Stylish with Substance

With probable fears of crime and hanging on to our dear valuables looming more than ever, combined with who-knows-what untold other little micro-now ways of life, cross body bags have become more appealing than ever.  In a budget-minded style with a twist, I recommend buying only one of this rare and unique style, in a possible statement bag or at least one to last lots of  "every-days"......partially because the new trends follow the new way of life, pairing down. Given that, here are some in "every" pricerange following the *built to last--while budgeting* rule...

Statement Holding ($$$)

Gucci - $1,395

Flaunt your Love ($$)

Kooba - $485

Practical-ly Making $

Fossil - $148

The Elliott Lucca brand's work with leather is usually innovative or at least interesting and usually gorgeous. And this mid-sized clutch slash strap bag is on sale for roughly $106.

With its double-diamond-design in a quilted stitch, in lavender, chocolate, olive and black, the bag is 13" x 6" with two removable straps for different wearing lengths.

Isn't that ... 3 bags in one for one modest price? In these times, that's priceless!

Sure, there are bigger and ultra gorgeous, but more expensive, bags in the Catina collection, too. Check it out.

Just wanted to introduce you to Style.com's Candy Pratts Price's fave accessories from the Fall shows, and their new pictures, descriptions and -- ah! -- official names.

Ah, the benefit of being an insider journalist. Well, at least we get their info when they give it.

Read it (well, view it) here on Style.com.

By the way, so far, I'm noticing at least one of the same handbags. (I've hardly begun looking, thanks to life and its foibles getting in the way.) It's a Dolce & Gabbana silver number.

It's some eye-candy via eLUXURY's home page. They may not be all mine, but it's still a delicious treat. (A good diet dessert---but you know, with a little bit of dark chocolate in the stomach.)

Louis Vuitton Speedies all in a row

Unearthed, an exotics worker who makes accessories for sale on Etsy.com, seriously amazes me. She often uses these exotic skins, like lizard, for wrist cuffs and bags. And she's a reasonable artist, too. I'm talkin' a python purse would run in the mere low hundreds, NOT $10,000!!!

The bag I'm featuring tonight has rich brown leather trim, fun studs; all surrounding a funky, textured wool body. The bag is slightly reminiscent of COACH, but would compare to their $700~ish bags. The pricetag of this purse? $345, but it's honest pricing folks! The designer chose the finest of leather and you can clearly tell the purse it well put-together.

I say, if this (The Unearthed Oslo Bag), is what Indie can do - let it be the future!

Red. It's the hottest color of the season. And why not? We're living in spicy times, and autumn is aflush with warm hues that fight any bad weather.

I'm scouting red bags around the web - preferrably more affordable ones, since it's trendy, bold and we DO want to collect collect collect! So .. how about COACH?

Hamptons Leather-Signature Hobo - $368

Carly in leather - red - $398 (I personally want this one)

Hamptons Leather-Signature Flap Satchel - $498

Plus there's more! Search Coach bags by color at www.coach.com!

Dooney & Bourke really knows how to pick a celebrity to give them a little publicity, while also targeting one of their main demographics: teens (no, not sci-fi buffs). Hayden Panettiere has designed a bag for the brand, to come out for the Holidays 2007. Like a hero, super star Hayden, who plays Claire Bennett on the wildly popular, Heroes TV series, actually designed something a bit more toward the classic end of Dooney's style - no, she didn't go the teeny-bopper pattern route. (Miss P., you are redeeming yourself from your past escapades of friend's shirt licking!) Maybe the subtle look of the actress's design will help to mature her peer's own senses of fashion?

A limited edition bag, due to arrive to order in early December, it is however just a bit lacking in creativity and that something special to warrant its exclusivity, stature, and the slightly higher price tag than many Dooney's, at around $500.

Really, in order to warrant me buying a Claire Bennett purse, a kind of plain one, a bit too expensive one --- well I want it to be a true super hero bag and be indestructable, with a warranty for free repairs - or "regenerations" by the Dooney company.

But that's just the Geek Chic in me!

via Bag Bliss

Combining a few of the hottest trend aspects of the season: unique closures, gathered leather and ... maybe a high price point; is the new range by little-known Smythson; the Nancy bags.

In the styles of clutch, small satchel and large, and standard colors of white, tan, black and dark brown; there's almost something for every fashionista this Fall with the Nancy collection ... except that these bags are propelled into the IT race with a price range of $1,032 to $1,981. Somewhat much for a little-recognizable status bag, but the purses really are nice. And did I mention trendy? They have a lot of the appeal of a Stam, plus the more practicalities of a medium size option and no heavy hardware. The gathered leather is done in a sophisticated and unique way; sort of appearing like a diamond quilt pattern but not - and the clasp is not only fresh, but covered in luxurious leather - the same calf skin the entire exteriors are made of.

And who knows what we'll see in the future if the Nancy catches fashionistas' fancy!

Fangobbles' signature shape is this triangle-esque handbag with different fabrics. A girl can definitely find something she likes in her Etsy shop, or use their "convo" feature to inquire about other prints.

And when an item goes on sale in this shop, it may not last long, so keep on it. Hopefully you'll learn to love indie, if you don't already, just browse Etsy! There's something for everyone, including the snobbiest fashionistas.