Unquestionably, the Fall/winter Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan, and Paris provided us with very interesting and different trends that please every taste. In fact, they gave way to the ultimate wish list of fresh trends and oh-so-loved old styles, with the new shape this season being the square (we saw the trend rising after the 2015 Spring/Summer Handbag Trends). Straps are getting an update and yes, ladies, the purse-dress match comes back, reminding of the days when our grandmothers made the chicest street style appearances ever! That aside, the runways were also filled with more timeless elements, such as fringe and prints, ticking the boxes of those looking for something more classic. As a woman’s most beloved and trusted accessory, we are way above thrilled about these fantastic pieces taking their place in stores or online! Beware though! They are seriously addictive!
1. Boxy Handbags
It seems that this season, being square is the ultimate hip. We just loved how Louis Vuitton managed to turn a makeup suitcase into an awesome handbag while some of the boxy bags were actually soft (see Lanvin’s satchel and grip bags), others were hard or smaller in size (i.e. Anya Hindmarch) or brightly colored (i.e. Dolce & Gabbana), featuring a distinct point per corner. Although they won’t be in style next season (but, you never know), they are meant to last us much longer in the long run. As for Christian Siriano’s snakeskin sophistication and Olympia Le Tan’s fairy tale style pieces, we believe they added the ideal amount of dimension to the overall look and seemed to be dreamy respectively. For the perfect classic in design, Roland Mouret rocked with the textured handbags that brought the same bright smile to our faces as Alexander McQueen’s alligator skin traveler’s bags in gorgeous pink.
2. There be Glittery Handbags!
Is there a woman that doesn’t adore glitter, even just a little? Admittedly, we love seeing glitter all over the place from the moonlight twinklings to sparkles on the garments. Now, we have the chance to sport fabulous glitter bags and amaze the crowds, just like the models did as they were walking down the runway during the latest fashion shows. This season, Lanvin’s tiny bags and clutches caught all the attention, although we also felt head over heels with Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel glided clutches and bags.
3. Chains & Slip-Through Straps
Compared to the straps we are used to seeing, which keep the handbag hanging off the shoulders, chain brings a more classic look and definitely look great against the skin, adding a pinch of sophistication. We were particularly pleased to see top designers sporting much more practical clutches and handy bags, making them a miniature handbag with a handle! We can now slip our wrist through a well-placed (and wide enough) strap, feeling more confident when carrying out essentials around, with Calvin Klein’s all-black gothic clutch-bags, as well as Victoria Beckham’s fantastic bling lined slip through ring bags, Tod’s blue suede satchels, Valentino’s color-blocked messenger handbags, 3.1 Phillip Lam’s perfect professional style, and Lanvin satchel handbags, among others, leading the way!
Without a doubt, one of the most mesmerizing chain-strapped handbags this season is the Balenciaga bag, with the incredible light blue hue and the boxy look. The same applies to Chanel bags that enchant with the chain links with leather entwined that enhance to its basic aesthetics and add a more durable setup at the same time. We cannot but fall in love with Dior’s double stripped printed handbags with the messenger flaps and contrasting colors that give us a sneak peek of the amazing way silver chains can look on a piece.
Our friends that long more classier looks will most likely love the double silver chained links fashioned by Gucci, and others. However, not all chains we saw at the runways were delicate and chic. We found the chunkier ones a bit out of our tastes, but they seem to serve their purpose well and give a standard carryall a cooler edge, especially when they come in bold prints and colors that enable them to leave a loud statement (perhaps, more that the handbags themselves).
That said, the interwoven chains as seen on the Miu Miu catwalks, with the intriguing bodies and the snakeskin sidings are simply divine, and the same applies to Calvin Klein’s saddle bags and Ralph Lauren’s beautiful fringed alternatives.
4. Fringed Handbags
Speaking of fringes, the favorite 1970s element that has immersed in since the 2015 Spring/Summer runways, we will be seeing much of it this season (at least) in practically everything, from shoes to dresses and, of course, handbags. We have the Altuzarra saddle backs with braided ropes and fringes on the shoulders, Chanel’s camel suede saddle bags that brought memories of our childhoods, Moschino’s huge and full of graffiti wording boom box bags, Emilio Pucci and Ralph Lauren’s that fall kinda low when thinking of the tote design framed by those fringes, and Rebecca Minkoff’s green laced up, fringed bags. The Tory Burch collection gave more tasseled looks, while the Burberry Prosum bucket bags with those suede colors just blew our mind. Not to mention Ralph Lauren’s fun fridges that are simply out of this world. However, if you want to go quite unique and multi-colored, the MSGM runways have exactly what you are looking for, with their black, white, yellow, blue, red combination pieces.
5. Tiled Handbags
Besides our bathrooms and kitchen floors, tiles have been used to create some quite amazing designs with various ideas and colors swarming the catwalks this season. The best part of the tiled handbags is probably the fact that they satisfy our eyes that strongly desires symmetry, given that the cloned squares in tiles are sported in the exact same size all over the floors or walls of the house. Chanel, Lous Vuitton, and Valentino got the message and fashioned some versions of the classic chain linked purses with the emblazoned logo on the front side, offering colorful square tiled bags to die for.
