The Marc Jacobs Little Stam Studded Satchel is a fabulous jolt to your wardrobe in black or this warm shade of pink.

The Studded Satchel has a rich texture in creamy quilted Italian leather with goldtone studs and hardware. We love the antique clutch shape -- made large in this iteration -- which makes the bag appropriate for both vintage and modern ensembles.

The bag is 8 1/2"H x 12"W x 2"D with a long leather strap; perfect for an entire day of shopping or a dinner-and-theater night. The studs keep its quaint design in check.

The Marc Jacobs Little Stam Studded Satchel is available from Neiman Marcus for $995.00.

Wearing winter white can be difficult to pull off, not to mention even harder to keep clean, but not if you are wearing this gorgeous leather hobo by Miu Miu. Beautifully stitched to create a matelasse effect, the stone leather hobo features two front snap pockets and an extra roomy interior with a zippered pocket. It's plaited handle is a complimentary detail along with gold tone accents throughout. The Coffer Matelasse Hobo is an ideal size to fit many items without becoming bulky while a detachable shoulder strap allows you to wear across your body as you maneuver through the city. Price: $1520.

The Valentino Shining Flower Tux Tote is a whole new kind of handbag.

At first we weren't sure what to make of this style, the like of which we've never seen, but as we examined the details (and felt the ruffles), we ultimately decided that this is a brilliantly innovative new design.

While it's not always appropriate to wear a tuxedo (especially if attending an event with a man who's wearing a tuxedo -- that's a matchy-matchy disaster of hilarious proportions), the prospect of carrying a tuxedo is irreverent and delightful. It's also been a long time since we've seen a truly dressy, gala-worthy bag this large. You can actually fit things in this bag.

The Flower Tux Tote features black sequins, bright crystals, creamy rosettes and a black napa leather bow (a black tie, if you will). There's a lot going on, but it forms a cohesive whole we find creative and attractive.

The Valentino Shining Flower Tux Tote is available for pre-order from Neiman Marcus for $4,495.00 and is expected to ship no later than January 22, 2010.

The Judith Leiber Beehive Minaudiere is a stunning addition to any minaudiere collection.

This pretty, golden bag is just 4 3/4"H x 4 1/4"L x 4 1/4"D, and as you can see, it looks glamorous and fanciful at the wrist. The bag's beautiful pattern is meticulously created with gold, jet, and other multicolored Austrian crystals, giving it a sparkling texture reminiscent of honeycombs.

As if the suggestion of honeycombs isn't enough, there's also a matching Honeycomb Pillbox for $695.00, which would be a shame to pass up. Place it inside, and you have the makings of a Faberge Egg-style surprise -- a truly exceptional holiday gift.

The Judith Leiber Beehive Minaudiere is available from Neiman Marcus for $5,295.00, or $5,990 with the matching pill box.

The Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth Tote is a fresh new take on the traditional tote bag, and one that will serve you well into the new year.

This bag won't arrive in time for the holiday parties, but it's just as well -- this bright white tote with rainbow stitching should be saved for 2010, when white (as well as beige, brown, and silver) will be everywhere and the splash of color will be much needed. We love the candy colors, the structured shape, and especially the eyelet details (but we'd leave that shoulder strap at home).

This bag would make a smashing holiday gift for someone who has everything; it's colorful and cheery, and there's something inherently luxurious about this much white leather.

The Diane Von Furstenberg Hayworth Tote is available for pre-order from Neiman Marcus for $725.00, and expected to ship no later than December 17 (just in time for Christmas).

The Dior Cannage Shoulder Bag is a terrific holiday purse for merry days of shopping and candlelight dinners alike.

This Italian patent lambskin bag is ravishingly quilted in Dior's Cannage pattern, and not over-designed -- the shiny red is enough. While this would look great with black, we'd love to see this on the arm of a lady bundled up in a pretty white coat.

The bag features bright silvery chain links and a push-lock closure, and will be available in ecru with goldtone hardware in 2010. We love the leather detail at the top of the strap to protect your shoulders, hands and clothes from having to touch the hard metal -- how very considerate.

