Clutches for Less

Posts Tagged ‘christmas handbags’

New York, London, Paris and Milan have showed us what we’ll be wearing next season, so let’s see what’s in store in the shorter term. There are two reasons why the autumn/winter season is 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.If you’re planning on turning heads at the end of 2009, you’ll need to look out for these key trends.

Considering the financial meltdown of the past year, it is not surprising that the old saying “Make Do and Mend” has made a comeback. Most of us have become a lot more conservative about our spending habits, and this 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. Chains & quilting can be found on the shelves of most charity shops, not mentioning the many redundant pieces littering the backs of our mothers’/aunts/grandmothers 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. The English Heritage is a look that fashion designers have fallen in love with. 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.

All of us need an item to take us from cold days into party nights. There is only one look sure to spice up any piece of eveningwear… That is safari-inspired prints. Whether that is mock-croc patent leather handbags, shaggy faux fur or wild zebra and leopard prints. Set free the animal inside with a handbag that embraces this key look. Most importantly though – be certain it’s not real.

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. Delicate beading and colourful buttons keep the arts and crafts style at the top of our must-haves. However, harsher stud and zip detailing has inspired a more gothic feel. And in perfect time for Halloween!