The Bag Lady

Gucci 'Race' medium top handle

I have upmost respect for the house of Gucci, but in all seriousness, I thought this was some sort of rollerskate when I first looked at it.  Now that I can take a second gander... is that a lobster as a handle?!  For those of you with more a more forward sense of style than I, preorder now for US$2,250 so you can get your hands on one of these babies by May!

Related: Ugly Accessories | Gucci

Double deal! YSL 'Muse' reversible tote

 

Did you have your eye on the gorgeous and versatile YSL 'Muse' reversible tote?  It is sold out at Neiman Marcus, but it's on sale at seamlessfrills.com - over US$200 off for a slightly more palatable pricetag of US$1,019. Yes, I know... Lindsay Lohan wore it, but its still a delicious tote.  And, of course, you can wear it in two different colors, so you can say you bought two bags for the price of one!

Related: Yves Saint Laurent's Gold 'Yse' Bag | YSL's Handbag Collection For Spring 2007 At Paris Fashion Week | Yves St. Laurent

For the working girl...Botkier's 'Sasha'

Net-A-Porter is giving its own insider tips for what a working girl can be wearing in her professional life.  As one myself, I know what its like to constantly be wondering - is this appropriate for the office?  Can it hold all my stuff?  Is it sexy enough to spend money on?  Botkier's new 'Sasha' duffle (US$695) comes in several luxuriously soft leather choices, and is both beautiful as well as functional.  It even has two different ways to wear it.  Fit your laptop and files safely and echo a briefcase, or sling it over your shoulder for a lunch with the girls.

Related: Help Taskeen Find A Black Stylish Work Bag! | Help Zoe Find A Work Appropriate Bag for Under $500 | Get Her Look - Jessica Alba's Botkier 'Essex' handbag

Gustto's 'Torlia' drawstring leather tote

It seems that a few designers are taking a leaf out of Jimmy Choo's repertoire of recent and fantastic offerings! Looking not unlike the 'Ramona', with its drawstring detail, Gustto's 'Torlia' is the perfect spring offering. In pure white leather, with silver-toned hardware, it will compliment those floaty, printed dresses beautifully - pair with glowing limbs and luminous make-up! Pick yours up for $625 from Active Endeavours.

Related: Gustto's big 'Baca' bag: a worthwhile investment | Get Her Look - Jessicas Alba & Simpson love Gustto

Louis Vuitton Summer collection: Polka Dots Fleurs

So after offending my eyes with the Monogram Dentelle collection, I went looking for some nice Louis Vuitton bags I could say lovely things about. I do prefer to be positive. 'Polka Dots Fleurs' it said. How bad could that be? I thought. Well, you've got to laugh, haven't you? "Inspired by the magic of fairytales", the above 'Morgane' bag costs £3,700 and is out of stock online.

Funnily enough, it's not the buttons I really hate. The bag itself is blah at best and when you've got 468 buttons, you really don't need the "creased-look golden brass pieces" and "decorative padlock". Less is more, Louis love!

Related: Louis Vuitton 'Tribute Patchwork' | Louis Vuitton's Spring 2007 collection | Button bracelet from Monsoon

Louis Vuitton Summer collection: Monogram Dentelle

The "highly anticipated" Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2007 runway collection (which we wrote about back in September last year) has arrived in stores. "Highly anticipated" by whom? Not by me ... I'm afraid LV is just a bit too WAG for my tastes. I don't even like the classic monogram, it reminds me of those little shaped cheesy biscuits you get on planes now they can't give you peanuts anymore. Where was I? Oh yes, new Louis Vuitton collection. The thing is, they've been designed by Marc Jacobs who presumably set himself a challenge to create the world's ugliest bag. You don't think the one above's too bad? I'm just easing you in...

(The 'Speedy 30' (above) costs £700 and, like the following bags is "subtly adorned with 18th century-style lingerie lace". I'm not sure you can use "subtly" when describing Louis Vuitton bags, but let's forge on...)

This bag, the 'Batignolles Horizontal', comes in an "A4 format, which makes it ideal for carrying documents" apparently. Costing £850, I'd call it the best of a bad bunch, but only because it's relatively inoffensive. Hey, maybe that could be a new line - Relatively Inoffensive by Marc Jacobs.

Yes, I've saved the best worst for last. The 'Fersen' (named after lover of Marie-Antoinette, Axel de Fersen, don't you know) costs £1,220 and is already out of stock online. Why? It looks like it's been fashioned out of bits and pieces from Jordan's scrap box. Hideous.

Stay tuned for more from the collection.

Related: You spent how much? Louis Vuitton 'Tribute Patchwork' | Louis Vuitton archives | Marc Jacobs archives

Luella 'Strappy Army' bags and Topshop's homage

I've loved Luella's 'Strappy Army' bags ever since I saw the oversized red version being carried down the catwalk during New York fashion week last year. It now seems that one of the key features of the bag - the over-long straps - are filtering down onto the high street. The red bag seen above is Luella's hot pink patent leather 'Strappy Army' (looks red to me!) and the navy blue bag comes from Topshop...

Although not a direct 'homage', it's clear to see where the inspiration for the over-long straps on the Topshop version have come from. There are also bags in New Look at the moment that sport this over-long strappy feature. The Luella bags come in black, hot pink and silver with both patent and leather versions available and each costs £495. The navy blue Topshop bag is leather and costs £55. New Look's versions are 'pleather' and cost £25, so if you like the style then there should be a version to suit everyone's budget!

Related: Luella's handbags for Spring/Summer 2007 at the New York fashion week | Luella handbags at New York fashion week AW 07/08 | Luella Doctor bags

'Market Bags' by Jaye Hersh

It seems that the whole world has gone ga-ga for "budget shoppers", thanks to Bag Lady hero, Marc Jacobs! Happily, though, this brand is about more than picking up on fashion trends. The bags, created by Jaye Hersh, are a partnered product with the International Rescue Committee, which provides education for children affected by war around the world; with $35 from each sale going towards the charity. Available in black/red/white or blue/red/white colour combinations, you also have the option of having your bag monogrammed with your initials for an extra $20. They're $100 from Shop Intuition.

Related: Is Anya Hindmarch's 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' tote really eco-friendly? | 'Shop & Support' bracelets

Valentino Embroidered shopping tote

I don' t think I shop anywhere fancy enough to wear a US#1,895 Valentino shopping tote, personally. But if you're constantly perusing 5th Avenue, this could be the overpriced carry-all just waiting to hold your wadded up gum, water bottle, and inevitable countless receipts! I kid because I love. Love, love, love everything Valentino does, that is. And this 'Tmoro' leather bag with black braided leather trim makes my jealous heart go all aflutter.

Related: Valentino braided handle bag | Valentino embroidered flap bag

Miu Miu suede tie-dye tote

In secondary school one of my more successful assignments was creating a tie-dye t-shirt. Orange, white and huge, I wore it as often as I could and a tear comes to my eye even now when I remember how my Mum made me get rid of "that ratty old thing". Well now's her chance to make it up to me with this Miu Miu suede tie-dye tote. It may not be to everyones taste but I love the fact that each bag is hand tie-dyed making everyone unique in pattern. Plus she needn't worry about the $1,595 price tag; after all, my own initial creation was priceless!

Related: Miu Miu's metallic patchwork bag | Tie-dye Dior detective