The Dior Cannage Shoulder Bag is available from Neiman Marcus for $1,750.00.

The Lauren Merkin Diana Galaxy Clutch is a perfect holiday party purse. We challenge you to find something this season that it wouldn't match.

If you've recently discovered you have no good purses for this year's holiday parties, this is the ultimate solution. Its pouch-like, gathered shape in head-turning metallic golden-and-them-some leather and simple chain shoulder strap make it easy to wear and quite fetching.

The bag is 5"H x 9 1/2"W; just large enough for your necessities, and its scrunchy-soft texture makes it easy to carry, even without the chain.

The Lauren Merkin Diana Galaxy Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $195.00.

The Dior Ruffled Flap Shoulder Bag is an unmistakably luxe choice for your spring wardrobe.

This fresh new design in a bright poppy rouge features generous silver chain links, oversized diamond stitching and dainty, only-from-a-French-design-house ruffle trim. The bag and logo hangtag are crafted from the finest lambskin, and the flap-top closes with an engraved silver push lock.

This spring, expect to see lots of silver, khaki, white and pale neutrals ... and this, as it will surely stand out if you see it coming down the street.

The Dior Ruffled Flap Shoulder Bag is available for pre-order from Neiman Marcus for $2,050.00 and is expected to ship no later than January 6.

Designer Tracy Fredkin (right) launched Tucker Paisley in Los Angeles in 2006, and since then, the line has been skyrocketing.

Beginning with six signature bags covered in her very own paisley print, she has garnered celebrity fans like Jaime Pressly, Hayden Panettiere and Katherine Heigl and expanded her range to include accessories like scarves, and now, clothing.

We met up with Tracy at a BagTrends event at Blue Bag in NYC.

Luxist: So, your paisley print started it all?

Tracy Fredkin: Yeah, that's what started it all. We came up with what we thought was a modern, fresh take on a paisley, and created it, copyrighted it and trademarked it. It was the inspiration for our signature line, which was all paisley. Our six signature bags were all prints, and then we moved styles that were really popular forward and started doing leather more, and using different textures and different colors, using the paisley as an accent. Now, you'll see it in a pocket, on a zipper, as the lining for a bag; that's sort of the direction we started going. In our Beach collection and some of our new accessories, we brought the paisley back to be the focus of those items.

L: How did you create the paisley pattern? Did you draw it?

TF: We went to tons of fabric stores and looked at old patterns, new patterns, different things that we liked in all the different colors, and then just started playing on a computer; making it bigger, making it smaller, whether we wanted it to be repeating, all different things.

L: Was it always intended for handbags?

TF: It was always going to be for handbags, yes. We wanted to do the handbag line. We had the shapes of certain bags in mind. That was the plan.

L: I love the different textures you're using, and there are metallics, patent leather, all sorts of things.

TF: Yeah, we're trying to bring in all different things. We have some soft lambskins, we have different metallics, we have heavier cow leathers, we brought in some raw silk in some of our things. We try to keep changing it up and have groupings of things for different people.

L: Cool. I heard you have clothing coming out for summer.

TF: Yes, we're doing a Beach line with some accessories and some dresses, light silk dresses in different silhouettes. It's all [the Tucker Paisley] look. Classic, chic -- what we're going for is very easy, timeless stuff that you can wear to different things, that are versatile.

We love her fresh paisley print and easy-chic style, as well as the free shipping on her website (though you can probably find Tucker Paisley at a store near you. Check out the gallery for photos of more bags, including the ones celebrities have been spotted carrying -- or, for shopping shortcut:

• Katherine Heigl wore the Molly Tote ($108)
• Jaime Pressly has the Thomas Hobo ($225)
• Hayden Panettiere has been seen all over the place with this gorgeous Emma Clutch (normally $215, on sale for $105) -- check the gallery to see the paisley inside

This holiday season is all about the bling. While last year may have been the year of the silver, this year is all about the gold. A fabulous gold bag can liven up even the dreariest of outfits. It's the one accessory you're going to need all season long. We present to you two fabulous gifts one on the high end and one on the low end.

