There are those days we all need to be proper and ladylike - what can be more appropriate for that than this Nancy Gonzalez croc and python bag? It is eternally classic but the gold metallic python trim certainly spices things up a bit. The much needed pleating and the ruched python band definitely updates an otherwise traditional shape. I saw this bag on someone (at the Barneys Christian Louboutin personal appearance, everyone there had fabulous bags!) and immediately jumped her to get all the info on it. She had it in chocolate but I love the silver to make it a bit less serious, brown croc is the ultimate classic color for croc but it does make it kind of old lady-ish. And I don't ever like black croc because you can't see the detail in the skin. Of course, the best thing about Nancy Gonzalez is the fantastic price point. It is $3650 (for a mostly croc bag!!) at Bergdorf Goodman.

Today is Christian Louboutin day! And if you think we love exotic, how do you think we feel about a Christian Louboutin exotic!! OK, so we have not been so kind and actually pretty critical of his bags but you cannot go wrong with a simple classic alligator clutch with his signature red leather lining!! To me, the fabulousness of this clutch falls in line with that of the shoe collection. Am I just loving it because it is alligator and I am on a Louboutin high? Yes, but I don't see any reason to discount the love based on those factors. It is a small (ok, mini) clutch, so it is traditional, but if you regularly attend formal affairs, you will need nothing else but this. That is the beauty of owning exotic, people expect you to keep coming out with it rather than snub you as a one trick pony. And they better because it does not come cheap, this baby is $4190 for not a lot of alligator. But it is less than his Very Prive in croc, which are $4990, and remember, shoes eventually wear out, bags, if well taken care of, do not. At Net a Porter.

Make sure to come back for the interview with Monsieur Louboutin. The story will post later today.

OK, so this is not the most subtle hint but what the hell, I am just trying to be practical and maybe help out those thoughtful and considerate husbands who read our site to get gift ideas for their lucky wives. Any one of these would be an AWESOME Mother's Day gift but all of them would be a dream come true. For a real surprise, the Hermes Lindy would do the trick. If you have been in the dog house, this will get you out. $5,600 Craig at Hermes, 214-528-0197. Any practical mom can use the Bottega Veneta Tri Compartment ($2780) and in pink, it is sure to delight! The Zagliani Puffy Python Satchel ($3100), has been on my list of must haves for a while now. The puffy shape makes it young and easy to wear everyday and the silicone injected python makes the skin luscious! For the bag and beauty snob, Smythson's Beauty Roll ($510) in Azure is not only beautiful but quite useful! All the mink and sable brushes are included. You are getting a deal here for this one. Be good to your mother's. Sure it's the thought that counts and a hug is the best gift in the world, but come on! This is the real world and we expect nice gifts!!! =)

ENTER TO WIN this amazing prize by signing up to our newsletter. Contest ends May 31st at 11:59pm EST. Only one entry per person, please! We will select one random winner on June 1st. Please sign up again to enter THIS giveaway, even if you have already joined our newsletter mailing list. If you have any problems entering, please email me and I will assist you. Sorry, but this giveaway is limited to US residents only.

Thank you Devi Kroell for sponsoring this fantastic prize!!

For the type-A organizational freaks who don't wear makeup, this is the perfect clutch for you! I always fret over the loose heap in my clutch, I have pouches and cardholders but a clutch just cannot be organized enough! Well, the meticulous Jil Sander has come up with the perfect solution. And she's assuming you neat freaks will not think to besmirch your face and bag with make up, not even even lip gloss because there is just no room for it here. Although a really flat phone will fit on the side with the strap because no one can actually go without a phone, especially those who are obsessive compulsive. Seriously, how do you obsess and compulse without a phone? And not to get nitpicky or anything but this clutch does not actually "expand", it merely just opens. It would be more useful and accommodating of at least a soft tube gloss if it did expand a little but with the croc, it is just too rigid for that. Navy croc with red leather lining (which is amazing!!). At Browns Fashion for $2670.

YSL Marjorelle $1395, Lanvin Python Pochette $1830
Bottega Venta $2780, Miu Miu Matelasse $1590

Are you ready for summer? Well, first things first, you gotta get your white bags on! Here are our favorite bags in white for the summer. And who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? Total non-sense, especially when we are talking about fabulous classic bags that are appropriate for all seasons and occasions. The YSL Marjorelle has become one of my favorite bags this season (I have the blue but now am wishing I had waited for this white!!). The Lanvin pochette in python is a steal for $1830 and is the perfect bag for your tiny summer dresses or even a hot evening out with a tropical cocktail, umbrella and all. For the practical gals, the tri-compartment Bottega Veneta breezes from work to weekends. And if you are in between hip and pragmatic, the Miu Miu is genius for all events in your life. It has stood the test of time so even though it is a trend bag, you will be able to use it for many seasons to come. Like with everything else, before anything can get started, you must first have the perfect bag!

