Clutch Handbag

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes many things – decorations, shopping trips, food, drink, and, most importantly, parties.  It is a time of the year in which social gatherings are most prevalent and get-togethers, dinners and festivities are held several nights a week.

With these parties come certain concerns.  In the case of many women, this includes the question of what to wear.  And once the question of what to wear is answered, another issues emerges – how to accessorize.  One of the most important, though sometimes overlooked, accessories necessary for the holiday party is, of course, the handbag.  Necessary not only in terms of style but also in terms of utilities, these tiny totes are the perfect way to put a finishing touch on your party-dress style.

This year, it seems that change is in the air when it comes to party handbags.  While clutches remain the choice design of most women, the embellishments with which they come have been taken up a notch this year.  Adding a bit of frill and complexity to a timeless favorite, such decorations are both festive and elegant.

More and more women are reaching for more elaborate handbags this season.  They are the perfect way to accessorize a simple dress or replace heavier pieces of jewelry.  Clutches are of the most elegant pieces available in the world of handbags, made even more so by more artistic designs.  They possess an air of luxury and fineness that will not go unnoticed.

What kind of embellishments are most popular this season?  It seems as though sparkle is key.  Both beautiful and festive, subtle sparkles from rhinestones, sequins or other shiny embellishments will be sure to catch the eye of other party-goers.  High quality leather clutch handbags with impeccably sewn sparkling embellishments are definitely in style this season.

Other sorts of designs, of course, are also quite popular.  Instead of rhinestones or sequins, many designers are this year leaning towards pearls.  These more subtle jewels are still shiny but also unique.  A pearl-embellished clutch is an ideal accessory to accompany a simple black dress or a pearl necklace and earrings.

Trendsetters will want to look to other unique adornments and decorations for clutch purses this year.  An immaculately hand-painted bag will be quite the topic of discussion at a dinner party, and a subtly embroidered clutch may go perfectly with sparkly, festive dress.  The sky is the limit when it comes to the ways in which these timeless accessories can be embellished.  What is constant, however, is that fact that such decorations really do add an extra something to one’s look.

Whatever design or embellishment is chosen, the simple fact remains:  clutches are and will continue to be a fabulous way to accessorize during the party season.  These lipstick and mobile phone carrying cases can render a woman the envy of all others at a party, especially when their quality and style is impossible to miss.

This trend has been given names like trading up, mass luxury, and mass affluence. This movement had women of the middle class sporting handbags pictured in the pages of Vogue magazine while driving their kids to football practise in the family car. The basis of this movement in consumption was the feeling of financial security and growing wealth. With good housing prices and rising wages people felt they could extend themselves a little bit beyond their means for a little taste of the good life. The onslaught of the global economic crisis and subsequent recession has had a tremendously stifling affect on this trend.

While women still covet the eight hundred pound Coach purses, they do not feel financially secure enough to splurge on items like that. More people are worried about being able to pay their mortgage, bills, and keeping their job than what direction the “C”s on a handbag are pointing. Even people whose personal wealth is stable and has not taken a big hit are not as willing to part with their cash due to the uncertainty of the future. The rainy day fund that people set their money aside for is getting bigger and bigger as individuals want to provide themselves with as much security as possible.

Another factor that can have a negative impact on the sales of designer handbags during a recession is the staggering amount of imitation purses that are available. The look and quality of a lot of the knock off purses is quite similar to the real thing but for a fraction of the price. For women who are looking to be a bit more financially savvy but refuse to sacrifice personal style, these imitation handbags are the perfect middle ground.

For those who simply cannot hold back from purchasing those must have designer handbags, there is certainly justification for their actions. Spending is something that needs to happen in order for this financial crisis to ever be remedied and no one ever said where the money has to be spent. While it would not be wise to go out and buy a designer handbag for every month of the year, curbing the appetite to follow the seasons is a good way to tailor in the spending while still satisfying the need for designer goods.

