HandBags

Fresh and flirty, this Ribbon and Chain Print Shopper by Christian Louboutin is also a reasonable and practical bag with a classic, seasonless color palette of red and white and plenty of room for toting all your daily essentials. A canvis body (featuring an energetic print of ribbons, chains, and charms) and open top with magnetic snap closure give it an 'easy access' tote bag feeling, while the leather handles and red leather tassel accent on the front zip pocket give it an upgrade to handbag status. Silver hardware rounds out the look, $695.

There's something so romantic and feminine about anything fan-shaped, and that might be a big part of why I like this Fan Crystal Clutch by Rodo so much. Inspired by 1920s Art Deco, this clutch features luxe satin and crystals that fold and flow to accentuate the silhouette, with little else in the way of design features other than a crystal-embelished clasp closure and removable gold shoulder chain. Fully lined and comes in a box with dustbag, £389 (there's a black version also but I think it looks a little harsh).

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.

When Zappos offered Luxist a $50 gift card, I jumped at the chance. I had a lot of fun browsing the site, which started out as a shoe mecca and now includes bags, clothing, housewares, and beauty items. The tough part was making a choice. I gave in to footwear trends and bought a pair of chocolate brown UGG boots, chipping in the rest of the price on my own, of course.

Then I thought, what about Luxist readers? So I asked Zappos if it would offer a $50 gift card to one reader, and the nice folks there agreed. Use the card to buy a gift for someone else, or for yourself. Or just save it until you need something. The card doesn't expire and doesn't incur fees.

Some other important details:
* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed by December 25, 2009 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a Zappos Gift Card valued at $50.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete contest rules here.

So we at Luxist clearly love handbags, we feature a new one every day as part of our Handbag of the Day feature. But although handbags might be a fashion statement, a means of expressing ourselves, and an occasional therapeutic indulgence, they're also a necessity. Whether a tiny clutch or an enormous tote, when is the last time you left the house without a bag of some kind to carry your essentials?

Arguing that carrying a handbag is a necessity is easy, and there's no doubt that certain bags serve different purposes, but is there any certain number of bags a woman really needs? How much does fashion and personal enjoyment factor in when deciding how many bags is respectable to own and how many is too many? I read somewhere once that the average woman owns 8 handbags, but that almost doesn't seem like enough if you factor in the four seasons, daytime, nighttime, and allowing for at least a neutral and a statement piece for each of those categories. Plus it's nice to allow room for the occasional purely trendy indulgence every now and then.

It's a question that has no real answer, unfortunately. But just out of curiosity, how many handbags do you own? And how many do you think is too many?

If you're among those worried about the state of the newspaper industry, here's one way to express your solidarity. Okay, so it won't do anything to save the jobs of your favorite ink-stained wretches, but the gift shop at Fairmont Copley Plaza offers very cool handbags made from recycled newspapers. They're a product of Couture Planet, a Boston-local company, and newspapers themselves come from the Fairmont's guest rooms. Choose the section that you want -- colorful choices include lifestyle,arts, food, sports and my personal favorite, travel -- and then the style, which ranges from tote to wristlet.

If you're more a fan of Boston than of newspapers, the gift shop offers other local products, including cufflinks made from T tokens, parquet from the Boston Garden, or chairs from Fenway Park.

Jimmy Choo, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Leathergoods, was launched in 1995 when Tamara Mellon, Accessories Editor at British Vogue, realized the potential demand for stylish but wearable shoes. Mellon approached Jimmy Choo, a couture shoe maker based in the East End of London who was recognized for his excellent craftsmanship. The pair formed a partnership to start a ready-to-wear shoe company and opened the first stand alone boutique on Montcomb Street. Sandra Choi, Choo's neice, was named the company's Creative Director with Mellon as its president. Joshua Schulman is the company's chief executive officer.

In 1998, the company opened its first boutique in New York, followed by Los Angeles in 1999. The company's name soon became synonymous with the "red carpet" shoe of choice. Choo's shoes were a favorite of the late Princess Diana, worn by Michelle Obama to the Inauguration Ceremony and have also been seen on such Oscar winners including Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Hilary Swank, among others.

In 2001, Jimmy Choo expanded significantly and introduced a handbag collection. Today, Jimmy Choo encompasses a complete luxury lifestyle accessory brand with women's shoes, handbags, small leather goods, sunglasses and eyewear. Its products are now available in tknumber of Jimmy Choo freestanding stores as well as in prestigious department and specialty stores worldwide. The Jimmy Choo store network now encompasses more than 100 locations in 32 countries.

The brand received the 2009 "Designer Brand of the Year" award from the British Fashion Council, the 2008 ACE award for "Brand of the Year" from the Accessory Council and the 2008 "Brand of the year" from the 22nd Annual Footwear News Awards in New York.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

This holiday season is all about the bling. While last year may have been the year of the silver, this year is all about the gold. A fabulous gold bag can liven up even the dreariest of outfits. It's the one accessory you're going to need all season long. We present to you two fabulous gifts one on the high end and one on the low end.

Nothing says you mean business like a gold python tote from Carlos Falchi. This bold accessory would equally fit a couture getup or a pair of jeans and heels. Falchi has mastered the art of handbag geometry. We love the classic framed top and extra-long top handles. It's the perfect bag to make you shine this season.

Retails at Bergdorf Goodman for $2675.

A few days ago my colleague Rigel Celeste wrote an interesting story about what your handbag says about you. In the story she posited that "carrying a knock-off bag can say that you're putting a fake front to the world." According to an intriguing story on Bloomberg, a study done by Renee Richardson Gosline, an assistant professor of marketing at MIT's Sloan School of Management, showed that if you want to get away with wearing a fake you need to have a certain attitude. Her research revealed that people are more likely to peg a handbag as being a real designer bag if the woman carrying it is wearing expensive clothes or has an aura of wealth.

Her methodology involved showing 100 owners of luxury handbags photos of bags alone and photos of bags worn by people in social settings. The study subjects were more able to ascertain an item's authenticity and potential cost of the item when it was in context. Gosline, who also happens to be a former brand manager for LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton, found that even a nice fake won't fool many consumers if the rest of the package doesn't match up. I would suggest that a similar principle is often in effect with jewelry. A costume piece can appear more or less authentic depending on the person wearing it. Individual pieces of a person's wardrobe seen in context can elicit very different reactions from observers.

Gosline's research also showed that people are willing to pay twice as much for an item that they think will impress others and can be used to trumpet wealth and status. In another study she found that many purchasers who buy knock-off bags later gone on to buy real ones. Quoted in the Bloomberg article she says that the counterfeit served as a "placebo for brand attachment" leading people to become attached to a certain brand even though they never actually owned it.

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

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?