By the way, the Lanvin and Miu Miu is 40% off at Barneys Dallas for one day only! Call Pam or Cory at 469-221-4807

I saw this bag in Glamour and had to plagiarize Suze Yalof Schwartz's work (Executive Fashion Editor at Large) because you have to see this amazing clutch (plus, she said I could!). This line was created by sisters Maya and Joanna Nakhle and their clients include a long list of royalty (Queen Rania of Jordan has this clutch!), as well as Carine Roitfeld, which in this industry is considered royalty. All of their bags are adorned with semi-precious jewels, like the ebony seen in this bag. I love how it is incorporated into the design rather than it just sitting on top like how most jeweled bags are. I absolutely love this brown python but for those who are squeamish about the natural snake look, it also comes in white, black and orange (how amazing would that be???). They are still small and accommodating so can do custom orders and also very humble because their prices are crazy affordable! This clutch is only $650! Hello, can I get one in every color, please? You don't even have to be the Queen of Jordan! They have just entered the US market (which means, get this at a bargain while you can) and are available at Tracey Ross in LA, Printemps in Paris, Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong and Podium in Russia (any Russian readers out there?). You can also email them for specific ordering info.

I am still in vacation mode, so when I saw this bag I thought, "wow--how perfect for the hot weather!" Cork is a very interesting material for bags, and we have seen it used more and more. Apparently cork supply is shrinking, (have you noticed a lot of wines now use that plastic cork or screw top?) and it has made the price sky rocket because this bag with just a little bit of croc trim is $2,700! What up?? I mean, an entire croc bag from Nancy Gonzalez is just around $3,000. And I wonder about the durability of cork. It always ends up in my wine, and I imagine that after years of use, this bag will have crumbled away leaving you with just the handles. Then, maybe you can sew canvas to it and fashion yourself a new bag. OK, I'm just rambling. The final verdict: cool for a few minutes, but in the end, this bag is ridiculously priced and probably will not hold up, trend-wise or in its integrity. At Vivre for $2,700.

Some bags are just meant to be looked at and enjoyed as wearable art, with no functionality whatsoever. This is the case with the stunning shagreen and brass minaudiere from R & Y Augousti. It looks like something Daisy from "The Great Gatsby" would have carried--completely useless, but oh, so pretty. I was immediately captivated when I saw it; the art deco chevron pattern shows off the two very different materials, which you would never think of putting together. The contrast of smooth, shiny brass, next to pebbly, grainy shagreen is quite sensual and exotic. I would enjoy holding this just for the texture! Of course with it being 1-inch thick, you will only be able to bring cash and a tube of lipgloss, but sometimes form rules over function, and you just have to give in to frivolousness (especially at this price)! I would actually leave this out on my table as a decorative piece, so that I can enjoy it daily. R & Y Augousti Antique Shagreen Minaudiere $375 at Vivre.

I went to the Bottega Veneta trunk show to preview their Fall 2008 bags, but it was this spring/summer crocodile frame bag that had my full attention. This picture is criminal in its injustice; the actual bag is so spectacular that it really puts everything else to shame. The shape is lady-like and a total classic that will outlive anything, but it is also very updated and modern. It is wide at the bottom and has one big loose gather on each side. This is a frame bag, but not any typical frame. It has 6 hinges, so the bag opens up entirely (the opening becomes a big hexagon that allows you to access the whole interior). It is really easy to open and close and has a beautiful fold-over clasp closure. I am not crazy about this ash color shown here. The one I am eyeing is white with charcoal grey shadow, like the bag on the left (that bag is also great, but it is a messenger so too casual for a croc). This bag will be used year round. The white, of course, is the most amazing thing you can imagine for summer, but how fabulous would it be with a grey sweater and black pants for fall? Oh dear god, I really want this bag really, really badly. The catch, of course, is the price. It is $16,800, which is decent for a croc of this caliber, but I need a plan!! Call Katherine at Bottega Veneta in Beverly Hills at (310) 858-6533 to inquire. $16,800.

Bag Designer Jennifer Alfano has been a very busy girl lately! Gracing the pages of several magazines, including April's Bazaar (she once was an editor there along with Thakoon) where her golden hued python Karina bag ($1,995) was featured as one of the best accessories for spring. But the Bag Snobs didn't need a magazine to tell us her bags are smoking hot--we knew it from the minute we laid eyes on them! We first discovered Jennifer through our friends Sari and Dawn over a year ago and loved her from the very first velvet sueded python clutch we saw! I had lunch with Jennifer at Balthazar last summer and discovered she loves to eat as much as I do, and our sisterhood was sealed right there and then over sumptuous fois gras and multiple delectable desserts. Now before you go running to the fridge for a snack, let me tell you about her latest bags!

