Fashion Trends

Outside of an elite minority of buyers, iconic handbags in the five or six digit price range are an unrealistic splurge for many. Fair enough. Spending over 10 grand on a bag — more than a year’s worth of rent in my case — seems an eager display of extraordinary affluence.

Still, many argue — and prove their point via purchases — that owning a well made, coveted designer handbag is a worthy investment. (Granted, bags that sit comfortably in the three to four digit retail range are more often procured than their exorbitant 10k to 500k brethren.)

I’m not here to preach or even to sell you a bag, but I will say that splurging on certain handbags makes sense. Especially if you are fashion forward and appreciate the creative genius behind quality products.

Keep in mind that, yes, bags serve a utilitarian purpose, but they’re also art. Art that’s viewed by most everyone who passes you by on the street, as opposed to art that hangs on walls and is only viewed by the few who visit your home.

“While the dress goes out of style — or gets stained if it’s me we’re talking about — and a shoe gets ruined while running for the bus, a bag could really be forever,” notes Mirela, Stylish City founder and Upper East Side shopping ambassador. “Why not invest in something that really says who you want to be, as sometimes [bags] really are aspirational pieces.”

Speaking of investing in something that tells the world who you are (or who you want to be), we’ve rounded up eight of the most iconic handbags to date. Some have more history than others, but all are prized by the world’s most fashion savvy veterans. Based on the bag’s appearance, history, price range and celebrities who carry it, we’ve generated a mini profile about the person who chooses to carry each bag.

Hermès Birkin

About the Bag: Hermès designed this bag in 1981 for English singer and actress Jane Birkin. Legend has it that Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to Birkin on a Paris to London flight when the contents of her current bag took a spill. After explaining that she couldn’t find a suitable leather weekend bag, Dumas created the now world-renowned Birkin bag.

Celebs Who Carry It: Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Rachel Zoe, Katie Holmes

What it Says About You: The Birkin bag was created as a weekend tote, so it’s large. In addition to being large in size and price, this bag also has a larger than life reputation. As a result, women who carry the Birkin most likely enjoy standing out in a crowd, clearly care about the way they’re perceived and are often high maintenance. The bag’s sophisticated, streamlined design also shows that the woman who wears it is confident and isn’t afraid to stand her ground.

Balenciaga City Motorcycle

About the Bag: At over 10 years old, Balenciaga’s City Motorcycle bag remains a treasured favorite to celebrities and fashion icons across the world. It features a naturally distressed leather exterior — available in just about every color under the sun — and a hearty supply of pockets, tassels, studs and buckles.

Celebs Who Carry It: Khloe Kardashian, Christina Aguilera, Tori Spelling

What it Says About You: The owner of a Balenciaga City Motorcycle bag is a chick with an ultra tough exterior and style sense that’s easy, relaxed and downright cool. Despite her hard shell, though, the City Motorcycle owner has a soft heart. As a result, she’s easily moved by heartwarming stories, romantic gestures and charitable deeds.

To Be Continued………

By Wendy Rose Gould

The spring and summer runways were rich with intoxicating prints, bold silhouettes and enough sex appeal to last for a decade. As you plan your upcoming warm-month ensembles, consider incorporating one or two (if not all) of the following trends into your wardrobe.

Iridescent Fabrics

If you really want to stand out in a crowd, partake in the iridescent fabric trend. This fresh new fabric choice is sure to turn heads and it certainly did so on the runway. Designers such as Jonathan Saunders, Christian Dior and Diane von Furstenberg all showcased this unusual fabric on the catwalk. When styling, pair iridescent fabrics with a neutral colors and minimal accessories to ground the look. Pictured here is a dress designed by Jonathan Saunders.

Jonathan Saunders SS2013

Peekaboo Skin

From tiny shoulder cutouts to ultra sheer fabrics, peekaboo skin is one of the hottest 2013 spring and summer fashion trends. Many designers have created looks that fuse conservative silhouettes with the element of “peekaboo” surprise, so don’t worry about looking too scandalous. Jason Wu‘s leather dress pictured here shows off the midriff, but is still chic and refined.

