Winter is starting to ease up in New York City, and it has me looking at everything in my apartment (and especially in my closet) with a critical eye, as it usually does–“spring cleaning” is a real thing. This year, though, it also has me looking at the state of the accessories market, which could use a good KonMari session itself.
I’ve already ranted a little bit about how I’m thoroughly, exceedingly done with novelty bags that exist only to be novel, and that feeling still stands. The more “novel” the bags get, the more I feel like my intelligence is being insulted.
I’m also beginning to tire of micro bags, which many of you have been tired of since they first popped up–they’re cute and lightweight, but they’re not at all practical unless you’re going to a concert or some other event where having your hands free trumps your desire to carry all the things you need. Most women are drawn to bags because they’re a way to feel fashionable in their everyday lives, and micro bags aren’t everyday bags. I have no problem with their existence, but recently it’s felt to me like some designers are focusing on them to the exclusion of things regular adult women want to buy. I’m ready for the pendulum to swing the other way (and I think it’s starting to–more on that next week).
The high-end handbag market is extremely cluttered, and if I had my way, now would be the time to separate the signal from some of the noise. I’m betting many of you feel the same way; call it a hunch. If that’s the case, let us know in the comments.
So tired of micro bags too. In fact, I never liked them… what a waste of money.
I’m tired of the crossbody and the aforementioned micro bags. I’m ready for a return to sturdy, but lightweight satchels or well-designed tote bags. I just don’t want them to be derivative, which I know is difficult because historically, fashion houses follow trends (which is why you see the sac de jour and the belted tote and luggage and Birkin), but I’d love something unique, but classic!
I can’t do without my cross body! I only use those because I have twin toddlers and need my hands free at all times. I wish more brands made them or gave that option. I could not function without one!
Micro bags are ridiculous! The Moschino bags are for the most part ridiculous! Who pays good money for a tiny bag that looks like a cleaning supply or a pack of cigs.
Agree they look ridiculous. I get they are pop art in the style of Wharhol but they look stupid in every day use. I saw a phone case that looks like a bottle of disinfectant who wants to walk down the street holding that?
After years of lugging huge totes, I’m happy to welcome smaller bags into my life. To that end, I recently acquired a Chloe mini Drew and Chanel Boy (in the new medium, which isn’t a super small bag, but … baby steps). Even still, the micro bags I just don’t “get.” You can fit a lipstick and a credit card in one, maybe? I’ve always disliked novelty bags, so I’ll be happy to see those go away. I’m also sick of Celine’s signature bags – the luggage, trapeze and phantom. I was obsessed with them for a couple of years, but they’re so over-exposed now, and so deeply associated with the Kardashians. (I make no judgment on whether the Kardashians are a sign of the Apocalypse. I know some revile them, but I’m indifferent to them. I just think they have extremely bad taste, and so I die a little inside whenever they carry a bag I like). I also find the Celine bags impractical for everyday use because they’re SO HEAVY. That’s why I sold my Phantom. It was truly like carrying a suitcase with me wherever I went. I do like the Celibe Box, though. It’s on my wish list. And I’m growing a bit tired of Fendi’s furry bag bugs, though that hasn’t yet turned into complete fatigue yet.
Tired of micro bags, tired of “designers” copying the same old bag styles, tired of all saffiano (I’m e watching you Prada) and definitely tired of open top totes!
Oh yes! re: open top totes. I’ve owned my sac du jour for all of 8 months and I’m so over it and desperately trying to sell it. Can’t deal with the openness and the bloody zip keeps scraping my hand when I try to get in, ugh. If I’m being honest, I bought it in kind of a rush and also I loooved the colour.
I’m done with saffiano leather, heavy uncomfortable and cold, metal chain straps, overall heavy bags and top handles that require your is purse firmly shut to carry.
Doesn’t feel like metal chain bags are going anywhere no? Ysl, Chanel boy, LV twist, Chloe – they all just seem to make more metal chain bags….