Karina bag in Natural Golden Python Bag - $1,995- 11.5"x7.5" at Lux Couture

You know you better get on the bright color trend when the Queen of Minimalist, who favors Blacks/Grays/Browns, gets her flashy on in a hot pink exotic! Of course she remembers her core clients and offers it in white and brown, but it's the pink you will remember from the collection. Each season, Jil Sander bag designer Raf Simons offers simple bags with a signature avant garde touch. The bags are not popular with the Gucci or LV crowd, but to me, that's a good thing! Leave Jil Sander to us true Bag Snobs, who appreciate the refined designs. And how great are the prices? The eye catching pink snakeskin bag above is a mere $2,195, that's for real skin, not embossed!!! And you should see how I am drooling over the white python tote below, it is simply luxurious! Jil Sander at Barneys New York. Call Pam at 469-221-4807 to order!

Do you ever wonder about the personalities of bag designers when you fall in love with one of their bags? I feel like I know the designers we interview before I even meet them because through their bags, I have gotten a glimpse of their personality. This was the case when we met Devi Kroell two months ago in New York (we'll have her complete interview/profile up soon!). Kelly and I marveled at one of the bags at her showroom and when we turned it inside out, each seam was tightly stitched and perfect! Not many bags can boast beautiful interiors that rival the exterior. From studying her bags, which are so exquisitely made, I knew she was a woman who paid attention to details. When you meet Kroell in person, she is exceedingly gracious and kind. And yes, she was meticulously put together, but in an unconscious and effortless way. A true Bag Snob at heart (her mother used a crocodile bag as her diaper bag!), Devi demands the very best for her bags. From exotic skin clutches to slouchy leather totes, Devi Kroell is a modern bag designer in her own class. We love the Carlyle Python clutch, not only for the fabulous metallic python skin, but also for the beautifully delicate petal chain strap that may be tucked in or left out. Open it to reveal satin lining fit for a princess. Now that's perfection! See Devi Kroell Carlyle python clutch here, $1,390.

UPDATE: 12 Pink alligator Ricky bags were made. 6 have sold, 6 on hold. Call Dana if you want to get on the list! 214-522-5270

That's right, Bag Snob is giving away a crocodile tote! This LAI black all purpose tote in gorgeous amazing crocodile is worth $2200 and can be your's by signing up for our newsletter. It is beautifully lined in luscious green suede and comes with a removable suede pouch trimmed in crocodile. It is perfect for wallets, keys, etc. but if you use this tote as a computer bag like I do, the pouch will hold your power cord, mouse and other accessories. There are also 2 side zipper compartments, a phone holder and another slip pocket. Needless to say, this tote is the ultimate organizer. We will select one lucky winner by a random drawing. Giveaway starts right now, the last day to enter is March 30th at 11:59pm EST. To enter, simply sign up for our weekly newsletter. If you are having trouble or have any questions please email me. We will pick the winner on April 1st and announce the winner by April 7th. One entry per person and US residents only, please. Official Sweepstakes Rules. Good luck!!

ENTER NOW!!

Exotics- Don't be stashing that python/ostrich/crocodile bag just yet. Exotics are hotter than ever and with prices rising faster than crude oil, you better recycle all the exotics in your closet! Extra hot are exotics in bright colors!

Juicy bold color is the theme of the day! I adore the Jade clutches from Sang A and have them in multiple colors. They are so practical (or as practical as a clutch can be!) and easy to use. Soft and roomy (14" x 4.5"), the clasps open easily to a huge interior (lined in suede) so you can stuff as much in there as you'd like yet still look ladylike. Sang A uses gorgeous skins in mouth watering vibrant colors this season which make the Jade clutches so irresistible! I love them all and find it hard to choose so when I was in New York last month, I picked up several new colors (I visit Sang A at her showroom whenever I am in town, we are like littlegirls together and do not stop giggling from the moment we see each other until I reluctantly leave!). They are the go anywhere do anything clutch! Plus they are lightweight and pack really well, nice and flat and won't lose its shape, I love traveling with them! I will be in Paris for a month this summer and plan to bring all of my Jade clutches. What could be more fabulous than a bright yellow ostrich or an electric blue python clutch with my many white dresses?
Sang A Jade in Python - $1,675 at Vivre.com
Sang A Jade in Yellow Ostrich- $2215 at Vivre.com

