Looks like the Balenciaga City Bag and Chloe Paddington have to move over because there’s a new “IT” bag in town – the Proenza Schouler PS1.

I’m featuring it today not because it’s an IT bag, but more because it a crossbody. This one is another piece for you junkies to fall over.

Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Leather Bag

(photo from LaGarconne.com)

Unlike the Balenciaga, which gained instant stardom upon its release, the PS1’s rise to popularity was actually slow. It was first spotted on Mary Kate Olsen, but got overshadowed by the Paddington and the Arena. Eventually, the PS1 received some (and then more) attention and voila! A new IT bag was discovered!

Of course, being toted around by celebrities like Mary Kate Olsen and Nicky Hilton more than helped fuel its claim to fame.

Mary Kate Olsen and her PS1

Nicky Hilton and her PS1

If we were to omit the colorful adjectives, the PS1 is basically a glorified messenger bag. There’s a top flap with pull-tab straps and a center buckle which folds and locks the flap in place. It comes with a compartment at the front, a top handle, and a zippered compartment at the back.

Other views of the PS1

(photos from LaGarconne.com)

But we understand why it’s hot. Apart from being a  Proenza Schouler, it’s a useful and versatile piece. Women can use it as a laptop bag and as a handbag; it’s like getting two for the price of one. Not to mention it’s easy to carry (being a crossbody and all).

Being a designer piece, the PS1 comes at a certain price, and it isn’t cheap. The large one costs US$1995 while the medium runs at U$1595. If you’re a crossbody fanatic and a designer junkie, then you will probably feel like acquiring this bag is a must (visit Barneys or LaGarconne if you wish to purchase the PS1).

But if you can’t afford it, why force it? You can get the same look without the hefty price tag from other noteworthy pieces. Try these for starters:

TUMI Lardeo Leather Large Messenger, US$495

Affliction Ashrah Hobo, US$142

Ben Sherman Basic Strapped Messenger, on sale for US$79 (Zappos.com)

The first time I wrote about Nick Jonas and his purse – I mean, his satchel, he was at least carrying something that could actually pass for a men’s bag:

Nick Jonas and brother carry the Roots Village Bag

But this time, I just don’t know what to say. He was caught just yesterday carrying yet another one of his man purses while heading into Jim Henson Studios:

Nick Jonas out and about in Hollywood with his man purse

Okay, we all know that Nick Jonas is a fan of crossbody man purses (he even admitted it on the now defunct It’s On with Alexa Chung show), but does it have to be as feminine as the one he’s carrying in the picture? The rounded shape, the smooth finish, and the smallish proportions – that’s a bag fit for a woman and not for someone like Nick Jonas (although some people might disagree with me here and say it’s just right for a Jonas brother).

Men need to carry stuff around too of course, especially Nick Jonas who has to have his (type 1) diabetes medicine on him at all times (read the news about that here). But there really is a thin line between a purse and a satchel when it comes to men’s bags. Aside from the Roots Village Bag that he’s carrying in the first picture, I prefer these other Nick Jonas crossbody bags over that rounded brown purse he was carrying yesterday:

Here are other leather crossbody bags that would look good on Nick Jonas:

Bally Raski, $687.60

Marc by Marc Jacobs Simple Leather Robbie G, $458.00

Ben Sherman BS105068, $144.45

Which bag do you prefer?

For a change, allow me to channel this article to an older Hollywood hottie, Mr. Brad Pitt (sorry girls, I am not a Clooney fan).

I have to say, he has aged well because he doesn’t look like he aged at all. Or maybe age becomes him because he still oozes with sex appeal (remember Troy? He was 40 years old when he shot that movie, but the body was so buff! Sigh….)

Of course the laugh lines are there, but up close, he still has the sexy boyish charm that placed him countless times in the top ranks of Hollywood’s sexiest. Hats off to Angelina for snagging him, and snagging him from Jennifer Aniston to boot!

Here are a few paparazzi shots of him. He was sighted arriving at the Marseille Airport, in France.

Brad Pitt and his Burberry Brit Check Messenger Bag

(images from JustJared.com)

The pictures tell you that Brad sure knows how to dress. The ensemble of T-shirt, jeans, and flight jacket topped with a beret, is a brilliant combination. The Burberry Brit Check Messenger Bag completes the look of course. The whole get-up makes him look attractive in a laid-back manner, yet effortlessly fashionable. Definitely smart wardrobe and accessory choices. Travel-sexy is how I would like to put it.

If you’re a guy who wants to achieve this travel-sexy look, or if you’re a wife (or girlfriend) and you want your other half to look this good when you travel, simply emulate the get up and purchase any of the following messenger bags that cost much less:

The Dr. Koffer Cross Stitch Messenger, US$295 at Bagsbuy.com

The Ben Sherman BS105134, US$ 179 at Bagsbuy.com

If you want more choices, simply shop at Bagsbuy.com