Marc Jacobs Snake Clutch, $1095 via NAP

Without looking at the name of this clutch or a close-up image, you might miss that a snake design is separating the raspberry suede and orange leather colorblocking. What makes the snake design stand out even more is the fact that it has a face and is created with actual python, which keeps the design legit while also making me feel a wee bit slimy.

There’s surely plenty to be said about the women’s handbags that graced the runway at Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 (hello, dear-printed shoulder bags), but the more I look over the collection, the more I find myself wanting to talk about the men’s bags. Marc by Marc Jacobs has been a unisex presentation for some time now, and this year more than any in the past, I’m feeling a little envious of what the male models got to carry.

There are a lot of reasons that Marc Jacobs’ shows are fun – the front-row celebrities, the unexpected set designs, the crazy tales that emerge from the after-parties – but from a style point of view, they’re fascinating because we never know where Marc will turn next, but wherever he goes, the majority of the fashion world will go with him in a few months’ time.

When you’re a major bag fan, you start to pic up on the subtle idiosyncrasies of major designers – the way that they attach handles, the types and colors of hardware that they tend to use, the shape of their corners and finish of their leathers. All of those things form subtle trademarks for a brand over time, and the more bags you look at, the more you instinctually search for those markers in every design.

One of the biggest developments in handbag trends over the past few seasons has been the return of the reasonably sized handbag, called the “lady-scale” bag by some, in reference to the refined women who once carries purses of a similar size. Marc Jacobs was a major producer of giant, shoulder-aching handbags back when they were having their moment in the sun, but now that the entire spectrum of possible sizes is available retail, he’s downsized a bit with the Marc Jacobs Baroque Ingrid and the slightly more petite Marc Jacobs Baroque Faye.

In general, I think that phrase “too much is never enough” is useful when trying to explain certain sectors of fashion, particularly to those who aren’t interested in the industry or in understanding the genius of fabulous fashion eccentrics like Anna Dello Russo or Daphne Guinness. Rococo is always alive and well somewhere within the style world, even during harsh economic times, and its exuberant resilience is to the industry’s credit.

By now, most of you have probably seen some version of the Marc Jacobs Coated Leather MJ Satchel in person, and if you have, you know exactly what I mean when I say that it doesn’t remind me of any designer back I’ve seen in the last few years, and maybe ever. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but I always appreciate innovation.

Where is the glitz and glam and tinge of gaudy that Miami is known for? The Marc Jacobs Bal Harbor Julie is reluctant in its design which appears to be safe and subdued.

This is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Jacobs He’s Not Dead, He’s Just Breakdancing Winnie Bag. That is the full name, what a mouthful.

It took us a few days (my guess would be that lighting issues delayed the release of the show photographs), but we rustled up a few pictures of the handbags from Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 for your viewing pleasure. And a pleasure they are – those who prefer seriousness to fun in their accessories need not apply.

These bags only make up part of what is always an enormous accessories collection, but it seems as though Jacobs is right on board with the multicolor trend that has emerged quickly in Europe, as well as the continuing trend for smaller, more streamlined and structured bags.