Pierre Hardy 40% off at Barneys Dallas on May 5th for one day only! Call Pam or Cory at 469-221-4807 to pre-order!

Anya Hindmarch Oakley, Goyard Saint Louis, Pierre Hardy, YSL Downtown

Dear Bag Snob,

I have been looking for a big bag suitable to be used as a diaper bag for almost 4 years now (my oldest is almost 4 and second baby just turned 1). I am looking for something that is light (not heavy) in a spring color and big to carry all my baby items. I know you are not a fan of the Goyard bags, but they look like they could be used as handy diaper bags. I am referring to the Saint Louis bags. What do you think? Do you think they're worth what they cost?

Thank you!

Love,
Stephany

Happy Friday everyone! I have the perfect weekend throw around bag for you. I have been buying all these bags that I need to be careful and precious about so I am feeling like I need something easy and low maintenance, one that I won't mind beating up. And although this bag is quite giant, you can still use it during the week - it is highly practical for work, school and moms who need to throw everything they own in their bag. I love the contrasting two-tone navy and tan, it is easy with summer colors and really adds a punch. Phillip Lim bags have been selling out everywhere, the price point is key, this bag is only $725 for exquisite soft leather and the styling is easy, relaxed and chic. My weekend getaways require actual giant suitcases, but for you young gals who have exciting overnighter dates, this would be absolutely perfect. You can show up to work the next day and nobody would know you're toting yesterday's outfit and a toothbrush. For this bag, I would keep the strap on, which is unusual because the first thing I do is remove the shoulder strap from bags like this and toss it somewhere in my closet never to be found again. At Net a Porter for $725.

Worried about looking so last season? We've got tips to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune. Learning to shop from your own closet is key to staying stylish and current! Here is a list of what to Flash and what to Stash this season:

FLASH:
Bold Color- Colorful bags remain key for Spring. If you bought a juicy purple bag last season, keep flashin' it girl! If you want to invest in another bag, blue is the color of the season.

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!

If you are looking to update your Bag Wardrobe with a classic bag in a summery shade, the Bottega Tri Compartment tote in Lotus or Putty is for you. Completely irresistible in sugary sweet pink or soft dove gray, this expandable Tote bag/Travel bag is versatile and functional (Kelly wanted the Iron one last year but I talked her out of it because it looked so heavy and stogy to me, but in these colors I wouldn't object!). For me, the yummy frothy colors really lighten up the squareness of the bag! I know many of you are tired of the Bottega woven leather but it is still the sturdiest of them all. It is also ultra practical with three compartments that expand with your needs. Now how many bags can you say "beautiful" and "sensible" about in one sentence? Bottega Veneta Tote in Putty $2,650 or Lotus Pink color $2,780 at Net a porter.

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!

By Bag Snob in training, Anne- 22 years old

This special bag gets its name from the founder of Escada, Margaretha Lay, a tribute to her unique and lovely style. The moment I saw this bag I fell in love!! As I was walking around Escada, I came back to inspect the bag several times to make sure it wasn't too good to be true. It’s everything you could ever want in an oversize tote, light, lovely, and perfectly frame fitting! The pattern of the bag, influenced by Moorish title motifs, is printed on cotton canvas and the rest of the bag is lamb Napa leather. A picture does not do this bag justice! One of the biggest problems for large bags and totes is that they are rather cumbersome to carry (think small handles and heavy bodies). The handles on the Margaretha are perfectly in proportion, dropping enough to comfortably sit on your shoulder without digging into your skin. This bag is sure to be a classic, sold exclusively at Escada boutiques for $1,750.

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 order. More photos after the jump!

I woke up this morning and went through my usual ritual of reading emails, publishing comments and checking out my favorite sites for the latest and greatest bags. As I sleepily went through the pages, this insanely ugly bag caught my eye and woke me up instantly. What am I looking at? Are those two dead skunks hanging from the bag? Is Fendi recycling road kill yet again? I enlarged the photo and realized with great relief it was not dead rats hanging from the bag but wool made to look like dead rats (not much better in my opinion). In addition, the geniuses at Fendi decided to place multi-colored fish scales in the middle of the bag, you know, just in case our senses have not been assaulted enough. I then looked at the price and that's when I went into serious shock. SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR WOOL SCRAP MADE TO LOOK LIKE ROADKILL AND A FEW PIECES OF LEATHER? Karl, maybe it's time to start eating again, when your belly was rounded and happy you gave us the Baguette. Now starving and angry, it is assaulting us with this abominable beast. A journalist from the Wall Street Journal recently asked me if the bag craze will ever end and I had replied "Absolutely not! Women will always love handbags." But not if they all start looking like this. In fact, if all bags became this appallingly gross, we'll have to do what Carine Roitfeld says she prefers to do, putting things in her pockets and not carry bags at all. Fendi Sequin and wool embellished mess $7,190 at Net-a-Porter.

I can not get enough of this oversize clutch trend and this simple croc from Nancy Gonzalez makes it even easier to fall for! It is not gigantic like some I've seen (some are so ridiculous it looks like document holders), it is 11.5" x 7", so enough to wrap your hands around and carry all your requisite belongings. It is lined in suede with croc piping throughout with triple compartments and a magnetic closure, so we're talking about a detail oriented bag here! Again, simplicity in design goes a long way especially when investing in an exotic, that is why Nancy Gonzalez is the obvious choice - reasonably priced and stands the test of time and trends. The reason she is able to maintain her price point while every other designer is hiking their prices is because her brother runs a crocodile farm that supplies her needs. Smart move and great teamwork there! Also available in beige, chocolate, black and red for $1850. It also comes in ring snake for $2035. Contact Lillian Vera at Neiman Marcus at 561-805-6150.