Nothing says you mean business like a gold python tote from Carlos Falchi. This bold accessory would equally fit a couture getup or a pair of jeans and heels. Falchi has mastered the art of handbag geometry. We love the classic framed top and extra-long top handles. It's the perfect bag to make you shine this season.

Retails at Bergdorf Goodman for $2675.

The Lockheart Melinda Leather Drawstring Bag is an unexpected addition to this December's lineup of new bags.

The explosion of frills and leather lace make for a truly rare texture -- it may look like a paper lamp cover for a Valentine's Day party in the photo, but in person, the movement and lushness of the leather make it very alluring and fabulously unusual. Lockheart is always doing crazy things with leather, and we heart them for it.

The claret-colored Melinda Bag is 13"W X 12"H X 5"D, has a single strap with a 9" drop, is lined in microfiber signature striped jacquard, and features eyelets and tassels, which guarantee you'll want to wear it well into the spring.

The Lockheart Melinda Leather Drawstring Bag is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $595.00.

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal To The Metal Flap Pouchette has a long name for such a small bag, but is undeniably sassy and delightful.

At just 8"W X 7"H X ¼"D, this bag is the perfect size for bouncing on your hip while you run around doing errands in your jeans and boots. The casual stitching, together with the unusual zipper placement, creates an attractive, sexy shape. The pretty goldtone bird makes it feminine and just a little flashy -- enough to catch the eye.

While this isn't the bag to carry to your major holiday events, it's one you can wear everyday and it comes at an exceptional price: just $198.00.

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal To The Metal Flap Pouchette is available from Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Alexis Mabille for CoutureLab Black Tie Clutch is a seemingly simple work of elegant mastery.

Firstly, in case you skipped the title and only look at pictures, this is not a tie, but a handbag. This clutch consists of two separated pockets, perfectly forming a 15" x 6 2/3" (approximate) bow tie. It's a bit larger than your average bow tie, but it would certainly be more than appropriate for any black tie event. No pun ... attempted.

This bag is "handmade from luxurious Duchesse silk satin," and features hidden brass zippers so you don't accidentally lose the contents. A purse like this may not be eye-catching at first, but as soon as someone notices it, they're sure to be pointing it out to people all evening.

The Alexis Mabille for CoutureLab Black Tie Clutch is available from CoutureLab for approximately $706.00.

Today's bag takes recycling to a new level. This bag is made from an authentic, de-commissioned US mint money bag made usable with a drawstring and a leather strap. It's not the most aesthetically pleasing bag I've ever seen but it's definitely an attention getter. It sells for $100. Dean Accessories makes a line of handbags from recycled leather jackets.

A few days ago my colleague Rigel Celeste wrote an interesting story about what your handbag says about you. In the story she posited that "carrying a knock-off bag can say that you're putting a fake front to the world." According to an intriguing story on Bloomberg, a study done by Renee Richardson Gosline, an assistant professor of marketing at MIT's Sloan School of Management, showed that if you want to get away with wearing a fake you need to have a certain attitude. Her research revealed that people are more likely to peg a handbag as being a real designer bag if the woman carrying it is wearing expensive clothes or has an aura of wealth.

Her methodology involved showing 100 owners of luxury handbags photos of bags alone and photos of bags worn by people in social settings. The study subjects were more able to ascertain an item's authenticity and potential cost of the item when it was in context. Gosline, who also happens to be a former brand manager for LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton, found that even a nice fake won't fool many consumers if the rest of the package doesn't match up. I would suggest that a similar principle is often in effect with jewelry. A costume piece can appear more or less authentic depending on the person wearing it. Individual pieces of a person's wardrobe seen in context can elicit very different reactions from observers.

Gosline's research also showed that people are willing to pay twice as much for an item that they think will impress others and can be used to trumpet wealth and status. In another study she found that many purchasers who buy knock-off bags later gone on to buy real ones. Quoted in the Bloomberg article she says that the counterfeit served as a "placebo for brand attachment" leading people to become attached to a certain brand even though they never actually owned it.