Of all the different shapes of handbags out there, my ultimate favorite for an everyday handbag is the hobo. It’s effortless, typically fairly large (I am a packrat), and casually cool. Throw any of these hobos over your shoulder and your resulting look is undeniably chic.

Prefer a larger hobo bag like me? If so, this navy blue patent hobo bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs is a dream come true. With fabulously large accent hardware including a massive turnlock at front and center, this hobo bag is a must have. I specifically love the shorter strap which keeps this hobo bag close to you.

For a more mature style, pick up this hobo bag from Elliott Lucca. In a timeless style, this hobo bag features supple leather, gold toned hardware, and a detailed woven pattern along each side.  Perfect for traveling, throw your magazines, water, and a snack into this hobo bag without any effort.

When in doubt, choose black. This MICHAEL Michael Kors hobo bag is fabulous. Suitable for any time of year, this hobo bag is slightly more compact than the options above. A great buckle details the outer edges of this hobo bag and the MK plaque keeps attention focused on this great design.

Berets have always been around, but this fall they’re in full blast. Check out these amazing berets and look sexy French in every single one of them, even if you are having a bad hair day.

An oversized classic beret? Yup, that’s right. The Michael Kors Kashmere Natural Cashmere Beret is definitely the type of uniqueness and eccentricity we all seek from time to time.

Michael Kors Kashmere Natural Cashmere Beret, $54 at Bluefly.com

I’ve always felt insecure about wearing any type of hat. But after finding the Metallic Sequins Line A Cashmere Blend Beret, I’ve been more than eager to try one on .

Metallic Sequins Line A Cashmere Blend Beret, $78 at Nordstrom.com

It doesn’t get any more French when you’re wearing the Marc by Marc Jacobs Navy Dotted Pleated Beret. Put on a wool skirt, a turtleneck sweater, a pair of opaque black tights and some booties, and you’ve got yourself quite the fall outfit.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Navy Dotted Pleated Beret, $159 at Bluefly.com

The Slouchy Newsboy Beret is super hot. With the right pair of jeans, and knee high boots, you can have heads turning in a heartbeat.

Slouchy Newsboy Beret, $55 at NeimanMarcus.com

Hi I have decided to invest in a pair of Marc Jacobs shoes.
I want to spend about $400 to have fabulous shoes that make
me feel really really good. Is there a really hot shoe style or
particular marc jacobs shoe that I should get?
Thanks for your help,
KBJ in WI

EditorJacquie says: Kudos! If you’re not a regular shoe spendthrift, Marc Jacobs (or Marc by Marc Jacobs) is a really solid line to choose from. I’m a fan of Marc Jacobs flats and mary jane-style shoes. But if you’re making an “investment” then you need a pair of shoes that are versatile enough to get worn often and fabulous enough to make you feel chic everytime you slip them on your feet. I have a bunch of fab shoe ideas for you!

I found several Marc Jacobs shoes on Like.com. Like.com shows you all the shoes that LOOK similar so you can spend your shoe money wisely. If you find a style that you love you can purchase a similar pair at cheaper price or add it to your Like List to purchase later.

Marc Jacobs brown leather pump ($336) is a classic women’s dress shoe style but with the streamlined look of high fashion. The stacked heel provides stability (you’ll feel fabulous AND be able to walk). The sheen of the luxe brown leather will wear well with biz suits and jeans alike.


It’s easy to associate feeling fabulous with the color red. For a standout pair of heels that still have versatility, these Marc by Marc Jacobs red heels (only $149!) are a good bet. Stylish red patent leather with a pretty platform heel make these Marc Jacobs shoes a good compliment to basic black dress pants for day. Dress up denim or your favorite flirty skirt with a splash of red!

Currently, my favorite pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes is this white hot leather sandal. ($395) I’ve already written about them! The detail of the side-zip is a genius touch to these already trendy stacked heel wedges. Spring sandals are all about the open toe and these Marc by Marc Jacobs sandals will display your pretty pedicure. Wear white shoes with all your spring dresses and high fashion short shorts.

Find more stylish spring sandals in our Spring Sandal Style Guide.

See both sides of the spring sandal coin: the luxury spring sandal and the stylish cheap thrill. Our like and likeWise feature brings you the best of both worlds- it’s our version of Splurge vs. Steal! We’re shopping non-stop to add to our spring sandal collections. Picking the perfect spring sandals style doubles our wardobe, they match beautifully with our favorite swingy spring dresses.

Like:


MARC BY MARC JACOBS white wedge heel sandal

Price: $398.95

LikeWise: Nicole Ritter milk leather stacked heel sandal

Price: $78.95

White sandals are hot for spring. The white looks great against your legs after a few applications of your favorite sunless tanner (we like Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer). Our West Coast Editors pair their bright white spring sandals with wide leg denim trousers on cool California nights. But on the Atlantic side of the country, fashionistas are wearing sandals with romantic blouses and skinny jeans. And we may be chirping about spring sandals, but we’re shopping for shoes that will take us through summer and into the steamy autumn that we can thank global warming for.

