My initial response to this bag was eww but you have to give it a second because it has totally grown on me. It is simply adorable and lovable, like a sharpei. At first glance you want to hate it but then suddenly, all you want to do is hug it! I would love to see this in another color, maybe a plum, but this graphite will certainly suit all your needs for Fall. It is also very functional with a deep shoulder drop (9″) on the thick strap and quite roomy with the big round bubble shape. If the ruffles were horizontal, it would be a whole other story because it would look like a skirt you wear for some Latin dancing. I find that Prada has been grasping for a while now but they are again doing bags that make girls want to stop paying rent to get one on their arms. I even think the nylon backpacks are something I want to bring back. They still sell them, always did, but now it is totally retro and it wasn’t like backpacks were no longer useful. I am thinking of getting a white one for the summer with all traveling and outdoor activities. And with the nylon you can definitely go white because it cleans up beautifully with just mild soap and a soft cloth. The ruched hobo is $2120, shop Prada at Saks.

Purple reigns for Spring 08 (and judging from what I saw on the Fall runways, the color remains strong through next year) and what better way to rock this trend than with a juicy little purple Prada bag? Kelly and I used to buy Prada bags for each other in college(with our parents’ credit cards under the pretense that they were gifts for each other). Back then, Prada could do no wrong, whether nylon totes or leather bags, we wanted everything in the store. It has been a few seasons since Prada bags tempted us but we went to the SoHo boutique the other day and it felt like old times again. In addition to the artfully delightful Fairy Bag, we found many others that held up to the Prada bags of yesteryears. We even reached for the same little purple Nappa Stripes hobo bag and exclaimed, “how fun!” At 8″x7″, this is a great bag for those who do not require their entire closet with them at all times. I love the vertical patchwork of the bag, it is much more visually friendly than squares patched together like Raggedy Ann’s dress. The shoulder strap is also functional and flat so you do not have to spend all day or night pushing it back on your shoulders (have you done that with a glass of red wine in your hand? Not a pretty mess). There are rainbow color versions of this bag but we prefer the purple, it is subtle and chic and won’t cause anyone a migraine when looking at you. Prada Nappa Stripes Hobo bag, $1,675 at Saks.com

Update: Leonello Borghi bags available at Barneys, Takashimaya in NYC and in select stores in Japan and Hong Kong.

The Ophidia Magazine Tote - 12×12.5×4.75 $2,817

It is always exciting to discover new and talented bag designers but Leonello Borghi is far from being the new kid on the block. He worked with designers such as Ralph Lauren, Prada and Armani for over a decade before launching his own collection in 2002. For Spring 2008, he shows a strong collection of bags that are functional and beautiful. I am especially drawn to the sleek Ophidia Magazine tote in Python above. It is the perfect size for me and has versatile expandable zippers that reveal contrasting white leather which makes it so chic in addition to giving you more room when you need it. Many bag designers have tried the “expandable” bag concept but none as well as Borghi.

More about Borghi after the jump!

The Multicolor weave tote from Prada would not be so bad if you are color blind… or a clown. Made of strips of nylon gabardine in the season’s brightest colors (all of them) and trimmed in napa leather, this is the classic Prada tote bag shape which Kelly and I both own in black from the ’90s and still look back fondly upon. It is terribly sad what Prada bags have become in the last few years. At least it is only 11″ wide, can you imagine if it were huge to boot? I actually know a young man who can get away with this look- he walked in my house wearing red and pink plaid shorts and a striped shirt not too long ago and though I laughed and made fun of him, he was confident that he looked cool even though he looked crazy to me. So I guess what I am saying is if you are an adorable 17 year old you too can pull this off.

I read recently in the New York Times that the “It” bag market is a big balloon much like the condo market in Miami and is ready to burst, if this is true, this bag may just be the end of the $7 billion dollar bag industry in the United States! Which may be Miuccia Prada’s plan all along. $1,450 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

What is up with all these puffy ski parka bags? As if bulk is what I need more of when it comes to what I am carrying around all day. And does it keep you warm? Cuz my wallet and phone certainly have never complained about inclement weather. It not only makes no sense, it is downright U-G-L-Y!!! It is the most unflattering bag you can possibly wear, I mean, it’s pretty ridiculous when your bag is making you look fat. Hello, I have plenty of things that make me look fat and my bags are the only things I have to rely on to take the focus away from my not-as-flat-as-it-was-when-I-was-23 tummy. The Moncler bag is really really giant and really really puffy and overstuffed! The interior still has plenty of room for your stuff but that actually makes thing worse, imagine what this looks like all filled up??!! That is absolutely ludicrous and beyond irrational for a bag design. It is leather which adds injury to insult because it is the reason for the $1125 price tag (at Browns Fashion). The Prada nylon puffer is slightly more streamlined but it is still unbelievable puffy, hard to wear and just plain stupid. The nylon is “crispy” which means it is stiffer than normal nylon and makes a lot of noise as it swishes around at your side. The only redeeming quality is that the aquamarine is pleasant, not that that makes a difference for this bag though. $760 at Bergdorf Goodman.

I know this is going to be a total shocker but I am going to say something nice about Prada. Honestly, I don’t even go look at Prada much anymore because I know I am going to hate everything but for some probably nostalgic reason I decided to browse. Prada has decided to run with the big clutch trend and they actually have a couple that are really great. This Vernice patent clutch has a gradient that goes from the dark gray in the front to a gradually diffused light gray in the back (similar to many of their current bags, but doesn’t have the gradient all over so avoids looking tie-dyed). It also has 3 of the key trends for Fall; patent, gray and big clutch. Instead of trying to get all the looks in with different pieces, you get to be dignified in having all of it in one neat package. This isn’t a totally giant clutch but it is big, 12.5″ x 5.5″ x 1″ deep, the only downside is that it is totally flat so if you put a bulky wallet in there it will bulge. But the price is good, at $850 you can afford to get another bigger clutch if you love the trend. Available at Saks.

I remember those days when Prada held for me this fantasy and longing that motivated all my financial endeavors. Tina and I would walk into a Prada boutique to look at the new collection and like Scarlett O’Hara we vowed if we had to lie, cheat and steal, we would buy every single bag Prada ever made. * End of flashback * The current reality: there is absolutely nothing from the spring collection I would honestly pay even a small amount of money for. This mad cowboy fringe is not something I would get instead of a Bottega or Chanel. Now that’s just crazy talk. Did Miuccia and Michael Kors go on a City Slicker adventure together? WTF? It’s confusing. Is scary and hairy the new rage??

Hi Bag Snob,
Great blog! I have been reading it as my bedtime reading everyday for the last two weeks, and drift to dreamland in a good mood indeed. I have a quick query. Like a previous reader, I’m looking for a black leather bag with gold or brass hardware for this Fall. But being quite petite, I don’t want to look overpowered by a huge bag. I have been eyeing the Coffer, The Stam, The Muse, and The Paddington. My budget is around US$1,500.00 and I really want something with snob appeal, that will be sort of a classic, last me a while, and won’t look totally last season. It also has to be something that will take me from day to night. What do you suggest? Is it too late to buy thePaddington?
Luv, V

Miuccia is really loving all this ruching on bags and so are we! This bag is more quilted and not as sharpei-like as the Miu Miu coffer suede. We love that it can go from ultra conservative (think pencil skirt, collars, the whole thing) to funky casual. It just has so much character and interest you can even wear it with skinny jeans and no one will notice how unflattering your ass looks, they will only spot your super cool bag. At Saks for $1750.