I have been looking for a Chanel exotic for a while now and living in California does not help because python is illegal here. And the really strange thing is, the Rodeo Dr. boutique is really lacking in its bag selection. So when I went to Las Vegas I knew I had to stop in the Bellagio store to see what is up. And besides, my husband still didn't get me a birthday gift yet, a whole month later. They have by far the best selection of bags I've seen and lots and lots of exotics to choose from. As soon as I walked in I spotted this baby of mine on the display table. I shopped around feigning interest in other bags but I knew I was taking this python home with me =) This is truly the one for me. This investment piece has all the requirements of one, the ultimately classic flap bag, the good size, neutral color but still shows the skin beautifully and well, it's a Chanel. I thought twice about the tassel (which is not removable) but it adds the youthfulness I want and when it's on the movement really draws attention! It is a chain bag, which is usually against policy but they are really thin and light and stay on. But the main reason for choosing the chain is that it is the embodiment of a classic Chanel bag, so I had to do it. This color is a soft buttery yellow and is so beautiful, creamy and dreamy - it is called Uni which happens to be my favorite food so it's also yummy! It also comes in black, but black python is pointless, it just looks like a textured leather bag. This extraordinary bag is $3450, which I think is totally reasonable. Remember the White Caviar Tote I was in love with? That is $3875, hello it doesn't take a financial wiz to know what is the better investment. Call Lena at the Bellagio store at 702-765-5505 to inquire. Thanks Honey for the best birthday gift ever!

We first read about Katherine Kwei in Vogue a year and half ago and though intrigued by her use of traditional Chinese hand knotting in her bags, we were not fans (what can I say, we're a tough audience). The eternity knotting reminded me of kitschy things sold on street corners in Taiwan and Hong Kong when I was growing up and all the long fringes are just too busy and well, fringe-y on a big bag. It also didn't seem very functional (I can just imagine it catching on anything and everything during my frantic days of running around town!). After seeing the latest clutches from Kwei, however, I am finally warming up to her quirky bags. The new clutches are small and cute, and even with the fringe and knotting, it works (because they are small and not cumbersome). And considering her extensive background in fashion and design (Louis Vuitton, Zac Posen, master's degree from London College of Fashion) I am confident she will continue to grow as a bag designer and wow us with unique and whimsical designs. Donna Knotted Watersnake Clutch $1,005 at Neiman Marcus. What do you guys think? Snob or Slob?

After all the debate over Kate's Mulberry custom made (or bespoke) green alligator bag I thought we should look into Mulberry's bespoke bag service for you guys. Basically you choose one of the core Mulberry styles in the skin and hardware of your liking, it is also personalized with your initials engraved on the postman’s lock on the front of the bag to further confirm its owner (you know, in case you are at the SoHo House and some bimbo tries to sneak off with your bag!). The lock-free Calder will be specially fitted with a Mulberry branded plaque on the back of the bag that can be engraved with your initials. In addition, leather initials can be ordered to hang from the handles of the bag and make it truly personal and unique. As for Kate's bag with the missing exterior front straps that confused so many of you, our Mulberry source said it was an aesthetic decision based on the alligator skin (just as I thought!). Though you are not actually designing a whole new bag, this customization (or bespoke) service allows you to choose the leathers and hardware that best fit your personality and taste! The cost is not that much more and you have to admit, having your own initials on a bag is quite appealing. (More info after the jump!)
See Mulberry styles online!

I am all about the Doheny clutch from Oscar lately. My white one in crackled patent leather is lightweight and easy to use- especially the magnetic flap which allows me to get in and out of my bag effortlessly, I find myself constantly grabbing it before I head out for lunch or dinner! It's so liberating to have a big ol' clutch to hold my PDA cell, camera (you never know when I need a shot for Bag Snob), wallet, make up bag, etc etc. I just love the silhouette of an oversized clutch with a suit or jeans in the day or with a cocktail dress in the evening, it's an unexpected proportion that looks modern and stylish. You have no idea how often I am stopped by passing strangers who ask "who made that clutch!?!??" The Doheny is free of logo but heavy on style, in other words, simply chic! I was in the Oscar boutique the other day (my new home away from home- there are eight boutiques in the US, you must go to one near you. Just hang out like I do and play with all the clothes, bags, shoes, jewels and home accessories- I promise you will become addicted!) and saw the latest incarnations of the Doheny- named after a street in LA when the Melrose boutique opened. For Summer, the Doheny gets punched up in a juicy orange ostrich ($3,495) and a stucco crackled patent leather ($995), both are great colors to add to your bag wardrobe. I am partial to the nude "stucco" shade, it's the perfect complement to the bright blue Oscar bubble dress I am currently obsessed with. Spring ready to wear is all about bold fun color and you'll need a neutral to set it all off! Call Mindy at 214-346-0400 to