Monday, August 02, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

FASHION ACCENTS: Going to Extremes

Large bags that carry nearly everything are as popular as tiny bags that carry only necessities

SONIA RYKIEL White Domino bag $1,001 MARC JACOBS sap-green leather Venetia bag, $975 LAMBERTSON TRUEX brick suede St. Andrews tote, $795 RAFE large tote, $295 JULIE FELDMAN minimulticolored silk flowers bag, $175 MOO ROO Moo Moo Fou Fou bag, $495 COLE HAAN pink minipouch, $95 JULIE FELDMAN silver frame bag, $75 CHLOE classic beaded bracelet bag, $816 JULIE FELDMAN silk flower black-and-white flap bag, $165 KOOBA plum Alex slouch bag, $375 JULIE FELDMAN hatbox with flower bag, $375 LOLLI gold slouch bag, $305 CHLOE black Kodak bag, $1,200 MARC JACOBS bark Stella bag, $975 LAMBERTSON TRUEX brick zip-top suede and leather bag, $495 LeSPORTSAC by GWEN STEFANI Megabarrel icon multibag, $98 FELIX REY tomato in zebra-print bag, $550 Photos by John Locher and Clint Karlsen. Bags provided by Corsa Collections in the Forum Shops at Caesars and Talulah G boutiques in the Fashion Show mall and The Shops at Boca Park. Model: Dominique Peeters

Fashion revels in contrasts: short skirts and long skirts, high heels and low heels, bright colors and earth tones. The latest study in extremes is tiny handbags and huge handbags.

On the one hand, the bags need to be large, sturdy and functional to fit the lifestyles of today's professional women. According to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal, totes are a welcome alternative to the briefcase, which women carried when they felt they had to dress like men.

Meital Grantz, owner of the Talulah G boutiques in Las Vegas, says the popularity of large handbags started in the spring of 2002 with the slouchy bucket or utility bags.

"The big design houses started creating these fabulous large handbags because women were carrying them all day, and they needed to make a fashion statement with them," Grantz says.

Chris Unick, a partner and buyer for Corsa Collections in the Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. South, says the large handbags are popular now because women are combining business and personal items in one bag.

During the past four years, Leona Jurinek has carried a large bag daily. "I have four kids and I am able to carry snacks, crayons, a day planner, my checkbook, wallet, perfume and makeup bag all together," says Jurinek, who favors economical generic bags.

On the other hand, small purses are convenient for carrying essentials to lunch or a night out on the town.

Robin Smith owns more than 40 handbags, none of them large. "I like to buy tiny designer bags that have a catchy design," she says.

Smith tends to buy tiny purses by Dior and Fendi. "As long as I can fit my ID, money, a charge card, lipstick, a mirror and a phone in it I am good to go," Smith says.

Small handbags, sometimes called clutches or evening bags, also can pull double duty inside a large bag. They are good for holding small items that tend to get lost, such as makeup, money and jewelry.

When shopping for a large handbag, Grantz says women should realize it can and should be carried for more than one season. The bag also should match most of the items in the buyer's closet. Quality and functionality also are important attributes to look for in a large bag, Grantz notes.

The first decision to make when purchasing a small bag is color, Grantz says. "The colors black, white and silver for an evening bag are good because they match most everything," she says.

The small bag also should be big enough to carry those indispensable items that are needed for the outing. Depending on the designer and the detail, a small bag can be expensive, but the upside is that it will last longer because it is not carried as much. Grantz says a tiny designer bag can cost from $600 to $1,200.

Grantz and Unick agree that the must-have large bag for the summer is the Stella by Marc Jacobs.

The small bag for the summer is the Chloe shoulder mesh evening bag, Grantz says. Unick prefers the Hella Hobo by Gwen Stefani for LeSportsac.

"The large bag for the fall will be one by Marc Jacobs, because he is so strong right now," Unick says. Grantz believes the East/West bag by Chloe in forest green will be the must-have bag for fall.

Grantz says that Sonia Rykiel's rabbit fur clutch in white will be the popular small bag for fall, while Unick says that the fall's must-have small bag will be from Michael Kors' just launched new brand.

Consumers should be able to find bags that are big and slouchy or small and structured with smaller handles, Grantz says.

Some of the popular brands are Louis Vuitton, Celine, Lambertson Truex, Gucci, Prada, Chloe, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Dior.

"Handbags are an important component to an overall outfit," Unick notes. Grantz agrees a handbag can define a look. "It defines who you are in a fashion sense."

Designers are creating clothing that is simple and elegant with cleaner lines so the accessories can make a statement.

Unick notices designers also are adding cellphone pockets, more interior compartments and key hooks along with other features to accommodate the needs of their buyers.

In days gone by, a handbag was supposed to match a woman's shoes, but that does not apply anymore. "There are no purse rules now, the only item to remember is that your handbag should not clash with your outfit, it should enhance what you are wearing," Grantz says.

Novelty bags, ones with funky designs, rhinestones or three-dimensional objects on them, have a place in the fashion world, too.

"Novelty bags are fun, but you need to be daring and have the right sense of style to carry one," Grantz says. Some novelty bags hold their value, such as the Murakami duffle bag by Louis Vuitton. But most of them won't, and Grantz advises looking for economical bags.