I enjoy reading my colleagues' Handbag of the Day posts as much as our readers. I often wonder if I'd ever be dressed up enough, or have such a special occasion, to use any of them, though. I'm more of a basic handbag gal, but finding a black bag that's attractive enough for work or for going out, but not too dressy or too casual, and not gigantic or 10 lbs. before I even put anything in it, with straps I can get over my shoulder, has proven elusive.

Until now, maybe: Tory Burch's Reagan Satchel may be just what I've been looking for. (Scroll to the second bag.) Pebbled metallic leather satchel with silver logo and hardware; interior zip, cell and PDA pockets; and signature logo lining. Measurements: 14" L x 7 1/2"H x 5" D. $525

I also like the site where I found this bag. Material Girl has a good selection of designer bags. The site itself could use a little work, but I enjoyed poking around and discovering new brands (or new to me).

If you travel by private jet, there's no need to worry about your luggage getting beaten up in transit. Hence you can use a set of beautifully handmade cases crafted from the world's finest exotic leather. At least, we assume that's the rationale behind Bottega Veneta's outrageously opulent set of alligator skin luggage. The six piece set, which includes three suitcases (small, medium and large), a beauty case and a duffle bag, costs $157,000; the pieces are also available individually, ranging from $23,000 to $47,000. All are finished in noce fume rich brown soft-finished alligator skin and feature burnished metal hardware with reinforced corners and locking mechanisms. And of course if you're traveling by private jet you can afford it.

[via JustLuxe]

Our friends from Birds of Sausalito who recently helped us giveaway a pair of luxury pajamas also has a new line of leather goods. The company has co-branded with San Francisco's Mulholland Brothers,a company we've covered for their line of quality bags before. The new Birds of Sausalito line is done in a deep brown leather they call "stout" no doubt after the dark beer. The weekend bag shown here is known as the Shorthorn and is a classic overnight bag with a generous outside pocket, rolled leather handles and a detachable padded shoulder strap. When you unzip the top center zipper the bag's top stands up and open allowing for easy packing. The bag is nylon lined and inside there is mostly open space except for a single zippered envelope pocket. It's the sort of classic bag that never goes out of style and attains a certain well-worn gravitas as it ages. It sells for $795.

Oscar de la Renta dresses women beautifully and with an air of classic sophistication that is hard to come by. His clothes lack that of-the-moment trendy feel (which there is nothing wrong with) and make women of all ages feel superb in his clothing for years on end. Oscar also knows how to accessorize his women too. His Alligator Bow Clutch is quite stunning. It has a feminine and delicate quality juxtapose to a hard edge and dark colored exotic skin that creates a perfect balance. The Bow Clutch features a leather lining, interior side pocket and an optional chain strap. Dimensions: 11.5W" x 5.5H" x 1.25D". Price: $8690.

The Leiber New Bean Clutch almost looks like a piece of jewelry, what with its silver chain hardware and crystal accents. This is another one of those clutches that comes with a shoulder strap, although in this case I think I like it better with the handle than without. A pretty kiss-lock closure is the only other adornment, as the rest of the look is completed with simple but effective ruched satin in your choice of crimson red or black. Not a particularly trendy piece but a nice staple instead, $1,475.

As we mentioned previously, eLuxury is closing down their retail shop. Meanwhile the deals on handbags, totes and clutches as well as other items are very impressive. This 3.1 Phillip Lim Kanvas Leather Tote comes in a couple of happy, bright shades including the mint shown here. It has contrast flat leather handles and a canvas lining. For your keys and other essentials a leather zipped pouch dangles from interior wall. It was once listed at $525 but it is now sells for $210.

Here's a pretty, classic clutch that will go with almost anything and just might never go out of style. Designed by Cesare Paciotti, this Charcoal Silk Tasseled Envelope Clutch is bigger than I expected at just over a foot long (13" x 9 1/2") and combines the subtlety of a charcoal silk satin exterior with the pop of a bright red silk satin lining. Closes via a concealed magnet and has a single interior zip pocket, plus the 10+ inch tassel attaches with a silver clip and is removable. $274.95

Fast fashion just got a boost with the announcement that H&M is partnering with shoe and handbag brand Jimmy Choo. The luxury brand, famous for sky-high stilettos and large purses, will create a line of shoes, bags and accessories for men and women that arrive in stores on November 14. Tamara Mellon, Jimmy Choo's founder and chief executive, promises "a sophisticated, fashion forward, accessible and glamorous collection - the perfect party pieces to buy now and then wear out that night!"

Jimmy Choo will create clothing for H&M which will be designed to match the accessories rather than the other way around. With all the designers pairing up with lower-priced stores there has been a bit of high-low fatigue lately but this particular collaboration should be a hot seller.

Burberry does great when it comes to designing bags that are stylish and trendy but still versatile enough to carry for more than one season or year. This Summer Straw Tote is total simplicity, with the Burberry check pattern only faintly visible on the buff-toned raffia. Other features include leather double handles, gunmetal hardware, protective feet on the bag's base, and a magnetic snap closure. It also has a full lining (with logo pattern) and a couple of basic interior pockets. Available at Bloomingdales for $695 (also in blue).

Metallics aren't usually my favorite but something about this Metallic Fabric Tote by Stella McCartney really caught my eye. It's a pretty burnished brass color that acts as a neutral as far as pairing it with outfits goes, and it has a little bit of a "structure forced to go casual" vibe about it that I really like. A wide beige strap ties around the center, decorated with geometrical resin details on the ends. It comes with a small purse chain and one zip pocket on the inside, plus an adjustable shoulder strap. $608

Tinsley Mortimer isn't just a socialite, she's a designer ... and a dog lover.