Jason Wu SS2013

Flats

This spring and summer, leave your highest heels in the closet and give your feet a break. Catwalk models sported flat shoe after flat shoe, including models belonging to Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch. Tennis shoes, loafers, pointy-toed dress flats, streamlined sandals — even flip flops — are all on trend. Check out the flat boots designed by Victoria Beckham (queen of heels, mind you) and notice the peekaboo panel on the front of this white dress. White is also on trend for SS2013.

Victoria Beckham SS2013

Pencil Skirts

Nearly every single designer showcased at least once pencil skirt on the runway, including Oscar de la Renta, Prada and Alexander McQueen. Some were crafted out of boisterous floral prints, others neutral and resigned while others yet in loud colors. Pair pencil skirts with a bomber jacket or white blouse. Both are also on trend for spring/summer 2013. The pencil skirts pictured here were designed by Roland Mouret.

Roland Mouret SS2013

Neon

Embrace color with this flashy spring and summer 2013 fashion trend: neon. Whether you’re partial to lemony yellow, punchy pink or radioactive green, now is the time to buy and wear flashy neon garments and accessories. Designers such as Simone Rocha, Osman and House of Holland participated in this color trend. Pictured here is an all-pink ensemble crafted by Oscar de la Renta.

Oscar de la Renta SS2013

Source: Style.com

By Wendy Rose Gould

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Invitation Code: WINTER2013

Staying on top of all the latest and greatest trends is a must for every fashion forward femme. Still, there are some trends that — despite countless women participating in them — should just bow out with the sun and never rise again.

For example, the drop crotch pants trend (shudder) was super trendy for about a month or so until people finally realized that they made the wearer look like she had soiled an adult diaper. This was a trend that fizzled out and we hope it stays that way.

The following trends are still being plastered across billboards, magazine spreads and featured on countless fashion/beauty websites daily. However, we here at The Stylish City eagerly await their demise. If you agree or disagree with any of them, let us know in the comment section (or feel free to add your own despised trends).

Micky Filip: Low Rise Pants

Micky says that low rise pants trends are unflattering on roughly 99.99% of the population. They have the potential to create muffin top on even a size 00. Not to mention, nobody wants to see your butt crack — even if you have been working out.

Caitlin Colford: Neon/Sheer Tee’s in a Black Bra

A bra is an undergarment meant to be seen only by you and perhaps a lucky someone. The whole “Hey Guys! Look at my bra!” trend is not fashionable — it’s borderline trashy. What happened to the days when we chose bras with the ultimate goal of having them not show?

Wendy Rose Gould – Cultural Appropriation

Stealing from various cultures’ traditions and calling it fashion is a major no-no. It’s one thing to appreciate various cultures and another to take traditional knowledge and cultural expressions without permission. I’ve seen bindi beads and turbans, but, as of late, the fashion world has particularly crossed a line with Navajo and Native American fashion. It’s disrespectful and there are much cooler — more modern — things happening on the runway.

Mirela Gluck: Nail Art and Skyscraper Heels

While nail art has the potential to be undoubtedly impressive, site owner Mirela is so over seeing fancified manicures in every magazine or blog she looks at. She’s also over sky high — or skyscraper high, really — heels. Some are pretty to look at, but no lady looks good hobbling/teetering/falling down the sidewalk. Some of those babies are downright dangerous.

Ritu Bindra: The Bollywood Look

Ritu — the developer of The Stylish City website who currently lives in India — commented on how so many Indian women try to take the fashion they see in Bollywood films and replicate it on the streets. For example: many attempt to pair a sheer sari with a barely there brassiere. This tacky trend takes away from the beauty of a sari, which is already pretty sexy in and of itself.

By Wendy Rose Gould