If you’ve been paying attention over the past few years, then you already know that J.Crew has ambitions beyond its mid-priced mall-brand origins. CEO Mickey Drexler and Creative Director Jenna Lyons have helped exponentially elevate the brand’s fashion status, and while J.Crew remains a good source for accessibly priced sweaters and cute statement jewelry, the store would also like to sell you handbags that cost four figures.

Last week, Megs and I had the pleasure of previewing the clothes, shoes and handbags from Diane von Furstenberg Pre-Fall 2013, and we’re excited to be able to give you a look at the collection’s full handbag line today – think of it as our early Christmas present to you! Thank us later.

You might have noticed over the last season or so that DVF is really getting her handbag game on lock.

Over the last five years, contemporary bags have largely taken their aesthetic cues from the It Bags of the mid-2000s. There have been plenty of oversized satchels, fringe-y zipper pulls, stud embellishments and an overwhelming number of over-embellished options for people who love a lot of look. As the upper echelons of fashion have changed toward a more modern look, though, contemporary lines have started to tentatively move that way too.

3.1 Phillip Lim Pre-Fall 2013, currently available for pre-order via Moda Operandi, doesn’t hold many surprises for those who are already familiar with Lim’s brand of clean, functional minimalism. What the collection does have, though, is plenty of bags over which Lim’s ardent fans will surely go gaga. The early winner is the white-and-black colorblocked 31 Hour Bag, above, which also comes in clutch and wallet form.

Last weekend, I found myself on a night out, carrying a great clutch, and without any place to put it. I don’t like clutches with chain straps because they feel old-fashioned to me, so I couldn’t hang the bag off my knee under the table, as I usually would. I also couldn’t put it on the table, because as nights out are wont to do, the table was wet in spots and fresh cocktails sloshed over the sides of their glasses when they arrived.

I’ve been a Rebecca Minkoff fan since the moment her brand launched. After seeing her Morning After Bag, I was hooked, and even more so, I adore Rebecca as a person. It’s crazy to think that seven years ago both our companies were just getting started, and today we both have expanded massively in our own ways (ok, hers is so much larger).

While winter is slowly approaching here in NYC, I’d love this Sam Edelman Bryn Pouchette Bag to add a little bit of sunshine to my winter wardrobe. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Christian Louboutin Spike Clutch, and ever since, I’ve been obsessed with spiked accessories. Sam Edelman’s shoulder bag isn’t as extreme as Louboutin’s clutch, but this design should steal some attention anyway.

We’re in the thick of the holiday season, and for a lot of us, things are getting pretty stressful. Not only do the holidays involve expensive travel, shopping at crowded stores, preparing unfamiliar recipes for large groups of people and dealing with relatives who may not be your favorite, but on top of all that, you’re probably fretting over what kind of gifts your family and friends might like.

Despite the fact that we often talk about the most expensive accessories on the face of the planet, everyone on the PurseBlog team finds great pleasure in well-priced pieces as well. That’s especially true around the holidays, when we want to spread as much cheer as we can to our friends and families. (And, ok, to ourselves. We like cheer too.

The best sales are the sales where you get to apply the discount to whatever you like, and that’s exactly what J.Crew’s offering this weekend with the J.Crew Black Friday Sale. Not only can you take 25% off your online or in-store purchase with code COLOR25 at checkout, but any order over $150 ships for free. Get to shopping!

SHOP THE J.CREW BLACK FRIDAY SALE NOW!