Handbags

Shopper totes for spring offer plenty of room and help you go green

 in Eco Chic / General Fashion / Handbags / Shopping / Trends  tagged casual style / spring 2012 / summer 2012 / totes by

One of the biggest classics, and now, one of the most needed handbags styles in a women’s wardrobe is the shopper tote. With cities such as San Francisco and San Jose banning plastic bags and forcing retailers to charge ten cents per paper bag, consumers are starting to stock up on bags to carry their purchases home from not only the supermarket, from the shopping mall too!

Of course many of us carry around reusable shopping bags from big box stores and supermarkets, but do we really want to carry these same bags at the shopping mall? One of the easiest ways to carry home purchases from the mall, without shelling out ten cents for a paper bag, is to carry a shopper tote. A shopper tote is roomy and can easily fit a pair of shoes, clutch and that new bikini for summer

There are so many choices when it comes to shopper totes for spring. You can choose an on-trend, bright and bold colored tote or go for something classic in black or brown. The most important factor when looking for a shopper tote is to find one that reflects your personal style and goes with the majority of the outfits you enjoy wearing to the mall in your closet.

y (15)

The daytime clutch for spring and summer 2012

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged clutches / spring 2012 / summer 2012 by

The daytime clutch became hot in spring of 2011 when it graced the runways in New York, London, Milan and Paris. As the year progressed, the trends hit the streets and by fall of 2011 Fashion-savvy women were spotted everywhere carrying medium-sized clutches in daytime fabrications. For the spring 2012 runway shows, the daytime clutch was dominant alongside the double handle satchel and showed the fashion world the trend would still be hot for 2012.

As spring 2012 arrives in stores, the daytime clutch is dominating the handbag department. Daytime clutches are being spotted in medium and small sizes in every fabrication imaginable. While the bulk of the handbags are made from leathers, there are also exotic skins, vegan faux leathers, cork and straw clutches for spring. The biggest trend among all fabrications is that are made in bright and bold colors, as well as being color blocked.

The easiest way to update one’s wardrobe this season is with a bright and bold daytime clutch. While a daytime clutch cannot hold everything and the kitchen sink, daytime versions of this formally evening-only style can easily carry a small wallet, smartphone, keys and lipstick. Look for bright colors such as orange, pink, yellow and cobalt blue. Some designers have even introduced neon shades of green, yellow, orange, pink and blue for the spring season; now that’s bright! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous

y (13)

Spring 2012 Fashion Trends: The IT list is in

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Shoes / Trends  tagged runway trends / spring 2012 by

The spring 2012 runways in New York, Paris, Milan and London left the fashion world a bevy of eye candy. The runways were colorful and the overall vibes of the collections reflected decadence yet regard for the environment. Fashion became responsible with more vegan fabrications and eco-chic fabrications than ever before while being anything but understated.

The notice-me trends from the spring 2012 runways which are arriving on store shelves and look to be the biggest winners of the season are:

Bold Color: Bright and bold colors are continuing from 2011. There are even pops of neon harkening back to the late 1980’s when you needed sunglasses to speak with your friends. Look for shades of orange, pink, yellow, cobalt and green.

Color Blocking: Two or more colors are being shown together in the form of color blocking. While this was a huge trend in 2011, color blocking has become even more important for 2012. Look for unexpected colors mixed together such as pink with orange; as well as black and white combos.

Going Vegan: There is a huge move away from animal by products and towards vegan fashion. Faux leathers and materials are hot for spring. Look for animal friendly fashion from Stella McCartney, Olsen Haus and Jill Milan. A few designers are starting to add animal friendly items to their collections, look to Valentino for fabulous, non-leather handbags which no-one will ever guess are faux.

Flares, wide legs and small bells: While skinnies still have their place in the pant world, jeans and trousers are going 1970’s vintage with flared bottoms and small bell bottoms. The wide leg trousers ia also du rigueur. But skinny lovers need not fear! The hot way to wear neon and bold colored pants is on denim skinnies. Show off those fab gams! –Just make sure they are bright; you worked out, show it off!

Finish with Fragrance: Christian Dior once said that in order to complete a look, one must wear fragrance. We agree! You’re never fully dressed without fragrance. Look for medium-heaviness fragrances such as Elie Saab Le Parfum, Prada Candy, Jouany Marakesh, Hanai Mori No.3, Van Cleef and Arpels Precious Oud and anything by Nocturne Alchemy.

Complicated shoes: Gone are the days of the sleek and classic pump. Shoes for spring 2012 are offering sky high platforms, color blocking, unexpected mixes of colors, straps, studs, sparkles, feathers and you name it; it will be found on a shoe. For those seeking sleek and classic, stay away from nude or black and look for neon hues or bright shades of orange, yellow, cobalt and pink. If your shoe must be solid colored, let it be bright. Look for wedges and platforms; flats are so last year.

Painterly: Swishes of paint are being found everywhere from garments to cuffs to high heels. Painterly is the understated way to make a statement this spring season.

Florals: Floral prints were huge in 2011 and are continuing into 2012. Look for floral details and prints, show your sweet side ;-0

Bows: Bow are huge and being found everywhere from details on a shirt to the main feature of a handbag. Show your sweet side with a bow. Our favorite way to wear this trend is with one of Valentino’s bow handbags. Valentino makes the bow sophisticated and so up uptown; love it! 

Metallic touches: Metallic has been in style for the past few years and is showing no sign of fading for spring 2012. Combine metallics with bright colors for an over the top statement or use it to update your basic black wardrobe. 

Hats: Finishing off a look with a hat is hot for spring 2012. The runways gave us floppy hats in varying sizes and shapes while the recent Royal Wedding showed us how to have some fun dressing for formal affairs by topping off our look with a fascinator. Verdict: buy a hat! 

Spring 2012 is all about having fun with fashion. Express your inner Fashionista and pick out bright colors you love. Personalize your look with notice-me accessories and leave a trail of perfume behind you. Spring 2012 is about being noticed and enjoying everything we love about getting dressed in the morning. Have FUN, and stay fabulous 

y