Doesn’t feel like metal chain bags are going anywhere no? Ysl, Chanel boy, LV twist, Chloe – they all just seem to make more metal chain bags….
I don’t have much choice. I buy Saffiano or textured leathers when possible because they are durable and easy to clean. I live in Asia and our city is humid and dusty with a lot of air pollution. Before I buy anything I consider maintain and longevity. I’d love to buy a polished leather but its a real problem for me.
Well, thank you for explaining the appeal of saffiano to me. Interesting. 🙂
Yes, same problem here. The weather plays a factor in my choices.
WOW! You echo my exact thoughts, how wierd. I cannot tell you how sick of saffiano I am – sold my Prada and gave my 2 jour to my sister. Bags with only top handles – hell no! With an additional long strap – now we’re talking. Big and heavy bags, I am completely done with, any bag bigger than 28/29cm in width is not happening.
Never been a Birkin fan either, though I love and want the Kelly.
Patterns are great…until it’s an all over logo. I’ll pass on that please. And I agree- I prefer softer, supple leathers that move and wear over time. Saffiano leathers don’t do it for me either.
So tired of heavy bags with over the top embellishments that cause chronic backache. The less branding the better. I agree about saffiano. Just feels cheap and artificial.
I’ve been tired of fringed bags since the early 70s, yet the style keeps coming back like a seasonal allergy.
Overembellished bags, Fendi and Valentino come to mind.
Also the Fendi monster fur charm
Agree with the micro bag trend. Small bag? Ok, I can take that. Mini bag? A little bit harder, but on the lighter day, maybe I can pull it off. Micro bag? No. I need more than my cellphone, cash and a couple cards. Some even can’t fit a cellphone!?!?! I don’t know what use I can make of that?
over monster charms and charms in general. The bag silhouette should speak for itself and I find adding something especially a fur ball where a rabbit or a fox was killed to make a pom pom to be quite sad and trying to hard to show off wealth. Also I am over all the Givenchy hype. They were nice but then over saturated. Also Birkins, just a status symbol now and quite detract from the exclusivity Hermes is trying to acheive.
Guessing the bag charms are a way for Fendi to recycle left over bits from their fur division. $1000 for scraps. Brilliant business.
Good point. I never looked at it that way before, but I’m sure you’re right. The only fur bag addition I’d embrace is New Zealand possum fur because the possum is an invasive species there and has had a very negative effect on the eco system. One NZ film star said he sleeps under a blanket made of NZ possum. I’m not normally a fur fan, but I can understand why he does it. http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/animal-pests-a-z/possums/
very true. smart for business but still sad to me
Rock stud and those rock stud shoes HAVE to go. Dear Lord, so overplayed.
Yes I’m bored of them too it’s time for Valentino to come up with a new idea.
Bags with two handles: top handle plus optional shoulder strap. HATE that because a bag should be designed around a single purpose. Its EITHER carried on your arm or over the shoulder.
I have a Prada with both handles and whenever I use the shoulder strap it folds up like a fortune cookie and the top handles flap about like a distressed bird…
Goodness, where to begin. Kinda over all bags in general – micro, novelty, Chanel, fringe, basically anything in excess. Fashion always recycles.
Add to that, I’m over bloggers – they’re out of control. No they’re not fashion correspondents – They’re basically cute unemployed folks who somehow finagled a gig that allows them to travel. They’re not models, they’re not icons, they don’t dictate trends and no, they’re not celebrities.
A bag is a bag is a bag. Buy what you want. Wear what you want. Fingers crossed you don’t develop scoliosis if it’s too heavy. And fingers doubly crossed your home and purse closet doesn’t get ransacked after you post your nth reveal.
Oh my God where have you been all my life? A woman who sees the stupidity of dumb expensive faddish bags! Marry me?
Totally agree!!! I am tired of bloggers as well, a few of them are still presenting products (which is what I’m interested in in the end) but most of them are promoting themselves…not as interesting! Yeah, I really don’t care to see you at such and such fashion show…show me the fashion!
Yet you’re on a blog? How does that make sense? If you’re over bloggers then why are you here?
