This odd handbag silhouette is nowhere near being called a classic, but apparently more than one designer house digs the oversized, trapezoid-ish tote bag look. They’re both black, edgy, and somehow remind me of a giant fortune cookie, but who exactly came up with this concept first?

The Grant Large Nylon Hobo is one of the latest totes to hit the L.A.M.B scene. A puffy nylon silhouette is held together by an interwoven leather handle and decorated with vertical zippered pockets up front. Prior to L.A.M.B’s release, Maison Martin Margiela had this idea printed on their sketchpads first. Their version of the oversized Leather Slouchy Hobo lacks zippers up front (they’re actually built onto its sides instead), and features a sturdier silhouette; a more defined braided shoulder strap and cool tassel detailing.

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In an ideal world, men would know exactly what women want. Just think, never again would you have to hint to your man that you would really like said handbag for your birthday. He would automatically know exactly which one you had been eye-balling for weeks, allowing him to totally surprise you! But what if men could read your mind in other ways? Like whether or not you are “available”? Well never fear all you single ladies out there because Anya Hindmarch has come out with a bag that will give men all the visual clues they need!

Introducing the Anya Hindmarch Available/Unavailable Canvas Tote! Ta-da… instant psychic powers! But you have to be careful here because you don’t want to bestow these powers onto any old Joe walking down the street. See, this is how I think this should work. Carry the bag around with the “unavailable” side facing out. Then, when you see a cutie that you would like to strike up a conversation with, simply flip the bag around to the “available” side and give him a wink.
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In order to help make ends meet, my dad took on a second job as an auto mechanic at some point during my childhood. I was pretty young back then, but there is one memory that stands out in my mind for some reason. I remember sitting outside the shop where my dad worked and looking down at the puddles in the driveway. I could see my reflection, along with eerie-looking rainbows slowly moving and changing shape whenever the wind caused a ripple in the puddle. This memory is what popped into my mind when I saw the J.J. Winters Single Zip Bag in Iris #1. At first glance, this bag looks like the rainbows I saw in that oil-contaminated rain water. But wait… why then, is the color called “Iris #1″? It turns out that upon closer inspection, those blobs of color are actually supposed to be a pixelated floral pattern.

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Attention Marc Jacobs fans, there is a new Stam in town. Will we ever see the end of the Stam family? The latest arrival is the Parachute Stam, a theme that was not seen in this line yet. The infamous satchel arrive with an extra puffed up silhouette of platinum colored crinkles that is sure to catch mixed attention. In case you are wondering what the glossy luster is, it is in fact good ole’ PVC, and although to most bagista’s, PVC isn’t the material of choice, I’d say this piece would last you a couple of bangs for the time being.

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I’m always looking forward to see what French brand Longchamp brings to the table, especially within their popular colorful nylon totes. A couple of years back; I misunderstood what the entire fuss about these bags was about as they simply appeared to be a straightforward, nylon tote bag to me. But they’re common for a reason and most owners would agree that its compact design, durability and the easily affordable price tags keeps the Longchamp brand so popular.

The large foldable totes in a single bright color are the most popular among students at my university, come to think of it; I haven’t eyed one with a trendy design on it. That may be why I admire the Eiffel Tower Pliage tote from the rest. A printed graphic design of France’s infamous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, is found tilted sideways on the front of this tote. It makes for a simple reminder of the proud heritage of the Longchamp brand.

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The thought of a pen exploding inside of a designer purse is squirming, let alone getting ink or some kind of paint substance on the exterior of your bag. That’s why the majority of us bagista’s are quite cautious when taking our bags for the day and would avoid any harsh stains to the best ability. For once, a splatter of ink on a handbag never looked so good; meet the Bayswater ink-print leather bag by Mulberry.

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Here’s an example of old meets new. If you look into the history of the handbag, you’ll discover that the first noted handbag-like accessories arrived in a pouch-like shape that usually dangled off the waist with an opened top fastened by drawstring pulls. Popular by both men and women, these cloth or leather goods were later adorned by gems, dyes and other colorful textiles. Today, the drawstring pouch bag is quite common, but it seems like this season it is more than ever. If you haven’t tried the crossbody bag look, do check out these styles by MbMJ, Temperley London, Jill Stuart, and Matt & Natt.

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Fendi is an iconic label first started in 1925 and now owned by the LVMH Group. We are all familiar with their “Double F” logo. Their Peekabo bag is a divine classic and their baguettes in many a fashionable woman’s closet.

However, something we do not always see is the whimsical side of Fendi. Available at Neiman Marcus – Fashion’s premier designers, plus beauty’s best brands the Baguette Needlepoint Kit certainly brings a touch of cuteness to the forefront. Labeled “craft couture”, this little kit will get your creative desires going! While I do not embroider, I have dabbled in knitting and crocheting… so for a moment, I begin to delude myself that this adorable little box with beautiful colored yarn and a quite literally – blank canvas – of a handbag is the next product of a budding Picasso-esque master!

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Something really caught my eye today while I was browsing around the Net-A-Porter website. I want you all to meet the Maison Martin Margiela Reflector-Embellished Leather Clutch! This is such an intriguing piece. From a distance, this rectangular clutch simply glistens with what appears to be a mosaic of ruby red stones. Wouldn’t that look gorgeous paired with a little black dress? But wait just a minute! There is definitely more here than meets the eye! That’s when I read the words “reflector-embellished” again.

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