6. Belt Handbags & Cross-Body Bags
Go hands-free seems to be the motto this season, considering the no-grip bags showcased on the runways. Some offered were entirely hands-free, from the slouchy suede/leather Chanel purses (that admittedly looked more like Tote bags) and the striped animal prints paired with leather sported by Celine to Calvin Klein’s huge satchels with the chain links that shine as the light hits the handbag’s surface and Proenza Schouler crocodile skin bags, which were captivating for sure.
Besides the slip-in handles, many pieces were fashioned under arms or hand (i.e. Dries Van Noten large bags and The Row handbags), leaving the hands free. Thank you guys for sporting these designs that allow us to continue using some of our favorites from earlier years!
7. Handbags with Word Prints
Although the majority of handbags brought onto the catwalks this season have been texture- and color-focused, some designers turn their attention to word prints that make a piece so much different than any other. For instance, Coach bags carry the word Lucky handwritten in black letters that make an appealing contrast with the white background. Moschino, on the other hand, offers some really crazy styles with graffiti writings all over their bags while Vivienne Westwood tries to make the difference by emphasizing the Get a Life wording by adding an exclamation mark and a little heart right next to it! Certainly one of the most interesting word prints placed on handbags this season yet.
8. Quirky Handbag Designs
We all want to turn heads and stand out in the crowd and designers know that well. Luckily, this year we have everything we need to raise steam everywhere we go with handbags distinguished by their designer’s detail to attention, such as Olympia Le Tan’s clutch that looks much like a book, Moschino’s Teddy Bear look, and Chanel’s makeup inspired handbag, to name a few. So, instead of sporting an entirely unconventional look from head to toe, you can pick a fancy pair of shoes or an interesting bag to land in the spotlight and take your overall outfits to an upper level.
9. Handbags that Match with Clothing Pieces
Matching our handbags to our shoes perfectly was a trend of the past that we know not to follow anymore (although I always admired the chic ladies that kept to the tradition!). However, it seems that the trend has a new upgrade this season and we are now suggested to match our bags with our clothing! It’s nothing like matching a shiny gray dress with silver sequins or a red clutch with a red dress. The deal now is to match the exact designs, textures, and colors between the handbag we are carrying and the dress we are wearing. See how beautifully Tommy Hilfiger matched plaid? Or how Valentino matched fish scales or flower petals? As for Chanel and Victoria Beckham, they both sported amazing pieces with 3D flowers and tile patterning, and soft wool cashmere pieces respectively gracing dress and bags. Regarding Vionnet’s dotted furry, black & white combinations, we must admit they were quite eye-catching indeed. Finally, we are pleasantly surprised to see H&M ladies carrying duffle handbags half their size! As for the pieces that turned everyone’s head, these were carried by Valentino’s models with the signature stitching of the great fashion designer.
10. Furry Handbags
We saw them on the 2015 Spring/Summer runways and now we see the trend continuing until, at least, deep winter. Those gorgeous garments prevailed and offered multiple options from handy handbags that can be carried at any time (i.e. Proenza Schouler) to sexier and more glamorous pieces like the ones sported by Louis Vuitton. We saw shaggy prints, wispy poufs, some bags significantly fluffier than the others (i.e. Misha Nonoo messenger bags), bags with long hairy layers, and other that look like a wolf has cuddled up against your hand or arm (see Jason Wu messenger bags or Marc Jacobs’ bags, for example); their overwhelming majority in bright blue. Salvatore Ferragamo added furry straps around the arms for more safety, when at the same time, Topshop was fashioning chicer shoulder strapped bags that graced the runway. As for Fendi, the orange furry messenger bags definitely made a huge impact. But, if we had to choose a favorite, that would be Louis Vuitton’s huge handbags with the thick handle and the thin shoulder strap. It feels like glamor has been perfectly combined with sexiness and created a masterpiece, you can’t help but fall in love with.
Other trends in short:
1. Animal skin is till a strong trend and we saw reptile skin (from crocodiles to snakes) handbags in various colors, perfect for the traveling lady.
2. Classic and retro handbags are all over the place, always taking into account the styles and shapes that are around right now. This is why you will see double-chained straps, leather bodies and chain entwined straps, as well as classic prints in the streets in a while, all offering a touch of elegance, enhancing every look.
3. Geometric shapes reign even this season, bringing something of the 1970s back. Besides that, we also saw some futuristic pieces that fulfill people’s need to move forward. Some of the bags that we believe set the foundations of future collections include the J.W. Anderson’s bright red colored handbags with the funky geo shapes and Mary Katrantzou’s piece distinguished by color-blocked 3D funky shapes.
4. Messenger bags, saddle bags, folded and envelope bags, over the shoulder bags, bucket bags, tiny bags, and carrying multiple bags at the same time are lingering trends that you can adopt, with the messenger bags being officially THE 2015 bag trend.
5. You can continue wearing your structured bag, suede bag, chic travel bag, and backpack the rest of the year. Just make sure you follow all the right steps to preserve your precious for as long as possible!
Golden Rule: No matter what the trend (or how cool a bag might seem to you), the most important thing when choosing the ideal handbag is to pick the one(s) that best expresses your personal style and matches your outfits and body shape. We want to feel and look confident and this only can come from wearing clothes or accessories that we feel comfortable in.
Do you know how to spot a fake designer handbag? How you can top your favorite bag’s appearance with bag charms?