Is it bad to appreciate the some of the effects of the tragic state of our environment because it allows us more time to wear our favorite spring sandals and stretch out our seasonal wardrobes?! Well, yeah but at least we’re not asking people to wipe with one square to save the planet.

Check out our Style Guide for Spring Sandals. Match your favorite white sandals with a little wicker or straw handbag, we have favorite hot handbags for every budget.

Find more likewise products with a Likeness Search. With one click you can browse hundreds of online stores and see all products that look similar- make the best purchase to inspire your personal style!

Special: Fashion Week Reality

Tommy Hilfiger’s Fall 2007 runway show epitomized his association with back-to-school chic. The guys and gals strutted down the runway with a 60’s apple crisp feeling of freedom and philosophy. If this school boy look is a little too School Ties meets Freddy Kruger for you, hippify with this awesome striped hoodie from American Apparel.

Played Out: Matching your earrings to your necklace to your shirt…When I was 13, I cherished my jewelry sets from Claire’s Accessories and wouldn’t be caught dead with a gold ring and a silver necklace. But I’ve evolved. Mix your metals, it’s ok.

Fresh Pick: Wide-Leg Herringbone Trouser
Back in the 90’s when the term supermodel became everyday vernacular, back when curves graced the pages of the fashion mags, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell showed us that woman weren’t slaves to skirts and panty hose. The Menswear look is back with tailoring that is a bit more hip conscious! (This pair by Raven happens to be on sale on Shopbop.com.) Watch for the skinny pant to get some major competition from wide-leg cuts.

Jewel of the Week: Barbie Cuff Bracelet by Tarina Tarantino
We know you want that dream house and pink convertible. Come out and play in a grown-up bedazzled world. Paris Hilton and Cameron Diaz are among Tarina Tarantino famous fans. Find the girly-fun jewelry on Like.com.

Penny Pinchin’ Score: Charmuse dress from Alloy.com You’d have no trouble scoring front row seats to Betsey, Zac or Marc draped in this designer knock-off of pretty pink persuasion. Resist the urge to brag to Mischa that your bargain basement find looks almost as divine as her Marchesa original.

LikeWise Buy coupon: Free shipping on all orders over $75 at Alloy. Use code AEAAFF at checkout.

Makeup Must-Have: DevaCurl Angell gel for curly hair
When you see a girl with gorgeous Botticelli curls, 10 to 1 she’s discovered DevaCurl’s natural line for those blessed with the spring. Get soft spirals without the dreaded crunch and frizz.

Shoe Shine: For a bit of comfy Valentine’s Day self-love pick up the red Patent Ballerina Flat by Marc Jacobs. The style reports confirm that the delicate souliers are here to stay for all seasons.

Bag-Envy: Jalda Bean Clutch
Sported by celebs like Cynthia Nixon and Miss Skinny Minnie Richie, Jalda handbags have been making making the rounds since the their debut in ‘02. The bean clutch is delicate enough for evening use yet practical enough to carry all of the essentials. For a fraction of the price, the material echoes Roger Vivier and the hardware is similar to what we saw of Michael Kors Fall 2007 Handbag Collection.

Random and Fabulous: Bootie Pies?!
Pedicure boots, ingenious! The winter months forbid you from walking out of the salon in your beloved flip flops, and the dry time to put your gear back on is just unbearable for the on-the-go girl. Luckily, 3 sisters from Jersey have come up with a solution. Check out the how-to, I was amazed!

photos from New York Magazine nymag.com (left to right): Marc Jacobs, Luella Bartley, Luella Bartley, Joanna Mastroianni

We like the red hot coat styles seen on the runways this week from Luella Bartley, Marc Jacobs, and Joanna Mastroianni, among others.

In fact we like it so much we don’t want to wait for Fall ‘07 to add a little spice to our outerwear. We found some likeWise options that you can incorporate into your Spring wardrobe and stay ahead of the trends. Or you could pull a Nicole Richie-does-Sally Jessy Raphael and get a pair of red shades. But we’re sticking to the coats.

LikeWise red hot coats:

Weatherproof Sateen Stretch Peacoat at Nordstrom.com (98.00)

Coffee Shop Broken Twill Fencing Coat at Nordstrom.com (68.00)

MARC by Marc Jacobs at Nordstrom.com (428.00)
Sienna Miller appeared the perfect sweetheart in a red cropped jacket at a recent appearance for Godiva. This Coffee Shop ‘Eisenhower’ Twill Jacket at Nordstrom.com is perfect to throw on over a babydoll dress, tunic and leggings, or tee with jeans.