Trends

In my region of the country, we usually get a nice, gentle transition from summer to fall, and the weather is generally mild until the holidays. This year, that’s not the case: one day it was 80 degrees, the next day it was 50, and I’ve had to pull out my winter clothes a lot earlier than I ever have in recent memory. And with that comes one of my favorite vestiges of cold weather: my much-loved but widely reviled UGG boots.

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In the past few days the internet is a buzz about the latest must have nail polish, Chanel Jade Nail Polish. This polish was seen on the runway months ago and the speculation began if that color would be produced. It has been and is being sold online at Chanel now (better get it while you can).

The color Jade falls into the jewel hued family, but when we see jewel toned bags it is typically reds and purples and deep greens. A vivacious green will amp up your wardrobe and add the splash of color our browns and grays are yearning for. Here are some of our favorite Jade handbag picks, from Valentino to Kate Spade we have Jade Handbag options for you.

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The ridiculous bags are always my favorite, be they good or bad in the long run. I’ve always thought it a greater sin to be boring than to be over-the-top, and sometimes great style is what happens when you get right on the line between just enough and too much.

The Marc Jacobs Wrath Studded Bag is somewhere circa that line, although I’m not sure what side it’s on. But I am sure that I love it, in spite (or maybe because) of its wealth of personality.

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I can’t wear heels. I won’t get into the story of exactly why because it’s gruesome and I don’t want to ruin the next few minutes of your life, but suffice it to say, heels are not an option. Also, I can’t wear most knee-high boots because I have enormous calves, and most designers don’t embrace the big calf market. So my ability to appreciate and enjoy the new over-the-knee-boot trend is limited to merely watching from a distance, so that’s what I’m here to do: which of you girls out there have jumped the bandwagon and bought them already, and which of you plan to later?

If ever there was a pair of shoes that was worth an astronomical price tag, it’s these. The construction of a shoe that will cover that much of your leg has to be so precise and well-designed that I’m not sure how well this style will fair at retail. One of my favorite pairs so far is the Yves Saint Laurent Over-the-Knee Boots since they have a bit of stretch and will be more forgiving on more leg structures. If you can pull it off, though, I think you should absolutely go for it – maybe with some tights and a tunic for maximum boot exposure.

And what type of handbag should be worn with these boots? Probably something with a simple, clean design, although the size would be negotiable depending on whether you were rocking them during the day or night. The most important thing to remember with a shoe like this, though, is that what you’re wearing shouldn’t compete with them. So are you going to wear them once the weather turns cold? Buy through Saks for $1745.

We know, we know. We’ve written about the Diane Von Furstenberg Stephanie Hobo ad nauseum. Surely, some of you are sick of hearing about it. Too bad! We’re not sick of writing about it quite yet, particularly when they’ve just released a gorgeous silver version for fall.

Personally, I think it’s brilliant; the gold was warm and sunny for summer weather, and the combination of steely light and dark silvers that go into the fall version would look great against winter’s dark, woolen clothing. It’s bright without being inappropriate for the season, and the suede trim makes it an even better idea. This is definitely on my short list for must-have fall bags – grab it before it sells out, because it absolutely will. Buy through ShopBop for $875.

The elusive Alexander Wang Coco Duffel is making a comeback, only this time it is a ShopBop exclusive color. The black Alexander Wang Coco Duffel with gold studs is still hugely popular and now ShopBop teamed up with Alexander Wang to bring you a denim leather version.

Super soft leather with the look of denim, this Alexander Wang bag gives off a distressed leather look. The studs are silver rather than the black with gold studs. There are two hidden zip pockets and a box pleat at the side. This bag is less edgy than the black on gold, appearing a bit ‘lighter and airy’ rather than dense and edgy. Buy exclusively through ShopBop for $850.

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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a rather critical review of the Derek Lam Elsa Python Clutch with which not everyone agreed. And that’s fine; opinions are like…well, nevermind what they’re like! But there’s no bag upon which everyone will agree, and that’s just the nature of the beast.

But I thought it would be an interesting exercise in criticism to find a bag that does right what that clutch does so wrong: asymmetry. And I didn’t have to look for long, because the Alexander McQueen Faithful Leather Tote is full of non-symmetrical goodness that I can definitely appreciate. This tote works better because it appears as though all the details – flaps, zippers, snaps – could serve some sort of functional purpose as well as working as a design element. The trick is to make a bag whose design springs out of the essential elements of a usable bag, and McQueen does a fantastic job of that with this tote. Everything has a purpose, and there’s no random stuff stuck on just to be cute. I’m not an enormous fan of the bag’s squarish shape, but the other elements are done very well, so I can overlook it. Can you? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2295.

One of the major fall trends in handbags is studs. Studs continue to be a handbag trend that designers and buyers alike adore. Something about adding studs brings and edginess that we all crave. Sure, we may have a day job that is a bit dull at times, but show up to work with a studded bag and you bring a little rocker to your outfit. Saks is carrying an amazing array of studded handbags for fall, including: Anya Hindmarch, Be&D, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Prada, and Salvatore Ferragamo. Which studded bag are you planning to rock for fall?

Last fall, Proenza Schouler bags hit big. The PS1 became the must have bag and every young hip celebrity was doting it around town. A new batch of PS1 bags have arrived. I was waiting for a new batch of colors, but it looks like we have classic leather and suede in black back in the mix. I have adored the Proenza Schouler PS1 from day one, street chic and totally my style. Both the leather and suede versions cost $1595 via Net A Porter.

Are you still digging the Proenza Schouler PS1? Would you buy suede or leather?

When Amanda first covered this clutch I knew the opinions on it would be mixed. But I was all for the Alexander McQueen Glove Clutch and still am. It is entirely edgy, entirely different, and one of few bags that truly has me excited that I have seen on the market in a long time.

McQueen designed this bag after Marianne Faithfull who is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress who became known for her pop and rock music along with her struggle with drug abuse. The Alexander McQueen Faithful Glove Clutch is suited for the rockstar it is named after and her rockstar life. The glove handle is detachable, which means you can remove it and rock one leather glove in style a-la-Michael Jackson. There are two front zipped pockets and an internal zipped pocket. Net A Porter is carrying brown leather, but I still prefer the black leather version at Saks. Buy through Net A Porter for $995.