You’ve probably seen many of the new handbag styles for 2012 hitting boutiques and stores now. However, there are always a few surprises and hidden gems you may have overlooked. Let’s take a look at five hot handbag styles hitting shops right now!
Pretty patchwork
Fewer major fashion labels are using reclaimed and recycled materials to make handbags and accessories. While reusing old material to create new bags has fallen out of interest on a broad scale, it is possible to get hold of these. They’re always unique, with no two bags ever having the same cut of cloth. Expect to find a more refined style to recycled handbags now, utilising more vintage materials, with cool, faded polka dots and delicate floral prints.
Lovely, shiny things
The world of women’s accessories always favour the sparkly things, but don’t expect to see an over abundance of diamanté and other crystals adorning bags this year. While there are still some around, designers clearly have become a little jaded with crystal and rhinestone embellishments. You’ll see that women’s fashion is leaning towards the rock’n’roll look this year, as metal studs on leather is the must have look. Expect to find studded finishes on purses and clutch bags.
Brave and bold
Now’s the time to take the plunge with bright, strong colours. The 80s day glo is dying out (thankfully) and deeper shades are taking their place. Geometric shapes and blocks of scarlet, pink and sky blue can make a big impression on larger, oversized tote bags. Expect to find a burst of tropical, summer colours too. Bright reds and oranges bring an exciting edge to your outfit, making a great excuse to buy something to go with those fab, fiery heels you’ve had your eye on!
Mixing it up
While some designers are playing with colour blocking with handbags, others are going a bit further. Not only are they combining some strong colours, but using different fabrics too. Expect to find layered textures such as patent leather, quilted material and suede panelling. The watchword for these handbags is ‘fun’, and these playful styles can be found among some impressive shoulder bags and clutch bags.
Small is beautiful
While oversized, carry-all bags are proving to be an essential part of 2012’s fashion, style is also shrinking down handbags too. With a wheelie bag, travel pass, iPad and goodness knows what else, it’s getting tougher to juggle life’s essentials, and a large bag doesn’t always cut it. Small shoulder bags and hip bags are growing in popularity, which are ideal for women that just need somewhere for their money, cards, keys, phone and one or two extra bits and pieces.
Rainbow’s End keep up-to-date with trends for fashion accessories such as Disaster Designs bags