Shopping Bag Hags by CouponWinner.com

Hipster Approved: Leather Handbags

Leather handbags are hot this summer. Their timeless class can take you from daytime to evening with ease and they epitomize "hipster chic." However, obtaining this seemingly effortless style can cost you- but it doesn't have to. We've lined up the top leather handbags of the season with one question in mind: Can you determine which is considered haute couture? Yes, we're having ourselves a Price is Right moment. Go with us here...

Take the taste test: One of the bags below is close to $2,000. Another is only $50. The others are somewhere in between. Can you place these bags in order from most expensive to least?

After you've made your selections, scroll down to find out how strong your fashion sense is...

1                             2                             3                            4                             5

 

Do you have an innate taste for the luxurious?

You do if you said that Bag #3, the beautiful Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Handbag, has the highest price tag. It retails for $1,995.

This iconic tote is worth the investment and tops the list of every fashionista. Made from supple leather with a removable, adjustable shoulder strap it has a secure buckle pocket at front, a jacquard interior with two leather trimmed pockets and a zip compartment perfect for cosmetics.

Available at Barneys.com.

Next in line is bag #2, the Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouch, coming in at $1,325.

The PS1 by Proenza Schouler might be made in Italy, but it's the picture of any-season, any-city and any style. This leather messenger bag has two faux buckles, metal latch closure, a small pocket inside flap, interior and exterior zip pockets, and a removable adjustable strap. Of course, it's also 100% leather.

Find it at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Our mid-priced bag is #5, the Mulberry Oak Brynmore Messenger Bag, which you can get for $935.

Mulberry's Brynmore bag embodies effortless chic with the oversize style of this classic messenger. Designed with 100% natural oak leather and adjustable crossbody canvas strap, this bag is ideal for work, school, or evening.

Shop Mulberry at StyleBop.com

Bringing designer detail at an accesible price is bag #1, the Vanessa Bruno Athé Cross Body Bag. Available for $284.

Vanessa Bruno Athé is famous for her fresh, edgier approach to Parisian chic and she owns it with the gorgeous stitch and weave design in her latest collection.

Browse Vanessa Bruno Athé bags at Asos.com

Bag #4, the Pudding Pie Bag, is a steal at only $50.

The shell of this bag is 100% Polyurethan, making it uber affordable while at the same time simply stylish. This bag measures 13 inches in length, 9.25 inches in height, 4.25 inches in width- with an adjustable detachable shoulder strap.

Get this style at Modcloth.com

How did you do!? Let us know!

5 for 5? That makes you a savvy shopper who has an impressive taste for luxury brands.

If you missed a few, no worries! Keep in mind that if you can't spot the most expensive, there's a good chance that those passing you by on the street won't be able to either. Designer brands are an investment that will last, but that doesn't mean you can't stay up on the latest style with affordable alternatives. For now, get the faux leather and keep your eyes peeled for those pieces you'd like to purchase in the future.

For more great deals on handbags, check out CouponWinner.com!

Bag Hag Fads

Yes, we know that we are all bag hags. Females that love to shop, and oh, we will shop till we drop utilizing every coupon, discount, sales we can find. Yes, we are the bag ladies of today—hand bags, shoulder bags, and the all too important shopping bag. But as we constantly adorn our purses and others with great pride, we seem to neglect being shopping savvy and of course chic and sophisticated when it comes to the travel bag.

Well this is the season where we see the most use of our travel bags or luggage. Going the entire place from beaches to mountains to exotic hideaways and tranquil resting places. Or maybe you’re more of an island of Adventure type of girl with several extreme sport stops on your summer to-do list. Whatever your vacation fancy, it’s time you start putting as much thought and style in the bag that carries all of your vacation clothes, items, etc as you put in purchasing those clothes that you will take out of your luggage.
The trick to purchasing luggage is for your bag to say something. It should be a definition of your character. When we are waiting on our luggage at the airport, people should be able to spot out the savvy and sassy shoppers travel bags. Long gone are the days of just a regular black bag. They make travel bags so cute and durable now from themes like Hawaiian scenes to ethnic additions. Bright colors and various different designs are all hot at this time. And if you still feel like basic black, have it monogrammed in something unique, in a bright color and set yourself apart.

A great place to shop for great and sassy luggage is Trio which are found in most malls as well as Kiplings. EBay is also a great choice for luggage as you can search thousands of styles to get ideas before you pay the money.

However, Kipling’s is found in most airport terminals, so if you shop to much when you went on vacation and you need extra luggage make sure you step up your game and head over to Kipling’s and start rolling in style. Some of Kipling’s most popular styles include the Tucson which is a wheeled trolley. This style comes in three great and bright colors of Loveboat which is a red, True Blue and Rose Hip.

The IOS-L is also another option from Kipling’s that is sure to be a show stopper. Available in various fashion colors and prints along with the traditional core colors of black, true blue, and blue jean this large carry on is perfect for business travel and weekend distresses.

Whatever your pleasure, just upgrade that boring old bag and become one with the new luggage fads to all my bag hags everywhere.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Tote Bags: How to Find One That's Right Without Waiting In Line

As cool as Anya Hindmarch's "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" tote bag was (is?), I think that anyone who was tempted to wait in line for one and then didn't made the right decision. These bags, originally offered for $15 and now selling for $200 on eBay, have been positively hyped up as the new "thing" for fashionable, eco-conscious women. Don't forget that there are a lot of other tote bag styles besides the prerequisite "must-have" of the season. While Hindmarch's bags were carried by a good number of celebrities, that's still no reason why we can't hunt for cool original totes.

Instead of the trendiest tote, try some of these with a friendlier price and an equally appealing look:

1.Lulu Oversized Floral Tote
My, how I loooove this Lulu Tote Bag. It has the same slightly crunchy, wonderfully vintage appeal that I absolutely adore about the Hindmarch bag. It's whimsical, young, and fresh, and I can imagine that its summery beige fabric will look equally as good in the fall. I found this one at Overstock.com for 25.99.

2.Via Spiga Oversized Ticking Bag
This oversized tote bag has that nautical appeal that looks perfect with wide-legged trousers and open-toed sandals. Given its impressive size and sales price that's half of what Hindmarch's original totes are going for, I'm impressed. Take a look at the fun sailboat lining while you're checking it out at Overstock.com.

3.Levi's Floral Tapestry Tote Bag
Now this bag is affordable at under $25. The tapestry effect is lightweight, and the tan version will look excellent with taupe trousers and tops. The shape is slightly more structured than a traditional tote bag, which is good for those of us without time to switch purses. It has great button pocket snaps, too. Find yours at overstock.com.

4.Funtote Bubbles
This soft Bubbles Funtote has the right shape for those who want a traditional tote with style. Chocolate brown is accented by tiny bubbles of green-yellow and white, with simple canvas straps. I found it at Funtote.com for $30.

5.marissa v. Tote Bag
Okay. Maybe you don't like the Hindmarch bags. If you're not into eco-fashion competition and long waiting lists, try this tote designed by Marissa Vandersee. Made in the UK, these bags read "I'm not a smug tw*t" and have taken off at a pace that rivals the original Hindmarch bags. These totes are made locally by the designer, and the fabric is sourced from the UK as well. Order yours at the from marissa v. shop today.

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni