Milly Leather Shoulder Bag, $395 via Net-a-Porter.

For better or for worse, “contemporary” bags often have a particular type of look to them. They’re often slouchy and supple to appeal to a younger customer who wants a more casual look for a less painful price tag, which results in some great bags that have a look I’m proud to support. But it also means that for a clean, tailored look, we have to look for more expensive bags that use more costly materials and appeal to a customer who’s a bit older. Until the Milly Leather Shoulder Bag came along, that is.

Spring 2011 marks Milly’s advent to the handbag world, and the brand’s extremely well-priced line has showed a great deal of finesse for an initial outing. This bag in particular looks much more expensive than its modest $395 would suggest, and the glossy sheen to the fine-grained black leather is something you’d expect from a bag that costs well into the four figure range. The sleek oversized hardware is also another very high-end touch, and this sort of seasonless, office-appropriate shoulder bag is the type of accessory that a wide variety of women would find useful. For less than $400, Milly’s ideas are certainly a welcome addition to the accessories landscape. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $395.