With bonus season upon us, many women are eager to try out their dream bag or wallet. We spoke to a handbag buyer at Isetan Shinjuku about noteworthy brands and items. Apparently, bags that subtly incorporate brand logos into their designs are more popular these days than items with brand logos or plaques emblazoned on the front. Furthermore, brands that focus on the quality of their leather, color, and stitching are gaining popularity. We asked for a recommendation: VALEXTRA. Founded in Italy in 1937, the brand continues to craft leather items by skilled artisans in an atelier on the owner's property, earning it a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship. Many celebrities, including Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham, have become loyal customers. Popular items include the Mini Boston bag (¥240,000 each) and the B CUBE bag (¥325,000 each). The women's items are available in a variety of bright calf leather tones, including the new flamingo pink color. The mini Boston bag only has the brand name engraved in small letters on the zipper hardware, making it difficult to tell at first glance what brand it is. This is also a testament to the confidence in the craftsmanship of the products. Other popular items include unisex money clips (48,000 to 52,000 yen) and round zip coin cases (57,000 yen each). Also worth checking out is the British brand J&M Davidson. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the brand has a philosophy of displaying its products with the brand name design facing backwards when displaying them in stores. Their embossed cowhide bags are popular among working women, and the shoulder-strap "VIVI" (179,000 yen) is one of the most coveted bags for career women. Matching wallets and card cases to your bag is also a unique style for mature women. If you value your off-time, drawstring bags are also a trendy item for next spring. Get into the spring mood with the spring-like pale pink and gray taupe (125,000 yen each).

APUD, a private brand developed by Mitsukoshi Isetan in response to the voices of career women, is also popular with women who say, "I've been wanting a bag like this." Most of the bags are sized to fit B5 or A4 documents, and come in easy-to-use colors like black, navy, brown, and gray. Saffiano-processed cowhide bags (B5 size 34,000 yen, A4 size 39,000 yen) are scratch-resistant and elegant. Other bags available include cowhide accented with crocodile embossing. All bags feature a detachable document case, making this a recommended brand for career-oriented women who want to incorporate functionality and fashion into their work wardrobe.