When we covered the runway debut of the Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 Handbags back in October, reviews were mixed. Some people appreciated the slightly barnyard feel of the collection, others thought it wasn’t luxurious or sophisticated enough for the Chanel customer.

As time has passed, my opinion has softened a bit. They didn’t go as straw-heavy on the bags that made it to retail, and several of the non-straw bags are totally lovely. My personal favorite is the watercolored Classic Flap Bag, which would look utterly elegant with a variety of summer wardrobe options.

On the downside, they’re apparently still trying to make those puffy Coco Cocoon bags happen; I was really wishing that they were going to be a one-season experiment, what with their startling resemblance to trash bags. As for the straw bags that dot the collection, they’re very taste-specific, but I could see some of the more subdued version working quite well with summery white linen or various bright colors for contrast. We’ve got pictures of all the bags, after the jump.

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For information on pricing and availability, please contact Chanel at 800) 550-0005
All pictures via Chanel.com

Some people dream for years of owning a Chanel Classic Flap Bag or Chanel Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag, some already own multiples of each, and still others think that they’re too traditional and played-out. I couldn’t agree less with that third group of people – with lots of finishes, colors and sizes, Chanel’s famous flaps have a little something that everyone can appreciate, if you stay open-minded. Still on the fence? Allow me to persuade you…

1. They’re just going to go up in price later: Seriously, are you considering buying one? If you are, go ahead and do it. Chanel is among the masters of the crippling price increase, jacking up the MSRPs of its bags every six months to a year, sometimes by as much as $500 for a basic bag. As a general rule, bags don’t hold their value all that well, but constantly rising prices keep the timeless flap bags fairly easy to resell later. Plus, even if you don’t take resale into consideration, you’re just going to have to fork over more cash if you wait.

2. Owning one is like getting in to one of the most exclusive sororities on campus: Except, you know, this is real life. Legendary actresses, socialites and royals have carried this bag, and hey, if you can’t marry a prince, you can at least buy the same bag as the broads who can. Or the same bag as the girls from The Hills – it seems as though the bag has become the go-to accessory when a younger woman wants to signal to the world that she has grown and matured into a fashionable lady.

3. So many designers have been “inspired” by the flap – if you’re going to pay big bucks, get the original: Everyone from Urban Outfitters to Marc Jacobs has been accused of stealing from Chanel’s signature bag, and there’s a good reason for that – it’s timeless, iconic and still as relevant to luxury customers today as it was back in the 1950s. Chain straps and quilted leather have become nearly synonymous with the idea of the designer handbag, and the Chanel flap may even be more well-known across the world than the illustrious handbag holy grail, the Hermes Birkin.

4. Buy a flap bag in caviar leather and it will likely outlive me and you both: Seriously, that stuff is indestructible. Run your fingers – no, better yet, run your fingernails along it next time you’re near a Chanel bag made of the material, and you’ll see what I mean. It has a finish nearly as tough as Louis Vuitton monogram canvas, but you’re paying for actual leather instead of, well, canvas. With how much those monogram bags run these days, the price of a neutral leather Chanel bag with similar durability seems downright reasonable. But…

5. Despite their cultural ubiquity, the bags themselves are still too price-prohibitive for everyone to own: They come in sizes ranging from XS to XL, but even the smallest of the Chanel flap bags is way more expensive than the average woman wants to spend. You’re in no danger of seeing your bag on every woman on the block (unless you live on a really, really nice block, but if you do, there’s probably no sense in trying to stay one step ahead anyway), and even if you see a lot of people carrying non-Chanel bags that look similar, there’s absolutely no comparison when you see and hold a Chanel flap bag in person.

Prices start around $2000. Please contact Chanel customer service at (800) 550-0005 for more information.

When I was in middle school, it was all about the shoulder bags. Leather or canvas, plain or printed, I conjecture that at least three-quarters of the girls in my grade owned some iteration of this style. So far, I’m not the biggest fan of this Miu Miu Croc Print Leather Bag, and I’m going to chalk it up to this (clearly traumatizing) childhood experience. I suppose that I’ve owned at least five of these small baguette shoulder bags- isn’t that enough?

But let’s separate the bag from my past and look at it objectively. Besides the general style, I actually do find the bag quite agreeable. I mean, it’s in one of those wonderfully soft pastel shades, light mint green, in this case, that is almost impossible not to like. It’s just too nice, too cute. But it’s toughened up just the slightest by the croc-print- but it’s not quite tea party gone goth, don’t you worry, nor is it glazed and poppy like its sister bag, the Miu Miu Stamped Leather clutch of yesteryear.

Add the little gold hardware touches and well, the bag is growing on me. And though I’m not a heart person, I find the bitsy gold heart on the strap to just be too adorable to dislike. It’s like a puppy, really. Romping about in the spring grass. No one can’t like that. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $450.

We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on some of the most beautiful Bottega Veneta handbags available. While I can’t get enough of the signature BV intrecciato woven leather design, I am always intrigued by some of the other intrecciato-less handbags available. Case in point, this luxurious Bottega Veneta Woven Shoulder Bag. I am absolutely in love with how buttery smooth this leather looks. Being part of the resort collection, this is one bag that will completely live up to its price tag.

I don’t know about you, but when I come across handbags that are part of a designer’s resort collection, I find myself looking at the bag and being whisked away to a gorgeous place where both I and the bag would shine. Yet the thing about this Bottega Veneta bag is that it is constructed for use all year long.

The truffle colored leather is paired with dark brass hardware. I love the detailing along the (makeshift) seams of the bag as well as used on the handle. This handle has a 12″ drop which I think is enough to fit nicely on your shoulder without it being too snug. Per usual with a bag this large, I would be careful how much you put in it so that it doesn’t become too heavy. This might be one of my new favorite Bottega Veneta bags. Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $1750.