Jimmy Choo Solar Studded Hobo, $1795 via Neiman Marcus

I warned y’all this was going to happen, so don’t say that I didn’t.

In fact, I warned you back in May that Jimmy Choo seemed intent on foisting the Jimmy Choo Solar Studded Hobo on the fashion world, and it took a little longer than we (or the company, probably) anticipated to get here, but did you use that time to prepare yourself? To prepare your eyes to view…this? I bet you didn’t. (more…)

Reed Krakoff Alligator Hobo, $30,000 via Net-a-Porter

A $30,000 price tag always sticks out to me, probably because when I was growing up, that’s how much I thought a car cost. Naturally, I’ve since learned that sometimes cars cost less, and even more bizarrely, sometimes handbags cost more. The Reed Krakoff Alligator Hobo, however, comes in at 30 grand on the nose.

Black alligator seems to be the preferred method of delivery for that many thousands of dollars worth of handbag, if this design and The Row’s backpack (which has now been identified as alligator instead of our original guess of crocodile) is any indication. For my money, I’d want something a little more adventurous, but I suppose that versatility is of the essence when one is actually considering spending that much money on a single bag. (more…)

Chloe Gabby Bucket Bag, $2395 via Saks

It should be noted, before we continue, that this Chloe collection got at least one designer fired. Hannah MacGibbon, who had been creative director for the brand for several years, was shown the door after Chloe Fall 2011 was roundly panned. Other shuffling in the brand’s ranks weren’t announced, of course, but based on how much better Resort 2012’s accessories are then those of Fall 2011, one can only imagine that a significant shakeup did occur.

The problem, though, is that we still have to wait a few months for the new stuff to come out while bags like the Chloe Gabby Bucket Bag populate the brand’s shelf space at department stores. Ladies, this is a runway bag. Someone put this on the runway. I’ve known that for almost half a year now, but the mind, it still boggles. Try and remember that better Chloe bags are around the corner, ladies. They’ll be here soon. (more…)

Texture is one of the big fashion words on everyone’s lips this year, which means that finding a unique way to incorporate it into your wardrobe is going to be a big challenge in a few months. Most of you seemed a bit tepid toward the prevailing ideas about python and its many uses, and I can’t say I blame you – I saw enough snakeskin during the Fall 2011 shows that I’d be perfectly happy if I didn’t see it again until 2012.

Thank god, though, that we can always rely on Marni to give us an uncommon take on a common idea. The Marni Studded Leather Shoulder Bag makes a bold texture statement without being a slave to one trend or another, and it does that while being neutral and functional enough to use every day. This bag has enough personality to not appeal to absolutely everyone, but who wants to carry a bag that can be seen on the shoulder of every other woman walking down the street? Certainly not me. (Unless it’s a Celine Luggage Tote, of course. Then GIMME GIMME GIMME. Ahem. But that’s beside the point!) (more…)

It’s rare that color causes a real obstacle to my appreciation of a particular design. Although not every color fits into my wardrobe, I can usually see how they might fit into the wardrobes of others, and thus, I can appreciate their merits. The middling beige-tan color of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Framed Hobo, though? No thanks.

If I were in a diplomatic mood, I might say that it’s the color of a latte. Instead, there’s a grey undertone that I just can’t shake, no matter how faint it might be, and the wrinkly pleated leather at the center makes it sort of look like brains. There, I said it. Brains. Does anyone else see it, or have I had one too many Diet Cokes today? (more…)

Normally, it doesn’t take me long to get sick of looking at a bag. Not only do I spend 40 hours a week sifting through bag photos, which is enough to create design ennui in anyone, but I’m very much a “on to the next one” type of girl anyway. For some reason, though the Tory Burch Dean Hobo has stuck with me.

It’s not that this bag is some sort of monumental triumph of design; in fact, it’s pretty simple and not all that exciting. But for some reason, it just looks like a bag that I’d really enjoy carrying, particularly in this new oversized version. When you combine that with a subtle metallic sheen, silver hardware and a sub-$500 price point, I’m honestly kind of shocked that I don’t have one yet. (more…)

Since the beginning of Diane Von Furstenberg’s bag line, I’ve hoped that she would include more everyday leather bags in her collections. DVF’s highly embellished hobos and clutches are a lot of fun, but the leathers that she’s used on several simpler designs in the past have left me wanting more. Luckily, the Diane Von Furstenberg Maribelle Gathered Leather Hobo is right up my alley.

Just because this bag is simpler than some of DVF’s other offerings doesn’t mean that the company spared the kind of detail work that makes its bags specials. On the contrary, they loaded up this simple design to make sure that it doesn’t get lost in the beige bag shuffle. (more…)

It’s approximately 27 degrees outside in Atlanta right now, and when you consider that we’re usually in the mid-50s in December, I’m sure you can understand how much of a shock that was when I left the house this morning. I’m currently wearing double layers and huddled under a blanket, but I’m also hoping that the sunny, cheerful Bottega Veneta Large Check Shoulder Bag can help keep me warm.

I’ve been looking at this bag for quite a while, trying to decide if I can get on board with the multicolor check pattern that criss-crosses the white leather background. And I think I can! This bag doesn’t fit in with my normal personal style, but it sure does make me want to fast-forward to late May and linen dresses. (more…)

Akris’s first attempts at handbag success were almost universally well-received; despite being illogically pricey, the Akris Horsehair Ai Bag sold briskly and dotted magazine pages and the arms of celebrities as visible as Angela Jolie. Now that the brand has its footing, it’s time to branch out.

The Akris Allega Braided Leather Hobo is indeed a worthy next step for a brand that prides itself on precision and technique. Although this bag doesn’t appear to be “braided” in the traditional sense of the word, the thin leather strips are woven together to give a ton of texture to what otherwise might be an unspectacular hobo. (more…)

Here at PurseBlog, we are generally of the opinion that trends should be secondary to wearing things that you love and that makes you feel wonderful, no matter what the fashion industry wants you to wear, but since we’re a fashion blog, we sort of have to cover them. And although I may not be a big lover of orange for a variety of reasons, it’s going to be difficult to avoid the hue in a couple months’ time.

Once I saw the Yves Saint Laurent Roady Hobo in what the brand calls “flame,” I knew that there was no escaping the onslaught of orange. My sales associate at Jeffrey told me that they had ordered a lot of orange and coral for spring, and since the boutique’s owner Jeffrey Kalinsky is also an executive vice president at Nordstrom, it’s safe to say that orange will be showing up there as well, not to mention in every other department store in existence. Brights had a moment on the Spring 2011 runways in what seemed like a direct response to Fall 2010’s neutral palette, and fiery shades in particular look to be among the biggest winners of the season. (more…)

I think I know how this one is going to turn out, but in the spirit of Friday, let’s have a poll!

The Diane Von Furstenberg Piper Sequined Shoulder Bag is a lot of look, in the immortal words of Tim Gunn. Sequins, feathers, multicolor metallic leather, studs, two straps…the design has a lot of competing visual ideas on a rather modestly sized bag, and my first reaction reflected that pretty accurately. But sometimes, stuff that seems totally awful is actually just weird enough to work, on the right girl. Standing out in a crowded contemporary handbag market takes some guts, which this bag has in spades, but I’m just not sure that the ends justify the means in this case in particular. What do you think? Vote and let us know in the comments.

Buy through Net-a-Porter for $795.