Chloé Ines Box Clutch $1,380/Marc Jacobs Quilted Soft Pouch $695
3.1 Philip Lim Gigi Woven Clutch $495/Marc Jacobs Quilted Oversized Pouchette $1,275

Not that you could ever tell by taking a peek inside one of my handbags, (where you are sure to find a potpourri of gum, eye shadows, Gelly Roll pens, agendas, hair pins, compacts and the list goes on) but I am actually a hyper-organized gal! I just happen to feel better knowing I have everything I may need just below my shoulder. Needless to say, I am all about toting an oversized bag!

That said, when summer rolls around I tend to shed the big bags for smaller ones. There is something about the heat that makes carrying around a handbag that weighs as much as a small suitcase, too unappealing. Which is why I am absolutely thrilled that there are so many new, bright, bold clutches. I am loving the new styles from the always fabulous Chloe, Marc Jacobs and Philip Lim. Fuschia, yellow, vermilion, scarlet, seriously, what could be more perfect for washing away the cold weather blues! Paired with a simple black or gray summer dress, a bold clutch is just right for that touch of pop – fantastique!

What about you, how do you lighten up your bagload for the summer season?

What did I say about clutches coming in all shapes and sizes for Spring? Now this is definitely something interesting and breathes new hope for me for the House of Chloe. This took some ingenuity and a serious designer brain, thus my unmitigated excitement. Clutches are meant as a show piece so the functionality doesn’t need to be totally there the way a tote does. With this on your arm, the message to the world is definitely “out” of the box, whatever your views may be. I love that it shows such personality and individuality, which is so hard with bags because only a handful of designers continually make good bags so even when you walk around with a fabulous Birkin or a YSL, you are not exactly displaying individual flair. You look damn good but just not all that original. Well, this is a Chloe so you aren’t exactly being obscure here with this clutch, but at least it shows you’ve got some rebellious hormones left in you from teenage-hood. This can also be worn with your hand slipped through the middle fold (a la Prada). The small, shown here, is $1300 and will be available in February. There is a larger size that will retail between $2300-$2800 by order only. I’m thinking the larger size would be more appropriate for wearing your hand through, unless you have exceptionally small hands. For more info contact Gabrial at the Chloe store in New York (212) 717-8220.

Chloe came out with the wrap skirt of bags. Not brilliant, kinda original but certainly not functional. The flap unhooks so that you can have it flapping around for what purpose I cannot think of. Wrap skirts are flattering, I just don’t know how it translates on a bag. It is not even a big bag because if it were I could see the value of having a giant bag look slimmer so that you get the roominess of a big bag without it looking disproportionate to your slight figure (as in Mary Kate Olsen). So let’s say the wrap look is somehow a good thing aesthetically, I still don’t see why it needs to unhook and flap around because it doesn’t come off completely. If it did I could see that being really practical. Like if I just need to run in somewhere quickly and need to carry just my wallet and keys, it would be a great feature to have. So they didn’t even think this through all the way. I mean, how hard would it have been for them to make the other side come off as well? I kinda like the thick braid on the handle even though it reminds me of lanyard. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $1560.

Chloe has been the target of our foul moods lately but how can you feel sorry for them when bags like this keep showing up? We are even getting emails from people persuading us to rip on some of Chloe’s undesirables. This Beata bag reminds me of that box the army carries around to put their super walkie talkie phones in. I should have done this for Veteran’s Day, it would have been fitting. I don’t even know where to start with this bag, the shape is like I said, a box and that giant tab is odd and distracting. Distressed patent is always a bad thing but this looks like it just rolled out of bed after sleeping in the dryer. It makes the seams look all puckered, which I’m sure they’re not because at least we can still believe their quality hasn’t suffered, just their designs. I hate this bag so much, it really angers me that something like this can be passed off as “luxury designer” goods as if went through some sort of rigorous design process. Puuuuuulease!! Stay away from Chloe girls, even if they have some acceptable bags, stuff like this drags their whole line down. At Net a Porter for $1740.

