The London Handbag Shopping Centre

I’d like to say, first and foremost, that I have no problem with eccentricity. Particularly in fashion, the desire to be willfully different is what finds new trends and charts new territory. It’s what keeps things going. Without eccentricity, we’d all be wearing sensible shoes and toting around our belongings in canvas grocery bags. And there’s nothing fun about either of those things.

But there’s also usually a problem with creating eccentricity for its own sake, which appears to be what was done with the Dolce & Gabbana Miss Charleston Chain Flap Bag. And I think we can all tell that it didn’t work out particularly well.

The best fashion trends come from the cool kids. And I’m not talking about the popular kids in high school – I mean the kids that looked different, that wore things you’d never think of wearing, and that are authentically cool despite doing precisely what they felt like. They existed in a universe that was sort of parallel to the normal popularity structure, and they probably will for the rest of their lives. Many of those girls go on to be “fashion people.” They’re tastemakers, it’s part of their personality. They’re the reason that Alexander Wang is selling handbags hand over fist right now.

But instead of embracing trends that come organically from people that are cool enough to make trends, Dolce & Gabbana appears to have simply decided to make something weird for the sake of being weird, which doesn’t really work. I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but I think I could actually make this bag myself, given the proper tools. All it appears to be is woven grosgrain ribbon (the weaving isn’t even particularly straight) and some beads stuck in the chain, and perhaps it’s presumptuous of me to think that I could recreate it, but I don’t really see why I couldn’t. And even if I could, I wouldn’t want to. But rest assured, if I did, I wouldn’t charge anyone $2600 for it. Buy through Nordstrom for $2595.

September marks InStyle Magazines’ 15th Birthday (get your copy on news stands today!)

One of the ways they are celebrating is by offering all of you readers a special invite to their 15 for Fall promotion. An awesome new site set up to offer amazing finds and exclusive deals from 27 fashionably fabulous fall collections of fashion designers, home decor, cosmetic and beauty companies, where Instyle editors thoughtfully picked 15 of their favorite picks for fall to flip through.

A handful of the companies are even offering exclusive Special Offers. How does a $15 gift card when you spend over $100, from Aveda sound? Or saving $15 off your next $30 purchase from Express? Free shipping from Jimmy Choo or YSL, anyone? Or how about getting a free SmashBox Photo Finish Foundation Primer sample? (conditions apply.) Those are just a couple examples of the amazing deals and freebies.

And what better way to celebrate a birthday bash than by rewarding all their beloved readers with a chance to score a shopping spree! Enter to win one of four $1,000 Shopping Sprees during the month of September.

Also, don’t forget to check out the Event Calendar! There will be events around the country and you’re all invited. See if there is one in your area, and RSVP.

If you have an iPhone, don’t forget to get your InStyle app! So you can browse and shop the best of the season anytime!

Dear ShopBop,

Please continue tempting us with Vintage Chanel pieces. Despite the fact that we have placed ourselves on a self-inflicted shopping ban, our fingers are miraculously attempting to click on the add to cart button, though someone continues to beat us to it. Some other savvy shopper on the internet has fingers faster than ours and continues to out-click us to a glorious Vintage Chanel Bag.

We, along with many of our readers, would like to ask that you continue to replenish your Chanel collection on ShopBop. Even if we can not afford vintage Chanel bags, at least we can oogle them.

♥ The Purse Blog Team

Our friend and talented designer, Adriana Castro, is having a private sale right now. After we spread the word it will not be so private anymore, so follow up quickly if you want to receive a bag up to 70% off! You never know if she has one of the fab bags for sale the celebs keep being spotted with.

It is happening right now and will be held until 8.31.09 11:59PM ET. Expect discounts up to 70% off. To request a list of the available styles or for more info, please contact info@adrianacastroonline.com. Orders will be taken via e-mail on a first – come, first – serve basis.

Kooba’s new collection for Fall 2009 is here and ready to amaze! These new bags are absolutely stunning! The new colors are perfect for the Fall season and there are so many new shapes to choose from. I have to admit though, I was having a very hard time choosing just one as my favorite. But when Jennifer came into possession of the new Kooba Alex Tote, I found myself falling in love. I think what I love most about this bag is the classic Kooba shape that has been given a new life with the addition of some very rocker-chic looking studs. You can easily identify this bag as a Kooba bag and, yet, it’s something that hasn’t ever been seen before. Well, at least nothing I have ever seen before anyway. Plus Jennifer told the girls on TBF that the bag is super lightweight, which is a huge bonus considering how big this bag is. There’s nothing worse, in my opinion, than a handbag that weighs you down. The glazed leather is so gorgeous too. Just a hint of gloss without looking too patent-y. Jennifer, I must say, that’s one smoking hot bag you have there! It simply looks wonderful on you!

The Kooba Alex Tote measures 13.5″ x 12″ x 5″ and it retails for $595. It is currently available in Green, Black, or Aubergine (not shown). Find it at Luna Boston!

The Chat: Kooba Alex!

Is it just me or does it look like Juicy Couture was inspired by a Balenciaga “City” when the company designed the “Easy Rider China C Satchel?” From the shape to the long shoulder strap, everything screams Balenciaga. I will admit though, if Juicy Couture was inspired by a Balenciaga “City” with this bag, they did a decent job designing their own version of the popular bag.

My least favorite feature about this bag are the exterior flap pockets with the logo-embossed hardware. I think the hardware is way too gaudy for this simple bag. The hardware acts like an eye sore on the bag, and you can’t help but fixate your eyes on it when looking at the bag. Perhaps if the hardware was a little smaller it wouldn’t look so tacky. Then again, if you didn’t have that huge logo-embossed hardware featured on the handbag, then you would probably never know that this bag was by Juicy Couture.

The satchel does come in three colors: black, brown and red. I usually gravitate towards black handbags but for reason I’m loving this bag in red. The red version looks the best and most stylish with all that huge hardware on it.

The Juicy Couture “Easy Rider China C” Satchel can be purchased at Nordstrom for $328. Not that bad of a price for a Juicy Couture handbag but the question is, is it worth it? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

See the Juicy Couture “Easy Rider China C” Satchel: Here @ Nordstrom

The Chat: Easy Rider!

We are totally crushing hard on Alexander McQueen. The new line of bags has our attention and has us desperately seeking an extra allowance to splurge on a range of his designs. The most talked about bags from McQueen this fall is his “Faithful” line. We have already seen the Alexander McQueen Faithful Glove Clutch, the Faithful Bucket Tote, and the Faithful Leather Tote. Each of these handbags continues to be reinvented with new colors and patterns that has using the eni meni mini mo technique to choose our favorite.

We already brought you the black and brown leather versions of the Faithful Glove Clutch and today we are bringing you the Alexander McQueen Faithful Glove Clutch with gunmetal pyramid studs. We know the stud trend is all over, but these studs are subdued, altering shape and size, while blending into the black leather magnificently. Totally digging the studs. Buy through Net A Porter for $1095.