Ally Capellino Wesley Bag.

Source: Ally Capellino

I don't remember the last time I saw a myrtle leather bag. (It might appear greyish on some screens.) Green isn't one of my favorite colors, but accessories have a tendency to expand my palette preference. Previously the only green I liked was lime green ostrich leather, so this bag might change that.

Ally Capellino 'Wesley' messenger bag available at Ally Capellino for £294.

Dior Homme Perforated Canvas Messenger Bag.

Source: Saks

Flavored with a vintage touch but not so much that it looks like a $3 Goodwill find, Dior Homme gives us a little gem of a messenger bag that's not covered in logo (or made of metallic leather). The red/blue leather tab, though having no function on its own, wears like a decorative ribbon, and the canvas gives it a lightweight feel appropriate for an everyday casual bag.

Dior Homme perforated canvas messenger bag available at Saks for $1015.

Z Zegna Button Bags.

Source: Zegna

What in the name of Cyndi Lauper is going on? Putting buttons on bags is like intentionally feeding a tablespoonful of phenylalanine to a phenylketonuriac. They're both unthinkable offenses, except one leads to permanent neurological damage and the other just makes everyone around you throw up.

In all seriousness, those Z Zegna bags are hideous.

Say No To Exterior Cell Phone Pockets.

Source: LeatherPaks

Exterior cell phone pockets are unsightly and about as useful as the iPod-compatible Zegna Sport jacket. Moreover, this particular pocket is a one-size-fits-one; your iPhone or Blackberry 8880 will have to find somewhere else to be cozy. (But then again, anyone who owns an iPhone or a Blackberry would, in theory, already have the sense to never carry a bag with such an eyesore.)

Cell phone pockets belong inside the bag and should be large enough to accommodate phones of various dimensions. One can argue that an exterior pocket is more convenient, bypassing the need to unzip the main compartment. 'Tis true, but that doesn't make it any less ugly.

Bow Wow And His Louis Vuitton Man Bag.

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Source: Unknown at the moment

There he is.

Dolce & Gabbana Leather Monogram Messenger Bag.

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Source: Dolce & Gabbana

Way to go, DG, you really outdid yourself!

1) The DG monogram is one of the more vile ones out there.
2) I don't really have an issue with the clasp. At the very least it's certainly unique. But the giant logo messed it up.
3) What's with the orange stripes?

In summary, the only thing I like about the bag is the clasp.

Can someone please tell Domenico and/or Stefano to drop the monogram or come up with something less visually offensive?

Matthew McConaughey...Fully Clothed.

Source: MAP/Splash News Online

Confession: I used to confuse MM with Heath Ledger.

Dean Flat Leather Messenger Bag

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This bag belongs to the guy that first introduced me to Dean. It's a fairly large bag and can easily be converted from a messenger bag to a tote bag. (It is leather, he assures me, despite the grainy picture.)

If you've been reading this blog, even just intermittently, you'd know that I generally don't like metal studs. However, that's only the case when the studs don't have to be there for functionality or can be covered up; in a purely "decorative" term, I think studs can add aesthetic value, as is the case here.



Available at Dean for $200

3918 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 627-9740

John Varvatos And His Bag.

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Good for him...he's wearing his own bag...

That's all I'm going to say about this. He designed it -- he can wear it however he wants.

Leonello Borghi Bridle Leather Messenger Bag.

Source: eBay [Seller ID: berf624]

The last time I posted a brown leather messenger bag, someone commented that it looks bland. This Leonello Borghi bag isn't exactly "fashion-forward", but I wouldn't say it's uninspiring; rather, it has a certain rustic feel to it.

Leonello Borghi bridle leather messenger bag available at eBay. [Current bid $45.99]

Reader Submission: Salvatore Ferragamo Leather Messenger Bag.

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Marked by simple lines, this beautiful bag will be fitting for an equally simple yet presentable outfit.

Fendi Woven Leather Messenger Bag.

Source: Eluxury

Some people just don't know how to quit when they're ahead. They got the right idea at first - no Fendi logo, ideal size for casual needs, dark brown color, and top-zipped. What would have been a simple, functional flat messenger bag was instead ruined by that leather flap window on the upper left corner. It's kind of like a dust particle in a protein crystallization experiment -- something seemingly insignificant and minuscule can screw everything up.

Fendi messenger bag available at Eluxury for $845.

Ben Silver Leather Messenger Bag.

