Top 5 New Bags of the Year: 2011 Really Took Shape
2011 may be old news, but the fresh bag silhouettes to come out of it are anything but. Out of some of the most prominent fashion houses, new shapes came to the forefront, proving that what makes an “It” bag is not flash and logo-driven panache but innovation of shape and mood. Here, the top five bags that shaped our year. If 2011 is any indication, 2012 is set for a creative revolution!
1) Céline Trapeze: Just when we thought they couldn’t get any better, Céline took us by storm and unleashed one of the most covetable, animated, and stylish bags we could have imagined. An exaggerated shape has never looked so clever.
Available for $1,800.
2) Boy Chanel: What do you do when your bags are among the most iconic out there? Perform a little gender reversal for an all-out makeover. The Boy is boxy, square, and hard, with slick lines and hardware almost unrecognizable as Chanel. Subtle is the new sexy!
3) Balenciaga Padlock Shoulder Bag: Le Dix motorcycle be gone! It turns out all Balenciaga needed to do was strip itself down, reveal an extra-grainy leather (a hot color doesn’t hurt), and snap itself into an energetic square shape.
At Balenciaga for $1,595.
4) Lanvin Pochete Rabat Bag: Happy days are here again – but the Happy bag is on the way out! No chains and bows for this bag. With a sleek silhouette and impeccable stitching, I was thrilled to see Lanvin a little naked and very unencumbered, for a sense of chic that does the label justice.
On Ssense
5) Valextra x Holmes & Yang: This year the two coolly chic labels met their match – each other! The collaboration led to one impossibly elegant union, via the two-tone satchel. The shape: classic and ladylike; the fuss – nonexistent; and the color pairing: eternally elegant.
At Barneys New York for $3,590.
In the Bag
Ring in the New Year with big savings on purses
The flurry of holiday shopping and shopping and more shopping is drawing to a close. It seems like just yesterday we were anticipating the Black Friday deals and now here we sit, catching all of the end-of-season sales.
Macy’s is holding a 4-day New Year’s Sale with a select group of handbags up to 50% off. Here is where you can take advantage of some killer deals and get bags you didn’t think you could afford! Enjoy the sale and have a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!
Ed Hardy forgoes spooky skull chic this time and opts for Life, Love and Luck. The Full Bloom Renee Crossbody Bag is purple and shiny and pretty, and oh, yeah, on sale for $77.99 instead of $140!
Steve Madden’s BISABEL Large Satchel is warm- and cozy-looking and will help you make it through the rest of the cold winter in style. The faux shearling surrounding the front pockets makes it a great bag to pair with your UGG boots. Originally $108, this bag is now only $59.99.
Last but not least, the Nine West Leopard Jacquard Medium Shopper combines a leopard print with a panel of patent and brings it all together with a pair of buckles. This is a great all around purse, and at an unbelievable price of $38.99, down from $75, it could become your everyday bag.
Zella Gathered Duffle Bag
It’s almost that time of year AGAIN. You know, when you swear that this year you’re going to get your body back into shape. I’m thinking maybe a great gym bag will give me the necessary motivation to hit the machines, the track, and the weight bench hard this year. You’ll see me sporting the Zella Gathered Duffle Bag, packed with a fresh change of clothes, my iPhone, crystal earbuds, a protein bar and a bottle of water. Run over to Nordstrom and pick yours up for $88.
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Travel Trolley
Though I appreciate the beauty of a great piece of luggage, I’m usually not into designer pieces that cost more than the actual trip itself. That said, I wouldn’t say no to this Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Travel Trolley. It’s absolutely stunning, done in the label’s famous woven leather in a rich shade of milk chocolate. It’s really quite simple in appearance, but it’s right in line with what Bottega Veneta does best. If you can foot the bill, go for it. Available for $4900 at Net-a-Porter.
Betseyville Hearty Head Weekender Bag
I travel quite often and my bag tends to overflow with my husband’s stuff as well as my munchkin’s. Needless to say, I love to treat myself to a pretty weekender bag. I currently have my eye on the Betseyville Hearty Head Weekender Bag, which is a black background adorned with beautiful pink, red and purple blooms and skulls. It’s a great shape and certainly large enough for a change of clothes for each of us as well as my oversized toiletry bag. Before you pack your bags, visit Betsey Johnson to snag yours for $138.
Lodis Temptation Smartphone Case
“Temptation,” indeed. The aptly named Temptation Smartphone Case by Lodis is such a stunner! While I don’t exactly need a case for my phone, I have one eye on this luxurious snake-printed burgundy number. It’s just so darned gorgeous – and it also features a wrist strap and an ID window. Available for $48 at Nordstrom.
Lanvin Mini Pop Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag
Oh, I am so obsessed with this purse! Lanvin hits it out of the park yet again with its Mini Pop Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag. One one side is a dainty, mocha-toned grosgrain bow, which is a remarkable addition to an already appealing pink bag. The girlish hue frankly needs the contrast in order to look a bit more grown up – and the bow does the job nicely, along with some lovely gold hardware. Available for $1490 at Net-a-Porter.
Jil Sander Circle Textured-Leather Hobo Bag
I’m all for minimal chic, but not quite wild about spending $1020 on it. That’s the problem with this Jil Sander Circle Textured-Leather Hobo Bag. It’s a bit too minimal, if you know what I mean. It’s so sharply white that it’s practically invisible on a white screen. The lone black circle doesn’t do much to really increase its appeal – in fact, nothing at all. I could see this being a favorite of die-hard Sander fans who appreciate the designer’s generally understated aesthetic, but otherwise it’s a snooze. Available at Net-a-Porter.
Matthew Williamson Pom Pom Embellished Suede Clutch
I’m torn as to whether this Matthew Williamson Pom Pom Embellished Suede Clutch is worthy of praise or scorn. Okay, perhaps not scorn, but maybe… doubt? I’m not sure. On the one hand, it’s pretty interesting thanks to its colorful composition of sequins, beads and little wiggly pom poms (so cute!). On the other hand, it’s, um, got pom poms all over it. What do you think? Available for $1325 at Net-a-Porter.
Rag & Bone Utility Bag
When I first saw the Rag & Bone Utility Bag I thought it looked just like a cute, squatty little puppy that wanted to jump on my lap. But on further inspection, this bag isn’t just warm and cozy; it’s as functional as it is endearing. Pockets on each side give you room to put your cell phone right where you can easily get at it, and you can put your keys in the other pocket. Having easy access to both of these essentials makes this bag a keeper to me already. Add in the fact that it’s reduced at Barneys from $325 to just $129 and it looks like I have my first bag of the New Year!