Western fashion still lingers on runways, and while some brands have stepped away from the turquoise and cowboy boots, Ralph Lauren kept the look in its latest spring collection. Case in point is the Ralph Lauren Collection Vintage Blanket Hobo, a series of “one of a kind” handbags made out of antique fabrics. A vintage Navajo wool blanket and leather chaps are used for each unique hand-loomed handbag. In concept, unique woven, vintage-style handbags are an interesting idea and certainly stand out from the classic brown and black looks. But even with the unique look, each handbag is a highly-priced novelty item at $2,500. Would you spend that much on any handbag?

Getting the western shouldn’t mean going into debt. Instead, designer inspired lines, such as Best Handbag Wholesale, have several options available:

Fringed handbags, with a two-tone design, have a distinct western look. Although fringe has been considered part of a “rocker chic” look, these fringed handbags from Best Handbag Wholesale are unmistakably western, down to the rhinestones on the top. Aside from black, this handbag is available in nude, pink, red, and turquoise.

The look of cowboy boots is captured on some western-style handbags by Best Handbag Wholesale. This particular two-tone bag can be used as a cross-body bag and is characterized by the intricate patterned leather often found on cowboy boots. If you like the western look without the ostentatious appearance of rhinestones, conchos, and turquoise, this handbag is for you.

Nude-colored handbags with turquoise stones combine two “in” trends: a nude shade (a light tan in this case) with a western touch. Unlike rhinestones, which glam up any ordinary handbag, the turquoise stones pop out against the tan-colored fabric. If you want to stay subtle but not boring with your handbag, this look may compliment your personal style best.

A few weeks ago, an NYC councilwoman proposed a bill in an effort to curb the counterfeit goods industry in the city. If this bill is passed, those found purchasing fake designer handbags or other counterfeit merchandise could face a year in jail or pay a $1,000 fine.

Perhaps this bill is needed. Although designer handbags can be outrageously priced, purchasing counterfeit merchandise is not advised, either. However, demand for such goods has increased. In August 2010, we published a post about counterfeiters targeting lower-end designer brands for handbags, such as Coach or Ed Hardy. Compared to a $1,000 Christian Louboutin clutch, a $100 Coach purse seems like a deal but, with the economy the way it is, is still far out of many budgets.

A more stringent crackdown actually began late in 2009. At the time, we wrote that police were confiscating counterfeit merchandise and shutting down businesses that carried such products.

For some, counterfeit handbags seem harmless. Priced about $40 each, a counterfeit handbag looks like the real thing on the outside, down to the texture of the material. But a closer inspection often reveals that such handbags are poorly put together: The metal name plate, glued instead of screwed on, falls off easily, the zipper jams, or stitches start to come undone. If showing off designer duds is your thing, finding counterfeit items allows you to maintain such a look without breaking the bank.

At the same time, why go through the trouble of finding counterfeit goods (they’re usually not visible from the front of a store) when designer-inspired handbags have the same looks? Websites carrying wholesale designer handbags, such as Best Handbag Wholesale, keep up with the latest trends. Similarly, discount designer goods are another option. Sites like Vision in Style carry discount designer sunglasses, all of which are authentic and affordably-priced. Why go to Chinatown for illegal goods – and risking jail time or a steep fine – when the web has plenty of honest options?

Wayfarer and clubmaster sunglasses are two of the “it” looks for summer 2011, and now as the weather is warming up, you are likely looking for a pair of shades for yourself. Although Ray Ban started both of these styles, other designer sunglasses brands have similar looks. Ray Ban, as the originator of these two styles, offers more variety, and if you want to go with more than a basic black pair, look through the brand’s many colorful looks.

If you are debating about purchasing wayfarer or clubmaster sunglasses for the summer, which one is best for you and how do you wear them?

Ray Ban’s Original Wayfarers go with nearly any face shape. Characterized but an angular-yet-rounded design, wayfarers have enough of a geometric look for round faces and enough curves for square visages.

Although you could call wayfarers the look that flatters everyone, the basic frame presents multiple style options. If you want a classic style – and that appears to be what the celebrities are doing – stick with the Original Wayfarers in black.

Sunglasses, particularly by designer brands, are both practical and a fashion statement. If your look tends to the latter, having two pairs of wayfarers is recommended. While the black goes with anything and everything, wayfarers come in a large array of colors: turquoise, pink, white, and red, to name a few. Ray Ban’s Wayfarer II offers even more possibilities with a two-tone look.

Clubmasters, originally introduced in the 1980s, can be considered a take on wayfarers but have some notable differences. Clubmaster sunglasses have a similar combination of rounded and angular lines, only with a half-rim style. Like wayfarers, clubmasters too come in a larger range of colors. The half-rim look, however, makes the introduction of color – be it turquoise, cobalt blue, or red – more subtle.

Don’t throw out your oversized sunglasses yet. But of course that depends on the style of oversized sunglasses you have. Seen on celebrities recently, oversized shades are still around but have gone through a few minor changes. If your oversized shades have a thick, pink frame and rhinestones, you should probably shelve them. If you went for a classic look with dark or gradient tones from the beginning, keep on wearing them.

As we have seen since the start of spring, celebrities are going for classic pieces, including sunglasses and handbags. Even though wayfarers and clubmasters are the “it” looks for summer, celebrities are still holding onto their oversized shades.

Carrie Ann Inaba, a Dancing with the Stars judge, was recently seen in a pair of brown and red-tinted Marc Jacobs sunglasses. Britney Spears sported a similar pair of Tom Ford sunglasses, and Amy Adams added a bit of color to her look with Prada sunglasses.

What’s different now? As you can see from the three styles worn by celebrities, basic goes with any outfit and does not always mean black. Instead, these three looks add a bit of dark red – but not too much – and have gradient lenses. Additionally, frames are thinner – but not just on these celebrity looks. If you take a look at any Marc Jacobs, Prada, or Tom Ford line, all oversized frames are noticeably thinner compared to styles from three years ago.

As far as your look is concerned, should you stay with oversized or completely ditch the look? That depends on your style and face shape. Although nearly every woman sported a pair five years ago, far more styles are in now. Large and rounded frames really only flatter angular or oval-shaped faces.

At the same time, don’t go for anything too tacky or bright. Sticking with neutral colors is a safe bet – and your sunglasses will always go with your look. But color isn’t bad for oversized frames, however. Add a little bit – but not too much – with a tinted frame or dark gradient lenses.