Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote, $2190 via Bergdorf Goodman

When a bag is as popular as the Celine Luggage Tote, it’s only logical that other brands will try to stand in the reflected glow of the design’s success by debuting bags that share certain characteristics with the one that everyone wants. This practice is as old as time, and it’s how trends in size, shape and color start. As long as the reinterpretation is reasonably original, it generally doesn’t bother me as a consumer.

Even with that in mind, though, I was surprised to see the Lanvin Gypsie Straw and Snakeskin Tote in the Resort 2012 pre-orders at Bergdorf Goodman. Lanvin tends to be a brand that shirks most trends in favor of its own brand of Parisian chic, so even though I don’t have a philosophical problem with the existence of this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever see it. (more…)

From left: Mary Y Sol Panama Striped Tote, $100. Club Monaco Tall Straw Tote, $49.50. Elliot Mann 24/7 Tote, $242. All via ShopBop.

In the US, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and all the beachside fun that comes with the season. The PurseBlog team is going to take most of today to relax and enjoy the advent of season vacation season, but if you’re stuck indoors and want some bags to consider, take a look at these three reasonably priced, sun-ready straw totes: The Mar Y Sol Panama Striped Tote, Club Monaco Tall Straw Tote and Elliot Man 24/7 Tote. (Ok, that last one is macrame and not straw. Just go with it.) (more…)

Gucci Hand-Painted Woven Leather Tote, $5900 via Net-a-Porter.

I bet you thought it was, didn’t you? I did. But as the name would indicate, the Gucci Hand-Painted Woven Leather Tote is made entirely of intricately laced and painstakingly painted leather to give the bag the summery look and subtle variation of your favorite well-worn leather tote. This bag follows in the estimable footsteps of Bottega Veneta, who first fooled us with its leather-as-straw bags last year. Unfortunately for those of you who might be looking for a deal, the Gucci version is also in the exact same mid-four-figures price range. (more…)

When I think of summer and straw clutches, greige is not exactly the first color to spring to mind. Although it’s my favorite neutral (besides leopard print, which is a neutral too, I swear), there comes a time when winter has lasted far too long and the last thing you want to see is another sullen, pallid handbag. For me, that time came this past weekend when it felt like November during my trip up North.

If that time has yet to arrive for you, perhaps you’d like to bring greige into the new season with the Matthew Williamson Raffia Leather Clutch. Although this bag has all the island-themed elements of a prototypical straw clutch, they’re rendered in a shade that still screams fall. Well, as much as greige can scream anything, anyway. (more…)

Admittedly, I have a very strong stomach when it comes to the thought of potentially ruining one of my handbags. Not only am I desensitized to their presence because of my job, but I wholeheartedly believe that they are functional objects and meant to be used as such, and even with proper care, most will wear out eventually and need to be retired. But even with my cavalier attitude toward handbag lifespans, I can’t imagine feeling anything less than totally nervous carrying the Lanvin Plage Beach Straw Tote to the actual seashore.

Not only is the bag incredibly light in color, but it’s also in the four-figure price range that you would expect for a Lanvin bag. I could carry this to the five-star spa at a very chichi resort on the beach, but as far as actual sand goes, I’ll leave that to a much less expensive alternative. (more…)

I’m still not entirely convinced that I would pay more than $300 or so for anything made out of raffia (Except for possibly a thatched hut on a tropical island. Do they make those out of raffia?), but that doesn’t stop thousands of women from doing so every year and dozens of brands from cashing in on their desires for a luxurious beach bag.

I’m also not sure that I’d take the Dolce & Gabbana Miss Charles Raffia Flap Shoulder Bag anywhere near the water, but if a fabulous beach party were top pop up somewhere (Preferably with a bonfire, I love a bonfire.), then this might be the type of bag that I would be inclined to carry. If, of course, I could bring myself to over a thousand dollars on straw. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a really big “if.” (more…)

It’s almost unfair to sit here in the doldrums of November and be forced to look at Prada Resort 2011 handbags, and days like today make it all the more clear that fashion’s season cycle is set up to make consumers (and bloggers) continually want what we can’t quite have or use. Even if Prada’s python- and crocodile-accented linen bags were available today, I wouldn’t have anything to do with them. They’d just sit next to me on the couch while I complain about the weather on Twitter. Under lots of blankets, of course.

But one day, the sun shall shine again and I shall leave the house without a coat, I know it, and for those days, one of these little bags would be a fun thing to have. I don’t think I could ever justify spending Prada amounts of money on linen or straw, but if money were no object, I’d love to have all three of these bags for the imaginary midwinter cruise that I’m going to be taking in my head. Wait, never mind, not an imaginary cruise. I don’t want to get stuck at sea and have to eat my imaginary Prada bag to stay alive. It’ll be an imaginary flight to the Bahamas instead.

Larger photos and purchasing information, after the jump. (more…)

Remember all that crowing I’ve done over the past few months about how it doesn’t feel like fall in Atlanta and how I wish the chilly weather would just hurry up and get here already?!? I TAKE IT BACK, Y’ALL. I TAKE IT ALL BACK. That stuff people say about the grass always being greener on the other side? It’s true. Particularly when the side you’re on is 50 degrees and wet.

Someone flipped the weather switch straight from September to February for those of us down here, and in the span of 48 hours, we went from 80 degrees and sunny to just below 50 (That was the HIGH TEMPERATURE. Sob.) and soggy. As a way to punish me for all the complaining I’ve done about the nice weather over the past few weeks, the universe has sent the Felix Rey Birds of a Feather Basket Tote to taunt me from ShopBop’s New Arrivals page, just to rub it in. (more…)

The gorgeously blue Bahamian beaches were a fitting scenery for Megs’ new Balenciaga Straw Classic, which she had scooped up at BlueFly a while back.

BlueFly usually stocks plenty of authentic, past-season Balenciaga bags at significant savings. We suggest you browse their inventory if you lust after a new Bbag.

Check after the jump for more captures and don’t forget to click for the full versions. Let us know your feedback in the comments! (more…)