Yves Saint Laurent Ostrich Leather Handbag: Ooh-La-La Ostrich

Oh, I do love my ostrich. There’s something about that grainy, spotty, bumpy yet luxurious texture that really gets me going. When skin already has so much going on, Yves Saint Laurent knows you have to keep the shape simple.

They smartly opted for just a hint of pull-it-all-together detail: a strap that goes from the bottom up, for a twist on a classic style. Don’t worry – the strap is stitched in, so it won’t be flopping around haphazardly. It gains even more polish with a structured top-handle, standing at attention with strong metal hardware at the base.

I’m not usually one to flip for a brown bag, but you cannot deny the timelessness of this über-ladylike treasure. On sale, it’s a handbag to last a lifetime at a price that won’t take you that long to pay it off. On My Theresa for $5,245 (from $7,749).

Pair with: Clean lines and a sense of mod-chic, Bally’s two-in-one shift dress combines a block of olive cotton with a low-slung mini of teal suede. On Net-a-Porter for $1,195.