You hate the smell of poo and pee, yet you keep going back to the toilet day after day. What to do with you?
Not the same in my book, this is a blog dedicated to bags, not a blog dedicated to a blogger:))
Clearly you haven’t been on many blogs to begin with because many blogs I follow are dedicated to a certain style, look, item or brand and not at all about the blogger. There is nothing wrong with people entertaining internet and social media users with their passions and interest, how would you like it if someone brought down your passion or interest.
I’m here because I love purses. The adoration is eternal but the thirst has been sated a bit.
I edited my post to say “some” because that’s how I truly feel about SOME, not all. And those SOME have not been visited for obvious reasons. Hopefully this makes sense. Peace.
Haha. Love all of what you wrote.
Boy, you’re judgemental. Your description of bloggers is almost degrading. They are in fact employed and turning their passions into their careers, if that is not success then idk what is.
Blogging is not success. Beggars have begging as their career. Criminals usually make that their career. Dumb expensive purses are still dumb and expensive whether you are buying them or blogging about them.
If you think expensive purses are dumb then get off this site. This was 3 months ago. Get over it.
Keep in mind, this is Purseblog. I don’t understand why you are here in the first place if you find expensive purses to be stupid.
It does. Now go. There is a sale on Hermes toilet paper in colors to match your bags. Dumb biatch.
If this were a magazine, it would indeed be put in the trash. It happened to be a bookmark of the girlfriend I dumped because she was a spendthrift and her last purchase on my credit card was a $475.00 bag by somebody named Marc Jacobs. I have seen the bag. Nothing about it is worth more than $50.00.
All that is on here are spendthrift women who are trying to justify spending lots of money on dumb, ugly bags which do nothing but be a bag. WTF?
I’m not trying to be comment cop. I was just responding to what you had to say earlier. You are free to comment whatever you like, but you should be ready to hear opposing opinions since, again, this is Purseblog. You’re just wasting your time here since there is only one of you who feel expensive purses are dumb and thousands of us on this blog who feel the opposite.
Keep in mind that we aren’t just throwing away our money or putting ourselves in debt by buying designer bags ((and a lot of us don’t take our boyfriend’s credit cards to buy it)). We are responsible with the way we spend and put other priorities first. Designer bags are just a fun hobby for us. If you are able to afford it with out putting yourself in debt and are able to pay for everything else first…then there’s nothing wrong with dropping $1000+ on a handbag if that’s what you want.
Fair enough. But having the money does not make it less dumb. I can afford to buy yards of silk to make silk toilet wipes, but that is dumb. I am reading several nnegative comments about these bags here.
To each their own.
I understand…perhaps I was being too sensitive.
No worries. Have a good night.
I’m over the micro bag trend…after investing in the Fendi micro peekaboo and micro Baguette I realized they were a huge mistake…but oh well…you live and you learn…
I’m completely over exclusivity as a trend.
Tired of 5,000$ bags made of nothing special. Over jacking up prices so only 1% of the population can have said bag. The trend of “because x group carries y brand, they look cheap and tacky, now I can’t carry them, because I don’t want to be associated with those people for z reason (hint: usually they’re poor, people of color who said folks think are “ghetto”).
Sick on cultural appropriation with no research or credit give to said ppl. Tired of “Native American inspired” (Oh, this one burns my cheeks as the creators fail to even acknowledge #MMIW), “Indian inspired”, “Asian inspired” and my personal favorite “Urban inspired” (read: Black culture without Black people). Tired of the amalgamation of cultures in order to market to rich white people to make them seem cultured. I’m really, really sick of the “urban” trend while Black women are consistently called “Tacky”, “Rachet”, “Ghetto”. Ya’ll, the number of times I’ve seen white women refuse to carry anything Michael Kors because Black women carry them, the number of times I’ve seen commentary on how the “Face of the brand” has changed, unnerves me to think… you cannot be that ignorant, you cannot lack that much introspection, to not hear/read what you actually mean when you say those things.
