Designer Handbags

I stumbled onto R & Y Augousti’s pleasant line of bags at Henri Bendel when I was in New York, and I went home with a mint-green python beauty. Since then, I’ve been tracking R & Y Augousti online with only moderate success. Thankfully, Barneys stocks a small selection of the French line’s clutches, including this R & Y Augousti green sunsnake clutch, along with their better known home goods. I won’t lie. A big part of the appeal of this line is the low price point - you can get this exotic clutch for $225 - but the bags are also very well made and absolutely hip. I love the shagreen buckle and the belt-like leather detail, as well as the fine texture of the snakeskin. The day clutch is the new bag trend, and this clutch is begging to be taken out for a cheerful lunch. The lack of logo is total class and will leave many a stranger wondering where you got your bag. Snag one here for a steal of a price, and keep your eye on this label. They make wonderful things.

Image via Forbes

Spending a lot of money on an evening bag makes sense to me, if you are a star or A-lister. That way you get it for free. Many evening bags are exorbitantly priced, but within your own range I say go for that nice evening bag, it makes the outfit. The Nancy Gonzalez Porousus Bag is made with a nearly perfect crocodile skin and features special order embellishments. You can special order your Nancy Gonzalez bag, but it is going to cost you. $30,000 for this version, which is the price of a beautiful new Honda Accord Coupe. Car or bag, car or bag?

I love having options. I have posted about the Jimmy Choo Foldover Clutch in three different options; black, metallic, and now mave electric blue. The Jimmy Choo Mave Foldover Clutch is an amazing blue color that is eye-catching, attention-drawing, and electric-coloring. I can see each color being perfect for a different occasion and this blue version can be for a younger gal or the gal who wants to party, not sit down for a nice dinner. Hell, this clutch can be for any gal wanting to do anything. Just love it! Via Net-A-Porter for $895.

Which Jimmy Choo Foldover color do you love?

My color choice for spring and summer is green. There have been a few green handbags that have caught my eye (stunning army green Miu Miu Coffer) but I am not fully sure I or everyone of you want to carry a huge green bag. The perfect answer is a green clutch if you ask me. And like I always say, a stunning color on an exotic is a perfect match. I am head over heels for the Angel Jackson Chandra Snakeskin Clutch which is designed with moss green snakeskin on a simple yet stunning design. The sister duo behind this line is new on the block but sure to make an impact. A sleek frame top with a tiny bit of ruching below forms a stunning clutch that is easy to wear during the day or out at night. You can not beat this price for an exotic, $295 via Lux Couture.

A different shape and a bag has a whole new feel. Most of us are used to our clutches being wider than they are long. It just feels right to hold a clutch in my hand of the ‘usual’ dimensions. Marni is catching some attention with their longer than wide clutch, which measures 5″W x 7″H x .5″D. Upon first picture inspection, the clutch looks huge, but that is just your mind playing tricks on you. The Marni Long Patent Clutch is actually an itty-bitty clutch that sports an elongated look and a silver chain wrist strap. It is almost like a miniature, and on my 5 feet and 10 inches it may look silly, but it can fit modern day slim cell phone, lipstick, ID, and another misc must. The only aspect I am not totally keen on, other than the size, is the wood and rhinestone detail on the front. There is an oval wood detail that is covered in tiny rhinestones on the top center of this patent leather clutch. The wood detailing is fine by me, gives the clutch an edge, but the rhinestones are not a huge plus in my book. Though, I suppose since the bag is so small it won’t be in your face, and can look subdued and funky rather than ornate and tacky. Through Net-A-Porter for $336.

With the Oscars just behind us, many have evening bags on mind. From VBH, to Swarovski, to Leiber, to newcomer in the handbag world Roger Vivier, hand candy was an ultimate Oscars accessory. If you are not one of the lucky few who is actually given an expensive bag for free, join me in the search for spending your own hard earned money on a fabulous evening bag. For a very elegant and angelic evening bag, I am loving the goddess gold shimmer on the Maddalena Marconi Gold Pleated Organza Silk Evening Bag. All combined in one amazing bag, fine organza silk is combined with exquisite Swarovski crystals, which are shown off on a delicate and lady-like frame closure which is reminiscent of an highly elite Medieval Ball. For today’s purposes, any black tie event, exhibit, company party, masquerade, or any other event for that matter would find this piece to be the perfect accompaniment. Best part is the price, just under $500 via Forzieri so you can look like royalty without spending an arm and a leg.

Pucci is typically known for its colorful swirl pattern. But sleek and sophisticated on a Pucci clutch, that is unheard of… WRONG. Check out this stunner (Ok I am obsessed with blue lately, sorry!). The Emilio Pucci Silk Clutch Handbag screams summertime because of the aqua silk body. The aqua on this clutch is the color of the Carribean oceans and is paired with a matte gold frame and an oversized clasp closure on the top. Then you open to the inside to see that quirky multi-color print that Pucci is so well known for. I’m just in a blue phase, a happy one, but a blue phase. Via Net-A-Porter for $690.

Anya Hindmarch is making her name known with her straight edge designs and perfect handbag compilations. Sure she has a quirky bump or two along the way, but for the most part she is dead on and this is exactly why we will all be seeing much more of her. A completely sexy and lovable clutch has been designed by Hindmarch which makes a glittery and gold statement but looks sophisticated rather than teenage. The Anya Hindmarch Libertine Woven Leather Clutch proves to be an attention grabber with the gold woven leather, silver trim, frame body, and small pocket on the front. Love love love it. The size is perfect and little-black-dress-approved, at 9″x4.5″x3″. You know you want it (or is that me that wants it?) Through Net-A-Porter for $795.

I can not call this handbag a fug bag because I don’t consider it completely ugly, but for this price is makes me have a deep down tummy chuckle. Stella, are you seriously going to charge people $745 for the Stella McCartney Sea Grass Clutch that could easily be designed by me? And trust me, I am an average gal who can get her hands on some sea grass, a charm, and a small accessory body. I could even use simple twine and a hot glue gun and meticulously wrap the twine around the nearly free coin pouch body I buy from the fabric store. Sure it is cute for a summer day, but for this price, I would buy something that does not look MacGyver-ready-in-3-minutes tops. A whopping $745 via Neiman Marcus.

A huge thank you again to Sari and Lux Couture for our Valentine’s Day Giveaway! Now at Lux Couture is a new designer, Jennifer Alfano who has released clutches for Spring/Summer ‘07. On with more blue lovin’, the Jennifer Alfano Carolina Clutch is delicately designed with Iris python and accented with gold hardware. I told you I have a thing for blues, and this baby blue clutch that measures 11 x 5 x 2, is a stunner. Via Lux Couture for $1545.