According to Fashion Rising, 2011 had been a year where the economy had an impact even on the styles and materials used in everything from shoes to clothes to, yes, handbags. People want quality for less cost and that means a focus on durable materials like leather and denim. The site's fall fashion trends guide indicates that purses in leather, faux fur and cross-body bags are all the rage.
MATERIALS AND COLORS
Glamour magazine reported that citrus colors were a spring staple, but that the 2011 fall trends include deep, golden yellows and black and white prints, such as the Z Spoke Zac Posen handbag that features a simple solid black leather top half and a white and black polka dot bottom half with a feminine flair.
Traditional materials that are known for durability are making a comeback. Snakeskin purses and pants graced the runways during Fashion Week such as the BCBG Max Azria clutch, which is a snakeskin in black and white with a hint of blue.
Polka dots seem to be in style always, although the size of the dots vary from season to season. This year, any size polka dots are popular as long as they are black and white as proven on the runways by Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg.
STYLES
A study of both spring and fall 2011 runway trends shows that there are two different types of styles coming into popularity. The first is the classic styles reminiscent of the 1960s. These bags are simple, elegant and feminine. Expect to find traditional evening clutches with metal clasps, hobo bags and bags with a cover that comes over the top of the purse and clasps with a metal fob. The other end of the spectrum includes unique, art noveau looking bags with unusual shapes, such as coming to a point at the top.
There is no worrying about carrying a tiny little clutch to that special evening out. This year's classic clutches are large enough to hold more than just a lipstick and some change. No matter which pattern, color or style of handbag you ultimately choose for your wardrobe, most bags are beefed up this year and larger than in the past. There is no worrying about carrying a tiny little clutch to that special evening out.