I love satchels and totes. They’re maybe my favorite style of handbag, but I tend to prefer larger, roomier bags anyway.

Here are some great satchels under $100 that I’m loving right now:

Buffalo “Cass” Satchel, $80

Steve Madden Satchel, $98

Deux Lux Satchel, $69

American Eagle Pebbled Satchel, $39.50

ModCloth “September Trip” Satchel, $55

Cesca Vintage Weathered Satchel, $38

ALDO “Fretwell” Satchel, $48

ModCloth Blog On Satchel, $80

ASOS Contrast Satchel, $72

Canvas and leather bags are going to be a popular spring handbag trend, and there are great choices available right now for under $100. Why canvas? It’s not an attention-grabbing bag, or a “status” bag (although it could be, especially if it’s canvas-look leather). It’s the kind of handbag you throw on as you run to grab your first ice cream of the year in May or to pair with your favorite sandals and that short, chiffon dress you’ve been itching to wear for months. It’s fun, casual (but not too casual), and comes in lots of shapes and sizes. Whether you want something smaller for day, or a large tote for weekends on the beach, you should find one that will work below.

1. Lands’ End Canvas 1963 Leather Tote, $89.50

2. ThursdayFriday Birkin Canvas Tote, $35 (pre-order)

3. Poppie Jones Canvas Tote, $70

4. BDG Canvas Weekender, $68

5. J. Crew “Spannaus”, $98

6. TopShop Butterfly Print Holdall, $92

7. Nine West Satchel, $95

8. ASOS Canvas Bag, $98

And, if you still can’t get your mind off sparkles…

LOFT Canvas Satchel with Sequins, $69.50

I gets lots of requests for affordable book/laptop bags, so make sure you go check out this post on Bon Marche.

daslava asked:

Hey Jaclyn…I’m trying to find a purse to carry on days I’m heading to beach or pool. I really love this straw slouchy bag from Free People (http://www.freepeople.com/oversized-slouchy-straw-bag/) but I’d ideally like to spend no more than $50 as I don’t want to worry when it gets thrown around in the sand and near the water. Any suggestions on a less expensive alternative? Thanks!

Here are five straw bags similar to the Free People version and all are less than $50!

Have fun at the beach! :)

• Anthropologie Colored Tote, $48
• Spiegel Tote, $36
• Magid Hobo, $46
• GAP Striped Tote, $33
• ASOS Large Tote, $47

P.S. I am testing out Polyvore’s new interactive set embedding feature. Do you prefer to click the link directly on the set or do you like when I bullet out all the items?

I’ve gotten several questions about laptop bags or tote bags large enough for a laptop.

I’ve been using a messenger-bag style tote in addition to my handbag because I have so much stuff I need to carry with me. On any given day, except the following to be in one of my two bags:

• MacBook
• Netbook
• Two real, for-reading books
• Magazines
• A newspaper or two
• Flats or sandals

This is all on top of the regular stuff I carry around: like my wallet, cell phone, makeup and other doodads.

I’ve been looking for the perfect (light from heaven, angels singing kinda perfect) tote bag that could replace my messenger bag. I’d like a bit of style, a bit of practicality (a laptop section, for instance) and have it fit comfortably over my shoulder—a must-have since I walk so much each day.

Well, after a bit of sleuthing, I’ve uncovered my favorite laptop-friendly tote bags to be found, with prices ranging from about $30 to over $200. Something for every budget and every style, too, I hope!

• Mango Tango Leather Bag, $50
• Target Bueno Giraffe Print Tote, $35
• Moonsus “Cosmopolitan” Bag, $240
• Clava Vachetta Shopper, $105
• Coakley Travel Tote, $190
• Target Bueno Chevron Bag, $35
• Boulevard “Lexie” Tote, $36
• Clava Canvas Tote, $88
• Mobile Edge “Madison”, $200
• Osgoode “Marley”, $110
• Nunzia Designs “Torino”, $115
• Coakley Everyday Tote, $190

nicoleramsey asked:

Hi! I’ve been wanting a new bag lately since I’ve had mine for a while. Do you know of any inexpensive (under $50) across the body shoulder bags? Thanks (:

Here are a few crossbody bags for under $50! I love crossbody bags myself because they are so great for shopping—hands-free, easy and cute too! (Love all the colorful ones above!)

• Poppie Jones “Selma”, $25
• Nine West “In the Bag”, $45
• Target Converse One Star Bag, $20
• Wet Seal Quilted Bag, $17
• Tignanello “Perfect Bag”, $51

Bailey wrote me and wondered if I could find a handbag similar to the Chloe “Marcie” hobo at a more affordable price point.

I’ll admit—finding handbags that are similar to designer ones can be difficult, unless you happen upon a really good knock-off or the bag is a classic style often copied by retailers, such as certain bags by Chanel, for example.

However, I found some that are close in style and in quality, and although a couple are more pricey, they are extremely affordable when compared against the nearly $1,500 Chloe bag.

1. Deena & Ozzy Hobo - $58
2. The Sak “Silverlake” - $199
3. Melie Blanco Satchel - $98

My bestie Devon told me that her sister wants a Marc Jacobs crossbody bag for Christmas, but they retail for $200. She asked if I could find any lookalikes or substitutions for a better price.

I think I found some great alternatives!

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs “Percy” - $198
2. Target Crossbody - $16
3. Deux Lux Crossbody (in pink) - $50
4. Topstitch Crossbody - $40
5. ASOS Chain Detail Crossbody - $24
6. Kimchi & Blue Flapover Saddle Bag - $40
7. ASOS Quilted Crossbody - $26