Fringe is a cool alternative to florals this summer. It gives off that easy, laid-back bohemian vibe that’s so… COOL! So when we ...Read more »]]> I’m particularly smitten with fringe this summer—fringe-trimmed booties, fringe bags, fringe everything! And did I say fringe bags? Yes, my penchant—and need—for fringe extends to purses as well, specifically to cross body purses.

Fringe is a cool alternative to florals this summer. It gives off that easy, laid-back bohemian vibe that’s so… COOL! So when we spotted cool-socialite Nicole Richie carrying a cool fringe cross body bag in tan a few weeks back, we know we simply have to feature her here in Cross Body Purses.

Cool-celebrity Nicole was spotted walking back to her car after taking some lunch with a friend in Sushi Nozawa in Studio City, Los, Angeles. She was wearing a Winter Kate (Nicole’s own fashion line, by the way) flowy top, skinny jeans from Jet, and a Thomas Wylde fringe cross body bag. Marc Jacobs sunnies completed her casual style.

Love the fringe cross body bag? We definitely do! It’s from Thomas Wylde. We’re digging the thick strap and the edgy design that are so boho-fabulous! Too bad, we cannot find this Thomas Wylde online. On second thought, however, it’s probably just as well since in our search for a similar style, we came across these equally fabulous fringe numbers from McFadin and JJ Winters.

McFadin Fringe Bag, $396.00

JJ Winters Buckle Fringe Bag, $407.00

JJ Winters Suede Fringe Bag, $385.00

You can grab these fringe cross body purses at Boutique To You.

Got it already? I thought so. It’s a Chanel, alright. The trademark ...Read more »]]> Care to guess Nicole Richie’s favorite bag? Hint: It’s an iconic bag that doubles as a crossbody bag. Need more hints? Here, take a look at Nicole who was spotted with a crossbody bag while leaving Planet Nails in West Hollywood, CA last week:

Got it already? I thought so. It’s a Chanel, alright. The trademark chain strap is a big giveaway, right?

So Nicole Richie’s favorite crossbody is a Chanel bag. In fact, the socialite seems to have a lot of Chanel bags in her closet, judging by the different styles and designs of this luxurious brand that she has been carrying lately. Earlier last month, she was spotted with another Chanel in tow. Here’s a look:

A Chanel bag is certainly a must have, I give them that. Chanel bags have exceptional designs and belong to that class of bags which has major staying power. It’s utterly normal for every girl to want to have one, too. So if money isn’t a big consideration for you, then why not, right? Get your own iconic Chanel bag. But for those who are on a tight budget yet still want to look stylish with a Chanel look-alike of their own, there are actually many great alternatives that would have you looking as chic as when carrying a Chanel. Take these gorgeous quilted bags, for instance:

Nine West New City Box Crossbody, $49.99

Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Rocker Cross-Body, $275.00

Juicy Couture Collection Quilted Leather Mini Cross-Body, $198.00

Juicy Couture Fashion Velour Quilted Cross-Body, $102.40

These quilted bags are no Chanel, but they sure go a long way in making you look fab and sophisticated. They’re luxurious, just as trendy, and—best of all—they cost much less than a Chanel. Pair them with the right pieces, and you’ll be looking like socialite Nicole Richie in no time.

The first crossbody bag is available at NineWest.com, while the last three are from Endless.com.

Miley Cyrus and her Simone Camille messenger and carry all bags

But then, Nicole Richie was spotted with a NEW Simone Camille bag ...Read more »]]> At first I thought Miley Cyrus carrying a Simone Camille bag was a one time thing because you know, Simone Harouche, the creator of the Simone Camille handbag line, is her stylist and all.

Miley Cyrus and her Simone Camille messenger and carry all bags

But then, Nicole Richie was spotted with a NEW Simone Camille bag (she’s been sporting Simone Camille bags for a while now apparently and actually was Simone Harouche’s inspiration for turning her hobby into a business):

Nicole Richie goes out for a stroll with fiancé Joel Madden in Beverly Hills, California on August 2, 2010

And then Julia Roberts was seen with her own Simone Camille bag too:

Julia Roberts arrives at “The Late Show with David Letterman” studio on August 4, 2010

With a reigning teen queen, an influential style icon and a heavyweight A-list celebrity sporting Simone Camille bags, you just know that these patchwork, pompom-ed, mirrored, hodgepodge of different fabrics bags will EXPLODE onto the fashion scene.

Simone Camille bags are (finally) available at Net-A-Porter.com but as for the cost? A whopping $1,860.00 a piece.

The Simone Camille website says that the bags are created from Simone Harouche’s own personal collection of special fabrics – ranging from “19th century dowry textiles” to “1970s Thea Porter kaftans” – but is that really enough to justify the nearly 2,000-dollar price tag?

Not when these bags are in existence whose styles have been crafted, handmade and sold in India for centuries:

Clockwise from top left: Melange Fair Trade Tote Bag, $78.74; Cotton Patchwork Sonu Collections Shoulder Bag, $41.99; Cotton Pakko Fair Trade Messenger Bag, $40.01; Stitch Sizzle Fair Trade Handbag, $41.99

These are just a selection of bags from India and here are more from Overstock.com. I guess you can call these the “budget finds” of the Simone Camille bags, but for me, they look more like the bags that Simone Harouche slapped her label on and is now trying to sell for more than 50 times the price.

Credit: Coolspotters.com, Fame Pictures.com, Getty Images and SplashNewsOnline.com