There should be a handbag to suit every woman this coming Autumn/Winter. Whether your preferences are for vintage or modern, large or small, loud or muted, the top designers have come up with a highly appealing selection of fabric, skin and leather handbags.
The catwalk shows for Autumn/Winter 2012 have been and gone, and trends have been forecasted. Mini is making a big impact with clutch bags just about big enough for a mobile phone, car keys and lipstick appearing on several designer catwalks including Alexander Wang, DKNY and Roberto Cavalli. Georgio Armani was amongst the designers showing tiny shoulder bags whilst Mulberry and Louis Vuitton are also spearheading the mini bag trend.
Going to the other extreme, huge and slouchy tote bags remain popular and classic 1940s style doctor bags are favoured by the likes of Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten and 3.1 Philip Lim. Satchel bags continue to be popular with the twist for A/W 2012 of long straps, allowing the bags to be worn across the body and slung low at hip level. Look out for satchels with embellishments and print designs by Valentino and Sportmax.
Retro “lady” bags are making a comeback and look elegant with a tailored coat or jacket. Despite harking back to the days of Margaret Thatcher these smart, structured bags have been given a thoroughly modern makeover by the likes of Fendi, whose patent and green leather handbags are very desirable.
These “lady” bags pay tribute to another key A/W ’12 trend. Many of this season’s fabric and leather handbags complement the 60s look which is proving so popular both on the catwalks and in the high street. Many of this autumn’s leather handbags are colour-blocked to give that retro sixties appearance. Designers such as Chloe, Burberry and Jil Sander are using blocks of up to four different colours or shades with green or mustard dominating many bags.
Many designers have opted for bags made from animal skins or decorated with animal prints to complement the animal print clothing appearing in all the designer and high street stores. Animal skin handbags were a prominent feature at many designer shows with snakeskin, crocodile skin and even cowhide appearing on the catwalk at shows by Chloe, Emilio Pucci, Prada, Donna Karan and Gucci.
If animal skin bags are too much for you, there are plenty of animal print fabric and leather handbags available. Leopard print is top of the desirable list with gorgeous bags by Emporio Armani and Natalia but be careful how you wear them. Less is usually more with animal print, so team your bag with a minimalist outfit, unless you want to look like Corrie’s Bet Lynch!
If you want a change from leather handbags, texture is very much on trend this autumn. Look out for big and bold tote bags in a variety of textures such as Emporio Armani’s furry totes or Donna Karan’s sheepskin version. If leather handbags are essential, you can still join in the texture trend with stunning, brightly coloured bags from Bottega Venetta made from woven shredded leather.
So, which leather handbags will be adorning the arms of celebrities this autumn? Look out for the “Pashli” tote from 3.1 Philip Lim in the tabloid newspapers and glossy magazine, paparazzi shots. Mulberry’s ‘Del Rey’, named after sultry songbird Lana Del Rey, will continue to prove its popularity among celebrities and socialites.
This guest post was written on behalf of handbag and footwear brand Jane Shilton.
Picture – Jane Shilton Montana Bag
