No Average Joe's

I've always been a fan of Joe's Jeans -- there's usually enough room for the donk and the hips (word to their "Honey" jean) without them being too loose at the waist (which is a problem with most other denim lines -- you wind up having to get a bigger size to fit your, uhm, bottom line, but then the pants wind up being too big at the waist, which in turn leads to your jeans falling down and to an annoying "say no to crack" kind of situation). And their washes and designs are usually really creative -- which is why I was soooo excited when I found out they'd launched a line of handbags.

To my surprise, literally every piece in the line was jaw-droppingly gorgeous -- sleek and exquisitely crafted, but still young and fun. It literally looked like an entirely different line and one which was much more in keeping with the Joe's customer. That oh-so-clever Joe Dahan covered all his bases -- every single handbag shape is included (satchels, bowlers, totes, doctor bags, clutches, hobos and more) and, even better, each shape is reinvented a bit for extra convenience and flair. The color palette is also incredible -- muted blues and bone colors co-exist with bold greens and yellows without taking away from the collection's consistency.

And, as far as styles, there's a little something for everyone -- from very avant-garde white and green clutches and satchels, to more punk-rock offerings with bold design details (everything from cross-stitching to studded straps), a really mod array of handbags in silver and black colors with round button details, a sophisticated and grown-up subset in more neutral shades like tan and saddle and really clasic shapes (think bowler and tote), and even some clear vinyl bags, which are perfect for everyday use (especially if you're somewhat of an exhibitionist! ha ha)

The first item that caught my eye was this "patches" convertible tote in "sprout" green (which reminds me -- wasn't Sprout the name of the Jolly Green Giant's leafy little sidekick? And is it me or was there a little homoerotic subtext there? Hmmmm....). In any case, the color is so rich that even the pictures don't do it justice, and the leather is buttery soft , plus it's incredibly lightweight and can be converted into a clutch (yes, you can fold it over and, Boom! There it is!)

My other favorite is the blue "maravilla" satchel, which is a gorgeous cornflower blue (word to Crayola!) with really intricate white stitching and funky silver studs. Plus, the washed lamb material is luscious (I could literally stroke this bag all day, and I mean that in the least sexual way possible!) But what intrigues me the most about this bag is its unusual shape, which provides extra roominess (you'd be surprised how much it can hold!)

Simply put: this collection is fierce (word to Christian Soriano and, yes, homie, I was rooting for you to win Project Runway last night!).

Green Patches Convertible tote, $395, and Blue Maravilla Satchel, $595; Visit http://www.joesjeans.com