Has Miu Miu got its groove back?

Earlier this year, we posited that something was amiss in the Miu Miu handbag design department, and in fact, someone I spoke to at the brand intimated that the bags weren’t selling as well as they used to. It wasn’t hard to imagine why that was – unlike the brand’s highly covetable and widely lusted-after shoes, the bags were just…ok. They were passable, with some solid basics to temper the sometimes odd, occasionally off-putting seasonal collection bags. For a brand that I loved so much, the handbag situation at Miu Miu was more than a little vexing.

Now, though, I’m seeing some tentative signs of a move in the right direction. The handbags below are all from Miu Miu’s Resort 2013 collection, and they’re pretty darn good. We haven’t reached greatness yet, but with some simple takes on bright colors and basic shapes, combined with smart uses of some of the brand’s recent signatures like matelasse leather and prominent frames, things are looking better than they have in several seasons. Are any of the bags below on your shopping list? Check out more Miu Miu bags at Net-a-Porter and Bergdorf Goodman.

Miu Miu Ruched Nappa Leather Crystal Bag
$1295 via Bergdorf Goodman

Miu Miu Vitello Bicolore Satchel Bag
$1495 via Bergdorf Goodman

Miu Miu Madras Bicolor Shoulder Bag
$1050 via Bergdorf Goodman

Miu Miu Madras Bicolor Satchel Bag
$1695 via Bergdorf Goodman

Miu Miu Embellished Frame Clutch
$2290 via Bergdorf Goodman

Miu Miu Matelasse Clutch
$1350 via Net-a-Porter

Miu Miu Leather Tote
$1695 via Net-a-Porter