HandBag

For those days you're not sure how you feel or what you want, the Marc Jacobs Flourescent Tweed Bag has all sorts of style elements to suit you. Black and white tweed is comforting, bright neon stone embellishments add a spunky dose of glam and color, and gold staining on the stones tones things down and keeps them from looking too 80s. Other features include black patent leather, a detachable shoulder strap, and a logo-embossed golden lock on the front flap. Magnetic press-stud fastening, internal pouch pocket, and a black satin lining. $995

As I'm looking at this stark white bag by Calvin Klein we've just had an official blizzard here in the Midwest and everything is covered in crisp drifts of white snow. Although I think this Zero Gravity Hobo was intended to evoke vibes of outer space it fits in perfectly as a 'snowball' also. It's clean, minimalist style includes a perfectly symmetrical spherical silhouette with small, understated logos on the front and on the handle studs. Other features include double-fold details front and back, a golden chocolate satin lining, and interior pockets galore. £185

A lovely, comfy looking day bag, the Taylor Satchel by Botkier comes in brown or sand pearl lambskin. The monochrome color scheme makes for a slightly understated appearance but the pintucks with tonal topstitching that run down the sides and end in pretty little tassels bring a solid dose of style. Simple, classic style. The kind of style that says "I'm practical and maybe a little serious most of the time, but I'm not without a fun side."

I like it. Although I'm not crazy about either color option. Zip top closure, removable shoulder strap, and a jacquard logo lining. $545

Here's a very stylish but also relatively affordable gift for the handbag-loving lady on your shopping list this Christmas: the DKNY Zebra Print Purse Set. A nice way to give something trendy like animal print without asking them to commit to it 100% as the set allows for the little purses to be easily be tucked inside something larger. Calf's hair exterior in black and white zebra print, navy blue lined interior, and silvertone hardware all packaged together in a gold DKNY logo ribbon.

The large purse measures 26cm x 16cm x 5cm and has a chain shoulder strap, the medium measures 20cm x 13cm x 4cm, and the small is a handy 17cm x 10cm x 3cm. All three for £129.

Wearing winter white can be difficult to pull off, not to mention even harder to keep clean, but not if you are wearing this gorgeous leather hobo by Miu Miu. Beautifully stitched to create a matelasse effect, the stone leather hobo features two front snap pockets and an extra roomy interior with a zippered pocket. It's plaited handle is a complimentary detail along with gold tone accents throughout. The Coffer Matelasse Hobo is an ideal size to fit many items without becoming bulky while a detachable shoulder strap allows you to wear across your body as you maneuver through the city. Price: $1520.

Designer Tracy Fredkin (right) launched Tucker Paisley in Los Angeles in 2006, and since then, the line has been skyrocketing.

Beginning with six signature bags covered in her very own paisley print, she has garnered celebrity fans like Jaime Pressly, Hayden Panettiere and Katherine Heigl and expanded her range to include accessories like scarves, and now, clothing.

We met up with Tracy at a BagTrends event at Blue Bag in NYC.

Luxist: So, your paisley print started it all?

Tracy Fredkin: Yeah, that's what started it all. We came up with what we thought was a modern, fresh take on a paisley, and created it, copyrighted it and trademarked it. It was the inspiration for our signature line, which was all paisley. Our six signature bags were all prints, and then we moved styles that were really popular forward and started doing leather more, and using different textures and different colors, using the paisley as an accent. Now, you'll see it in a pocket, on a zipper, as the lining for a bag; that's sort of the direction we started going. In our Beach collection and some of our new accessories, we brought the paisley back to be the focus of those items.

L: How did you create the paisley pattern? Did you draw it?

TF: We went to tons of fabric stores and looked at old patterns, new patterns, different things that we liked in all the different colors, and then just started playing on a computer; making it bigger, making it smaller, whether we wanted it to be repeating, all different things.

L: Was it always intended for handbags?

TF: It was always going to be for handbags, yes. We wanted to do the handbag line. We had the shapes of certain bags in mind. That was the plan.

L: I love the different textures you're using, and there are metallics, patent leather, all sorts of things.

TF: Yeah, we're trying to bring in all different things. We have some soft lambskins, we have different metallics, we have heavier cow leathers, we brought in some raw silk in some of our things. We try to keep changing it up and have groupings of things for different people.

L: Cool. I heard you have clothing coming out for summer.

TF: Yes, we're doing a Beach line with some accessories and some dresses, light silk dresses in different silhouettes. It's all [the Tucker Paisley] look. Classic, chic -- what we're going for is very easy, timeless stuff that you can wear to different things, that are versatile.

We love her fresh paisley print and easy-chic style, as well as the free shipping on her website (though you can probably find Tucker Paisley at a store near you. Check out the gallery for photos of more bags, including the ones celebrities have been spotted carrying -- or, for shopping shortcut:

• Katherine Heigl wore the Molly Tote ($108)
• Jaime Pressly has the Thomas Hobo ($225)
• Hayden Panettiere has been seen all over the place with this gorgeous Emma Clutch (normally $215, on sale for $105) -- check the gallery to see the paisley inside

Today's bag takes recycling to a new level. This bag is made from an authentic, de-commissioned US mint money bag made usable with a drawstring and a leather strap. It's not the most aesthetically pleasing bag I've ever seen but it's definitely an attention getter. It sells for $100. Dean Accessories makes a line of handbags from recycled leather jackets.