I’m really, really, really over impractical bags that are made with less fabric than a t-shirt going for upwards of 2 grand. As a collector, it is incredibly off putting to see that as a group of consumers, designers have… stopped trying to reach everybody. Only the top 2-3%. The ethics of microbags are… sketchy. Jacking bag prices up for exclusivity instead of curtailing production says so much about the intentions of the designer houses. It’s not about quality. It’s quantity and that $$$$. You know it. I know it. And people getting way miffed over counterfeit bags for all the wrong reason! Yes, it sucks, because there are people losing money on fake pieces, however… we’re more concerned with the multi-billion dollar fashion house losing chump change? The f#ck? We’re not bothering to look at why petty crime is happening.
Like, say, poverty? Of course, I’m totally not saying you can’t enjoy collecting bags while caring about the bigger issues at play. It’s possible to juggle your hobbies, the things that make you happy, and caring about serious issues and thinking about your impact, shit, it’s better to enjoy something AND think about issues, because it gives you perspective.
As 2016 wears on, I hope the fashion industry does better towards social issues and starts taking notice of the disturbing patterns forming within the industry itself. I really hope we do better as a group of collectors, bag lovers, and human beings. And by the way…
The Givenchy Pandora is still fug, srry.
I don’t know about anyone else but the reason I won’t carry Michael Kors is because it’s tacky and oversaturated. Never once did it ever have one iota to do with race. Jeeeeeeez! And youre ranting on a freaking purse blog…… Probably the wrong audience?
Wow, it’s almost like consumers can be aware of their impact! Also, these are MY trends that I’M sick of. I don’t give a shit about your feelings on the matter, thanks. See yourself out, jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!
Nicely said…
Awh mehn! The Antigona ONLY just grew on me! Want a small one now badly.
I think if I ended up buying one, I’d get the mini or the small, if only for size issues. I stand a grand total of 147cms/4’8″ and the medium, let alone the large, would look RIDICULOUS on me. lmao like a really expensive duffle bag tbh. Bag sizing for accommodation is totally cool, I’m kind of glad everyone caught onto the small/medium/large ect trend. One size is NOT fit all!
I guess you think you are very clever Finem but your post made me feel assaulted with your smug assumptions and your simple hate.
If I could douche my brain to remove your input, I would.
It did seem a bit strong and there were good points made but a purse blog is an unlikely place for the rhetoric.
So, people who buy luxury goods can’t think objectively and intelligently about the things they are consuming?
Please don’t come for me with that because that’s just a dumb statement to make. The tone, the angst of said statement was a bit TOO MUCH, FOR MOI while discussing handbags. I didn’t question the intelligence, integrity or morals of the person who made them. As a black woman, I don’t necessarily disagree yet there are times when I don’t wish to read societal concerns. Get off my back.
Yeah no, lol. You reply to my comment, you whine about “rhetoric” and then moan about how you don’t wish to read societal concerns. Well then, don’t? Don’t read them. Don’t comment on my shit. Byebye.
You have a separate problem hat really doesn’t concern me. I initially never replied to your comment nor atracked your views. I somewhat concurred with anothe post. Your knee jerk response/anger issues, whatever indicate your readiness to argue and/or attack opposing views. I’m done, this exchange has now expired for me.
mmkay byeeeeee
“Rhetoric”. lol. plz.
Yeah I said it.
That’s nice.
That’s nice, Lisa. Tell me, what’s it like being strangled by your own anus?
Same here. Tired of tiny vags, silly bag charms, and weird designs in impractical colours that won’t last beyond a season.
I’d like a quality bag for a professional woman to use in her daily life, other than Prada.
Same here – I want to see a practical bag worth investing in, that will last several seasons and fit every day items including my ipad mini.
I’m just so happy that I’m not the only person who mis-types bags as vags… happens to me ALL. THE. TIME.
I hate a tiny vag
LOL! That was a typo.
oh my god
But it’s just so funny. Thank you @Yazi
I just screamed into my coffee. Thank you.
