Ahhh, the trickery of fashion sometimes, my friends. Early on in 2020, I lamented over the return of patent leather bags. We all know that fashion can be incredibly fickle and that trends ebb and flow, but it seems that even we haven’t been able to totally track the prevalence of patent. It’s popped up a bit each season, but since our reporting in early 2020, it still hasn’t picked up enough steam to call it a full-blown trend again.
Patent bags have been not-so-quietly flying on our radar for a fair bit, but I have a feeling that this season the influx of them is only just beginning. In fashion speak, patent hasn’t reached its peak yet, meaning there’s a lot more where that came from. Let me explain why. In the world of fashion, the trickle-down theory describes how particular trends are first accepted by people in the top social classes, and then, over time, those fashion trends gradually reach the masses, as mass-market and more contemporary brands add the trend into their assortment.
That same theory can be applied to handbag trends, and it’s been proven time and time again (the Pouch trend is the perfect example of this). This season, some of the most influential handbag designers of the moment have patent in their lineups. Think Bottega Veneta, Khaite, Loewe, Givenchy, and more. Additionally, 90s-era fashion is trending big time, and patent was a huge part of 90s fashion.
Last season we saw a similar rise in this shiny material, and though many of you have pretty strong opinions on either side of the spectrum, this season there’s no denying that patent is making a pretty comeback. Take a look below at some of our favorite patent finds this year so far, but in 2022 I have a feeling the best is yet to come.
