Valentino Floral-Appliqué Zip-Pocket Bag: Lily-White and Ladylike

This prim and lovely look has the signature Valentino petal motif – Roccoco and highly elaborate – but it’s usable and not over-run like a fairy tale. I’m all for fairy tales, but I’m not sure how they can be worked into everyday life. Even though aspects are evocative of a pristine petticoat, I’d be happy to work this bag into my everyday life. The appliqué has been updated with dark crystal embellishments, so it’s more fashion and less doily. The outer zipper is not only a great aesthetic feature, but it functions as the grab-and-go essentials holder. Braided handles kick it up a notch to point of elaborate – but isn’t elaborate on point with Valentino’s image? No Valentino bag would be complete without the grandeur component. At Neiman Marcus for $2,995.

Pair with: Alexander McQueen’s open-shoulder flounce dress, in light red, veers more towards carefree girl than lady-who-lunches – and that’s exactly what this bag needs. At Bergdorf Goodman for $1,680.