Trends

The Chain Gang: Fall 2013’s handbags are all about metal embellishments

Now that we’ve had some time to let the Fall 2013 runways marinate, a few key handbag trends have started to pop out. Fur and exotics will make a return once again this year, which is either fantastic or terrible, depending on your personal ethics and/or bank account. A new trend that we noticed, though, was the preponderance of chain embellishments on the season’s bags. While the word “chain” might bring about thoughts of bikers and bondage, the season’s chains, from straps to trim, are much more varied and often more subtle than you’d first guess.

Fall 2013 might seem like it’s a long way off, but it’s never too early to start planning future purchases, especially when you consider how much bags cost these days. Plus, with the weather the way it is in New York (it was a balmy 35 degrees yesterday), these bags feel a lot more appropriate than raffia totes and brightly colored crossbodies at the moment. To wit, we’ve collected the best demonstrations of the trend from the Fall 2013 global runways and assembled them into an easy guide from you below. They range from ladylike at Tory Burch and Oscar de la Renta to tough at Versace and Loewe, and it should come as no surprise that Chanel is a perennial front-runner when it comes to chain-accented handbags.

[All images via Vogue]

If you’re looking for a heritage take on chains, check out this beautiful flap bag from Belstaff, which we chose as one of the best from New York Fashion Week.

Belstaff Fall 2013 Chain Shoulder Bag

Louis Vuitton almost always uses leather straps and handles, but this python-and-chain version of the Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires is a strong example of the far-reaching trend, which was present throughout the Vuitton Fall 2013 collection.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Accesoires with Chain Strap

A significant portion of Fall 2013’s chain bags were of a more traditional, old-world bent, like this Bottega Veneta crocodile frame bag.

Bottega Veneta Crocodile Frame Bag with Chain Strap

An embellished satin bag like this one from Oscar de la Renta practically requires a delicate chain strap.

Oscar de la Renta Chain Strap Bag

TopShop Unique chose to go for a tough, modern, oversized matte black chain on this large duffel.

Top Shop Unique Chain Strap Duffel

The metallic glint of a chain contrasts nicely with the animal-printed calf hair of this Emilio Pucci mini bag.

Emilio Pucci Chain Strap Mini Bag

Etro is known for its highly intricate embellishments, so it’s only natural that chain made a visit this season.

Etro Leather-Woven Chain Strap Bag

This Armani bag is proof that even a chain strap can be made minimal and sleek.

Armani Smooth Chain Suede Bag

Chanel’s collection was full of chain-strapped bags, but this chain-covered version is the most in-your-face manifestation of the trend.

Chanel Chain-Covered Flap Bag

Tory Burch‘s collection, especially the accessories, was lush, detailed and full of vintage artistic charm. This was just one of many chain-strap bags.

Tory Burch Chain Handle Calf Hair Flap Bag

Instead of a strap, this Loewe bag has the chains woven directly into it.

Loewe Chain Trim Shoulder Bag

Marc Jacobs is into chains so much that all the bags in his eponymous collection (and most of the ones in his Louis Vuitton line) featured them.

Marc Jacobs Tweed and Sequin Bag with Chain Straps

Roberto Cavalli is no shrinking violet when it comes to a bold look, but this black-and-white floral shoulder bag with a chain strap feels restrained for him. In a good way.

Roberto Cavalli Chain Strap Printed Bag

The chunky chain strap gives this tiny croc minaudiere from J. Mendel just the right amount of modern attitude.

J Mendel Chain Strap Minaudiere

Valentino has recently made a name for itself in handbags by taking edgy embellishments and making them feminine; the brand does a good job with the chain detail on this clutch.

Valentino Chain Strap Clutch

Never a brand to miss an opportunity to add detail to its bags, Versace finished one of its eye-popping fur biker bags with chains.

Versace Chain Strap Fur Shoulder Bag

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