Handbag Trends for Spring 2009
From Chain Bags to Quilted Purses — this Season's Best Looks
Feb 8, 2009
Whether it’s a chain-strap shoulder bag, a quilted tote or a woven clutch purse, the spring and summer season brings out the best in bold colors, tempting textures and chunky chains.
Update your outfits with the best in spring summer looks, from a zesty orange chain bag or a summery quilted purse.
Chain Bags
If there is one classic look that is timeless this season it’s the chain bag. From chunky plastic chains adorning Prada’s colorful patent bags to Chanel’s sophisticated brading. From Moschino to Marc Jacobs, and Lanvin to Fendi, these iconic designers have joined the chain gang this spring. Anya Hindmarsh's classy cream shoulder bag with chain strap is the perfect partner to a summer outfit.
Black and White Bags
Easy leather bags in black and white with simple accents and classic styling were ripe on the spring runways. Chanel’s signature spring pieces are monochrome quilted bags with braided chain straps – classy, versatile and timeless. Other black and white options include sophisticated yet sporty bags from Badgley Mischka and playful patterned clutch purses with prints and polka dots from 3.1 Phillip Lim and Anna Sui.
Bold Colors for Spring 2009
Buttercup, orange tangerine and coral shades, and cobalt blue offer the best in bold color palettes, designed to brighten up even the dullest of spring days. Gucci’s bright New Jackie Large bag with bamboo detailed tassels (Saks $3,100) will definitely stand out in the crowd and Prada’s solid color patent bags are a trendy but timeless investment.
Oversized Clutches and Totes
If you want more than lipstick, keys and a mobile with you at all times, get a carry-all ovesized clutch. A sleek modern style works just as well in the daytime, as well as after dark. This season it can be found in spring-like woven fabrics and summery straw. Oversized slouchy totes are still a firm favorite, not least for their statement style, and the fact that their gigantic proportions make the wearer look thinner by comparison.
Fringed Bags
If you want to embrace the fringing trend in 2009 then buying a fringed bag is your best bet. Totes and messenger styles lend themselves well to this trend and can be worked for day or night. Go for neutral tones like tan, brown, beige and black for a longer-lasting investment.
Quilted Purses
Whether its Chanel quilted chain bag in this season’s zesty orange or Marc Jacobs’ gorgeous quilted totes, quilted are oh-so-hot right now. Lanvin’s gorgeous leather cream team bag with double chain strap (Net-a-Porter) is sure to be a winner, ticking two trend boxes in one. Check out the Marc Jacobs Bronze Kristina Quilted Shoulder Bag or Juicy Couture’s Leather Mini Bag with cute gold charms, both from Saks.
Ruched Bags
Ruffles and ruching are a strong look not only on dresses and tops but on bags too —from the runways of Miu Miu to Moschino. For extra chic there’s Valentino’s Ruches Hobo in black (Saks $1,695), which is expertly crafted in butter-soft leather ruffled tiers.
Woven bags
Spring and summer also means textures with multicolored raffia straw bags and woven fabric clutches. They are featured in the spring collections of almost all designers from Miu Miu to Kate Spade. Anya Hindmarsh's woven straw Faustine clutch (Saks $525) is classy and summery.
Soft Leather Day Bags
Choose great textures in grab-and-go scrunchy butter-soft leather for urban-luxe edge. Find them studded, tassled, frilled or scalloped. For extra style points go for one of this season’s strong juicy colors to give simple outfits a directional edge.
Whatever trend you embrace this coming season, a handbag is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to update your wardrobe for spring summer 2009. A purse is less likely to date and will always fit! Investing in an on-trend bag will instantly give a new lift to an old outfit.
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