Opting for the lower priced luxury items is another good way to fulfill the need for a designer purse but maintain a reasonable budget. The whole idea of shopping on a preset budget is another great approach to shopping in times of economic woes. While the market for designer handbags will not be booming during a recession, it will not dry up completely. Fashion does not stop just because most people have to pull their purse strings a little tighter; it just means individuals have to exercise a little more creativity and flexibility in their spending. This creativity needs to operate on both sides of the relationship in order for the market to remain viable.

While consumers need to balance their budgets a little differently in order to set aside a couple of extra pounds for a designer handbag, those designers need to recognize the financial climate and react accordingly. This means providing bags that are based more on universal use rather than what is hot for that particular season. A person is much more likely to spend a large amount of money on a handbag if they believe they will get a good amount of use out of it and the purse will be appropriate for any season and almost any occasion. Selecting certain materials is another way that designers can work with consumers to reach a happy medium. Forfeiting some of the pricier materials, designers can still make beautiful handbags but perhaps with more reasonably priced materials. This amendment works in favour of both the consumer and the designer because the financial hard times are hitting on both sides of the counter.

More streamlined, classic looks should be making up the handbag market during these dismal economic times. People are not looking for glitz and glamour as much because each additional sparkle represents another dollar lost to frivolous spending. Subtle yet stylish is a good look for designer handbags at this moment because they do not make too loud a statement but will continue to look good as the economy slowly gets better. It is important not to skimp on quality of design however. People are much more likely to purchase a handbag that they know will hold up and serve them loyally for years to come rather than one that will come apart at the seems in only a few months time.

While a recession does spell bad times for the world of fashion, it does not mean that consumption will halt completely. People will undoubtedly curb back their spending on designer handbags, but the desire will persist and they will have to give in at least sometimes. Providing more moderately priced items that are a bit more modest is the best way for designers to meet consumers part way as they both try to make it through the struggle of a financial crisis. With some clever budgeting and a sharp eye people will be able to satisfy their need for designer handbags and keep the market afloat, even if it is only barely above water for some time.

Handheld

Clutch handbags are a key item for AW, which will take you smoothly into the Christmas party season. Chain handles are still an important look, although they will be wrapped around the hand rather than over the shoulder.

Don’t worry, for the hoarders among us, the oversized slouch is still very much about, but shorter, chunkier handles have evolved it into a handy grab – think doctors’ satchel look meets Mary Poppins’ capacity.

Tactile

It’s all about the look and feel, from butter soft slouch leathers, to squidgy quilting and studded hardware – you won’t be able to keep your hands off next season’s handbags.

Exotic Leathers

Whether it’s ostrich, snake or crocodile leather, expected to go safari next season with a range of exotic materials pioneered this season by Michael Kors. However, if you ask me, I’d much rather keep it mock-croc – blegh.

Vintage

Yester-year looks are still a big part of catwalk trends, although we’ll be travelling further back from the 70s & 80s inspired looks of S/S to the most sophisticated and classy styles of the first half of the 20^th century. Lanvin showed a beautiful collection of vintage box-shapes, while Hermes kept to what they knew best with a sumptuous Kelly & Birkin inspired range.

Quirky

Lagerfield at Chanel created a wonderful range of handbags complete with must-have contents (Ipod, headphones, perfume, lipstick, mirror & sunglasses) laminated into Perspex. Although, not the most practical thing to have graced the catwalk, I can’t wait to see how the clever people at Topshop translate the look into a wearable style for the High Street.

For the one lady we can always rely on for quirkiness, LuLu Guiness has released a new range to celebrate her 20^th anniversary, but for those of us who can’t afford the price tag, Accessorize at Monsoon do this cute alternative.

Embellishments & Detailing

I am overjoyed that those feminine touches that I’ve fallen in love with this season are here to stay for the rest of the year. All of you who invested in beads, buckles, pleats and bows have chosen wisely & if not, here’s the go-ahead to treat yourself to something pretty & girly.

80s Inspired Rock Chic

In contrast to above, faded denim, aged leather, buckles, studs and metal will all be red hot in Autumn & Winter. If you want to keep bang on-trend, inject your whole outfit with a laid-back Sienne Miller inspired vintage T-shirt & baggy jeans.