Don't beat yourself up if you haven't heard of Samantha Thavasa. The luxury-cute handbag line only has one store in the United States (965 Madison Avenue, NYC). Their market? Japan, where they have over 160 stores.

Samantha Thavasa was founded in 1994 by its CEO and president Kazumasa Terada, and Tinsley Mortimer designs a subcollection of bags for them. It's a smart move on both parts -- Tinsley certainly knows fashion, and Samantha Thavasa's target audience, young Japanese girls, love American socialites and celebrities. Previous ad campaigns have featured the Hilton sisters, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Solange, and Brit social queen Victoria Beckham.

Last Wednesday night, Mortimer hosted a benefit at Samantha Thavasa for Shiba Inu Rescue. NYC Shiba Rescue is a two-year-old non profit which provides foster homes for abused Shibas (a trendy Japanese breed) and finds them new owners across the tri-state area. We asked NYCSR president Zennia Barahona how the benefit came about:

Zennia Barahona: [Samantha Thavasana] contacted us. They wanted to do a fundraiser for a New York based organization, but on the other hand, they wanted to be able to do something that also coincided with their Japanese roots. We're able to get the word out about Shiba and other pure bred rescue, and people get to shop, so it's a great thing!

Luxist: Why pure breds?

ZB: When most people want a specific pure-bred dog, they think to go to a pet store, and we want to discourage people from doing that. We're really trying to educate people about puppy mills, and the dangers of that. But we also take in shiba mixes. We love them as well. If you want to get a dog, especially a pure-bred, definitely look at rescue and see if there's a dog that fits your lifestyle.

L: And what are Shiba Inus like?

ZB: Shibas can be quite aloof. They're very loyal to their humans but they can be aloof. They can be stubborn. They're very intelligent, very sweet -- their intelligence can lend itself to a great relationship, but it can also lead to training problems.

Ha! We love dogs with a little spirit. Click here if you're interested in adopting or becoming a foster home. Next we chatted with Ms. Mortimer about her designs, dogs, Japan, and how she feels like she's working for Disneyworld! Click through the gallery for photos of the fete, the bags, and the dogs, and to read our exclusive interview.

Here are a couple of casual bags from Anya Hindmarch, because some days nothing but laid-back comfort will do. Natural canvas tote meets tan leather handles in this bag that's perfect for the grocery, farmer's market, and wherever else you need to take it. The bag comes in two designs, "Dairy" in a pink print shown above, and a gray version called "Dry Cleaning" that's in the gallery below. Both super relaxed, super timeless, and super versatile. I just wish there were more than only the two designs. $98

This Valentino creation is barely recognizable as a handbag at first glance, depending on what you're wearing it might just come off as a ruffled accent on your outfit. Ruffles abound in supple nappa lambskin in a solid shade of slate gray. Leather swims in loose swirls around a large spiral rose in the center, plus woven detail secures the double handles and the interior is lined in pretty black silk. Snap closure and one interior zip pocket round out the basics on this Rose Leather Tote that sells for $2,395.

A tote bag can't get much simpler in design than this, other than maybe being made of canvas instead of leather, but with so many busy patterns and statement-making handbags out there I think it's actually quite refreshing. It's Prada's Vitello Daino tote in silver pebble-finished calf leather with gold hardware, and no other adornments other than a very small golden "PRADA" logo on the front and a luggage tag that dangles off one of the double handles. Basics include two pockets inside (a zip and an open) and a removable shoulder strap. $1,220

The titans of luxury in New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Dubai have spoken, and their mood is, generally, upbeat. The Reuters Global Luxury Summit, which started yesterday and ends tomorrow, is a three-day blitz of interviews with chief executives and chairmen of Hermes, Burberry, Tiffany and Co., Rolls-Royce, Montblanc, Chopard, Estee Lauder, and Saks, to name a few.

Here are some highlights:

• Designer Jonathan Adler, says his mandate for the Christmas season is "irresistable giftables. "I hope that when you walk into my store you will feel like you're in a crack-den of adorableness." As for how his business is faring in the recession: "I think that my design aesthetic is probably the right design aesthetic for right now," he told Reuters. "I've always called my design philosophy happy chic, and it is about creating design that is chic, luxurious, and I hope beautiful, but adding an element of levity and irreverence that I think makes people feel good. And probably in these grim economic times, the element of happiness is resonating with consumers."
• The new Rolls-Royce Ghost model, to be available in September, may help double the carmaker's annual sales. The projection is based on the 1,500 deposits already received for the Ghost.
• Hermes is breeding crocodiles on its own farms, mainly in Australia, to keep up with demand for its exotic-skin $50,000 handbags, because, as Hermes chief executive, Patrick Thomas, put it, "The world is not full of crocodiles, except the stock exchange!" [Meanwhile, Louisiana alligator farms are struggling.]
• Classical styles for handbags are winning out over "it" bags, according to Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts. "They (shoppers) want them to last. They want to be able to psychologically know they can carry them for the next couple of years and no one will know how old it is."
• Montblanc is planning to open four boutiques in Saudi Arabia this year. Pens account for about half of total sales since the company has diversified into watches and fine jewelry.
• Chopard has seen sales drop 15-20 percent this year, but is hoping a recovery will level off the sales drop to just 10 percent. "We already feel a little bit of a comeback," Chopard's chairman, Karl Scheufele, said.
• Juicy Couture is increasing the number of products sold for $200 and less to adjust to the recession, Juicy Couture's president, Edgar Huber said.
• Sales of traditional Japanese doll sets, costing from $2,000 to $50,000, have held in the recession.
  

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