Valextra makes unassuming beautiful handbags. Check them out.
Micro bags, fringe, saffiano leather, and Michael Kors in general.
Esp. Michael Kors….
Bags that cost the same as a car. Fashion has historically been used to signal prestige, but the normalization of exorbitantly-priced bags is a little bit disheartening.
Beautiful bags with long shoulder straps dangling at near ground level.
Fashion and consumption of fashion merchandise as entertainment… including this site. :/ (Why I’m here to begin with I question myself all the time)
Birkin
Bucket bags. Especially bucket bags that are over $1000.
Same. I hate them so much :/
I hate bucket bags
Ditto.
The comments on here just show how diverse taste is and also how snobby people can be sometimes.
Totally over bag charms. Why do women love them, they add weight and bulk?
Giant protruding gussets. Looks like things would fall out and get lost.
Bags with empty weights because of heavy metal chains or hardware.
Bags that are not stain-proof. I would be too paranoid to carry them to a restaurant and have something spill.
Wow, so many interesting, thoughtful comments (along with a few rage-fueled tirades, no idea where they’re coming from). A few bag trends I could stand to see the back of:
– tiny bags, esp when they come with big prices. Also really huge bags like that ginormous Hermes shown in a PB post earlier this month.
– calf hair in general, but esp calf hair in animal prints
– Brands trying way too hard to be trendy. If you have a reputation for elegance and quality, own it and play to those strengths!! It’s fine to update your offerings, but there are some brands falling into the “mutton dressed like lamb” trap
– Birkins at ridiculously inflated prices. This whole handbags-costing-the-same-as-a-new car has put me off Hermes completely. Time to put the brakes on these stratospheric prices. And any bag that costs more than $1000 should be made FLAWLESSLY with top quality materials by artisans paid a true living wage. I didn’t mind paying 2500 for my beautifully hand-made Bottega Veneta. In contrast, there’s no way would I pay thousands for a denim bag just because it carries a designer label
– Counterfeits, counterfeits, counterfeits. Contrary to one of the tirades below, they’re NOT harmless. Most counterfeits can be traced back to organized crime. The same criminal gangs selling fake Fendis in the U.S. often have ties to the criminals selling fake prescription drugs to vulnerable patients (I actually spoke with some Interpol guys about this topic). If someone can’t afford the real thing brand new, then buy secondhand from a reputable dealer or, better still, seek out moderately priced or new designers. There are many beautiful bags out there from lesser known and lower priced brands. I wish PB would lead the way on this, celebrating these lesser known (or up and coming) and still moderately priced brands.
– Childish bag charms on bags for grown up women. See “mutton dressed like lamb” above
– Chains. I don’t mind chains mixed with leather so they can still be carried easily (my BV Olimpia comes with that chain/leather combo and it’s much more comfortable than chains with no leather)
– Straps that aren’t adjustable, esp when they’re long straps. Not everybody wants to wear their bag cross-body all the time
– I don’t mind bags that have top handles and a shoulder strap (in fact, I prefer them), but the top handles should fold down flat against the bag’s sides when you’re using the shoulder strap, not awkwardly flop about or stick into your armpit.
Sick of designers like Coach, Kate Spade and Tory Burch charging too much for purses that will never become timeless pieces or worth their value. It’s like they know it will take you too long to save for a Gucci, LV or Chanel bag so they offer you something for half the price with a quarter of the value.
Also looking for a quality purse that lasts several seasons and can fit every day necessities plus my ipad mini @Yazi.
Yes agreed about coach, kate spade, and Tory burch!!!!
I’m obsessed with Tory shoes and own more than a dozen pairs, but I was very skeptical about Tory Burch bags. I got a slouchy hobo in a buttery soft leather and I thought this won’t last. But my mom and I have used it (and abused it) and it just keeps going. No sign of wear. Recently, I was saving up for a Prada Saffiano bag, but then I heard so many rants about the declining quality of Prada. So I decided to get a Tory Burch Saffiano on sale. And I have to say I am super impressed with the quality.
