For the year-end-and-beginning we’re doing top 5s every week in December, plus one special week in January. And to start off the Christmas shopping month, and to compliment our gifts series, this week it’s the Top 5 Budget Bags.

#5: Liz Claiborne Leather Croc-Embossed Pocket Tote

I have this bag and it’s a great quality, nice-looking, affordable brand bag. The moc croc leather is metallic and looks chic, plus it has plenty of pockets and is sizable. I predict snake will be back for Spring, so if you want to stock up now, think about this bag. Especially as it is on sale for $49.49 (and long gone from the outlets, so eBags is the place to purchase).

4th Top Budget Bag
3rd Top Budget Bag
2nd Top Budget Bag
1st Top Budget Bag!

Popularity: 4% [?]

PursePage.com, a site for bag shopping and reviews, is holding a contest in its forums to give away one Coach purse.

All one must do to enter is register and post on the thread (or topic), but read the rules first at the official contest page (thread).

The bag in question is a black Signature Gallery Tote, and it’s quite nice. It comes with bag, box, tissue, bow and a catalog. (Everything one might get when shopping at a boutique.) There are also other giveaways for cash! Visit the site for more info.

I’m entering, I think my aunt should enter, and will you?

Popularity: 12% [?]

This Dior Voyage Large Boston Bag in brown should be mine, all mine. It’s classic, logoed, brown, a satchel … but it’s a tad expensive at $895. Yet I yearn. The details are specifically done, letting this bag’s simplicity shine, both winning for this to be an all-around great, everyday bag. It could even be true for any time, especially with antiqued silver hardware. This Boston bag is also the perfect size at 13.5″ x 8.5″ x 6″. Now, I already read the price, I hope it’s perfect for you, because it’s practically devastating to me. To each her own pricepoint, but I’m sure this handbag speaks to anyone.

Popularity: 6% [?]

From Paris and the Valentino Spring 2007 bag collection:

Look at those large stitches attached with studs! So neat. I’m not crazy about the colors (lime green & pink) or the boxy, boring shape, but that stitching is enough to note & love. There’s also a pocketed bag that looks promising, but I couldn’t get a proper picture.

Just wait for the winter arrivals!

Courtesy of Style.com’s detail shots.

Popularity: 2% [?]

It’s been unseasonably cool here in the midwest, but that hasn’t persuaded my employers to turn off the central air-conditioning, making the office building I work in feel like a freezer. I figure they assume that it will get warmer in the next couple weeks again, so why bother turning off the air, right? Those freezing temps at work may explain the reason why the Sweater Girl Tote ($528) by Rafe, available from Anthropologie, caught my attention.

While the thought of dipping temperatures isn’t too exciting for me, I do like the look of sophisticated warm cuddly sweaters, which is what I think of when I look at the popcorn-knit wool on this tote. The wool/leather combination provides handbag-loving girls an adorable fall/winter bag with lots of texture and movement (check out the side tassels). Plus, I like the buckle flap on the front. By the way, it measures 13″ l x 9″ h x 6″ d.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Our very own Ella came up with the wonderful questions for this week’s Carnivale, which give us all the opportunity to dream about the IT bags we would own if we only could. Because it’s such an overwhelming decision to think of the IT bag I would own if someone suddenly gave me the money for one, I decided to limit myself to my favorite IT bag designer, Marc Jacobs.

So, if I could, I would pick up the Hudson Leather Tote. Why, you might ask—well, not only do I think this is a very stylish-looking tote, but because of the size (13″ l x 11″ h x 6″ d), I could certainly fit everything I’d need in it, which means I could carry it everyday, so I’d get to look at it everyday!

I love the chocolate brown leather with the patent tan trim—I think it looks clean and classy. Oh, by the way, it costs $1,275, so it would definitely be a dream if I owned this one.

Popularity: 2% [?]

It’s Thursday, which means it’s “Garbage Bag” day.

Sometimes, too much is well, too much, which is the case with this Bead Fringe Frame Bag from Jessica McClintock. Beaded fringe, beaded flower, large frame—we’ve probably all seen this type of bag everywhere. People carry them to proms, weddings, dances, etc., but I have to say I’ve never wanted one. They always seem so overdone to me.

I prefer my evening bags a bit more classic, simple and elegant.

Popularity: 4% [?]

It’s IT Bag Monday!

Yay, my favorite Fendi B.: the shoulder bag. The B. Fendi Patent Trim Shoulder Bag is made of supple grained black (”burnt”) leather. This look and feel of luxury doesn’t come so cheap at $1,210. Now that the B. Shoulder Bag is a franchise of its own, you know it’s an IT investment.

The Zucca Shoulder Bag still looks best to me, at $920. Oh, please though, do have a sale. What do you think, could it happen? Should I check eBay and consult their expert message board members? Well, I shall if the bag disappears sans sale. Tsk, I’m telling you, don’t buy the bag, let it go to sale!!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Today is “Garbage Bag” day and I think I’ve found one that certainly classifies. Check out the Diesel “Baroque” Flap Bag ($375).

Sometimes, even when I think a bag isn’t so nice, I can find something I like about it, but I just can’t pick anything about this one I enjoy. It’s made from leather, but it looks like a very stiff leather—certainly not something I want to carry on my shoulder.

I know the studs and circular turnlock closure are supposed to give the bag an “edgy” look but to me, the combination just comes off looking harsh and cold. What do you think?

Popularity: 1% [?]

Anyone who puts down Coach should check this bag—and its price—out.

Coach’s Chelsea Op Art Satchel has a body of brown suede with rectangular strips of metallic leathers and such. The Coach signature-styled corner stitching even gets a boost of the different style, with multi layers of 90° angles to match on the opposite end.

The body even has a new design, this particular satchel shape is unique to Coach, being—of course—rectangular. To match the newer Chelsea line elements, there’s a turnlock closure on the top of the bag: gorgeous, especially in this new satchel shape. To top it off, design-wise, there are round rings and buckles.

Sounds like perfection at 13 ¼” length. But are you ready for the kicker points? Those accessory strips are: suede, dusted suede, metallic calfskin, patent leather, & “lightweight” leather. Add a silk/satin lining and what have we got?

Are you ready?

Another rare expensive designer COACH price of $798!

Well, it is divine!

Want something similar at a more cost-effective pricepoint? There’s a matching wristlet for only $198 and several other satchels in this shape of different materials, including basic pebbled leather and Optic Signature, both at $358.

Popularity: 3% [?]