Source: Ben Silver

It's always nice to find decent-looking leather bags for less than ionospheric prices. The polished leather really complements the aged, used look, no? The bag is "down-to-earth", which is just another way of saying bland, but constantly surrounding yourself with stimulation can lead to ennui (I really didn't want to use that word, but it fit better than 'boredom'.)

Ben Silver leather messenger bag available at Ben Silver for $375.

Dior Homme Metallic Stripe Messenger Bag.

Source: Eluxury

Unless you intend on biking at night (which I advise you not do because there are drivers like me out there), the metallic stripe serves no purpose. In fact, one may even call it an eyesore. I expect something like this from Dsquared to make a $1500 jacket look pseudo-athletic, but not from Dior.

My friend told me he bought the tote bag with the same stripe -- it was hard, but I kept my opinion to myself.

Dior Homme metallic stripe messenger bag available at Eluxury for $775.

Ralph Lauren Canvas Messenger Bag.

Remember the weather-worn tote bag?

I now assail your visual cortex with this messenger bag.



Meticulously crafted for genuine vintage appeal, our rugged canvas mailbag features rich Italian leather and antiqued metal accents.

More like shaggy and tetanus.

Ralph Lauren canvas messenger bag available at Ralph Lauren for $650.

Photo Credit: Ralph Lauren

Ann Demeulemeester Hemp-Silk-Cotton Messenger Bag.

Source: Aloha Rag

Have you seen The Grudge? Those tassels look like the demonic Asian girl hair that eats its unsuspecting victims. It's too bad Sarah Michelle Gellar falls off the top of the roof and dies in the sequel.

This hemp-mix bag is ideal for the shopper of farmers markets and things of the eccentric nature -- abalone bracelets, copper incense holders, and organic pomegranate juice.

I hope I don't get nightmares tonight. That movie almost scared the moderate Republican out of me.

Ann Demeulemeester messenger bag available at Aloha Rag for $860.

Number (N)ine Fall/Winter 2008.

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Do you know what's more heinous than denim-on-denim?

Shearling-on-shearling.

At least the net looks a bit more appropriate on that bag than on the Louis Vuitton Congo GM.

Giorgio Armani FallWinter 2008.

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If I were a bellhop, I'd steal all the bags and luggages and blame a horde of young ruffians that only I happened to see. (Has anyone seen those mall security camera footages of bands of teenagers that swoop into boutiques and steal bags and clothes in less time than the time it takes to tie a shoelace?)

Nothing looks too spectacular or unsightly. Also, the quilted leather messenger bag was already done by Dolce & Gabbana. The smaller logo on this Giorgio Armani version is a step in the right direction, however.

There have been discussions that minority representation in fashion shows is lacking. Wouldn't it have been terrible (and controversial) if that guy was of African descent? It would make Don Imus' "nappy-headed hoes" comment sound like "licentious women with particularly coarse hair texture".

Fendi Fall/Winter 2008.

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I'm not sure what to call this -- clutchfolio? Portfoliclutch? Whatever it is, it doesn't yield much practical use, but neither do the festive national security threat levels. (Are we still orange?) However, exotic skin is not something I can easily resist.



Back when the Edith bag was popular among women, I wished Chloé would make a men's travel version. Although the only similarity is the trapezoidal shape, I'm going to tentatively say my wish came true. I really hope this bag goes into production. If only I had a rich sugardaddy to buy me the crocodile version...



The point of the messenger bag is to free your hands. The above look is a compromise: you don't want your jacket to get wrinkled by the shoulder strap, but you want to dress-down a bit with a messenger bag. Unlike the Three-Fifths Compromise or the war on terror, this actually works.

Photo Credit: AFP, Getty Images, Wire Image

Taddei Harmarnee Leather Messenger Bag.

Source: Matches

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I've learned that it doesn't take much to turn a regular black leather bag into this stunning product. If you think about it, all you have to do is meticulously stitch leather pieces of contrasting color.

Symmetry through clean, parallel lines. It's as beautiful as the sunrise in the Ozarks.

The bag is fairly roomy, large enough to be used as a carryall or a diaper bag. (She used her Birkin as one, so why not?) The pictures above don't show it, but I am impressed with the shoulder strap. Made of leather (and not just leather trim), the design aspect adds another dimension to the bag. (Visit the link below to see.)

Up for sale for £842.55 (excluding VAT), I expect the price to be nothing less for what can be considered an offshoot of Bottega Veneta. Click here to purchase.