5 Handbag Style Statements for You to Make in Winter 2009
Dec0
With next season’s fashion weeks in full swing it is time for us to work out what we will be wearing over the all-important winter months. There are two key reasons why the trends in autumn are so important. Firstly, it encompasses the change in fuctionality in clothing from bohemian, laid back image-centred summer styles to a more practical winter-warmer. And second, it covers the most anticipated date on any woman’s calendar - the Christmas party season.Bearing these in mind, if you want to look great at the end of 2009, you’re going to need to know what will turn heads.
In a year that has suffered a financial meltdown, it is not surprising that the WWII slogan ‘Make Do and Mend’ has become part of everyday terminology. The fact that most of us are becoming a lot more conservative about our spending habits has meant that vintage has become not only a style statement, but a necessity.
Eighties inspired looks are being re-made in the form of quilting and chain handles. These can be found in most charity shops as well as in the dark corners of most of our mothers’ closets. If you fell head over heels in love with the Chanel 2.55esque chain handle in spring/summer there is a key way to instantly transform it into a bang on-trend look. In Spring and Summer, the chain handles were thrown effortlessly over our shoulders. Now, we need to wrap the chain around our hands to create the shape of clutch handbags. Still effortless, but right up to date.
If you want to buy new, but keep it vintage inspired, I would recommend investing in tweed accessories. If you want to carry off a look that the designers are loving at the moment, then it is English Heritage. Woolly and warm tweed purses and handbags will have you head-over-heels and are perfect for teaming with this season’s must-have cosy, knitted styles.
We’ll need something to take us from crisp winter days into party nights. For me, there is one trend that is certain to spice up eveningwear more than any other… That is safari-inspired prints. Whether that is mock-croc patent leather handbags, shaggy faux fur or wild zebra and leopard prints. Free your inner animal with a handbag that shows off this key look. Just keep it faux, please.
For all of those girly-girls out there who are more sex-kitten than lioness, don’t get your whiskers in a twist. Pretty embellishments and hand-sewn detailing were all over the catwalks in last season’s collections of designer handbags. More good news - you’ll find them on the High Street too. You will be transformed into an arts and crafts leader with the help of buttons and beading. However, harsher stud and zip detailing has inspired a more gothic feel. Scarily, in perfect time for Halloween!