Miu Miu Handbags and Purses (Page 2)

I coveted the tiny bag keychains that Balenciaga released in limited numbers last fall to celebrate the ten anniversary of its iconic motorcycle bags, but alas, I wasn’t able to get my hot little hands on one in time. If you were similarly late to the bag-as-bag-accessory party, fret not; the Miu Miu Mini Bag Charms are here to give you a second chance at a very cute accessory.

These little charms look like someone too a sci-fi shrink ray to Miu Miu’s regular handbags, complete with all the flaps and buckles that you’d expect from the full-size versions. The charms are priced from $115 to $380, and they’re available now at Miu Miu boutiques worldwide. When you consider the prices of the real bags, perhaps the brand is on to something here. At the very least, I can’t think of a more fashionable fob to hold your keys. Pictures of more styles, after the jump.

By now, everyone is well aware that Spring 2011 is all about mixing patterns and colors in order to come up with cheeful, slightly deranged ensembles, and for maximum insanity, you really should include your handbag in the fun. That could be accomplished by simply buying something bright and mixing it with lots of other bright pieces, of course, but picking up something like the Miu Miu Woven Leather Shoulder Bag, which uses lots of colors in and of itself, is a much more adventurous choice. And who doesn’t need a little adventure in their lives on a boring Tuesday?

We’ve mentioned several times that lime green is a certified trend among trends for spring; brights in general are going to be huge, but lime green, along with orange and bright pink, is leading the pack with what seems to be no fewer than a dozen stylish handbag representatives and counting. Because Miu Miu is the type of brand that stays on top of these things, it has released its ever-popular Miu Miu Vitello Lux Bow Bag in a verdant citrus shade.

One of the most ridiculously large and intense winter storms is taking over the majority of the US as we speak. Vlad and I escaped it and are in Florida where the weather is gorgeous (sorry, had to state the truth!). So if you are one of millions that are trapped indoors or gearing up for this massive winter storm, think warm thoughts with these turquoise accessories.

I immediately think Caribbean beaches when I see the Miu Miu Matelassé leather clutch ($365 via NAP). Luckily the clutch is very reasonably priced and will truly be that eye-catching color you can infuse into your spring/summer wardrobe.

To all of my fellow NYC peeps, I am sorry you are literally stuck in feet of snow. I hear a bit of it has kind of melted though. I started to feel guilty when I was complaining of the mid-50-degree and sunny weather we are having in South Florida, while you all are trapped indoors. And then I saw resort bags are on their way out and I started to suffer from seasonal-confusion. But get ready for resort bags, whether you are stuck in your house from the blizzard or not. With resort bags come resort materials, like linen.

Miu Miu is one of the first brands to release a linen bag for the upcoming resort time, and I must admit upon first glance I found the Miu Miu Fringed Linen Tote to be sort of juvenile. I expect the heart tag dangling from a gold chain from a brand like Juicy Couture, but not Miu Miu.

Do you like leather applique? Bright colors? Cutout straps? Then step right up, because Miu Miu’s carnival game of a Spring 2011 handbag collection is a little bit daffy, but maybe also a little bit inspired. Miuccia, after all, does not make missteps.

Perhaps most important, I can easily imagine the Miu Miu girl wearing these designs. They’re irreverent, girlish and perhaps a little bit ironic, but they also have a very, very clear point of view and will stand out in a crowd. The appliques range from feminine to rock-influenced, so if you’re under the age of 30, enjoy bright colors and have some extra income, you might find a great, if slightly odd, addition to your wardrobe in this collection. If you don’t fit that slim category, I’m not sure you’ll find anything relevant in these bags.

It’s an odd feeling to look at a picture of the Miu Miu Patent Ruffle Bag and get a strong sense that you’ve seen the bag (or one like it) somewhere before. Surely a black patent satchel with girlish leather ruffles in pink and purple has to have its own unique place in the luxury handbag market, right? Well, not really.

It took me a while to figure out exactly what this Miu Miu reminded me of, but I finally found it: the Marc Jacobs Vortex Tote. The material is regular leather instead of patent, but the black body topped with pink and purple ruffles is similar enough for my feeble little brain to conflate the two. It’s unlikely that the Miu Miu designers were inspired by the Marc Jacobs bag, but there are enough similarities to give us all a nice reminder that even a very quirky bag probably resembles something else out there on the mass market. There is nothing new under the sun, as they say.