Summer 2011 handbags

HI ladies,

After a couple of weeks silence am back wiser and more energetic to discuss handbags with you.

I have so much to say I can hardly contain myself. So if you feel like am just going on and on please understand an excited gal.

I love handbags and I can’t believe the choice that this season has to offer. From colours, patterns shapes and even styles. It’s no secret that a handbag is that one accessory that can make or break an outfit. You can be wearing this gorgeous outfit but a wrong choice of handbag moves you from elegant to just another passing lady. It’s with that in mind that I really take time to study the trends and get to know what’s trending and what’s not. I do not follow trends religiously but one thing I do is take on what’s in fashion and personalise it.

Sumer 2011 is just exciting in terms of handbags prints. Here is what I have observed:

Animal prints- Some designers came up with some really beautiful animal print handbags and that set the mood for a comeback of the animal prints. I have to say that these are not for everyone and many people tend to shy away from them. However if you do own one, then this is the time to dust it and flaunt it. . And if you have been thinking of getting one why not look around and see what’s in the market. The great thing is you can get a fabric animal print bag at a decent price. Also animal prints tend to go with almost anything. But please don’t wear animal print and carry an animal prints handbag, too much of it has an opposite effect!

Floral prints-At the onset of spring floral prints became a huge trend in clothes and this translated into handbags. They bring freshness to an outfit when matched right. This is a perfect move from the blacks and browns that we are so fond of. When picking a floral pattern handbag ensure that the detail on the handbag is kept to a minimum to ensure that the pattern is the main focus. Subtle colours such as pink, peach, sky blue, lime etc are perfect in floral patterns.

Tribal print: My favourite this season, it’s a MUST have according to me. It’s a print having very deep graphic prints combined with the warm earth tones and natural accents e.g. a dress with a black undertone with white, orange and red patterns. The patterns have to be big. On handbags this look is simply gorgeous. The tribal print draws inspiration from the Sahara desert and African prints combined with eastern tones. If you Google “tribal print handbags” am sure you will love what you see.

Colour blocking is still trending. Moving on from spring this trend is a bold statement in handbags.  This is one of those trends that look so simple yet has potential to be a disaster. May people assume that colour blocking means you can wear any colours together, which isn’t correct.  If looking for a handbag that is colour blocked remember 3 is the ideal number of colours to have and also keep the colours to the same family of colours.  Google this “Yves Saint Laurent Lucky Chyc Color-Block Tote” and see how beautiful colour blocking can be. Or check out this link but don’t look at the price tag…   http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/105891

Mono coloured style is the traditional style that will always be in season I suppose. This is where you carry a handbag that’s just one colour. You could go for the traditional summer white, black or chocolate brown. You could also go for the bold rainbow colours.

Its time to select your favourite trend and carry it boldly.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Clutch bags revisited!

It’s been ages since I wrote anything on handbags.

I hope you are well and enjoying the high temperatures!! I have been caught up studying fabrics which has been amazing.

Anyway today I had a quick question to you. Sometime back I wrote a piece on clutch bags and how we have neglected using them unless going out for a party or for dinner.

Today I wanted to know what you look for when shopping for a clutch bag. Does your clutch bag have to be glossy? Would you buy a leather clutch bag? What determines the colour of clutch bag you buy?

And the big question, how many clutch bags do you currently own?

Please help me here…

Out with the clutch, in with the BELT PURSE

Spring is almost here and I have been following through the accessory trends predicted for Spring 2011. Its amazing when you peek at the predicted trends in accessories how fashion is really just a circle. We keep going back to where we came from and returning to trends which in past times have been considered archaic.

For a long time I have told myself that it doesn’t really matter what’s happening on the catwalk all I want is some practical accessories. Now that am working more with suppliers of ladies accessories I realise I couldn’t have been more wrong. The fact is New York, London, Milan and Paris define what trends and what doesn’t. Of course depending on which part of the world you are reading this from some trends take longer to flow through but eventually they do. Last week I was looking at making a handbags order so I requested for a catalogue from my supplier . The catalogue was so reflective of the trends set in the fashion weeks its undeniable that they in a way force us to view style in their eyes.

Bearing in mind that the 70s look is like the main theme this spring then the high waist ,wide legs trousers are back. And the long skirts and dresses too. No minis this season, the trend is below the knees for the hem of the skirt and dress. That, I must admit I love. And I have to add that belts have never been so in style (in vogue as they would say).

So today I want to discuss with you the BUM BAG. Can you believe it is back? Well not exactly in the form we know it but the concept is the same. This spring its out with the clutch and in with the BELT BAG. This is a chic version of the bum bag. Its simply a small purse  attached to a belt or that can be detached so that you can use it with different belts. The whole idea is that you hang it on your waist and so your hands are free. In all honesty its very posh and if you get a nice leather one, it will last long. However as it is replacing the clutch you shouldn’t expect to put too much in. I would say a mobile phone, lipstick, pocket tissue and keys and that’s it.

Apparently the belt bag dates back to the 1800s when men and women used it to carry money and valuables safely. It then developed into reticules which were basically the first forms of handbags that have developed over the years to what we have today.

The belt purses can be worn with trousers, skirts and even elegant evening dresses. Tell me what you think of the belt purse. Would you buy it or will this be one of those fashion trends you will steer clear from?

PS: If you haven't already done so, please visit our facebook page "Ahadi fashion" and tell me what you think of our current handbag range.

Can’t ignore the cross body bag!

I hope you had a great Christmas holiday and are having a fantastic start of 2011. I have to say that I had a really quiet Christmas this year,which was a great break from the really busy year.

Today I just want to engage your fashion sense and see if we can strike a balance between fashion and practicality and hopefully end up with a win-win.

I can’t help but notice that 80% of the ladies walking past the shop are carrying cross body bags. Actually most ladies will look at a handbag, love it then ask “does it come with a longer strap?” And that really got me thinking about the cross body bags and trying to figure out why people prefer to strap the bag across the chest. Personally I have been thinking of them as quite uncomfortable. But I don’t think my all these ladies are wrong.

So what I did was I ordered one. I knew that unless I tried it, then I will have no authority to write about it. So in comes this gorgeous, camel brown, genuine leather cross body bag. The feel is exquisite but to be honest am still having my reservations.

First thing that hits me, is that I can’t put all my stuff (read trash) into it. But that’s fair enough as I will use it on weekends. So I get in my necessities and to be honest it has more room than I expected. Then I strap it across my chest and it doesn’t feel as weird as I expected. The one thing that I absolutely love about it, is that unlike a hobo that keeps slipping off the shoulder while you are picking up groceries in the supermarket the cross body bag is in position throughout. Also if you prefer not to strap it across the chest then you can drape down the shoulder.

At the end of the weekend I was totally sold out for the cross body bag! But I still thought I wouldn’t carry it to work. However that problem has now been sorted. There are now cross body bags that are just hobos. Well I should have said hobos that are cross body bags. What they do is simply design a small hobo but with two straps that you can interchange depending on how you want to wear your handbag.  So you can use the short strap to the office and the long one when going shopping. I thought that’s a brilliant idea.

The thing about it just like with all handbags is, you have to be careful to get a good material. Otherwise it doesn’t look very nice and wont last very long. My take is if you want a nice cross body bag that will last long and look nice, go for genuine leather. It may be dear to purchase but will outlast man-made leather many times over and won’t tear easily.