Recently in Messenger Category

It is Friends and Family discount season! If you plan wisely and get your shopping done early, you will save grief and money. Or maybe you just want to shop for yourself =) Shopbop is doing a 2 day sale, Oct. 20 and 21 only, all full priced merchandise is 15% OFF with code INTHEFAMILY15. Get the basics like the Mulberry Mabel Hobo for $825, $701.25. Another great everyday bag is the Alexander Wang Brenda Zip Bag for $725, $616.25, it looks way cooler in person, very London chic! If you want to gear up for the holidays with some clutches that wows, the Derek Lam Kashmira Clutch that I've had my eyes on for a while now can now be mine with less guilt, $1290, $1096.50. Another amazing party bag is the Diane von Furstenberg Belle Clutch with Studs for $595, $505.75. Sale ends Wednesday, October 21, at 11:59pm PDT.

Marni bags have changed completely since they lost their designers, it took a season to get back on their feet and although the bags this season aren't all winners, there are a couple that are good staples. And that may be a change for the positive since their bags used to be uber trendy. Great for some excitement but unfortunately the joy only lasts for that season. This messenger style cross body is one of those "need but don't love" bags that you end up buying out of necessity. The South Coast Plaza Marni (in Orange County, CA) is participating in a charity in which they will give 20% off, so with that win-win in mind, this might turn out to be a very good buy after all. It looks more like a school bag but if you are young, bringing this to work is absolutely appropriate. If you can't make it to South Coast Plaza, the bag is also available at Net-a-Porter for $1655.

Go to jump page for details on the charity event.

This was just another python bag until I saw it in person! Wow! It is so super amazing. This is the kind of bag I can use without changing out for months. Which we can't exactly speak to in realistic terms or my husband will really start to wonder why I need so many bags =) But seriously, buy wisely and invest in a few great bags and you will save yourself some money. This large tote style hobo / messenger, as the description suggests, is extremely versatile. Python is great for being lightweight but even with leather lining, which is lush, it is still incredibly easy on the shoulder. The cross body strap makes it feel like feather. It comes in various colors, which you can custom order, but I love this natural python with a taupey hint, it'll not only wear well but will wear with everything! Exclusively online at LuxCouture for $1750.

Some of my friends in NYC (the lower east side crew- yes you-- Caroline, Wendy and Audrey!) are trying to make me (as they say) "downtown".   Though I see nothing wrong with my uptown sensibilities I do love their street edge styles and would like to mix it up with my current stash of luxury bags.  That's when I turn to GRYSON bags.  No one is cooler and more downtown than designer Joy Gryson (hello, she designed and launched Marc Jacobs' bag line with the Venetia and Stella bags!)  For fall, Joy offers up the "Painted" bags (hand painted on soft leather or eel skin!).  A multi functional bag with adjustable straps (looks chic as a shoulder bag and very hip as messenger style), zippered pockets in front and back plus a sprinkling of grommet studs on the straps that lends the functional bag a healthy dose of current trend.  Sized at 14"x11" it is very wearable no matter your size.  And the price is amazing for the work-- it's hand painted!

Gryson Painted Violet Bag is $755 here

Gryson Painted Eel Violet Bag is $995 here.

Thanks a lot Tina for ruining this for me!! Yes, of course I remember seeing the skunk version from Fendi's Fall 2009 runway show, but I was going to ignore that until you brought it up. I love the Peekaboo bag but what I need is a bag with shoulder straps so I was all excited about this Peekaboo Roll with the super handy straps instead of the top handle. The divided compartments, the cool tab details, the slightly rugged styling with a bit of an artifact look like something a female Indiana Jones would use - all good things that I am loving!! They always ruin bags with some furry monstrosity rendition so I am not going to let that stop me!! The shoulder straps are adjustable and can become really long (up to 24"), perfect for traveling and it would have been the exact thing I needed for Fashion Week. I like to be practical in NY when running around. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $1460.

Now this is a bow bag I can handle. Those Valentino with the massive bows is too theatrical and seriously hard to use on a regular basis. This has a simple loose on sided bow on a functional style that almost looks like the Fendi Peek-a-Boo satchel. It also reminds me of Miu Miu. I love it though, the playfulness is more of a wink than a shout. You wouldn't think so but this is incredibly versatile - it is just as great on a young 20 as it would be on a young 60 =) It comes with a messenger strap for cross body wear but the top handle allows it to be shown off properly. At Neiman Marcus for $1795.

Miu Miu has been like, "Eh, whatever", for a couple of seasons. But this made me sit up and take notice! It is not super extraordinary but the quilting and the aubergine is good enough to eat! But what's really exciting is that it is a messenger and a clutch. I mean, the giant clutch trend is a bit out but clutches are all bigger now because of it so this proportion is perfectly acceptable (one caveat, you have to be tall to pull this off). A lot of clutches come with a strap and become a shoulder bag but this comes with a super long strap that can go cross body. Yeah, it's not exactly a "messenger", to me messengers are more square but the dimension on this (17" x 8") make it into a real shoulder bag instead of a make shift one. I also love the little flap, it makes the large size less overwhelming. And the price is great, at Net-a-Porter for $695.

Is it back to school already? Horray! Don't you miss your friends? But more importantly, aren't you craving learning and enlightenment? Personally, I'm glad I'm not in school anymore, all that lecturing and reading makes me sleepy =) I know you glam rock girls out there are in desperate need of a school appropriate bag that will take you through the day in style and with a happy smile. Nothing does that better than awesome metallic. The gunmetal is the top choice but the metallic black definitely has enough glitter for the more subdued. It has a loop around belt closure which looks refinely relaxed when left open and dangling. A bit of warning, it is quite small, at 8" x 10.5" you are not going to fit your entire locker in there. And don't think I'm not considerate of a student's budget, you can thank me later for the uber affordable price tag of $275!! At Saks Fifth Avenue.

You gotta love Givenchy for their continued onslaught of new designs each season. The Sacca was casual but still polished chic, this is way bohemian. The Sacca is NY, this is totally LA. It is a messenger without looking like a book bag, you have the option of wearing this as a hobo or with the long cross body strap. And although it is big (14" x 13"), it is flat so it won't overwhelm a petite frame. Besides, for cross body, it needs to be flat or it will be too bulgey and super annoying. OK, I have to talk about that ginormous tassel, can't really side step it. Yes, it is almost obnoxious in scale but it actually makes more sense being the full length of the bag so that is blends in rather than dangle around somewhere in the middle. The strips are also really thick so this isn't a wispy swishing tassel - that makes a huge difference. It kind of is like giving a wink with its subtle playfulness. Of course, the best feature is the wallet like pocket in the front. At Barneys New York for $1270.

If you're looking for a lazy slouchy bag to hang around with this weekend, grab Costume National's ruched hobo.  It has that sloppy-I don't care what I look like- chic but the ruched sides give it plenty of structure as well or it'd be just a giant blob and that would not be cute at all!  You won't need ripped jeand and Doc Martens with them, however, a feminine little white dress will beautifully contrast with this delightfully urban guerrilla bag.  I am quite impressed with the unique design of Costume National bags-- a simple shoulder bag with folded details also caught my eye.  Prices are quite reasonable-- check out Costume National Ruched Leather Hobo $1125 here and Costume National Folded Leather Shoulder Bag here.