Shoulder Bags

Isabel Marant Melly Embroidered Bag, $1235. Isabel Marant Malou Emebellished Suede Clutch, $1080. Both via Net-a-Porter.

Watch out, I’m about to commit fashion blasphemy: I find Isabel Marant a bit tedious. I like her clothing on an aesthetic level, of course. There’s a reason that every supermodel and editor this side of Berlin is photographed wearing Marant almost constantly; her work is impeccable. But between her revulsion over women with breasts and her tone-deaf appropriation of the prints of native cultures that the Western world has almost entirely obliterated, she seems hell-bent on inhabiting every negative French stereotype that comes to mind.

That being said, I would wear the beads off of that burgundy bag up there. The Isabel Marant Malou Embellished Suede Clutch. Yep, and I’d hate myself a little bit for it. Why do people who annoy me have to make such pretty things sometimes?

Pierre Hardy Leather Clutch, $700. Pierre Hardy Suede and Patent Shoulder Bag, $1350. Both via Net-a-Porter.

For most of you, Pierre Hardy isn’t a new name by a long shot. The French designer is largely famous for his footwear, and his gloriously modern wedges in particular are what garner most of the (well-deserved) attention that comes his way. But what about Hardy’s handbags?

His bags have been a cult favorite for years, but more and more retailers seem to be amenable to the charms of Hardy’s bold, graphic designs. Particularly in the face of colorblocking and New Minimalism, the collection’s omnipresent thick, contrasting leather trim and limited hardware fit right in with what’s going on in the industry now. Several Pierre Hardy bags just popped up on Net-a-Porter for fall; you can check out larger pictures of my favorites after the jump.

With all the attention that Celine’s immaculate Classic Box Bags have received, one would think that more designers at every price level would be jumping on the bandwagon to give the look a shot. Some have, to be sure, there are a few companies who I expected to see make the effort sooner.

Jil Sander is one such brand, and I feel as though I’ve been waiting to see the Jil Sander Lady Crossbody for at least two seasons. It’s here! It’s finally here! And it’s very good.

Alexander McQueen Wicca Velvet-Covered Leather Shoulder Bag, $1365 via Net-a-Porter

Designers seem to be trying to make velvet happen once again for fall, and despite being a child of the 90s and an unashamed fan of the era’s grungy, highly questionable fashion, I’ve been slow to warm to the almost-trend. I remember having velvet T-shirts and dresses too vividly in elementary school for velvet to be an automatic winner in my mind as an adult.

But I’m a McQueen fangirl of the highest order, which means that I’m willing to consider basically anything the brand designs with an open mind. As a result, I might kind of totally love the Alexander McQueen Wicca Velvet-Covered Leather Shoulder Bag. If only I understood exactly what “velvet-covered leather” means.

Loewe Flamenco Bag, $1726 via Matches in green and orange

If you’ve never seen a Loewe (pronounced Low-AY-vay) bag in person and they brand is available in your area, I’d encourage you to seek them out for a test drive around the department store or boutique of your choice. I still can’t understand why so many starlets choose to carry the canvas version of the company’s Amazona bag; leather is where the bags shine most brightly. And as with all brands that put an emphasis on materials, an in-person viewing is necessary to get the full effect.

Take the Loewe Flamenco Bag, for instance. It looks perfectly lovely in these photos, but a jaunt to Bergdorfs to visit one of its close cousins yesterday afternoon (and to buy the new Chanel Fall 2011 nail polishes) fully fleshed out my sense of the bag. You see that leather? It’s amazing. The colors are vibrant. And this design, unlike the tote that I saw from the same line, can be used as either a shoulder bag or a crossbody.

Milly Leather Shoulder Bag, $395 via Net-a-Porter.

For better or for worse, “contemporary” bags often have a particular type of look to them. They’re often slouchy and supple to appeal to a younger customer who wants a more casual look for a less painful price tag, which results in some great bags that have a look I’m proud to support. But it also means that for a clean, tailored look, we have to look for more expensive bags that use more costly materials and appeal to a customer who’s a bit older. Until the Milly Leather Shoulder Bag came along, that is.

Rodarte x Opening Ceremony Cylinder Belt Bag and Rodarte x Opening Ceremony Square Belt Bag, $785 via ShopBop

Predictably, my initial reaction when I heard that Rodarte x Opening Ceremony’s accessory collection would include belt bags was somewhere along the lines of, “OH GOD NOT ANOTHER FANNY PACK.” Fanny packs should be banished forever to the furthest reaches of hell. You hear me, fashion industry? No more fanny packs. Do we understand each other?

Obviously, though, the Rodarte x Opening Ceremony Cylinder Belt Bag and Rodarte x Opening Ceremony Square Belt Bag aren’t fanny packs – they’re literally bags made of belts. Vintage belts, to be exact, and they come in all textures and shades of brown, no two exactly alike. And, well, they’re…interesting. But at least they’re not fanny packs.