If I had a nickel for every post I’ve written about mixing colors and textures over the past year…well, I guess I actually do have a nickel, since I get paid for this. The point is, I’d have a lot of nickels. Not enough to retire, but enough to pay my rent, even though they give me a really hard time when I try to pay it in nickels. I’ll admit, it’s a heavy bag.

Anyway, the trends represented by the Anya Hindmarch Stripy Gracie Mini Shoulder Bag and the Reed Krakoff Kit Python and Leather Shoulder Bag are nothing new – exotics, brights, you guys are all old hat at this. But which do you like better, lots of natural snakeskin with a little bit of color, or lots of color with a little bit of texture? Check out the larger photos and vote in our poll, after the jump. (more…)

Alaia Leopard Tote, $4770. Jimmy Choo Gaia Leopard Tote, $2295. Both via Net-a-Porter.

Much to my eternal delight, leopard print is going absolutely nowhere. It came on strong as an accessories trend last fall, but the pattern has been falling in and out of favor for decades and it’s here to stay as long as fashion’s love for maximalism remains strong. In fact, the amount of leopard that’s surfacing for Fall 2011 might be an all-time high for the modern fashion industry.

Assuming that you’re still in to leopard, that means you’ve got some accessories decisions to make. Natural or grey? Satchel or tote? Partially leather or all haircalf? Alaia Leopard Satchel or Jimmy Choo Gaia Leopard and Leather Tote? Personally, I’ll pick Alaia every day, all day, but take a look at the larger pictures and pricing information after the jump before you let us know which design wins this Bag Battle. (more…)

(more…)

In the realm of our Bag Battles, I feel like this one might the easiest for many to decide which bag comes out on top. In the past couple years Celine has reinvented themselves with a grand entrance into the bag world. The bags are hard to track down and people are clamoring for them worldwide. One of their highly sought after bags is their Luggage Shopper, which is my personal favorite. In fact, I believe the Celine Luggage Shopper brought back a cool tote into the handbag world.

DSQUARED2 has a funky fresh look that has the likes of Madonna wearing it. With an introduction into women’s wear only eight years ago, the label is young but that does not stop it from being vibrant and sexy (just ask Christina Aguilera and Rihanna). Their similar looking bag is the Quebec Bag which has a close design to the Celine Luggage Shopper. Instead of a zip front pocket, there are two front patch pockets. Buy via ShopBop for $1,000. Who wins the bag battle?!

Miu Miu’s heralded Fall 2010 collection is best described as aggressively girly, which may or may not be a positive thing, depending on your personal style. I normally wouldn’t describe myself in such terms, but nevertheless, the collection has captivated me anyway. There’s an elegance and sharpness to it that is totally captivating.

Parameters for picking bags are different than those for picking clothes, however. A gamine blouse or printed skirt may be fun seasonal purchases, but most accessories customers want their bags to go the distance for more than a couple of months of wear. In trying to decide between the Miu Miu Runway Flower Detail Bag and the Miu Miu Vitello Turnlock Satchel, I can’t help but ask myself if personality or functionality is more important in a bag purchase. The answer will vary by personal style, of course, but these two bags have me particularly torn. Do you go with something very unique that you’ll probably only carry for a season, or a toned-town version with only a few special details that you could carry for a long time?

Handy-dandy poll after the jump, plus larger photos and purchasing information. I’m leaning toward the plain leather bag, although I’d love a pair of Miu Miu flats with similar flower details. (more…)

I need a new bag. It’s been quite a long time since I bought one – far too long for a person that spends eight hours a day pondering the finer points of various designer purses. I’m moving to Atlanta soon and I think that getting a grown-up clutch would be a great way to mark the transition. You see, I’ve spent the past two years taking something of a post-graduation victory lap around my college town, and when you go to college bars, a fancy clutch is kind of a dangerous thing to have.

It’s not that I was afraid it would get stolen – that would have been the least of my worries. It’s just that my usual haunts are beset by sticky floors and puddle-laden bar tops, and it seemed like there would be dozens upon dozens of ways for me to ruin a nice bag in one of them. Now that I’m going to have the opportunity to frequent some slightly classier joints, I want something a little bit more appropriate. The only problem is that I can’t decide which clutch I want. PurseBloggers, I need your assistance. For your convenience, I have created a poll. (more…)