MammaFiglia Blog

This Season’s Hottest Handbags

13th October, 2009 - Posted by admin - No Comments

Remembering Fashion’s Roots

Keeping up with fashion can be pretty intimidating for those on a budget. With the bombardment of advertising that seems to shout “couture or the highway!” feeling or looking stylish can start to get a little intimidating for people who don’t have the leisure time to scour for deals.

Thankfully, most of the world’s famous designers didn’t start out with unlimited funds to dress themselves, either. Fashion has always been about style, and style and taste are two things that can’t quite be bought. In fact, the world of high fashion has been preying on the world of street fashion for decades now, with everything from punk rock haircuts to grunge-inspired sweaters finding their way to the catwalk over time. Some of the feistier designers in the fashion world started out downtown, making their mark on some of the hottest players in the underground art and music scenes, before breaking out on their own. One such luminary is Betsey Johnson, who advises that all a woman really needs is one good pair of heels and a dress that fits and that accessories can do the rest of the job for her.

Looking Hot This Season–Without Breaking the Bank

Taking that advice, the best way for those learning about fashion or those on a tight budget to keep up with the seasons is to focus more on accessories or lasting items than something obviously of a single year. Just because it’s hot now doesn’t mean it will pair well with next year’s clothes, and in these economic times with even Marc Jacobs scaling back his fashion week parties, there’s no need to feel guilty about watching a budget.

So for those ladies choosing one new item for the season that’s as chic as it is timeless, the best item to go for is actually a handbag.

Surprised? Don’t be. So often, women forget that accessorizing includes one’s bag, and that one’s bag is just as noticeable to the general population as shoes or a jacket are. And with such fervour for knockoffs, a savvy bag shopper can spot a bad facsimile a mile away. And it’s never fun to be around snooty women who are making snide remarks about faux-toure.

More important, going for one of this season’s hottest bags is actually a great move towards building a great wardrobe. For women who already have a great and timeless clutch purse to take with them to fancier dinners, consider the dire need for an excellent day-to-day bag, that seamlessly transitions from hauling personal affects to work to making a night out on the town look just as classy and stylish as ever. A great bag can go many places, and even more than shoes, women can always add one to their collection and spruce up their look.

Choosing Wisely

Even though handbags are a great investment, there’s no reason to get swept up in things and make a bad decision. Sometimes, something that looks great on the runway or in a store window is just not going to transition well into the street, and knowing when to charge it and when to avoid it is one of the biggest steps in fashion development that a woman can make to truly mature.

Thankfully, most of this season’s hottest handbags are veering more towards a traditional theme, including with colour palette. Perhaps the fashion world is scaling back, or perhaps there’s simply a return to class. Either way, the words that everyone kept using after checking out Fashion Week were “sturdy” and “classic,” with most designers realizing that, before an evening gown, women are going to add a handbag to their collection.

The Must-Have New Styles

This season’s handbags are bringing back a high-fashion take on durability. Not quite as cowboy-inspired as seasons past, nonetheless, fringe is happening in a much bigger way than it used to be, even on smaller-sized bags. Shoulder straps are definitely in, even with potential clutches, and most designers are rolling out at least one Argentina-inspired medium-sized bag where the focus is durable leather gently inspired by simple country bags used out on the range. The look is understated and great, and helps to dress up any outfit for any occasion. Thank God equestrian influence is still in, because it’s really working when designers use it.

Suede is also making inroads into handbags this year, with a number of designers showcasing smaller suede bags, especially with fringe. Thankfully, the suede handbags aren’t too age-of-Aquarius, but certainly will put a spring into anyone’s step, because they sure do manage to make even the most average outfit look a little bit edgier.

Another hugely popular trend that’s holding strong and is apparent in this season’s hottest handbags is the versatile satchel. Nothing says New York quite like one of these simple and sophisticated bags, and some of the hottest names in New York’s fashion world designed truly fabulous ones that are all the rage at both the boutiques and on the catwalk. Wrap-around buckles are frequently used to dress the bags up, making them perfect for a night out.

…and Some Things to Steer Clear Of

Even though it’s tempting to splurge on something blue, pink, yellow, or whatever is the colour of the moment, it’s important to think about making it last. A well-designed handbag in a colour that might be adventurous this season turns into something that might be hilariously out of vogue next season. Stick to the basics if you want your look to be hot now, and tomorrow.

It’s totally understandable how someone might, in a delusional moment, think that it is perfectly acceptable for a grown woman to buy a bag with any sort of pyramid studs. But before making that mistake, consider two things: the only grown women who ever looked good with studded anything were during the height of the 1980s, and buying a bag with studs is a sure-fire way to accidentally match your sulky 14 year-old niece’s faux-punk rock belt from Hot Topic. There’s just not a good way to put studs on a purse, so just say no.

So Now, So Then, So Future, Too

A wise choice from this season’s crop of handbags will be able to make it long after spring has come again. A truly great choice, and you might have your daughter begging you for the bag in 25 years or so. That’s how great fashion works, so choose wisely, and make your look last for a long time.