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• January 22, 2009
• Shopping Roundup

Material Girl

12 bags that pack luxe in lieu of leather. By Christene Barberich & Xiyin Tang

With New York Fashion Week just a few weeks away, we're already wondering what go-to bag we might be hauling around from show to show. But regardless of what your schedule demands (one day it's a show, the next it's Costco), every busy lady needs an effortless, yet extremely chic bag to call her own...and preferably one that won't give her shoulder spasms. The answer? An assortment of lighter-weight fabrics in lieu of traditional break-your-back leather that continues to emerge as the go-to material for cool bags.

But lest you think we've piled up a heap of here-today-gone-tomorrow tote-bags, think again. Our search was narrowed down to 12 perfect bags, some featuring hi-tech nylon, others cut from deliciously soft washed canvas and printed cotton. All have timeless shapes and features, and for you shameless hide whores, many are also thoughtfully accented with just a touch of leather. Yes, this time around, less is definitely more.

Above, from left: Life with Bird Bogart Bag, $199, available at Shop Larousse; Bodkin Hand-Dyed Recycled Cotton Tote Bag, $80, available at Bird.

Above, from left: Kimchi Blue Briefcase Bag, $68, available at Urban Outfitters; Stella McCartney Geometric Shoulder Bag, $865, available at Net-A-Porter.

Above, from left: Lanvin Cloth Tote, about $450, available at Colette; Longchamp x Jeremy Scott Pliage Bag, about $225, available at Colette.

Above, from left: Mayle Samira Soft Fold Silk-Satin Clutch, $200, available at Jumelle; Stella McCartney for Le Sport Sac Canteen Bag, $175, available at Le Sport Sac.

Above, from left: See by Chloé Best Ever Shopper, $160, available at Nordstrom; Le Sport Sac Dana Tote, $98, available at Shop Bop.

Above, from left: Gryson Lola Liquid Nylon Bag, $475, available at Gryson; Matt & Nat Kahn Bag, $285, available at Moo Shoes.

12 bags that pack luxe in lieu of leather.