It’s about to be summertime next week, and if you didn’t get the memo, it’s time to put the dark Fall-inspired bags back in the closet, and reach for something more season-appropriate. While in most cases that’s anything bright and bold, or something with a crossbody strap, a big trend is to buy straw bags and purses. They’re fun, funky, and if you pick up a colorful one, you won’t go wrong. After doing some online shopping, I found a few I thought I’d share with you. Enjoy!

Cappelli Straw World Toyo Tote Bag – $28

So you want to try a straw bag, but you want it to have a little kick? This giraffe printed straw tote is exactly what you need, and as you can see, it’s for a very reasonable price. The beaded details around the handle and the straw handles are also very charming, and the size is big enough for trips the the beach (pull out the sandals and towel), or just good for meeting friends for lunch.

Source: Neiman Marcus

Tory Burch Straw Small Tote – $195

Looking to splurge and get some color on your straw bag? Tory Burch has got something that will catch your eye! Peep this small straw tote that comes in a vibrant red or orange and is just screaming for your cutest pair of shorts, diva sunglasses and espadrille heels. The ornate inside straw detailing and contrasting black piping and color is fab as well.

Source: Megan Metallic Straw Mini Crossbody

Bebe’s ‘Megan’ Metallic Straw Mini Crossbody – $69

What about something a little smaller? Crossbody bags are all the rage during the summertime! They’re convenient, cute and chic (the three important Cs…). Try this metallic straw mini crossbody by Bebe with its chain-link strap and boxy body and hit the streets. Just perfect for festival hopping when you need your hands free for scarfing down jerk chicken and mango smoothies.

Source: Topshop

Topshop Straw Basket Bag – $60

Don’t have $200 to spend on a Marc Jacobs straw bag for a few months? How about dropping $60 instead on this identical and adorable straw and neon basket bag from the popular line, Topshop? The plastic handles will keep the bag from falling apart if you’re a little more rough on your purses than others, and the size and stature makes it a durable pick to hold everybody’s keys, flip flops, wallets and more as you kick it with homies or try and direct your big and easily distracted family. Perfect for the mom on the go trying to keep fashionable and fancy.

Source: Anthropologie

Anthropologie ‘Mayumi’ Clutch – $48

For the life of the party, a clutch is always your best bet, but don’t sleep on a straw choice. This Anthropologie ‘Mayumi’ clutch purse is fun and fierce. The added oomph comes from the eclectic colors all over the small bag. The hard flap closure is also a plus when you drop it a little too low and you don’t want to lose your house keys and your last $20 in the process.

More on Madame Noire!

• Cute Kid Alert: Diddy Shows Love to Chance, Christian and Justin for Graduating, Charlize Takes Jackson Out & More
• The Woman Behind The Baller: Amar’e's Fiance Dishes On How They Met, Her Move To NYC, and The Grand Proposal
• Madame On The Street: Who Should You NOT Take Relationship Advice From?
• You Could’ve Kept That: 9 Movie Remakes and Sequels That Shouldn’t Have Seen the Light of Day
• Don’t Be His Fool, or His Doormat: Excuses Women Need to Stop Making For Men
• Jealous? Why You Should Be At Peace With Yourself Before Entering A Relationship
• Like A Fine Glass Of Wine: 8 Hollywood Leading Ladies Who Have Aged Gracefully

Do you find yourself going on a scavenger hunt for items in your purse? For women on-the-go, it’s normal to leave items behind or forget essential things that you will need at some point. But besides the obvious “junk in your trunk” such as your cellphone, car/house keys and wallet, here are 10 must-have items to keep in your bag at all times…

Read the rest of this entry »

Just like the everyday struggle to perfectly match your clothes, matching your handbags to your outfit and to your mood is just as hard, but a lot more fun. Do you want to wear black but still shine tonight? Carry the shimmering clutch. You want something sleek for a chilly day? Pull out the buttery leather satchel. Want to throw your entire life inside of your bag for an all-day rip and run fest? Tote! With summertime right around the corner, there are certain bags you need to have in your closet for all the fun to be had, the business to deal with, and the jet setting to be done while the weather is right. Keep an eye out for these styles in your nearest department stores and boutiques now that income tax refunds are coming back (CHA-CHING!) and happy last minute purse swapping ladies!

Now that the weather is finally starting to come around, it’s time to ditch the dark bags and add a little spunk to your overall ensemble with a bangin’ bag. Even if you’re wearing a neutrally toned outfit, you don’t have to stick to the matchy matchy look with a similar purse. You can add a little (or large) pop of color.

Check out the latest styles over at Hello Beautiful.

All our minds are forever abuzz with crazy pop culture ideas. Huffington Post, for example, brilliantly compared rappers to colleges here. So, we thought: politicians are such versatile and interesting characters, wouldn’t it be interesting if they manifested themselves as purses? As we proved before, a purse says worlds about the person toting it– so why wouldn’t it make sense if Rahm Emanuel were a Prada?

Check out the clutches we paired our favorite politicians with:

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s safe to say that every fashion purchase one makes is a reflection of her personal style. Even if it’s a quick CVS purchase of flip flops on the way to the beach, it is still a choice based on your taste, thus personality. Purses, especially, are one of the many ways women reflect their personal style. Ponder for a second… how often do you change purses to fit the particular outfit you’re going to wear for the day?

Read the rest of this entry »

A good purse is hard to find. The factors when trying to buy a bag are dependent upon a couple factors. While some go for inexpensive and cute, others want something more expensive but of higher quality.

For those of you looking for a healthy mix, meet Ayana Evans.

She’s a fab New York City-based designer who creates handmade purses that are high-fashion chic, environmentally friendly and socially conscious. The Brown University-grad created her line of purses from a need she saw in the accessories world. A lover of leather goods and whimsical fashion, she found a great way to combine the two with Yana Handbags.

We spoke to her about her journey from teaching art class to creating hot purses.

Read the rest of this entry »