Recently in The Latest "Snob" Bags Category

If you live in the LA area, you probably already know about Fashionphile, they have a boutique at 9551 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills (as well as online) with hundreds of preowned designer bags. It is so much fun going through all the bags in there, especially the vintage pieces that you either reminisce about or surprised that you've never seen. It is one of my favorite things to do with a girlfriend on a shopping trip (even more fun after lunch and a cold glass of pinot grigio!). If you cannot wait, this is the place to go for an unquestionably authentic Birkin or Kelly. Most are in mint condition. The blue jean 30 togo in the picture above is $7995 - if you shop online, there are detailed pictures of every part of the bag. You will also find limited edition bags that is impossible to find anywhere else, like the Chanel Paris in NY Woman Handbag Tote ($2150) from the 2006 Fall collection that is brand new, the price tag is still on it! They also offer a consignment service for people who want to sell their bags. Last year's favorite bag can either continue to collect dust or it can help pay for your latest must have =)

Zagliani is known for innovation in material and skin so it is entirely appropriate for them to do a novelty bag like this one with lace detail. Look at the intricacy and precision of how the leather is folded and turned and sewn to get the perfect lace effect. I mean, as a whole, the bag is a bit too busy and frou frou for my taste but it is incredibly impressive to look at. Like a museum piece, you ohh and ahh but wouldn't exactly have the need to take home a marble statue of a naked man (but that's just me). I just can't believe the technical craftsmanship of this bag! At first I surely thought it would be actual lace! But of course it would fall apart if you got it caught on something. Even with this one though, you should probably heed extreme caution when using it. At Browns Fashion for $5,875.

This bag give me hope that decadence will once again reign. Not that this bag is particularly fabulous or to die for but a giant bag encrusted with sparkling stones for 3 grand can only mean one thing - disposable income. And lots of it. Everything for fall is all about over indulgence and glamour and to me, that is pure joy and optimism. I prefer the frame, it makes more sense going over the top with a smaller evening look. Kaleido Tote for $2995 and Gemme Frame for $2980. Both at Bergdorf Goodman. I also want to pay tribute to Michael Jackson with a bag that is representative of his aesthetic of flash and fantasy. And a flash he was, he is gone before his time. He will be missed but he left us with a lot of memories and incredible music that has been the soundtrack to many of our lives.

I am not a huge Gucci fan and on several occasions I've complained about their overuse of bamboo but this clutch makes me have to eat my words. This is the perfect way to use the bamboo - subtle, functional and adds the contrast and interest a simple, classic clutch needs. And it is not even that classic, the shape and style are, but the foldover design definitely knocks it up a notch in modernity. The problem with most foldover bags is that is does not stay folded over when closed, it kind of hangs partially open and looks stupid. But the bamboo turnlock takes care of that. The textured gray leather is gorgeous and versatile. The center band detailing polishes it off, just wish that tassel could be removed. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $830.

Cheers,
Yanqin

Dear Yanqin,

Ahhhh, the Mombasa! My first YSL, I got it in Cognac when it first came out. Loved it to death - literally, the bag ended up in tatters from overuse!! We work with Yoogi's Closet, they are a very reputable retailer of authentic second-hand bags. You can even sell your old bags to them to pay for the new ones! I checked for the Mombasa and not surprisingly, they are sold out (for $595). Recently, there has been a revival of interest in the hobo as well as the messenger. This was one of the last bags Tom Ford designed before he left so it is as iconic as they come. The thing is, this bag never left, it is not extinct at all! YSL always carried is and has been since inception, they just keep it in the back in basic colors - black, brown and cognac. Now that there is this huge resurgence of interest, they will probably start putting it back up on the shelves. Mombasa Messenger is $895 at YSL, comes in black or brown. Call Will at YSL Beverly Hills for the Mombasa Leather Hobo, $895 for the small and $1100 for the large.

Sometimes a girl just wants to be left alone and if a simple "NO" is not clear enough, a knuckle ring hardware clutch will come in real handy! Even a slap might be misconstrued as flirting but a backhand with this on your fingers gets the message across loud and clear!! Just dangling this in front of you with a raised eyebrow is pretty scary, I mean, look at those skulls, they're so aggro. But violence aside, this is a nice alternate way to carry a clutch, especially with the patent leather, you won't smear your fingerprints on it. I just hope the ring sizes are ample enough to fit most fingers, as that would be a problem. I think as a novelty, I might just get it. I don't have to shoo away men anymore but my husband does act up now and again =) Alexander McQueen Knuckle Duster Patent Clutch at Saks for $1595.

Adriana Castro has a habit of naming bags after her friends (I just found out she designed a "Tina" clutch for Cruise 2010!) and why not? Our girlfriends inspire us and this is a great way to celebrate a friend! The "Loren" hobo was designed for a dear friend of Adriana's, Loren Ridinger, a successful entrepreneur and style icon to all who know her. Adriana decided to name this bag after Loren as a way of thanking her for being an inspiration to young professional women. The "Loren Hobo" is an oversized, unstructured day bag with comfortable rounded handles, interwoven into the body of the hobo (Dimensions: 15 ½"h x 17 ½"w). The stylish shape is also very practical and functional, providing enough room to carry all of the necessities a busy girl needs to get through her day (you don't want to know what I've been known to carry). I have felt the matte python skin Adriana uses on her bags and they are sumptuously soft beyond belief. You'll want to sleep with it! You may order a Loren hobo directly from Adriana's website here in 8+ colors. ($1,900 is pennies for a fab exotic hobo!)

A few readers emailed me that they got the Jimmy Choo Blythe for work and that it fits everything but the kitchen sink. I say, you will make it to CEO soon (if you aren't already) with such a hot bag. It shows you are above the curve and possess exceptional decision making skills. The buckles show you are on the cutting edge but you know exactly when too much is too much. Four buckles on each side going half way up is the perfect amount. The classic shape is uber pragmatic and the all around zipper that opens the bag entirely gives it extreme functionality as you slide your laptop in and out with ease. There are 2 separate compartments, one larger than the other. You will never be caught fumbling through your bag. Including looking for your keys because it comes with a detachable key ring that can be clasped to the interior loop. Too chic for the office really, but you always impress! At Saks Fifth Avenue for $1895, also comes in taupe.

The FEED 2 is much more stylish and fashionable than the first version, each bag is exquisitely hand-beaded and has leather handles and shoulder strap for everyday wear or farmer's market shopping. Wear it across the body as a messenger for busy days running errands. The bags are $195, exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, in store. Click for more information on the FEED project.