Accessories frequently have the look of rare animal skins,
like this bag left from Celine, but
the most important change is that classic handbags are back in
fashion.
Look for the traditional handbag shapes of the box frame bag and the clutch.
Whilst over the shoulder oversized hobos as shown in the
header are still a good
look, think about buying a proper frame handbag or clutch
bag. The fact that a frame handbag must be carried by hand
or overarm like a fifties starlet, creates a new look in itself.
Even more important than the bag shape is its colourations and texture. I'd love to get this dark red Dior
Samourai handbag
above in my
'large' Christmas stocking.
Could this be the 'it' bag of tomorrow. Available from
Dior at £1925.
Other
variations within the Dior Samourai range include the same silhouette
lovely green bag above right and at £1815. Notice how intricate patterned
texture has been introduced into the leather to create this
signature Dior piece.
In the world of
fashion accessories, it's clear that the 'it' bag has
lost the importance it had a couple of years ago. But no
season is complete without a new bag. And as soon as any
bag becomes a must-have then a new 'it' bag is born.
The clutch bag in the image left is also coloured
and has textured detail. Detailing such as this is the
mark of a fashionable bag.
Images courtesy of IFTF.
This season a wide range
of fashionable bag shapes are available and whatever the shape
you select, the one thing about a new bag is that like new
earrings,
no dieting will ever be required. No wonder these are
items that are both high on quantity and quality in a
woman's wardrobe.
There are strong trends for not only coloured bags, but also hard case minaudière,
clutch bags and metallic bags. Left - Silver minaudière
from Primark. Chain mail box bag £8.00 due in mid November
from the Primark Autumn and Winter 2007 Collection
Envelope
clutch bags, pouch gathered clutches, wristlets and hard case minaudière
all cater for daintier, evening and smaller bag looks.
Right - Useful Barbarella clutch wristlet from Accessorize
future Noir range £25.
Just large enough for the 5 C's - Cellphone, comb, car key cash and credit
card.
Fashion bags have become so large and heavy, that many people only
sling them over their shoulder whilst the bag is half empty. But
as that oversized bag fills up, so the fashionista just has to carry
it as a handbag, or develop backache. As we have started
to hand carry our bags again, so the proper box frame handbag has
gained acceptance.
Left
-
This bag from Plumo is a
hot mix of three major fashion trends in one handbag. It has the fashion
trend of shine with the purple patent, has
the contrast texture of a matt
look with the purple suede, and all is combined in an upright frame
style.
Plumo Minna Parikka bag - Unusual handmade leather bag in
lush purple patent leather. Scalloped body, ruched velvet sides.
Inside lined with pink fabric with pockets for mobile, keys and
money. £298.00
This group of
purple bags illustrate of available autumn Winter 2007/8
bag styles.
You can see how many tones there are in the
purple/plum family.
Note the clutch, the frame bag, the
Gladstone tote and satchel, all great bag variations for you to
choose, according to your personal style.
Purple bags from left to right are:-
Top - Row 1 are from Billy Bag, the Jayne suede clutch at £55,
at centre, value Marks and
Spencer fabric evening clutch and elongated Billy Bag underarm
bag - Sadie - £145.
Middle - Row 2 first bag is a roomy Billy Bag called Mary at £95,
the centre Billy Bag
with gold chains, is Anoushka at £220. Far right - the plum
Jeanne XL frame bag from
Dior at £1045 direct from the Dior online website.
Bottom - Row 3 - The bag on the left is a light purple grab bag
with a wet look. It is obtainable at River Island Clothing Co.
Ltd price £29.99. In the centre is the distressed Dorothy Perkins
rich plum purple bag £25 and the last
satchel style leather bag far right, is from a varying selection at T.K.Maxx.
~
Metallic Bags
Metallic bags have gained momentum.
Initially metallic looks were confined to gold or silver. This
past year other coloured metallics, such as burnished copper and
gunmetal tones have also all become standard.
Left - J
Jeans by Jasper Conran for Debenhams gold bag £85/€132
Right -
Debenhams
Autumn/Winter 2007 Women's Accessories. Red Herring two pocket grab bag is £20/€31. Note the
removable base which can be used to store documents, magazines,
footwear or a fresh blouse. There are quite a few
high street stores selling bags with extra zip bases - a take on
the Dior Detective bag of a few years ago.
Of course evening bags are made to be gold, silver or black. These two
gold bags
below are from DUNE and have the currently fashionable snakeskin
effect or chain mail texture effect.
Grey
and silver grey are popular tones for bags this season. They can
be metallic, textured or matt like these bags.
Above left - Accessorize
Christmas Collections 2007 - Crystal Oscar Bag -
£45/€76.
Above right - Primark hard clutch. Diamante mould
bag £8.00 due in end of October from the Primark Autumn and
Winter 2007 Collection.
Right - This metallic finish bag is Debenhams Red Herring
range silver snake music bag.
At £25/€39 it is currently one of Debenhams top sellers.
I especially like this capacious bag left, from River
Island Clothing Co. Ltd.
River Island washed oversize leather holdall at £120/€201.50.
This silver and gunmetal grey studded medieval shopper right
is from
Accessorize Christmas Collection 2007 and has been in stores since
September.
Far left - Accessorize Studded Medieval Shopper - £45/€76.
Left - Accessorize Boutique gemstone
Boutique Bag - £55/€93.
Header image details - Plumo - Tutu slouch bag. Gorgeous
soft, slouchy leather bag made from bronze coloured leather.
Inside neatly organised with space for mobile, keys and a zipped
side pouch. Straps are long enough to sling the bag over the
shoulder. Contrast lined. £269.00
Whatever bag you choose this autumn it will have a
distinctive look of 2007 about it.
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Accessories frequently have the look of rare animal skins,
like this bag left from Celine, but
the most important change is that classic handbags are back in
fashion.
Look for the traditional handbag shapes of the box frame bag and the clutch.
Other
variations within the Dior Samourai range include the same silhouette
lovely green bag above right and at £1815. Notice how intricate patterned
texture has been introduced into the leather to create this
signature Dior piece.
There are strong trends for not only coloured bags, but also hard case minaudière,
clutch bags and metallic bags. Left - Silver minaudière
from Primark. Chain mail box bag £8.00 due in mid November
from the Primark Autumn and Winter 2007 Collection 
Metallic bags have gained momentum. 
Another
feature of Autumn 2007 Winter 2008 bags is texture. Warrior
woman has taken stud texture to new limits in day and evening
bags. 