Oh my gosh, let’s celebrate, there is a new Chloe bag out there that is actually cute!! I have a really old Miu Miu that looks almost exactly like this (it’s even yellow) so even though it is not entirely original, it sure beats the confused golf shoe inspired Elvire! The details are reminiscent of the Paddington but without the bulk and weighty padlock. It has 2 side zip pockets with tassel pulls (you know we love that) and a clasp closure with a top strap. This is an easy bag without a lot of fuss, which is the problem with current Chloe bags. It’s just cute with simple but nice details and the bright yellow is an added surprise to make the bag exciting. That’s all we ever want in a bag, nice and exciting! I am really loving this bag and I am feeling my credit card tugging at me. It’s like the force, there are some bags that will make the credit card telekinetically fly out of my wallet!! At Net-a-Porter for $1225.

You’ll notice that I did not assign a category for this bag. For me this will never make the “it” bag list yet it’s not heinous enough for “On the Rag” either. It’s just a boring blah, been there done that military inspired (again?!?!) Mulberry knock off from Chloe. The lack of inspiration from the House that gave us the Paddington, the Edith and many other major bags are now offering us boring mutations of all of the above. I love the taupe leather but did they have to add the drab olive contrast? A muted gray or lavender would have been much better. I actually like the handles and the little fan details, it’s interesting and cute but still not enough to convince me to shell out $1,825 for it. Plus it just look heavy and stiff, after using my ultra light and supple Valextra and Bottega bags all season, I don’t know how I can go back to lugging so much poundage around. And those long zipper pulls are just totally un-chic and sloppy. So what do you snobbers think? I’m going to let you decide the fate of this one. Snob or Slob? Chloe Elvire Leather Tote $1,825

No, we are not starting to review bags from Ann Taylor. This is in fact a bag from a designer that we used to dearly love so our disappointment really hurts. Marni always has cute young bags so why is Paulo Melim Andersson (Chloe’s current creative director) designing bags for the Golden Girls? This rehashed, old lady wool and leather embroidered bag is just not something women who care about looking good would want. This is up there with home knit cardigans with snow men embroidered on them. And of course, the sweater and this bag should be worn together. So maybe you don’t get laughed at when you wear this bag with a sweater and jeans but the pedastrian look should not cost you more than $129 (and I’m told Ann Taylor is quick to discount so you should only end up paying $29.99). But this is at
Net-a-Porter for $1670. As a helpful point of reference, for a few hundred more you can get a classic Chanel if you like the flap bag with chain style.

I wasn’t going to comment on this bag because it is neither here nor there for me, but someone asked about it so I will impart my opinion. All in all, this is not a bad bag but unfortunately you have to take the bag as a whole and the chunky braided handles ruin it for me. It adds nothing aesthetically and although it doesn’t interfere with function since it ends before it gets to where your shoulders go, it still distracts from the rest of the bag. And what’s up with those rings intertwined into it? No likey. I do like the pleat and pin-tuck details of the bag and the tab gussets, that would have been enough to make the bag interesting. They should have stopped there and left the handles plain. The other plus is the super functionality - a divided interior, tons of pockets and has one open side pocket. Girls are going to buy this bag and if other Fall bags are similar to this it would be a step in the right direction for Chloe but this is still not my most favorite. Pre-order at Bergdorf Goodman, $1980 for Mocha in the large version and $1525 for the red.

Judging from the Chloe Fall 2007 collection, this is possibly the last of the great bags from the House of Chloe. It didn’t move me enough at first to dip into my Bag Snob fund but it’s definitely growing on me, especially in the white cracked leather version. A retro bag inspired by 1970s luggage (which would explain all the dangling tags Kelly hates), the Bay is one of the hottest bags of the moment not to mention a favorite of fashion editors in New York. Aside from the annoying luggage tags, I like the quilted detail on the functional outer pocket, it zips from corner to corner so you’ll actually be able to put large items in it like wallet, keys, or blackberry. Wear it with these super chic Chloe circle buckle flats and you’ll instantly update your summer wardrobe.
At Net-a-Porter, Bag for $1635, Shoes $520. Free shipping til March 28 with code: FREESHIP