability of a good bright bag, particularly when it offsets the tendency for a crossbody to hide within an outfit because of its usual place on the back of a woman’s hip. Because Jacobs almost always makes his leather bags in multiple colors, I trust that a bright version is forthcoming. And if it isn’t, it should be.

When I posted excitedly about the Loewe Flamenco Bag’s introduction last week, most of you felt as enthusiastic about the new addition as I did. Apparently Loewe saw our love for the design coming from a mile away, because the brand’s Fall 2011 ad campaign features the bag posed strategically over the gorgeous Mariacarla Boscono’s, err, intimate parts. Shot by Mert & Marcus and styled by Katie Grand of the Love magazine, the shoot took place at the famous Ritz hotel in Spain, as a nod to the brand’s Spanish roots. Add this campaign to the list of those that I’m digging for Fall 2011, without a doubt. More photos after the jump.

Because Monday was a holiday, we skipped Man Bag Monday this week, but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate our male audience. Au contraire! And for our female audience, we figured you would probably appreciate the male model eye candy in this behind-the-scenes look at preparations for the Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 Men’s show. And who doesn’t need a little pick-me-up on a lazy Thursday afternoon? It’s almost the weekend, ladies and gents.

Be&D Kitty Studded Satchel, $1350. Be&D Gia Satchel, $975. Both via Bloomingdale’s.

What struck me the most about seeing the Be&D Studded Kitty Satchel and Be&D Gia Satchel in quick succession was how different the two bags were for being released by the same independent brand in the same season. The Kitty satchel is big and soft, almost like a really luxe weekender, while the Gia is all corners and angles and sharp edges, done up in a comparatively petite size.

But there are some details that connect the two together, most notable the gold pushlocks that will always remind me of Marc Jacobs, no matter how many other designers use them. The tendency to use neutral leathers is also a very Be&D trait, and although it doesn’t satisfy my lust for bright accessories, it does make for a very useful handbag.

I suppose it could be argued that more subtle or more luxurious brands exist on the high-end mass market, but few brands garner such a large following as Bottega Veneta while still holding the attention of such a large audience. If you’re wondering about the source of that success, look no further than the Bottega Veneta Roma Accordion Tote.

At first glance, this design might seem unremarkable, but I can’t help but be impressed by the restraint Bottega shows in bags like these, season after season. The company may release a gimmicky bag here and there, but it’s always supported by tons of luxurious everyday bags that a woman could carry well beyond the immediate season.

Photo via Style.com

Normally for Want It Wednesday, we pick a specific item (which may or may not be a handbag – we like to switch things up around here sometimes) over which we’re lusting that week. But today, we’re doing things a little bit differently. While paging through Tommy Ton‘s always-excellent street style photos from Style.com’s Paris Haute Couture Week coverage, we came upon this photo of a group of young fashion luminaries that had us rummaging through our closets to see if we could recreate some of the colorful looks.

Juicy Couture Black Star Satchel, $348 via ShopBop

If you hate bags like the Juicy Couture Black Star Satchel and wish they’d go away, blame Proenza Schouler for the astronomical success of the brand’s PS1 satchel. Since its debut, a passel of imitators both high-end and low have come along to give consumers a similar structure with a slightly different flair, and from that group has come some great bags, most notably the Mulberry Alexa.

I, on the other hand, adore these bags. They’re roomy, functional and classic without being stuffy or dated, and the sub-$400 price point on this bag in particular makes it a good fit for women who want to get the look without shelling out a huge amount of money for the original. This bag is still unique enough that it’s nowhere near a direct copy, and that’s always what I prefer when I’m in search of a “look for less” option.