Marni takes texture to another level

Texture is one of the big fashion words on everyone’s lips this year, which means that finding a unique way to incorporate it into your wardrobe is going to be a big challenge in a few months. Most of you seemed a bit tepid toward the prevailing ideas about python and its many uses, and I can’t say I blame you – I saw enough snakeskin during the Fall 2011 shows that I’d be perfectly happy if I didn’t see it again until 2012.

Thank god, though, that we can always rely on Marni to give us an uncommon take on a common idea. The Marni Studded Leather Shoulder Bag makes a bold texture statement without being a slave to one trend or another, and it does that while being neutral and functional enough to use every day. This bag has enough personality to not appeal to absolutely everyone, but who wants to carry a bag that can be seen on the shoulder of every other woman walking down the street? Certainly not me. (Unless it’s a Celine Luggage Tote, of course. Then GIMME GIMME GIMME. Ahem. But that’s beside the point!)

I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to Marni, but I quite admire the brand’s ability to be directional and taste-specific without losing the utilitarian nature of its pieces. The taupe leather-covered studs make this bag a bit of an aesthetic oddity, but this is a time in fashion to embrace oddness and all of its trappings. When you can do that and still carry a neutral bag that holds everything you need for the day, you know that the piece’s designer has done his or her job. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2015.