A slightly less expensive option for brightening up your daily wardrobe, this Mabel Into the Wild tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs will help to satisfy any 'urban jungle' cravings you may be having. Taupe cotton-canvas with brown and black leopard print is layered with a contrasting bright green Marc Jacobs logo graffiti. Goldtone buckles make for adjustable handles and a little (but bright!) yellow logo plaque adorns the front. Magnetic closure and an equally bright black and white logo-lined interior round out this statement tote. $190

There are a lot of great giveaways going on this season. Here on this blog we are running plenty of them including our ten-day Four Seasons giveaway but we have to give a nod to FabSugar which, along with PurseBlog, is giving away a black Hermes Birkin bag compliments of Portero Luxury. The bag is pre-owned and never worn (valued at $8,350). Registration for the giveaway is now open on www.fabsugar.com and will continue until midnight on December 31, 2009.

To enter to win you have to sign up for the PopSugar Network, PopSugar Daily, Portero.com and ThePurseBlog's emails but you can skirt that by filling out a 3" x 5" index card with your name, complete address, city, state, zip code, telephone number (including area code), and date of birth and mailing it via first class mail to: : "FabSugar Win A Hermès Birkin Bag Giveaway", Sugar Publishing, Inc., 111 Sutter Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.

The Rivet Detail Tote by Michael Kors is a blend of toughness and femininity. A girly shade of deep plum purple contrasts nicely with goldtone hardware and rows of rivets running up either side and laced through to the top. A pair of large leather tassels decorate the front, a large goldtone logo dangles off to one side, and large gold rings connect the braided double handles. Neutral logo-printed lining showcases a 3-compartment interior (two open ones divided by a zip-close center) and pockets galore. Also comes with a key fob, £425.

Some women meticulously choose an outfit-coordinated handbag every morning, while others carry the same bag for months (or even years) until it finally wears out and falls apart. Because they're such a daily necessity and an ingrained part of our everyday lives, handbags say a lot more about their owners than just announcing their taste in fashion. Big, small, hobo, clutch, flashy or plain -- what is your handbag saying about you?

Shoulder Bag Shoulder bags denote a thoughtful, practical nature and careful decision-making.

Designer Label Women that carry expensive, designer handbags enjoy the finer things in life (and want others to know it).

Knock-Off Carrying a knock-off bag can say that you're putting a fake front to the world and not always being true to yourself. But at least you have good taste.

Clutch Those who carry a clutch or very small handbag on a daily basis don't need to have their entire life with them at all times and give off an "I am a jet-setter" vibe.

Over-sized Large hobos and tote bags say that you don't want to ever have to go without. They say "I am prepared" and "I can take care of myself."

Flashy Bright, bejeweled, sequined, or otherwise very flashy bags denote confidence and a desire to be noticed.

Neutral Soothing, comfortable, neutral bags often belong to women with open, personable, friendly demeanors.

Do agree or disagree? What do you want your handbag to say?

Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini has collaborated with author and illustrator Michael Roberts for the fifth anniversary of the Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF. As in the past, this year's initiative centers around the holiday period promotion of an original collection of items designed by Giannini to be exclusively sold in more than 200 Gucci stores worldwide and on Gucci.com.

Giannini has commissioned acclaimed author and illustrator Roberts to create a sequel to his highly successful 2004 children's book, Snowman in Paradise. The new book, Snowman in Africa, will be exclusively on sale in Gucci stores and on Gucci.com until December 31, 2009. Gucci will donate 100% of the retail price of the book to UNICEF.

Giannini also has designed exclusive Gucci accessories as well as a Gucci Gift Card to benefit UNICEF, all of which are inspired by Roberts' magical book illustrations -- two new medium sized Gucci Joy handbags, symbolic charms, and a wrist wallet and coin purse. The Joy Bags, charms, small leather goods, and gift cards will be on sale in Gucci stores in more than 20 countries until December 31, 2009, and 25% of the retail price of each item will be donated to UNICEF.

The annual Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF has consistently supported education, healthcare, protection, and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. In this five-year period, Gucci has committed more than $7 million to UNICEF.

Reminicent (at least to me) of an ancient Egyptian treasure, this Nancy Gonzalez Gold Box Clutch miniaudiere is a great way to incorporate the metallics trend into your fall and winter wardrobe. Hard box styling help set this clutch apart from others you may own and also helps showcase the raised trapunto leaf pattern featured on the front. Crocodile leather makes for a unique texture and pattern on the exterior, which fine stitching detail giving it an understated but hard-to-miss luxury vibe. Perfect for pairing with a LBD it measures 5" x 2" x 3", $525.

Metallics are all the rage this season, and the Jasmine Sloane Leather bag does up the trend in a big way with scale-effect metallic leather in silver, double leather handles in metallic bronze, and an oversized signature Vivienne Westwood orb in bright goldtone. It has a slouchy, pouchy shape that's a little bit casual and a little bit evening sophisticate. All together it strikes me as a mini disco ball with handles and a zipper. Lined in beige gabardine cotton with an interior zip pocket it also features a logo-embossed leather luxury tag/zipper pull. £799

A mix of worn-out looking and brand new, this Gancio Esotico Shoulder Bag by Salvatore Ferragamo functions as both a unique eye-catching accessory and a fairly timeless staple. Waxed python leather makes for an interesting texture and pattern on the body of the bag with fondente brown leather trim adding a pulled-together and finished look. Goldtone hardware in all the usual places plus a large gold ring/Gancini bit detail on the front and smaller rings used to attach the shoulder straps. Overall a very cute yet sophisticated bag, $2,390.