In China, I’ll have to nominate the bags without zippers. so unsafe! it’s like the bag itself is shouting “steal me target me please!!!”
and I personally hate fringe, hope they disappear for good
Mmmm, let’s see…Celine’s Luggage tote…*snooze*…the most boring bag of all times!! Am I the only one thinking this is getting a little out of hand, micro bags costing as much as a large bag, brands jacking up prices every 6 months, brands charging 1k for a nylon backpack…seriously…this is getting ridiculous and in the midst of all this ridiculousness I’ve decided to go for less exposed brands, up and coming brands or brands where it’s not written “I cost 5k!” all over!! Less is more after all:)))
I’m kinda over trends, to be honest. Carry what you carry, but my preference is a bag that can fit the stuff I need that day. I don’t care what others are carrying.
If I had to pick a trend, it would be foil stamping. Just saw a Mulberry Arundel today and what completely ruined it for me was the hideous foil stamp. It’s too in-your-face.
I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments below. I have loved handbags all my life. And, reading Purse Blog is fun and interesting. However, it has made me less inclined to run out and buy the latest trend. I own Dior, Fendi, Ferragamo and Gucci bags, among many others from lesser know designers. I don’t think I’ll ever own a Chanel or a Hermes. I try to keep things in perspective in my life and realize that bags are an accessory and not a reason to get up in the morning. That said, I know a lot of celebrities are gifted bags by designers to help them sell to the public who idolizes these celebrities. I’m happy I’ve never been bitten by the celebrity worship bug. I find it sad to think of women who spend their entire pay check trying to look like these celebrities, but we all make choices that fit our lifestyle. Let’s all be happy and celebrate out choices.
Great post!
Love reading all the comments!! Sounds like we are ALL over the novelty bags, thank goodness! I’ve never really understood the bag charm phenom–particularly spending hundreds or even a grand on a bag charm?? No! I’m not a fan of fur, in general, and on a bag it makes it too unusable, for me at least (I live in a rainy climate). And of course, the micro bags, I don’t get it, especially when the price ISN’T micro!! I did recently pick up an Alexander Wang Rockie, the baby brother of the Rocco, but the mini Rockie was waayyyyyy to small for my daily use.
I was at a charity event yesterday and there were so many Hermes bags is was shocking. The most I have ever seen in one room. While I am not over Hermes bags, they were all beautiful, I am over carrying one to be seen carrying one. There was one woman who had a beautiful taupe Birkin that she set on the floor (!!) in front of her chair and then used her foot (!!) to shove it under the chair in front of her. It was like watching a puppy get abused. I was so horrified. I wanted to give the bag a hug…And a good cleaning. But it made me realize she didn’t give a crap about the bag, she was just carrying it to be carrying it. So that is what I am over, carrying bags for reasons other than your genuine love of the bag.
Or was it just a bag that was bought because it’s great quality and can take a bit of abuse? Maybe she didn’t think of it as something to be babied. You got to accept the fact that for some people, even a Birkin is “just another bag”.
Rockstuds are so tacky. Very mall kiosk.
I’m also tiring of the micro bag trend. I think the bags are cute, but I would never buy one.
Bag charms are another thing I don’t love. They just seem kind of immature to me, but they’re fun. Just not my taste.
Birkins. Just tired of seeing them and the Celine bag with the face on it. I like small bags because I like to travel light, but not micro.
Also tired of bags being labeled as investments. Very few will appreciate over time.
Non functional would be my pet peeve for bags. Way too big or way too small. Overly studded and I mean those big a$$ studs that hurts your hands and impales fellow passenger on the subway car. Fur bags! Excuse me but my money does not stays in my wallet long enough to get cold! Over elaborate closures that make the bag a Hell to open and get your metro card (Birkin much?) and last but not least “Vegan” bags that cost more than real leather. Harumph!
Hello 🙂 I am a newb, im not sure if this is appropriate to post here but I need help in authenticating a Gucci Plus vintage bag, HELP!!!!