Summer is coming to a close, which is terrible for a number of reasons – first and foremost because I only just found a swimsuit I actually like a mere two weeks ago. But also, your opportunities for music festival hooliganism, beach frolicking, and Hamptons weekend getaways are all about to vanish, like so many autumn leaves. Fall has its own charms, of course, but before we break out the light sweaters, it’s important that we pay proper homage to the best and the brightest celebrity handbag moments of Summer 2013.
Summer is always a great time for shameless handbag exhibitionism, in part because we’re all wearing so little else that’s worth mentioning. (Sorry, bra tops and Daisy Dukes.) That doesn’t mean we’re lacking in ways to accessorize – a perfect tan really does make a neon handbag pop, and a hefty suede bag really balances out a barely-there pair of denim shorts. Let’s see how the celebs did it in 2013…
Balmain had a serious bag moment when it introduced the Balmain x Aurelie Biderman Pierre Bag, which instantly found its way into the eager hands of celebs like Miranda Kerr, Diane Kruger, Gwen Stefani, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Moss. That’s a banner opening season for any bag. We all balked at the price a bit ($4,350), but I’m interested to see how this suede summer “It” bag fares in the fall.
The Pierre wasn’t the only bag Gwen Stefani was rocking this summer, of course. We spotted her out with the fam quite recently, carrying a gorgeous Viktor & Rolf Bombette Bag. I think this fashion-forward bag design is brilliant, but I’m trying to honestly assess how much I would like it if it had any other name than “Bombette.” I think the answer is: almost as much.
Here’s another bag moment from the not so distant past – Olivia Wilde is the first celeb we spotted carrying the multi-tone metal Christian Louboutin Panettone Spiked Shopper from CL’s Fall 2013 collection. It’s basic, and yet bedazzling. I think Olivia’s new bag is another win for Louboutin’s underrated bag line.
Speaking of studs, we’ve loved Valentino Rockstud everything through every season this year. Can’t stop, won’t stop, Rockstud lover for life! Here’s Real Housewife Kyle Richards carrying a particulary Rockstud-tastic Valentino Rockstud Trapeze Tote. (We can’t vouch for the outfit as a whole, though.)
Minis were having a MAJOR moment this summer. Every major design house felt the need to take a few of their most beloved designs and hit them with a shrink ray. Here’s Miranda Kerr (again) with her Louis Vuitton Monceau BB Bag. Yes, Miranda gets two bag moments this summer. And it’s only fitting, really, because she also has two “Many Bags” posts (“The Many Bags of Miranda Kerr” and “The Many Bags of Miranda Kerr, Part 2”).
We could hardly shut up about the MICHAEL Michael Kors Selma Messenger Bag this summer. It comes in a rainbow of on-trend neon hues (as well as trusty neutrals) AND it’s only $228 for the mini version. It is, hands down, one of the best bag deals for any season. Also, this picture of Alessandra Ambrosio, with her fedora-wearing toddler, perfectly tanned legs, imperfectly hewn Daisy Dukes and neon yellow bag is so Summer 2013, it makes me want to cry a little.
Would it even be summer without Rihanna flaunting her immaculately toned abs and thighs all up in your face? No. No, it would not. Ri Ri had her own big, flashy bag moment when she hit the clubs in London this summer with a striking Stella McCartney Holographic Clutch. New goal for summer 2014: Be seen in a club with Rihanna.
The Dolce & Gabbana Miss Dolce Woven Raffia Bag practically SCREAMS summer, and not just because anything raffia screams summer. Here’s one on the arm of Vogue Nippon editor-at-large and all-around fashion curiosity Anna Dello Russo, who was enjoying a casual day out in her hometown of Milan.
You know what else screams summer? POOL PARTIES. Though they’re usually frequented by hormonal pre-teens and not a ridiculous roster of celebrity guests. Here’s Diane Kruger carrying a seasonal canvas 3.1 Philip Lim Scout Floral Shoulder Bag at Joel Silver’s allegedly epic, star-studded Memorial Day pool party.
And finally, we couldn’t do a “Best Of” celeb-type post without including our favorite paparazzi-pouty celeb, Reese Witherspoon. Here she is, ringing in the season with fresh flowers (from Whole Foods, no less! Stars, they’re sort of like us…) and a beautiful orange Fendi 2Jours Tote. So long, celeb summer bag selections. We’ll be seeing you. (Maybe.)
